It was the beginning of the eighteenth day since we had set out on our adventure. One of Wistan’s scouts, Cuthred had arrived last night and provide a briefing this morning. Beornfrith’s fleet had raided Morbalanga as they headed south along the Eowan coast and as the Geats reboarded their ships, the Eowan fleet had arrived. Cuthred had watched from nearby and seen the Geats firth through the Eowan ships and head south at a faster rate than the Eowans could match. He had seen a Nicor summoned, but it had been driven off. It was reckoned that the fleet could arrive in under a day, if they hadn’t sailed far off the southern point, but could take much longer if they had sailed further out, particularly if they were short of rowers. He further added that although relief ships had arrived at Borgholm to land provisions and take off the fevered, these ships had been waved off and had returned to Timberhide.
Hildegund reported that 40 more of the freed slaves were now speaking normally and others had advanced to the mumbling stage. Of our wounded a third had been discharged and another third were now capable of light duties. I was beginning to recover from my wounds; my arm was almost completely recovered, but I was still in some pain from my leg wound.
The Suomi whalers had been up at dawn disposing of the whale carcass. They had made it plain that if they were now free, they expected to be profiting from their labours. Once this was agreed they returned to their flensing. They were rendering blubber in an arrangement of vessels, to gather in buckets of whale oil, and were prepare meat to be dried.
During the day we learnt that there was an area of cultivated land inside and outside of the outer burgh and then rough ground with cover sloping up to a plateau. The plateau was rich agricultural land. In the late afternoon an embassy came down the path from Ekethorpe.
The witch leading the embassy asked what we were doing here and Wistan, who stood in for Osgar, answered that we were under Beornfrith. She told him that we should know that the King was dead and we should surrender or leave. There was no longer a Geatish fleet and an Eowan fleet was coming for us, she continued. If we were wise, she suggested, we would board our ships and depart. The Eowan fleet was busy destroying the Geatish ships piecemeal and those still alive would perish tonight she added. Wistan responded that we would take counsel, and she said that she would return at dawn for our answer. Don’t leave it long, when our fleet comes it will be too late, she finished. Wistan told her that we had heard these threats before but were still before her, she replied that we had been lucky.
Wistan did not believe the witch. Cuthred had seen the Geatish fleet leave and his eye-witness account did not agree with what the witch claimed. Leofdag suggested we should tell the witch that and ask for a token to buy time. Our ships had been full on landing at Ossby – with the extra eight Eowan shells on the strand we could take everyone including the freed slaves, but would have to leave some of the loot behind; ships would be dangerously full. Wistan pondered whether we should march on Ekethorpe. Eoppa thought it not an entirely mad plan. Presumably there was a large army at Borgholm and another on the fleet how many more do the Eowan have? It was maybe 3 miles to Ekethorpe and a track led there.
A reconnaissance party was assembled to have a look at Ekethorpe. Linda and Cuthred would go out early in the night on their own, so Miska, Chidi and Puttock our best scouts were sent just before dawn, prepared by Aelfirth who had been Ekethorpe before. He said that Ekethorpe was surrounded by a 12 foot high stone wall and that anyone on the wall should be easily visible.
Howling had been heard the previous night and this night there were more howls and blood curdling screams some from quite a way off. The scouting party returned late morning – they had seen no signs of watchers, but did find some bodies that had been dealt with carrion eaters. They confirmed that Ekethorpe was indeed surrounded by a stone wall about 12 feet high, which encircled a compound. There were two closed gates either side of a circle. They had seen guards on the gates, but also walking from one gate to another. At no time had there been more than about 8 people visible on duty. Those walking the wall were armed with spears and it was about 300 yards from gate to gate. They took slightly less than 5 minutes to walk from one gate to the other, but there was no pattern to their movement. The compound was full of dwelling places. It was the principal settlement for the island. There were a few tithe barns and many roofs were of slate, although for humbler dwellings this was turf.
We discussed how Ekethorpe might be attacked. We had some ropes, 4 antler whaling hooks, some nine foot ladders, a battering ram and some grapples. The gates seemed heavier than at Ossby. Priscus thought that Ekethorpe should be able to defend against 4 or 5 times their number. It would be difficult to get a large enough force close to Ekethorpe, without losing the element of surprise.
