It took all the next day to gather up and transport all the loot from the Nicors’ cave to our camp and start to value it. This was split on the basis of one ship one share as previously agreed with the King’s share reserved. Once the easily valued pieces and been sorted and converted to shares each share came to about 3 marks of silver. The more difficult to value and distribute pieces were held in common by Osgar until we either dissolved the company or reached somewhere you it could be sold.
Amongst the harder to value pieces were a large silver cross and matching chased silver goblet, which Hildegund claimed as her own religious paraphernalia and in recognition of her work with the wounded and a certain reluctance to interfere with items related to her God, Wistan, acting for the Thegn agreed that these should be returned to her.
Everyone seemed in agreement that the magical artefacts found should go to those who had risked their lives to gain them – one each, with the rest reserved to Lyttelman to dispose of as he saw fit.
The night passed uneventfully, and in the morning Hildegund reported that another dozen of the Freed were now back to normal. There now remained about half a dozen still under the influence and all were now capable of rowing as directed. Seven wounded were also discharged. Sweyn was now available for light duties and Hildegund’s poultice seemed to have worked on the poison from Osgar’s shoulder although he still had a touch of fever and delegated authority to Wistan, including overseeing the distribution of the artifacts.
There were eleven items:
A long-bladed spear that had been wielded by the serpent woman. Wistan, myself and Herewulf had tried it out and it was a little awkward to use as a normal war spear and there seemed to be some trick to using it most effectively. Bhumoth thought it the work of some ancient race of the sea.
A golden fillet, a thin band of gold worn by the serpent-woman around her brow and inscribed with strange runes.
A gold ring with more strange runes, again worn by the serpent woman. The priests said that it had power and Priscus said that the script belonged to an ancient race of traders but he was unable to read it.
A rune marked Scramasaex again worn by the serpent woman’s waist, with a Waylending mark on it.
A sealskin cape, which Bhumoth said was from a brother Wade priest and allowed the wearer to take the form of a seal once a day.
A horn flask with a fire rune of Saetur; it sloshes as if there were a thick viscous material in there. The flask design suggested it should be poured not drank.
A flask with a rune of Tiw, sloshing suggested it would be for drinking and was probably Battle-magic.
A walrus tusk with Thunor runes, carved into the shape of a dirk, which could be used as a rune-marked weapon. It would have no hitting bonus, but Leofdag thought it would be particularly effective against wights.
A pair of large scallop shells marked with Wade runes, which Bhumoth said were for speaking from afar. Each shell would need to be put in water drawn from the same source, and then they would converse for a short while over any distance.
A fine shield with runes marked upon the boss.
A tooled leather pouch with Saetur Rune. It contained a single left-handed glove, made of some fine scaly material and a stone with a Saetur fire rune. When removed from the pouch it quickly grew hot, once replaced in the pouch it grew cool again.
Both Wistan and myself were interested in the long broad bladed spear, but when Wistan offered to put in his own rune marked spear I was more than happy to have that instead.
Bhumoth explained that the scallop shells were usually used for two ships to stay in contact and could be used once per day for about 10 minutes. Herewulf used the hot stone to start a fire. It took some combat rounds and the stone went red hot and then white hot and gave no sign of the heat abating. The glove was a wonder in itself and enabled the stone to be grasped when it was white hot with no ill effects. The stone cooled when placed back in the pouch and lost its potency in the dark.
The fillet wasn’t priestish technology, but Herewulf tried it on and it seemed to enhance his appearance. It made more of a difference to my appearance than Herewulf’s – he is a more handsome man than I. It was incompatible with wearing a helmet. Herewulf tried on the ring and tried various combat options, and persuasion, but we were unable to determine any impact.
The cloak came with a health warning – it could be exhilarating, and some remain as seals without changing back. Bhumoth said that it could be used once a day, but lasted until the cloak was removed.
Thorwulf and Herewulf were both interested in the cloak and Herewulf was also interested in the ring. Bhumoth was most interested in the rune marked scramasaex. Leofdag liked the dirk, but thought it might be more use for others.
