the past and your ancestor."
"I see that Kara is not the only one who has inherited the gift from your mother."
"There was a time when my mind was closed to you and to Kara; the dark times when Angharad took my family. Then I saw nothing. Since we have become friends again I find myself dreaming of both you and my mother. You seek a link to your own mother's father. The warrior from the west."
"He is right Jarl Dragonheart. Why else would you keep that old sword in your hall? You can never use it and yet it is guarded as well as your family."
"Does everyone see so clearly into my mind?" I did not mind this interrogation. These were, along with Aiden, the men who were closest to me.
"Only those who know you well, father. You will search the seas and the hidden places until you discover whatever it is that tells you more and yet I fear that you will never know the whole story."
He was right. "You mean my Saxon father?"
"I have spoken of this with my sister. We have powers from your mother and from our mother. You have them from your mother only. Things are hidden from you that we see."
Haaken laughed, "And I, Haaken One Eye, see only great sagas and stories from these adventures."
I looked at my oldest friend. "And yet, Haaken, we are the last of those who went on those first adventures when the Ulfheonar were young."
"The day you begin to worry, Jarl, is the day you will die. Embrace the adventure."
Chapter 2
We had five drekar in our fleet as we headed south. Siggi had my knarr and we escorted three knarr from Úlfarrston. Nine ships would be too big a mouthful for any of the pirates who frequented this west coast of Britannia. Even Sigtrygg Thrandson had joined us. Ketil Windarsson sailed on board Olaf Grimmson's ship, 'King's Gift' . Olaf was not a warrior but one of the best captains I had. Mine was the largest drekar. Only Wolf Killer's 'Wild Boar' , still in port and being cleaned, was almost as large. The rest were little more than threttanessa. However, between us, we had over a hundred and fifty warriors. There were still many at home to watch our families. Men like my smith, Bjorn Bagsecgson, could fight as well as most warriors. I did not fear for Cyninges-tūn.
Haaken was in good spirits and he led the crew in a chant to speed us through the sea. We led and I hoped that the ones who followed would be able to keep up.
The storm was wild and the gods did roam
The enemy closed on the Prince's home
Two warriors stood on a lonely tower
Watching, waiting for hour on hour.
The storm came hard and Odin spoke
With a lightning bolt the sword he smote
Ragnar's Spirit burned hot that night
It glowed, a beacon shiny and bright
The two they stood against the foe
They were alone, nowhere to go
They fought in blood on a darkened hill
Dragon Heart and Cnut will save us still
Dragon Heart, Cnut and the Ulfheonar
Dragon Heart, Cnut and the Ulfheonar
The storm was wild and the Gods did roam
The enemy closed on the Prince's home
Two warriors stood on a lonely tower
Watching, waiting for hour on hour.
The storm came hard and Odin spoke
With a lightning bolt the sword he smote
Ragnar's Spirit burned hot that night
It glowed, a beacon shiny and bright
The two they stood against the foe
They were alone, nowhere to go
They fought in blood on a darkened hill
Dragon Heart and Cnut will save us still
Dragon Heart, Cnut and the Ulfheonar
Dragon Heart, Cnut and the Ulfheonar
Once we had passed Ynys Môn we took in the oars and let the winds from the west take us down the coast. We pulled in for the night at the island of the puffins; the one the Welsh called Ynys Enlli. It was uninhabited and the birds who nested there made good eating. I gathered the nine captains around me once they had secured their ships.
"Tomorrow we reach the Sabrina. There we leave the knarr from Úlfarrston. We will be away for twenty days at the most. We meet back on
Darrell Gurney, Ivan Misner