Swords for Sale

By R. Hyslop

Finland (986-8) Ethelwulf the Wanderer hire out their support to Gotland merchants but rapidly the contract collapses so they retire to Finland. Here they join the Kainuu exploiting the Sami in the Arctic, realise their mistake and move on to Aldeigjuborg, under threat from native tribes. Hostility follows them and they have to pay compensation for injuries inflicted in a multiple-duel. That doesn’t end the matter so they have to escape to Russia
With extensive factual End-Notes
Part 6 of a nine part series set in the 10th century Viking world. Here the background is a pagan Finland where native tribes are beginning to fight off their Viking exploiters.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bob Hyslop
• Release date: Nov 6, 2015
• ISBN: 9780993438950

R. Hyslop

I am a retired teacher, absorbed by History since I learned to read. I graduated in History from King's College, London in 1963, specialising in Medieval History. I wrote 'The Wanderer' trilogy at odd times 1992-2008 when I self-published it. The main effort came with the research. For more details see under 'Bob Hyslop'.

Book preview

SWORDS FOR SALE

(The Wanderer’ Part 6: Finland 986-88)

By R. Hyslop

Published in Great Britain 2008. 2015

(previously as Part 3 of ‘Viking’ the second of ‘The Wanderer’ Trilogy)

by Cuthan Books ( http://www.cuthanbooks.co.uk/ )

Copyright R. Hyslop

The right of R. Hyslop to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by him in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988

ISBN: 9780993438950

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

To my family and friends who have encouraged me knowingly or not for so many years.

As elsewhere in ‘The Wanderer’ the introductory passages are mainly drawn from the rich vein of Anglo-Saxon poetry.

Throughout the Swedish Sea is used instead the Baltic Sea.

(This novel has extensive endnotes. Before accessing End-Notes PLEASE NOTE YOUR RETURN POINT as you will be taken to SET points in that long section (110 entries). Then scroll down to the relevant End-Note.

For example, in the TEXT click on [62] & you’ll go to a SET point (60) in End-Notes. Scroll down to End-Note 62 & read it.

To RETURN enter [62] in the file’s FIND Process (it may produce several so check you have the right 62), & you’re back where you were in the TEXT – or use if available.)

Table of Contents

Story so far

CHAPTER 1. Swords for Sale

CHAPTER 2. The Kainuu

CHAPTER 3. Winter Festivities

CHAPTER 4. The Slave Expedition

CHAPTER 5. The Contract

Finland: Afterword

Map showing places in ‘Swords for Sale’

Family Tree of Ethelwulf the Wanderer

About the Author

Endnotes for ‘Swords for Hire’

&&&

The Story so far

(The number indicate the volume dealing with this content)

In 979 Ethelwulf of Arne witnessed the murder of King Edward at Corfe, was accused of the crime and outlawed. Joined by his cousins (Edwine and Morkere) and others he escaped from England after the murder of his mother and the seizure of his estate. (1) He fled to Jersey, became involved in episodes including murder and corruption and discovered the English authorities could still secure his arrest. (2) He escaped and fled to Ireland where he served in the struggle between resurgent Gaels and Viking interlopers. He enjoyed a brief affair with Gorflath, the most influential woman in 10th century Ireland, and recruited Gunnar, an outstanding axe-man. (3) However, he was expelled from the country and retired to Iceland, by now known as Ethelwulf the Wanderer. Here he was sucked into a blood-feud which led to his expulsion from that country, with a witch’s curse upon him. (4) He arrived at the court of Harald Blue-Tooth, King of the Danes, but led an expedition to help Wends harassed by the mysterious Sons of Hel. Although successful he was forcibly recruited into the forces of Styrbjorn claiming the throne of Eric of Sweden. The attempt was a disaster and Ethelwulf was largely responsible for the preservation of much of the expedition. However, his price was permission to leave for the East, which by many was seen as disgraceful desertion. (5)

&&&

CHAPTER 1. Swords for Sale

"A traveller should not walk unarmed

But have to hand his weapons!

