Free Housecarl by Griff Hosker Page B

shoulders and
the neck.
    “The fire is still hot, go fetch
your shields.”
    Ridley and I happily ran for our
shields.  They had had the least work and the least attention
but I remembered the fight with the bandit and now knew that it was
as much a weapon as a sword. They were both simple round shields
and neither had any metal work.
    Sweyn shook his head. “These
would last but two blows in a shield wall.  You need metal
around the rim and on the front.”
    “Will that not make them
heavy?”
    Ulf laughed.  “You think
that you are strong enough yet Aelfraed to be a warrior? 
There is still a long way to go.  The two of you will need to
be much stronger before you can stand and fight in a shield wall. A
heavy shield will give you much protection.”
    We spent the next hour adding
metal to the shields.  The metal around the edge was easy as
there were hoops laid by for barrels and they fitted well. 
Then we found some circles of metal. The two of us took turns to
beat the metal disks until they were flat and then hammered them
across the surface.  When we thought we had finished Sweyn
handed us some iron nails.” Now finish it off by embedding nails on
the surface so that a blade striking your shield will strike metal
no matter where it hits. You want to blunt the edge of your enemy’s
weapon as much as you can. Try to make the pattern regular, it
looks better and protects you better.”
    We had just finished when we
heard the clattering of hooves. “There is the Earl.  Get
cleaned up and we will go to meet him.” Gurt had returned, the
happy smile showing that he had enjoyed his ale break. “Gurt, watch
the spear head and the shields until the morrow.”
    By the time we had tidied our
equipment and left the smithy, the hunting party had dismounted and
were greeting each other. I looked at Ridley and he had the same
expression as I did, what were we to do?  We just waited out
of earshot while the hunters stared at us making us even more self
conscious. People said of Earl Harold that he thought too much of
himself; I never saw that side of him.  I saw self confidence
and a belief in himself but I also saw someone who was aware of all
those around him, no matter how lowly a position they held.
    As soon as he spied the two of
us he turned and opened his arms. “Ah my two young warriors. 
Come and join us.  I have been hearing good things of
you.”
    We approached the large group of
men and I saw Aethelward’s smile reflected in that of Ulf. Harold
looked at Ridley who appeared to be taller than the tall Earl. “By
boy, you have grown since I last saw you. I think you could be a
shield wall all on your own.” Known for his jests and ready wit the
men all laughed and Ulf slapped the blushing Ridley on the back.
“And I hear young Aelfraed that you have killed your first man, a
warrior no less.”
    I felt embarrassed as I
remembered the fat old bandit. “He was fat my lord and not
young.”
    This time everyone, Ridley
included, laughed. “Fortunately Aelfraed we do not always get to
fight brave young warriors.  You take your victories where you
can. I am proud of you as I know your uncle is.” I wondered if my
head would burst at the all the praise from the greatest warriors
in the land. “Now then come with me for I need a detailed account
of the Welsh and you two young men are important for you may have
seen things that others have not.”
    We were taken to a fine home,
that of Earl Godwinson, and there were just the four of us with
Sweyn and the Earl, it all added to my sense of awe that Ridley and
I were now moving in such exalted circles.  Two warriors
guarded the door and the Earl’s attention was focussed on our every
word.
    “So, Aethelward, you say that he
is going to attack?”
    “Without a shadow of a doubt
although not this year.  His newly conquered subjects are
causing him some trouble.”
    “And would you advise an attack
from us?”
    “You have a problem there my
lord for it