Viking Wrath Read Online Free PDF

Úlfarrston.
    Arturus and his larger wedge began to trot towards the enemy. We were well trained in this manoeuvre. Poorly prepared warriors usually fell over when trying to run. We ran in a loose wedge formation. We were few enough to form ranks quickly. Although Wolf Killer had the place of honour for he would be attacking the bulk of their warriors, we would be attacking the best; those who assaulted the walls. As we moved from the dark of the woods we were in darkness while the raiders were highlighted by their own fires. It enabled us to cover two hundred paces before they were alerted to our presence. I had time to choose our targets.
    They had thrown a makeshift bridge over the ditch. The ditch, I knew, would be filled with stakes and spikes. I would use that to our advantage. I spied a warrior who had deigned armour and was bare chested. He held a long sword and had a small shield. His helmet had a spike on the top. It was for show and to make him bigger. His long sword would be hard to wield one handed and his shield was more a buckler than a shield such as mine. I would go for him.
    As we ran I said, "We go for the leader, Cnut, I want those on your side pushing into the ditch. Let the stakes do their work."
    "Aye, Jarl!"
    Now that we were in action then Cnut was as committed as any warrior. He had left his doubts in the forest. They had still to see us but Wolf Killer and his wedge had been spotted and I heard the consternation from my left. I did not look. I did not need to. My son and his men were well trained. We needed to free up the men of Úlfarrston to aid us. As we closed, as yet unseen, I speculated on their reaction when they saw us. All of us wore a cloak made of a wolf skin. The head was draped over our helmets and our eyes were painted with the blood of beetles. They would not see Vikings, they would see wolves!
    Two raiders saw us and raised the alarm. As soon as we were seen I let out a howl. My Ulfheonar took it up and I saw the terror on the faces of the men who were now just fifty paces from us. We tightened our ranks and covered the last few paces in a short time. Those before us helped us by running back to their leader. It slowed down their attempts to defend themselves.
    I punched my shield into the face of the terrified warrior who tried to bring his spear around. The leader brought his long sword over and I barely had time to bring Ragnar's Spirit up to block it. His sword slid down my helmet and off my mail. It had been a hard blow but my helmet, sword and mail were stronger than his sword which I saw was bent a little. His balance would be off. I heard screams as Cnut and two of my men pushed raiders into the death filled ditch. My shield was held tightly against my chest and before the long sword could be raised again I smashed the boss of my shield against his hand. He was strong but I knew he was hurt. I gave him no chance to recover and slid Ragnar's Spirit deep into his midriff and out of his back. I felt it grate along his spine and I twisted the edge. He screamed in pain. I ripped my sword out and saw his entrails following. His eyes rolled into his head and he died. A sword clattered into my shoulder and I swung my sword horizontally. It sliced a long red line across the warrior's stomach. As he tried to hold in his guts I pushed him backwards into the ditch.
    My Ulfheonar were around me in a protective circle. "We have cleared the bridge, Jarl. Are you hurt?"
    "No, Haaken, but my mail will need work. Form up for we go to the aid of my son."
    I could see that Arturus' wedge had been surrounded. His men now had a shield wall and were fighting desperately. There were just eight of us but the enemy we saw had their backs to us. "Wedge!"
    I slid my sword back into its sheath and picked up a spear. I put my seax in my left hand. When we closed with them it would be close in work.
    "Ulfheonar!"
    The enemy were just thirty paces from us and we did not have far to run. I pulled back my arm