During that night I woke up screaming about the dead. I had dreamt of the dead dripping with salty water and beribboned by seaweed. Maybe they were aboard a ship of the dead. They seemed like the dead from the bottom of the sea. They all looked similar if not identical. It was impossible to identify them as Eowan or Geat. Maybe they were seeking someone but it wasn’t yet me.
Two Wulfingas had left, but three returned; Linda and Cuthred were accompanied by Sygbald, the eldest. He had been with Wiglaf in Borgholm. He confirmed that Wiglaf was indeed dead. Wiglaf had been attempting to talk to the Eowan Witch Queen since day twelve of the expedition. After a while they had exchanged heralds, and at some point, he had met with her and a Truce was established. They had been in the middle of discussions when Beornfrith had arrived and talks had broken up as the Eowan felt that Wiglaf had broken the truce. He felt he had lost face and had sent the relief force away to prove his good faith.
Sygbald didn’t know the details, but was fairly sure that Wiglaf had suggested marrying the Queen, which had been met with derision. He seemed to go into a worse and worse depression over three or four days. He had been seriously considering a proposal to leave with the bulk of his troops as long as he left a score of high born Geats as hostages, which had not been popular with the high born Geats. The mood amongst his men was that they had wanted to fight on. A sudden mood swing saw him change to agree and he had proposed a very brave plane where he and a chosen hundred sacrificed themselves to Tiw in order to cover the retreat of the rest of his force. This had been agreed and the priests had insisted that all but one of them would go too. Lots were drawn and there had been some exchanges both ways.
The hundred selected had been dedicated in a ceremony and had issued forth in a surprise attack, aiming for the Queen’s tent. They had had early success but numbers had told and all had been cut down. Sygbald had not gone with the remaining force back to the Small Lands, which had been evacuated by the remaining relief ships.
The Eowan embassy returned and asked Wistan if he had thought on our predicament. He responded that if we were given good intact ships we would sail away. The witch replied that we might take the ships on beach, but when the Eowan ships arrived we would not be talking. Wistan said that this could be another Borgholm, and that we will go or not as we willed. The witch walked away.
There was one new recruit of note. A very tall and striking fellow, with very fair hair, pale blue eyes and a dark skin. He told us his name was Genseric, an atheling of the vandals. He asked for a sword so that he could join in any revenge.
The shipwright thought he could make a functional longship but it would probably take a week or two. Cuthred didn’t think Beornfrith would know that Wiglaf was dead. As far as he could understood Beornfrith it was in his mind two days ago to go to Ossby and he didn’t consider him a capricious man. He was confident Beornfrith would arrive and sure enough later that day Beornfrith arrived with 10 longships and four or five knarrs. His men had fought a sea battle and some harassing actions and then had to row to Ossby against the wind. His men were exhausted. He called a council for the following morning.
The next morning dawned and it was now the twentieth day. Tonight, would be the full moon. Hildegund had done a great job and my arm wound was fully recovered and I only had a slight limp from my leg wound and Wistan was in the same situation. Herefrith was also recovering, but still had his arm in a sling.
We now had a force of 12 longships, 4 knarrs, 2 karvi, including the Black Pig, and 9 Eowan shells. There were 832 actives assigned to the ships. There were 130 or so people not fit due to the mental incapacity inflicted by the seith brew. There were about a score of wounded, giving a total of almost 1000. Some were just armed with whalebone clubs and agricultural implements.
The Witangemot called by Beornfrith began with all the Brimwisas and notables. Genseric the Vandal, was an Atheling and was now armed with a byrnie and sword, gifted by Osgar and he stayed close to the Thegn. The Wulfingas were all present. Geetflaeda of the Delphin, was there – she was a person of legend, storied as a swan maiden of waylandings who had left all that behind for her partner Ordlanda. He was not what I expected, an ugly, tall, plainly dressed fellow. But they were both very well equipped but with nothing flash. There were 18 or 19 Brimwisas, and at least 18 or 19 others, with lots of introductions. There were many priests: two of Frige, three of Woden, including Saeric, four of Wade, including Bhumoth, three of Thunor, including Leofdag, one of Saeter and a rune mage, few others. Quite a few of the Brimwisas were female which seemed to shock my friend Herefrith. Kutchelm, one of the freed of ForcHafn had been elected as in charge of the Eowan shells, introduced himself and Saefrith of the Spearhafoc had to be nudged to do likewise.