Lyttelman took the rune marked shield, Bhumoth took the scramasaex, Herefrith took the dirk, Thorwulf diced with Herewulf and won the cape, so Herewulf took the ring. Leofdag took fillet and Lyttelman took the remaining things for now.
Morning prayers were interrupted by the appearance of a breathless and dishevelled and sweating Linda. She had left yesterday afternoon on foot alone and reappeared mid morning. She had evidently had a tough night. She told us that she had met with her brothers, one of whom was is with the King in Borgholm and the other with the fleet on the other side of straits, where they were anchored after agreement with the local ruler. The fleet was commanded by Beornfrith a Weather Geat from Nordhafen – he had at least a dozen longships and some other ships and around 600 warriors. Most of the Weather Geats who had had prior knowledge of the raid were from Nordhafen. Beornfrith could see no sign of a plan coming from Borgholm and wished to emulate Osgar and raid down the coast while the wind was set fair. He planned to make for Ossby the harbour at the southern tip, serving the Eowan capital and wanted the Thegn to do the same with his forces. Osgar to do the same. Ossby was more than a day’s sail from her but less than two
Linda further related that there were 500 men in Borgholm with Wiglaf. There had been a desperate assault. Seven of Wiglaf’s Gesith’s had offered themselves as sacrifices to Tiw, and the priests of Tiw had used this to conjure a great battle magic. Wiglaf’s men had managed to hack their way through the hedge walls and found themselves seeming fighting men they had previously slain and others with the faces of their own fallen. They had broken through just in time, before the Eowan army had arrived, and had slaughtered everyone inside. They were now besieged themselves. There were some reports of illness in camp. Wiglaf is said to be trying to negotiate with the Eowan. Nothing is known for certain but Linda had heard it said that Wiglaf was intent on making peace by marrying the Witch Queen. She had also heard he was offering to join her in crushing Geatish rebels. She repeated that Wiglaf and his closest advisors were laying the blame for their failure on Thegn Osgar.
None of the other Brimwisa seemed particularly keen on Beornfrith’s plan. Other options were discussed and it was thought prudent not to be in Sikvarp if Wiglaf sent a message instructing us to lay down our arms. Wistan then asked if they would follow the Black Pig in this. Aelstan reminded himself of his duty as one of Beornfrith’s captains, as did Eoppa; Saefrith was keen to join in. The two merchants were less keen, but decided that they were part of the company and would remain so. Linda was asked if she could pass on a message to Beornfrith, but she doubted this would be possible – “the die is cast”, she said.
Caenwal suggested that it would take Beornfrith longer to get to Ossby than us – maybe 4 or 5 days. Perhaps if we waited for them to have some success in their coastal raiding, while making preparations to leave, then maybe the Eowan might weaken any forces in Ossby to move against Beornfrith.
Some of the Brimwisas agreed that this sounded a useful plan, but Eoppa pointed out that it would look bad if we moved too late and again if we waited here there might be danger of Wiglaf sending orders to lay down our arms.
Caenwal suggested loading the ships and letting the prisoners understand that we had great haul of treasure and were going to the Isle of the Weather Geats. When all was ready, we should set sail in that direction until, out of sight, we altered course for Ossby. All agreed this is a good plan.
The fleet set sail as planned from Sikvarp, after spending a day distributing the loot and distributing the new recruits among the ships, and also building a battering ram and preparing grapples for the assault on Ossby. One ship, the Fat Belly, was loaded with the loot and to make room some men were moved in to two capture Eowan ships. Caenwal was sent to land on the Isle of the Weather Geats and dispose of the loot, while the rest planned to change course for Ossby as soon as they had lost their shadowing Eowan ships.
We were shadowed by two Eowan ships and spent the first night at sea. One of the shadowing ships left but the other remained and so we headed on to the Isle Of the Weather Geats with the remaining ship still following. There we replenished our stocks of food although there were no more arrows to be found. Bhumoth suggested that Thorwulf make use of his new magic cloak and the two of them as seals would swim out to confirm that the Eowan ship had now departed. On returning Thorwulf had to be lassoed by Herewulf and dragged aboard the Black Pig before he could change back to his normal form, but he and Bhumoth were able to confirm that it was now clear to head for Ossby.