He never knows when he’ll need a spear

Or what threat awaits on the road." (‘’Havamal’ 38’)

Yesterday had seen the latest raid from the East. For years, the traders of Gotland had grown used to plundering Danes or ravaging Vikings from Norway stealing their hard-earned gains from trade along the rivers of the East. But lately it had become different. Varangians[1] had learned there was silver to be had in Gotland itself; for years they’d been satisfied with the occasional robbery, or even murder, of traders among the rivers leading down to Holmgard and Kenugard. Gotlanders had accepted the risks which drove them to make such hard bargains and so, if successful, reap greater profits. If unsuccessful, their spirits could walk the earth and terrorise their killers till Ragnarok itself come; the traders didn’t care, for them life was over.

Lately, however, some of the less-confident among them had wondered if it was all worthwhile. The Alting [2]had almost despaired. The latest act of piracy – the seizure of a ship-full of pelts from the forests north of Lake Ladoga – had been but one more in a growing list of outages. Something had to be done. They’d tried sailing in convoys or placing warriors on their traders with mixed success. When they looked at their own population they recognised few would be capable of tackling such raiders head-on. Gotlanders made excellent traders and many were fine craftsmen, but fighters were few and far between. Yet raiders largely came as single longships – chancing their luck in return for quick profit. As yet there’d been no determined attack on them, their trading activity was too important to kings and chieftains on all shores of the Swedish Sea. Generations before, pacts with the Kings of the Swedes had given Gotland protection but these seem to have fallen into disuse. Eric had been too busy defending his kingdom, either against the Danes or his own nephew, Styrbjorn, to worry about ancient treaties.

Ulf Grey-Beard suggested they hire fighters to defend the island against the pirates.

"And what’s to stop such fighters turning pirate themselves? demanded Gorm Tight-Fisted. Why won’t they simply sniff out where we’ve hidden away whatever silver we’ve managed to assemble after a lifetime’s toil – and then, perhaps with pirate confederates, spirit it away?"

"How would they know where the pirates were?" asked Thorstein Siwardsson

"We know where they go! snapped Ulf, irritated at the ignorance, stupidity and malevolence marking his fellow Alting councillors. But we cannot – dare not – do anything against them."

"So we get one thief to catch another?" persisted Thorstein.

"Quite! intervened Halfdan the Mighty anxious to cut short what was developing into a quarrel. We do have more honest visitors – perhaps traders, perhaps simpler travellers – so why not get them to help."

"Presumably for a fat purse of silver," said Ótryggr Unnsson, who’d himself come from Uppland twenty years before. Here he found establishing a small workshop to repair jewellery and meet other needs of traders was more than enough compensation for living among people, whom, in his heart, he despised. Though he’d never known his father, he’d been surrounded in childhood by heroes (or those who posing as heroes); consequently, to Ótryggr traders were lesser men, however much silver they possessed.

"Of course, replied Halfdan, Would you work for nothing? Can we expect men to risk their lives for nothing?"

"Perhaps we could make a deal with them, said Thorstein. Perhaps it would be enough to share in the profits of thievery?"

"That would never be enough, was Halfdan’s reply. Anyone sharing in the profit of theft will never have enough and will become a thief himself."

"You have a poor opinion of men -" began Ótryggr.

"You’re still a relatively young man, Ótryggr. You don’t feel anxiety when a vessel in which you’ve invested your hopes for the year is late. For you, late payment is the worst of fortunes. For a trader the loss of a cargo can mean ruin."

"And that can be brought about by pirates," added Ulf with a scowl, remembering how his own father had never smiled again after losing one such cargo to pirates, even though he managed first to survive and later to recover a fortune.

"Besides, interposed Halfdan the Mighty, anxious to get the discussion of the Alting back on to a practical level, everything will have worsened as the Jomsvikings have been beaten."

