Free Viking Wrath by Griff Hosker

down and she was screaming with laughter. I shouted, "I will see you in the Other World, witch!" Blackness overwhelmed me.
    I felt a jolt and I opened my eyes. Aiden and Haaken were holding my arms and staring wild eyed at me. Aiden said, "Jarl you were dreaming. You tried to throw yourself over the side of the drekar! Had we not held you then you would have drowned for we would not have been able to stop for you." He pointed to the sail which was billowing full and hard.
    Erik said, "As soon as we drew close to the straits the storm began and you started to dream." He shook his head, "It is witchcraft."
    I nodded, "There you are right but we will talk of this when we have negotiated the straits! You are captain but we need the sails reefing!"
    He nodded and waved to his ship's boys. The three of them raced towards the mast. They would not be enough. "Siggi the Silent, Harald Long Legs, help the boys!"
    My two new Ulfheonar nodded and ran to the shrouds. None of us wore mail when sailing and the two young warriors began to out climb the lithe and agile boys. Erik cupped his hands and shouted. "Do not reef it completely. We need to keep our way! Cnut, have the oars run out! I will need every bit of skill I can manage." He looked to the heavens, "Master Josephus, guide my hand this day!"
    Had it been night time I fear we would have crashed on to the rocks but it was merely late afternoon and the pale light shone on the rocks to our left. "Aiden, help Erik!"
    I sat on the bench next to Haaken. He was on the side closest to Wyddfa and he would need help. He laughed, "If we survive this, Dragon Heart, then tell me your dream for this has all the makings of a fine saga!"
    "If we survive this then that will be enough for a saga!"
    The short passage was a nightmare as terrifying as the dream I had had but there was one consolation. The storm prevented the Welsh from hurling stones and missiles at us. No one could stand on the shore to our left and we were too far from Ynys Môn for the men we saw to hit us. They stared at us and shook their fists as we raced through the narrow channel which separated the island from the mainland. It had been some years since I had rowed and I felt the burning between my shoulder blades as the effort began to hurt. I knew that the others were suffering as I was but none of us could relent. We would crash into the rocks unless we kept the same rhythm.
    I saw a smile appear on Erik's face and Aiden shouted, "We are almost escaped from this witch's trap! I can see clear water!"
    Within a short time we were able to breathe again as the land on both sides receded. I could see the low clouds masking the tops of the mountains to our left. I could not see Wyddfa's summit but I knew it was there. The witch had used the power of the mountain to bring near disaster to us. Was she close? I knew nothing any more. With darkness coming Erik was keen to find shelter. Aiden pointed to the south west. "There is an island there. Remember Jarl? They have many sea birds and there is a safe shelter."
    I nodded, "And a monastery but we shall leave the monks alone this night. I just want my drekar to be still!"
    We reached the island the Cymri called, Ynys Enlii, just after dark. We saw the lights from the huts which marked the monastery but we left the monks to their devotions. To the west we saw the lights of the fishing boats who fished the rich waters around the island. They, too, would be safe from our wrath. They had not stolen my family. All we wanted was a safe anchorage for the night and some rest. We anchored in the small sheltered bay and went ashore to light fires, eat hot food and give thanks to the Allfather for saving us. Snorri and Bjorn the Scout took two of the new Ulfheonar and hunted some puffins and seals. We ate well. While the food was being prepared Aiden, my son, Haaken and Cnut asked me about my dream.
    After I had told them Aiden nodded and closed his eyes. He held his blue stone. Haaken asked, "Why