Beornfrith said that the King was dead, and enemies were around; we needed to determine what we should we do next. The mood was definitely one of where do we strike next.
Osgar made a speech suggesting our next target should be the Eowan fleet. His speech was well received. He made a gesture and our Brimwisas had two men bring forth a chest for Ealdorman Beornfrith with the King’s share of the loot we had garnered. Two strong men were needed to carry it. Osgar said that unfortunately we couldn’t give it to the King, but it was now Beornfrith’s to deal with as he saw fit. Beornfrith made a gracious acceptance speech. He said “let none doubt that Osgar and his companions were pursuing the same goal as everyone else”. He begged his Brimwisas to go to their ships and bring out and spare shields, spears and weapons to be used for the fellows Osgar had freed from the Eowan that they might fight by our side. Talk now turned in earnest to exactly what the next steps should be.
Saeric and Hrafn another Woden priest confirmed that it was now easier to fly in this island than it had been though the witches still had resources. The captured Eowan witch was spending her time in the infirmary during day and with Saeric at night.
They Woden priests had found the Eowan fleet and it was not at sea. It was in a forked inlet at the southern tip of the island, called Ottenby. They had beached their ships in a secret, sheltered area, but they knew where it was and it was only ten miles from Ossby. Crews were there – were they waiting for something? There were 30 Eowan shells there, which would probably mean between 300 and 400 men. The wind was favourable for getting to Ottenby from Ossby, although the last turn into the sheltered bay would be into the wind.
There were three Eowan picket ships keeping an eye on our harbour, in a line towards Ottenby, so that if we tried to deal with them, at least the furthest would be able to raise the alarm. Beornfrith said that if we wished to utterly destroy them, we needed to come up with a plan to stop them getting to sea before we arrived in force.
The Wulfingas informed the moot that Ekethorpe had seemed more awake last night but they had seen no signs of large reinforcements.
There was a lozenge of high scrubby ground immediately between Ossby and Ottenby. It was discussed whether a force could get there ready to disrupt the Eowan when they prepared to leave. There were sandbars closing off a couple of the bays to the east of Ottenby. And the inlet into Ottenby was thought to be tricky without a pilot; it was maybe 100 yards across.
A small force of skirmishers, led by Wistan and including Miska, Herefrith Linda and Beornfrith, was sent to the high scrubby ground overlooking Ottenby ready to harass the Eowan when they attempted to leave.
Thorwulf changed in to a seal after giving his gear away, and with five Wade priests including Bhumoth, turned into a seal. All were bull seals and one was the largest that any of us had ever seen. They set off swimming as the fleet set sail, but we were soon left behind by the seals. They made their way towards the third, the furthest of the three Eowan ships on watch.
The Black Pig and another karvi were the slowest sailors in the fleet but we could see Beornfrith’s Walrus followed by the Storm Raider, Mermaid, Selkie and Eahlstan’s Sea Otter leading the way. They quickly caught up with the first picket boat and the Walrus just sailed over the top of it and it sank. I couldn’t see if the second picket had spotted the fleet, but it was now fleeing with the leading ships of the Geatish fleet in hot pursuit. The Selkie and Sea Otter were smaller but were very quick and started overhauling their quarry.
About two hours after dawn the Eowan shell drove itself on to the sandbank of the larger of two lagoons on the approach to Ottenby – the crew picked up their boat and tried to carry it to the lagoon. The Sunbeam, the other karvi, ploughed into the sandbank and set off in pursuit but by now the shell was floating down the lagoon. The Sunbeam managed to get right up on the sandbank but the crew had to pull and push their ship down the bank. The Black Pig continued following the rest of the fleet.