"Quite, agreed Ulf Grey-Beard, their natural viciousness will increase because of the drubbing they’ve had from King Eric. They never have been much more than pirates – whatever the scalds might like to sing about them –"

"Perhaps," put in a dark, somewhat quieter member of the Alting. Kolbein the Westerner had only lived there for ten years and so was treated with moderate tolerance and a degree of suspicion. After all, he claimed to have come from somewhere he called the ‘Hebrides’ and most of his neighbours were uncertain as to where that was; they knew it was beyond the seas to the west of Norway and that was enough. Some of the community had managed to voyage to such outlandish places as Dublin, Limerick or London and many tales they brought back weren’t welcome; it appeared such places were filled with near-savages, unable to make a decent bargain and stick to it, almost as bad as the Varangians who made life so difficult along the eastern shores of the Swedish Sea. He’d earned the nickname Hildolfr[3] before he’d fled eastwards so he’d a far better appreciation of the effects of violence than most of the Alting, who’d been always the victims and never the perpetrators. After getting the attention he continued, Most of the Jomsvikings are like children, worshipping fame and not plunder. They’ll attack for the sheer love of conflict, sure in death they’ll be carried off straight to Valhalla to serve the All-Father[4] himself on the final day of battle.

"So does that mean they could be bribed to steer clear of our traders?" asked Ótryggr Unnsson.

"Unfortunately, probably the opposite, smiled the Hebridean. If we hired mercenaries it might even attract them. He paused as he observed the puzzlement which took over his colleagues’ features. Ordinary pirates wouldn’t tackle a trader if they believed a supporting longship might emerge out of the mists and make them pay for their effrontery. Jomsvikings might – and I say ‘might’ – look forward to testing their swords against tough opposition."

"So are we to do nothing?" snapped Halfdan. This was no good. Just when he felt the Alting was coming to a sensible decision this foreigner stepped in and upset everything.

"Certainly not, grinned Kolbein, We can’t do much to stop Jomsvikings if they choose to take out their spite on our ships, but pirates are an easier pest to tackle."

"I’m glad you see them as a ‘pest’, sneered Thorstein Siwardsson. Personally I see them as some of the most dangerous creatures ever active in northern seas."

"What we can’t do, imposed Halfdan, is do nothing, let matters continue as they are. He paused and looked around, challenging any companion to protest or continue down the byways of their argument. So I propose we recruit the next suitable longship crew, as long as they’re relative strangers to our business –"

"And why should that be so important?" queried Thorstein.

"Because, answered Halfdan, surprised anybody should ask the question, anybody knowing our business, is probably all too aware of our profit so must be easily tempted to join any pirate. He coughed and rested the palms of his hands lightly on the table in front of him as if about to conclude business and leave the room. So we approach any strange longship with an offer. Yes?"

With murmurs and grunts of agreement, some more reluctant than others, the meeting of the Alting broke up.

&&&

When Ethelwulf saw Visby appear vaguely against the black outline of Gotland in the morning sun, it was welcome – but only because, after leaving the disaster of Uppsala, he’d been dependent on directions given by Bjorn Ormikasson from Slite on the island of Gotland. However, Slite was on the opposite side of the island to Visby and Bjorn, when he’d hurriedly left his home following an argument with old Ormika, had first gone north to Birka[5]from where he’d drifted down to the court of Bluetooth at Jelling. He was an honest enough man, but no great sailor and so his directions had always been suspect. Ethelwulf found himself wishing Thorgrim had been there to navigate their path.

It was a pity Thorgrim the Short had been badly wounded at Birka for that warrior had spent years raiding in the Swedish Sea; he lay in ‘Hresvelg's Child’[6],gradually slipping away from the jaws of death and certainly in no position to help with navigation ever since they’d escaped the ambush of the Gotlander fleet at Lake Marlar. At first Ethelwulf had believed his longship was alone in slipping past the Gotlanders but then he noticed two other vessels escape. So intent was he on eluding any more entanglement with the ambitions of the Jomsvikings, he’d ordered his helmsman to head straight for Gotland, or as straight as Bjorn Ormikasson could advise. Only when a couple of the crew called his attention did he look back and recognise, as a fourth escaping vessel, the familiar sail of ‘Hresvelg's Child’. Even then he’d hesitated between pressing on and waiting for Thorgrim’s longship to catch up. His mind was made up when the two other Jomsviking vessels turned abruptly south as if set on reaching Jomsburg before they suffered any more disasters. As ‘Alsvid’ lay motionless with its sail reefed, Ethelwulf noted another three vessels appear on the horizon and follow the other two Jomsviking vessels southwards.