We made good progress to hit land almost directly where we had planned, but unfortunately as we approached the Osprey sailed over one of our two Eowan ships, splitting it in to with the loss of seven of the fifteen crew.
The plan was for the main force to land on the main strand led, by Eoppa and the Osprey’s crew, while Osgar and the crew of the Black Pig landed on the Inner Strand and made for the sea gate. The main force would have the battering ram for assaulting the main gate, while our force had a couple of the grapples.
All went well with the approach to Ossby, apart from one alarming moment when the Spearhafoc got far too close to the Black Pig, but fortunately, it was fast enough and manoeuvrable enough to evade a collision. The main force headed for the main strand and the Black Pig, being somewhat behind veered off for the inner strand. As we approached rowing hard, some of us looked up and could see no-one on the burgh, even Wistan’s sharp eyes couldn’t see anyone until we were less than a mile away. At this point it was evident that a figure had just clambered onto the parapet and gave a panicked alarm.
Wistan was watching the main strand and could see a work party on the beach. The beach was full of broken-down ships and shells drawn up on the burgh side of the strand. It looked as though the group were harvesting wood from the shells and carrying them off the strand. There were between a dozen and two dozen Eowan soldiers and many slaves. Herewulf spotted a similar work party on the inner strand, with slaves dismembering a whale. As we watched a man leapt down from on top of the whale and chopped at a guard with his flensing hook. Lyttelman leapt over the bow and led us up the strand towards the scrummage between guards and slaves. Six or more soldiers were dead, along with several more dead slaves, but more were standing clustered round some of the guards, while other guards set off running up to the sea gate. Myself, Herewulf and Herefrith chased after them in an effort to get to the gate before it closed. Lyttelman led many of our crew to help the slaves.
Wistan leapt into water at the stern to avoid a logjam of men in the stern. He later told me that he had staggered forward, stumbling, but had been surprised to find the water not offering the usual resistance. Due to his new magic spear the water around him had no more impact than the wind. He called on men to aid the Thegn, while heading up to the sea gate himself with a few others.
Ahead of me I could see that the palisade was made of rescued planks from ships. I led Herewulf and Herefrith by a couple of paces as we dashed up the steps to see three Eowan soldiers hammering on the gate to be let in and the gate started to open. I arrived just as it closed again and managed to jam my shoulder and shield into the gap and prevent it from closing.
On the strand the remaining Eowan soldiers were now outnumbered and dispirited. Leofdag, Sivtag and Linda and one or two others including Priscus were following, but there was another group of Eowan soldiers interspersed between the Geats. Wistan turned on those soldiers and cut one down.
Meanwhile at the sea gate Herewulf spotted a rope with a hook hanging down from the parapet and tried to clamber up. I could see 5 or 6 Eowan warriors through the gate. I was faced by a couple of men armed with light shields and spears. I killed one with my new rune marked spear and pushed on into a narrow spot with walls on both sides and a gate shut in front and four or five Eowan facing me. I could see more men above on the walls armed with daroth. I killed another warrior but took a blow to the chest as Herefrith joined me in the killing zone. Herefrith wounded one of his adversaries. Herewulf continued trying to climb the rope.
Myself and Herefrith came under sustained missile fire and were forced on the defensive. I was knocked down after a blow to the leg, I was hit again in the left arm and dropped my shield and lost consciousness. Fortunately for me one of the Eowan attacking me was killed by missiles from his own side and his body slumped over me. When I recovered consciousness, the battle was over. The rest of my account of the battle has been pieced together from the accounts of my comrades.
When I collapsed, Herefrith bravely went on the attack despite his wounds and at that point Herewulf managed to clamber up on to the parapet and Herefrith could hear with relief the footsteps of relief behind him. He was hit by a daroth and dropped his shield as his arm went numb, but the warriors above turned their attention on Linda as she burst through the doorway. She was able to finish off an Eowan warrior injured by another errant daroth.