The seals reached the third shell. Thorwulf tried to leap onto the shell and four out of the five other seals tried to do the same. They all landed on same gunwale at same time and a strut snapped and seawater flooded into the shell. Some of the Eowan tried to bale and some leapt overboard; some were floating, others just sank and more were flailing in the water. Thorwulf grabbed a limb of one of the struggling Eowan and dragged him down to drown. He then switched to another target, who seemed unusually buoyant. Thorwulf tried to savage him, but his quarry drew a scramasaex and managed to scrape along the seal’s side. The seal ripped some chunks off the Eowan, but the Eowan managed to find shallower water and get to his feet. Thorwulf gave up and swam towards Ottenby with the other seals.
Wistan and his force were hidden behind the ridge line. He carefully crept forward and looked towards the settlement some 500 yards away. Life in Ottenby seemed undisturbed. He could see the smoke of cooking fires both inside and outside of a compound. There seemed to be some men in the boats, and he didn’t see any sign of an encampment. He waited for the first sign of an alarm. The archers led by Herewulf tried to work their way around cautiously to get within bowshot. Herewulf found a gully or ditch and worked his way along it. He almost stumbled on a boy. Both were surprised and the boy started running shrieking down the ditch. Herewulf shot him, but he staggered on screaming at the top of his voice. Heads appeared, maybe three people, and they start shouting and running away and the alarm was raised. Herewulf led his men out of the ditch and started skirmishing. Men could be seen arming and coming out of the boats, some boats started to be pushed out. Wistan led his men in a demonstration.
The head of the fleet had now rounded the point, but here the wind was no longer helping and the crews had to get the oars out. There was almost a queue to get round the point, with the Black Pig, frustratingly, still at the back. Instead of waiting there Osgar decided to lands on the sandbank. We all piled out and, led by the Thegn, headed to Ottenby.
The seals landed on a beach by the banks of third, small lagoon and transformed back into men and Sikvap gave Thorwulf a franca. They were able to link up with the crew of the Black Pig.
Wistan and his men find themselves engaged in the reeds in the water margins. They could see some slaves sleeping in the ships were being rousing and given orders. Warriors were boiling out of the gates of the settlement. They were able to kill some of the ship guards and Wistan ordered holes punched in the holes of Eowan shells. Confused fighting broking out and Wistan gave the fall back call on his horn. Some fell back, but others were too closely engaged. On the other side of the inlet, people were putting their boats out. Wistan, with the help of his magic spell was able to easily manouevre through water thigh deep to engage the enemy.
Herewulf and his archers started firing blazing arrows into the settlement and in particular the Hall, with the help of a priest of Saeter. The Hall had a roof of rushes and was soon ablaze. He then led his men around the hedge towards the fighting and joined up with Wistan’s wolves.
Osgar and his men soon reached the top of the ridge between where we had landed and the inlet and could see the fighting below. There were flames from the settlement and some Eowan boats were putting to sea. In the inlet mouth was a huge Nicor and the remains of a smashed up longship. Two longships were in the harbour mouth trying to deal with Nicor. There was now a steady stream of Eowan shells creeping out. There were also some longships bypassing the fight with the Nicor, to pursue the shells.
We headed down the slope to the reed banks and joined in the confused fighting. I quickly took down two ship guards and leapt on the Eowan shell to face three more foes. I killed two of them and the third leapt overboard; the rest of the Eowan had already fled so I headed on.
The Thegn was faced with a large man, unusually well equipped for an Eowan, with a byrnie and sword. They exchanged heavy blows and Osgar staggered him back, but he recovered. The thegn struck him again and he was pitched back into the reeds.
Thorwulf, naked with but a franca, found himself against an Eowan, scarce better armed than himself. He quickly knocked his foes to his knees and then finished him off, but the other Eowan managed to get the boat away. He took a langasaex and a helmet from his foe and went in search of more victims.
Wistan found himself fighting a man on the prow of a shell. He struck him in the head and tossed him into water. He then ripped out the front of a shell with his spear. Wistan was then faced with another Eowan; he stabbed him in the in the leg with his broad bladed, magic spear, and finished him off as he lay wriggling in the water.