Meanwhile ‘Hresvelg's Child’ slowly made its way towards his own longship. Apparently, it was commanded by Hall Asgrimsson because Thorgrim was still recovering from his wound – unless his spirit had scuttled off to Valhalla. Hall was a reasonable Skanian, if somewhat gruff, and much easier to deal with than the giant Jutlander as he lacked the confidence, if not bravado, which dominated Thorgrim’s personality. So Ethelwulf was willing to wait for Thorgrim’s longship to catch up; especially as he reasoned two longships, controlled by himself, would be of far greater value than ‘Alsvid’ alone. He expected Thorgrim to be out of action for some time, certainly enough for the future to be determined by himself. The greetings exchanged between the two vessels included an enquiry about Thorgrim’s condition and Ethelwulf was not displeased to hear the giant was asleep most of the time and when awake appeared so weak all his curses and abuse had little effect on Hall or the rest of his crew. If Hall seemed unconcerned by the threats of Thorgrim, the Wanderer saw little need to be concerned himself.

‘Hresvelg's Child’ assumed the subordinate position of following in Ethelwulf’s wake as both vessels made their way towards Gotland. Was it wise to head for the centre of trade in the central Swedish Sea when they’d just forced their way through a Gotlander ambush? Ethelwulf had been persuaded by Bjorn Ormikasson with three reasons. Firstly, the Gotlander decision to send a fleet – hired rather than made up of their own vessels – was chiefly a matter of business; they’d been lured by the rumours of Eric’s wealth and fuelled by the belief he’d generously reward those coming to his aid in a time of need. Secondly, his enemies, the Jomsvikings and the Danes, were their enemies; Bluetooth hadn’t proved cooperative in their efforts to expand trading links out into the North Sea and beyond; as for the Jomsvikings, their ravages not only threatened any trade but also, by individual acts of piracy, directly cut into the prosperity of Gotland. Thirdly, Bjorn argued it would be easy to prove they’d been forced into following the Jomsvikings, so they’d be seen as fellow-victims. All this seemed sound but Ethelwulf was very aware how much their reception depended on the persuasiveness of Bjorn Ormikasson; his doubts hadn’t been helped by Morkere’s comment they’d little idea of the past relations between Thorgrim and the Gotlanders. Even so, the decision really rested on there being no sensible alternative!

Ethelwulf knew returning to the west wouldn’t be easy – besides there were few lands where he might find welcome. The East, however, held better prospects. He’d heard a fine living could be made from trade (or piracy) on the eastern edges of the Swedish Sea; venturing further eastwards would take them down the rivers and portages which made up the lands of the Varangians or the Rus. From there they might pass on to the dominions of Miklagard or even to the shores of the Mediterranean, although Ethelwulf would have admitted his knowledge of such areas came from what had been written perhaps a thousand years before.

Anyway, the first step in such an adventure was the island of Gotland. This might offer opportunities in itself or point the way to openings further East. As they made their way across the sea, Thorgrim’s vessel continued to limp on behind ‘Alsvid’, as if its crew shared the lack of energy of their badly-wounded leader.

As the quayside of Visby loomed closer Ethelwulf became more excited. It was larger than he’d expected and he noted the four trading vessels already moored there – one unloading its cargo even at that early hour. Skilfully ‘Alsvid’’s helmsman, Edwy Osbertsson, brought his vessel into a vacant mooring slot; Gudmund managed to steer ‘Hresvelg's Child’ so that it was positioned alongside, thereby making the success of a sudden attack less likely. Ethelwulf was surprised to see Thorgrim appear and clamber over the gunwales of ‘Alsvid’ to make his way to dry land. He’d hoped the giant would continue to be in such a state as not to challenge his authority – and was ashamed of such feelings. Thorgrim might be awkward at times, but he was a brave fighter and only he could drive his crew to match Ethelwulf’s own.

"It’s good to see you back on your feet – even though it doesn’t do my neck any good!" laughed Ethelwulf for the giant overtopped him by more than a head.