Herewulf realised that he had been hidden from view as he had climbed up and over the parapet, but he had now attracted the attention of a file of three Eowan warriors coming down the steps from the sea gate. He was on his feet by the time the first arrived. He took out his rune marked seax from his belt and as the first man missed his ax blow, was able to stab him through and pitch him over the wall. Next up was a youth with a light shield and a small axe.
Linda, Sivtag and Leofdag pushed on into the killing zone. Linda and Sivtag started to form a shield wall and the Eowan facing them backed away. Herefrith was able to shuffle into the shelter of the shield wall while Leofdag dragged me out of the way as more Geats arrived. Herefrith, parrying with his langasaex, managed to stagger backout of the gate. Beornith and Aelfirth joined Leofdag and a shield burgh formed. Priscus opened the other side of the first gate and all the Eowan in between the two gates were despatched. There was now a stalemate between the two walls occupied by daroth throwers and the shield burgh.
Herewulf stagger the youngster facing him and the next man stepped past him as the youngster crawled away. Herewulf gave a shout to let his comrades know he was on the wall and then wounded the next man in the chest and knocked him back onto the stairs, then stabbed him again and pitched him over the wall.
Wistan heard Herewulf ‘s shout and spotted the rope, as Osgar headed up the stairs with a score more warriors from the Black Pig crewman. Wistan clambered up rapidly and joined Herewulf, but had to leave his spear behind.
Herewulf came to another set of steps and the area looking over the gate. He was spotted by some of the men there and they plucked more daroth from the barrels there and changed their target. Three men headed down the stairs towards the two Geats.
Wistan shouted to attract the attention of his shipmates but there was no-one nearby so he followed Herewulf. Herewulf now faced a warrior armed with byrnie, spear and war shield. They exchanged blows and then Herewulf, noticing his lack of a helmet, attacked his bare head with his axe. He pushed the Eowan back and then, pressing his advantage, struck him in the chest. Knocked him back again. Guy comes up with spear and studded then leather and an axeman and knocked him back again. At this point Wistan arrived in, just as Herewulf was struck by a couple of daroth. Wistan called on Herewulf to keep down and tried to leap over him. Herewulf stabbed low with his saex hitting the man in the groin at the same instant Wistan struck him in the chest.
Unfortunately, as Herewulf stood up he knocked Wistan off the wall down eight feet into the inner burgh. Wistan managed to roll to his feet, regather his langasaex and then headed back looking for somewhere the parapet was low enough for him easily to climb back up and saw some steps up.
Herewulf was stabbed by a spearman as he rose, but managed to get to his feet. He was narrowly missed by two more daroth. He managed to despatch his opponent and Ruric led more men up the grapples and the rope to join him. In the killing zone at the sea gate the shield wall managed to cover two axemen as they started hacking at the door.
Wistan’s return meant that the men throwing daroth had to desist from raining missiles on the shield wall. His first opponent was in studded leather with an axe, the man behind had a byrnie and a helm. Wistan parried the axe and tried to grapple. He was struck by a spear in the abdomen and then again in his left arm which went numb.
Fortunately, by now overwhelming force had arrived and the Eowan lost hope and many surrendered. The Geatish forces were able to take possession of the inner burgh.
The other ships crews had made excellent progress too. There had been fierce fighting for the outer gate but again we were successful there and using the battering rom had managed to break through. A witch had been seen flying off upon a broom towards Ekethorp when the gate was broken, followed by near a score of Eowan. Another witch was seen to shapeshift into a gull and fly off southwards.
Altogether we had lost thirteen men in the assault, including Jurgis the Wend, mostly in the fighting around the outer gate. There were just under two dozen in the infirmary including myself, Wistan and Hrothgar from the Black Pig along with Eoppa and Aethelgifu, the female Gethungi twin. We had the corpses of 47 Eowan and had taken 28 prisoners including the Seith-Witch, Arna. She was a fat woman smelling of herbs who had been found in a wood store and pleaded that she could be of use. Ten of our captives were wounded, some seriously.
Many of the Eowan we had faced had seemed to be somewhat better equipped than the norm, with a number of them wearing byrnies and quite a few studded leather armour. They seemed to be a mixture of veterans and youngsters. There were around 200 slaves some heavily drugged, some less so.