Out in the inlet mouth towered the Nicor in the form of a huge horned serpent. Its head smashed down on a longship. There was a nasty crunch and the ship started to wallow. Arrows were flying, spears were wielded and some galdor was screamed, but there seemed little impact on the fearsome creature.
Leofdag screamed orders at the oarslaves in an Eowan shell as he, Osgar, myself and a few others leapt aboard. Wulfwyn, the walcyringe, grabbed the helm and, with no thought of the fragility of our craft, we headed at top speed, through the press of boats towards the Nicor.
Our shell was being ignore by the other Eowan craft, which were all hugging the western bank and trying to avoid Nicor, as we headed towards it. The Nicor was engaged with a sinking longship, probably the Selkie. The Oakenheart was also engaged. Wulfwyn steered near enough for Leofdag to scream some galdor and unleash Thunor’s rage. A sizzling zap hit the Nicor and engaged gets its attention. Osgar and myself had made our way to the bows and Osgar struck the sea serpent a mighty blow to the head with his rune marked axe and I struck it with my magic spear. Thorwulf threw his franca and hit it on the neck. The huge head came down towards our frail craft, but Tiw be thanked struck the sea beside us instead of staving us in; the head rose up again. The Oakenheart pressed closer and shower missiles on the beast. As the head rose, fearless Thorwulf leapt for the Nicor, but missed, falling into the sea. The Nicor attacked again, but perhaps with less anger than before. Osgar and I both struck it again, but now it was snapping rather than butting. Thorwulf tried to straddle the Nicor, but couldn’t get a grip on the slippery scales. Osgar cleaved into its skull between horns and I drove my spear into its eye and it gave a convulsive twitch and sank below the waves as Lyttelman and I managed to extract weapons. There was a mighty Geatish cheer.
Once the Nicor was dealt with the battle was almost over. The rest of the fight Rest of fight progressed. Lost Selkie and Sea Otter. Smashed by Nicor – Sea Otter first blow. Try to rescue people from the grasp of the sea. About 13 Eowan shells got out, maybe 150 effectives. Somewhat less than half.
Take settlement. Gates were open. Bunch of people who just live there. Blazing hall.
We had about threescore Geatish dead, mostly from the Sea Otter and the Selkie which had borne the brunt of the Nicor’s attacks. The Sea Otter had been smashed to matchwood and the Selkie had the bows smashed. Eahlstan, the Brimwisa of the Sea Otter had been lucky enough to survive. Eight of Wistan’s lightly armed skirmishers had become too closely engaged and were amongst the dead.
We had trapped eleven of the Eowan shells in Ottenby – four were captured and seven smashed. The second picket boat was also captured and the other two had been sunk. Seventeen had escaped but of these one more was captured and another sank by the pursuit. There were at least 140 Eowan dead, with more dispersed. We had also liberated some 200 oarslaves. We had around two dozen prisoners, many of whom were just local civilians, but including Nissa, a tall, handsome woman, who admitted being the Witch of Ottenby. She seemed much more concerned with the fate of her settlement than that of the Eowan fleet. She offered herself as hostage for her people, not that she had a bargaining position, but her parole was accepted by Beornfrith.
Nissa said that Maera, the witch leading the fleet, had escaped along with Breda the Sea-Witch, who had been seen flying north after transforming to a gull. She confirmed Gesric, who had been cut down by Osgar, was the first sword of the fleet and a famous warrior amongst the Eowan. The crew of the Black Pig had had the presence of mind to strip his body and although his profusion of rings and torcs went into the loot pile, his equipment could be claimed by the Thegn as his vanquisher, including his sword and byrnie. Lyttelman, as the hero who had despatched the Nicor, was the toast of the fleet.
Beornfrith decided to take all the oarslaves back to Ossby, along with the most of the Eowan prisoners, which meant that Wistan found himself in charge of a large force of frustrated and angry Geats, many of whom missed the fighting altogether, and now had to walk home. They wreaked their revenge on the settlements between Ottenby and Ossby. Many took delight in pointing out to Herewulf how they had looted a farmstead, before setting light to it.