"I am delighted to cause you such trouble!" was the reply as Thorgrim swung his axe, ‘Blood-Drinker’, lightly over his shoulder and prepared to push his way past Ethelwulf. If the Saxon had seen the expression of irritation playing upon the features of Gunnar, he wouldn’t have been surprised; the Gall-Gael had been consumed by jealousy since Ethelwulf had joined up with the giant from Jutland. Both were axe-men but Thorgrim had both greater height and longer reach.

As Ethelwulf followed Thorgrim on to dry land they were approached by a solid Gotlander, Eysteinn Stiff-Arm, who earned silver by interrogating any new arrivals to see how they could fit into the Gotlander system. He was a shrewd fellow, whose ambitions had been thwarted by an arthritic attack on his left arm which made it virtually useless. With practised ease he’d soon learned the essential facts about both leaders – although he was confused as to which man was the real leader. He advised them where they could find both supplies and the ale clearly highly prized by such crews, and then scurried off to report to the Alting.

&&&

The Alting decided to summon the leaders of the two longships. Halfdan the Mighty had managed to limit Alting representation to Ulf Grey-Beard, Ótryggr Unnsson and himself; at least that meant everyone would be in favour of hiring somebody, if not the two in front of them. Halfdan contrasted the two leaders: one was tall, fair-haired and grey-eyed with the stance and physique of a skilled warrior and yet still with an air of honesty, if not actual innocence; the other was a giant and clearly a killer from his red hair and green eyes and the glare with which he confronted the world. It was the giant who spoke first, in the guttural tones of the Danes, demanding why they’d been dragged away from their vessels.

Halfdan hastened to explain they meant no harm and introduced his colleagues. Ulf asked the leaders why they’d moored in Visby.

"We’re merely on our way to the East," replied the giant.

"So you’ve definite plans already?" Ulf asked and was pleased the giant was surprised by the question. The slighter-built warrior spoke to cover his comrade’s confusion, in an accent unfamiliar to the members of the Alting.

"My comrade’s Thorgrim the Short, a renowned warrior from Jutland, he explained with a gesture of his hand. I’m known as Ethelwulf the Wanderer and I’ve travelled from the land of the Saxons."

"From the territories of the Emperor?" asked Halfdan and the stranger smiled.

"No! I’m sorry if I’ve misled you. Generations ago warriors sailed from the land of the Germans across the western seas and found homes on the island the Romans had called Britannia –"

"So you come from a country near the Hebrides, interposed Halfdan, I must introduce you to our colleague, Kolbein Haldol, who comes from there."

"Not quite, was the quiet reply from Ethelwulf, although his companion showed signs of impatience. The islands you mention lie far to the north of where I was born; they’re much closer to Ireland, where I was three years ago."

"And why did you leave?" was the question from Ótryggr Unnsson.

The giant laughed loudly and demanded if the past life of his companion was of any importance – or any relevance as to why they were standing here. Halfdan detected tension between the two strangers to be exploited but possibly handicapping action against the pirates. Even so, his reaction was to smile and apologise.

"We’re considering employing fighters, he added, so we’re naturally interested in the past history of any possible recruit."

"I’ll admit I’ve been exiled from my native island, replied the slighter warrior. I’ve served on an island called Jersey, next to the lands of the Franks, among the Gaels, the distant western island of Iceland. Recently Thorgrim and myself successfully carried out a dangerous mission for Harald Blue-Tooth before fighting valiantly under Styrbjorn at Uppsala."

"So you’re friends of the Jomsvikings?" queried Ulf Grey-Beard.

"Certainly not! snapped Thorgrim, Though it’s true Vagn Aagesson has no cause to criticise our service at Birka."

"So you were there?" asked Halfdan because he’d heard how the great rival of Visby had been humbled by an attack following the defeat of Styrbjorn at Uppsala. He was also aware the fleet sent to help the King of the Swedes had yet to return and it was possible these two men in front of him might supply useful information – as long as they weren’t pressed too closely.

"We played our humble part in the seizure of the town, answered Ethelwulf, and assisted Vagn in his battle on Lake Marlar."

Thorgrim laughed at this before adding, Although I don’t think Vagn would consider it enough!

