Viking Treasure Read Online Free PDF Page B

a settlement close by.  The Gesith owed allegiance to Coenred.  He was punished for losing the village.  He had his tongue cut out and then he was executed." He paused.  "He was Seara's father."
    "Then he may take exception to your presence."
    "He may."
    "Thank you. We will now ride on and meet this Coenred." I turned to Ketil. "Do not rise to his jibes and his insults."
    "No, Jarl."
    I had met Vikings as barbaric as Coenred but never a Saxon.  Even old Aella had not been such a savage. I wondered how I should speak to him. I wanted no confrontation but we had to get to Eanred.
    The town was to the south of the Roman Road and Coenred had his men waiting for us.  They were in a shield wall with him astride his horse before them. I saw what Ketil meant about his armour. It was intended to impress. I saw the tongue. It looked ridiculous and yet grotesque.  From his hip hung a Saxon sword. We rode forward.  Saxons had no archers.  Apart from their leader they were on foot.  The danger they presented was as a barrier. When we were thirty paces from them I stopped and held my hands before me to show them I came in peace.
    He rode forward five paces and drew his sword to show that he meant war. "A Viking who comes in peace?  I do not trust such an action.  From your cloaks you are the men from the Land of the Wolf and as Ketil the Coward hides behind you I am guessing you are the one they call Dragonheart."
    I glanced at Ketil who kept his face impassive. I nodded, "I am Jarl Dragonheart of Cyninges-tūn. From the tongue on your shield I believe you are Coenred of Hagustaldes ham."
    "I am.  Now go back to your land before we slay you!"
    I had his measure now.  He wanted to impress his men by making me flee and yet he did not trust them to defeat us.
    "I come in peace. I am on a peace mission. We are travelling to Bebbanburgh to speak with your king."
    "And I will not let you pass! What say you?"
    We had been speaking in Saxon and I knew his men were hanging onto every word. They would be taking in my warrior bands and my armour.  They would see the jewelled sword hanging from my belt and knew it was a sword of legend. They would glimpse the golden dragon around my neck. They knew who I was. Whatever I said next would determine whether this ended peacefully or not.
    "I have no quarrel with you and I do not want to kill you. Let us pass and I am sure your king will reward you."
    "Reward me! Crumbs from his table?" He pointed his sword at Ketil.  "You, hiding there behind this old man, come and fight me! I owe you a death! You destroyed my village and stole my cousin!"
    I held my hand out to silence Ketil.  "This is discourteous even for a young man like you.  Ketil Windarsson is oathsworn to me.  He cannot fight you without I give him permission and I do not.  So let us pass." I waved a hand at those behind me.  "These are Ulfheonar.  There are no finer warriors in this whole land.  We are all mailed and your men are not.  If you try to stop us we will slaughter you and I do not wish to do that. Let us pass peacefully."
    I kept my voice calm and reasonable.  I saw his men looking at each other. They did not want to die. His four oathsworn looked ready for a fight but not the rest. The Saxon thegn looked around to gauge support.  He did not like what he saw.
    He kicked his horse on. "Then I will fight you in his stead!" He roared it loudly so that all would hear the challenge.
    "I do not wish to fight you."
    "You are afraid?"
    "I did not say that."
    "Then fight."
    I pointed to his men.  "You will bear witness that I refused to fight.  I want no bloodshed." I saw one or two of his men nod. "I say again, Coenred of Hagustaldes ham, let us pass peacefully."
    He dismounted. "The only way is through me.  Do we all fight or just you and me?"
    I dismounted. "I would not have any man's blood on my hands but if this must be then so be it. I will fight you alone." It was unspoken but we both knew that this would be to