Free Viking Dragon by Griff Hosker Page A

turned to Erik Ulfsson, "Have the horses loaded. I picked up one box of coins.  It was not the largest but it was substantial. "Come Haaken, we will return to Erik."
    Each drekar had some of the captured goods in their holds.  We had made one division when in Tilaburg.  It was dark when we reached the shipyard but Erik had been busy.  The hull had been emptied and they were already removing the mast so that they could repair the damage to the side where we had hit the stern of the Danish drekar.
    "Erik, here is your share."
    I handed him the chest, "Jarl, it is too much! I have never see such a chest of treasure."
    "You earned it and I do not think that 'Heart of the Dragon' will raid again this year; not unless my men wish it."
    "Good for I have some improvements to make and this coin will please Bolli."
    I shook my head, "It is my drekar and I will pay for the improvements." I took out a purse of coins.  This was treasure I had taken from dead Saxons when we had first defeated them in Lundenwic. "Here, use this and if it is not enough then send to Scanlan and I will send more. It is not right for a captain to pay for work on the ship of another."
    "Thank you Jarl. Then my wife will be even happier!"
    Despite the lateness of the hour we made our way up the Water to Cyninges-tūn.  We had been away long enough and all my men wished to see their families and their homes.  They would become restless again but not for a month or two.  When the summer waned they would seek the sea and they would raid but, for the next few months, they would enjoy their farms and their families.
    My men were noisy as we marched along the water and my sentries in my town roused the families.  We were greeted like heroes by grateful wives and sleepy children.  Aiden and his escort had warned them of our imminent arrival. Brigid had food ready for me when I entered my hall. She held a sleeping Erika in her arms and I kissed first my wife and then my daughter.  Brigid wrinkled her nose, "You smell of the sea! And sweat!"
    I grinned and shook my head, "I am sorry my pungent smells offend you.  I shall bathe before I return next time."
    She smiled, "No, but I am just saying that I will have Uhtric light the fire in the steam hut in the morning and then I will have a husband who does not smell like a fish!"
    "And I will happily enjoy the pleasures of the hut believe me."
    "The raid went well.  Aiden told me.  Does that mean you stay within these walls for a time? Will you see our daughter grow?"
    "I will not go to sea for a while and I will be in the hall but not for the whole summer.  I must see my son and visit the Stad on the Itouna.  You could come with me, if you wished."
    She laughed, "You will forgive me if I say no.  I know how you and your men are happy to sleep on the ground and suffer horses' backs for days. Just so long as you are away for days and not months then I am happy."
    Uhtric had brought in a bowl of hot food and some freshly brewed ale. While Brigid nursed the babe I ate.  After the food had gone and the ale was drunk I had a second horn.  It was good ale.  Brigid was a fine ale wife. "Have you heard from my son?"
    A frown crossed her face, "I am such a goose! You have a new grandson, Garth."
    My face must have lit into a smile for Brigid's frown disappeared. "He named him after me?"
    "Aye for he came out kicking and screaming. He fought for life and Elfrida said he was just like his grandfather. They said it was wyrd ." She shook her head and crossed herself; it felt blasphemous for her to say such things.
    My wife was a Christian and said that she did not believe in superstition.  Secretly I think she did but would never admit to it.  That is the way of women.  They like to have the last word.  Old Ragnar has said that they liked the first word, the last word and as many others in between.  He was afraid of no one but he would have rather faced a dozen warrior's than a woman's sharp tongue. I went to bed