Halfdan frowned. He’d received no reports from the fleet but assumed they meant a fight between the Jomsvikings and the Gotlander fleet on Lake Marlar. Only Thorgrim’s last comment prevented him from ordering their seizure. This pair must have fought against the fleet despatched a week or so ago. Personally he’d been most unenthusiastic when they’d discussed assisting Eric, whom Halfdan considered to be a growing threat to their trade throughout the region; naturally, the Swedes fostered the commercial ambitions of Birka and Sigtuna and so must damage those of Gotland, its rival. In the Alting Halfdan’s reluctance had been overcome by the argument Styrbjorn was the more immediate threat to Gotlander interests. Fortunately, few of his fellow islanders had gone with the fleet; Gotlander silver had been lavished on conjuring up an armada, chiefly from Norwegians and other Westerners because nobody would trust any force assembled from the peoples of the East. He was prepared to put aside their fighting against Gotlander interest, excusing them on the grounds of ignorance and because they appeared hostile to the Jomsvikings. He must explore further their relationship to those pirates from Jomsburg, but that would have to wait.

Halfdan was tempted to ask more about Lake Marlar but decided all that was for another day. Instead he made a proposition to the two Vikings in front of him. They were to be generously paid in hack-silver,[7] each crewman to receive one ørtog[8] for simply staying in Visby until despatched as directed by the Alting; helmsmen were to receive two ørtog and captains one eynir. If they fought and destroyed pirate vessels they were to receive double that amount of silver and even more if they managed to recover some of the pirate loot. No mention was made of shares in any recovered loot but Halfdan produced what he considered to be a fair measure of silver and both Ethelwulf and Thorgrim agreed Gotlander ideas matched their own when it came to proper payment. However, Thorgrim added the Alting didn’t know the value of the Vikings nor could they estimate the wealth of the town.

Ulf started as the comment seemed to accompany a glint of greed in the eyes of the giant. Interest in the wealth of his community was unwelcome, especially in a stranger. He noticed the quieter of the two leaders said nothing but, observing the Gotlander’s expression, allowed a smile to pass over his lips.

"We’ll put your offer to our men, said the Saxon, and report back."

"In the meantime, interrupted his companion, We’ll stay at our moorings but expect, as a gesture of friendship, a supply of food and drink to prevent our crews wandering into town."

Halfdan wondered whether that was a threat of causing trouble if they didn’t get free supplies. No! If this pair had fought their way through the fleet sent to help Eric they must be warriors to reckon with. Anyway, that fleet should soon return and then any threat could be dealt with. Besides he rather liked the Saxon although he was more suspicious of the giant; he was pleased neither appeared to trust the other. Halfdan noted that for the future; meanwhile, to send them off with the right attitude, Halfdan generously gave them the measure of silver he had ready; he hoped this would help persuade the crews to fight for the Gotlanders.

&&&

"I think we should join up with any pirate we come across and skin this collection of thieves!" snapped Thorgrim that evening. He recalled his short career as a pirate in waters south of Bornholm several years ago – but made no mention of it to Ethelwulf. He was irritated by being expected to risk life and limb for such paltry pay, especially when he couldn’t even guess how many pounds of silver passed through the hands of Gotlander traders every year.

"But it would be a good place to rest, was Morkere’s comment, with an irritating grin, before we set off for the unknown."

"So you don’t plan to spend your life looking after these fat traders, laughed Edwine. You surprise me, brother!"

"You’re more likely to join the dead, murmured Kari Blue-Face. Isn’t that true, Váfuðr?"[9] The question was directed at Ethelwulf and Thorgrim grinned at his subordinate’s attempt to put the smug Saxon on the spot.

"If I were to believe that, was the quiet answer from Ethelwulf, I’d put on war-paint to match your own. Morkere grinned at his twin and winked. However, I agree with my cousin, we’ve the chance of a paid rest – with the added risk of getting into another scrap with the Jomsvikings."

"Which is just what concerns me, admitted Thorgrim. I’ve just slipped away from a Valkyrie embrace and have no wish to find myself carried off by them in the near future."

"You’re in a black mood, muttered Hall Asgrimsson. In my home-country we believe saying what may happen makes such fate more likely because it gives the Norns a nudge."

"So shall I declare I’m going to live for one hundred years, father ten sons and die in battle?" laughed Morkere and Hall glared at him with the result Morkere blushed and apologised.

"We should put the offer to the men," suggested Edwy Sure-Hand, the helmsman of ‘Alsvid’. This was agreed, with a show of reluctance from Thorgrim. Not surprisingly almost all the crew of ‘Alsvid’ favoured taking service with Gotland while that majority was very narrow among the crew of ‘Hresvelg's Child’. Yet that settled the matter and Gotland acquired the services of two longships.

&&&

When Odin smiled on Gotland its people had warning of strange craft which might prove hostile; when the island was under the gaze of Blindi[10] the first news they had of a pirate in the region was the non-appearance of a trading vessel or a battered hulk limping into harbour with tales of pillage. Four days after settling terms with the Alting the alarm was raised by a trading vessel entering Burgsvik on the southern part of the island. The captain reported seeing two ships he believed were manned by Jomsvikings; they appeared to be sailing due south, as if heading home, but nobody could be certain of Jomsviking intentions. Accordingly, the Alting ordered their new recruits to head south-west to investigate.

The next day they came across the two longships. Even from a distance they were clearly Jomsvikings so Ethelwulf set off in pursuit. If the Jomsvikings had been heading southwards when spotted by the trader, they seem to have changed their minds. Now they were definitely heading north-eastwards – or had been before they detected the approach of Ethelwulf and Thorgrim. Suddenly they turned southwards away from the intercepting course of Ethelwulf; the direction change was fast because no wind made every vessel dependent on its rowers. Here Ethelwulf had the advantage of crews rested and refreshed in Visby whereas the Jomsvikings had been several days at sea with only the limited rest offered by a sea-anchor. Had the Jomsvikings been heading for Aldeigjuborg[11] or had they been trying to sniff out any suitable prizes in the eastern Swedish Sea? The only way to find out was to force them to reveal their plans – and then probably disbelieve most of what they said. Consequently, both Ethelwulf and Thorgrim urged their rowers to set a cracking pace and were impressed by how the crews responded; it was clear nobody had forgotten what the Jomsvikings had put them through.

"Let’s hope it’s that ass, Vagn Aagesson, grunted Gunnar to Edwine, I’d love to shove my axe-head up his nose!"

"I don’t think it can be Vagn, was the reply, because there are only two longships."

"Perhaps the Jomsvikings were cut up by the Gotlanders more than we realised," croaked Morkere behind his twin as he struggled to keep in time with the swift strokes of Edwine Alfredsson. Although his companion came from Durham, not noted for producing efficient crewman, Morkere was fond of joking Edwine Alfredsson must have crossed and re-crossed the Sea of the Gaels several times before he’d joined up with Ethelwulf’s force. Since then he’d proved himself to be one of the best oarsmen in ‘Alsvid’ – enough to make Morkere choose to sit alongside him (rather than his twin) for the sheer challenge of trying to match him stroke for stroke.

"We saw only a couple of longships get out of the trap on Lake Marlar," admitted Edwine.

"But you can be sure Vagn wouldn’t get netted so easily!" interrupted Gunnar and spat, narrowly missing his oar.

Yes, agreed Ethelwulf, Vagn certainly wouldn’t be caught. His thoughts were interrupted by Gunnar Egilsson, one of the sharper-eyed of the crew, yelling the leading longship belonged to Thorfinn the Strong. Ethelwulf sensed that if that were true then the other longship would be commanded by Stein Thorgetsson, as both normally acted together. He’d lost sight of Stein at the disastrous battle and assumed he’d perished trying to get farmers to form some kind of effective fighting force. Stein was the quieter of the pair but the steel in his glance made anyone realise he was by no means the weaker; he was an effective trainer of men and, Ethelwulf was sure, cunning, if nothing else, would have enabled him to slip away from a defeat. Thorfinn would have fought on regardless – and so Ethelwulf had been surprised to encounter him outside Birka. If these men commanded their quarry, then a tough sea-fight was in prospect.

Steadily Ethelwulf began to close on the Jomsvikings pre-occupied with turning their attention more to defending their vessels against the approaching attack. By now they were