The Raven Wing Clan have fought off their enemies and prosper on the their island home. A sibling rivalry threatens to break apart the fabric of their lives and Hrolf the Horseman is sent on a mission deep in into the heart of Frankia to heal the rift. When Jarl Gunnar Thorfinnson decides to take a wife it embroils the clan in an alliance which takes the clan far from home to fight overwhelming numbers of wild and fierce warriors. It is a novel filled with battles and intrigue. Set in the ninth century the book paints a vivid picture of life in a Norse village at the end of the ninth century.
This is book 2 in the Norman Genesis series. As readers will realize, Hrolf, the hero of the series is not the warrior, Rollo, who eventually founds Normandy but is one of his ancestors. This book charts the first raids into Neustria and the land of the Franks. It also witness another raid into England. This book culminates in a battle, not on their Raven Wing Island but far away in Hibernia where they defend the lands of Gunnstein Berserk Killer.
Excerpt
I saw them have their hobbles removed as the four crossbowmen sat on their log. Raymond seemed to do all the work. I wondered if he was paid more. I took out four arrows and jammed them in the ground and then with a fifth arrow ready I waited. I wanted the Captain and Raymond close together. They were the leaders. It took some time for them to oblige but after Raymond had applied the lash a few times the two of them closed with each other. I loosed one arrow and even while it was in the air a second. As they fell the four men with crossbows turned. At the same time Erik Long Hair and the others grabbed the weapons from the two dead men.
The crossbowmen were on the horns of a dilemma. One turned to shout and sealed his own fate. My arrow struck him at a range of thirty paces. Only the goose feathers could be seen as it tore into him. Then the other three seemed to realise they had a weapon and they sought this archer. I loosed my next arrow as the three bolts hit the tree behind which I sheltered. That was my signal. It would take time to reload. Erik led the others to charge the three men with crossbows as I mounted Dream Strider and charged the crossbowmen. They were so busy with me that they failed to notice the eight vengeful Vikings running towards them. They butchered them. The overseer turned to shout. I sent an arrow towards him. It struck him in his arm and then the other slaves fell upon him.
“Grab the weapons and follow me down to the river!” I opened the saddlebag and gave the axe and seax to Erik. The sword I gave to Olaf. Then I headed down the path. At the bottom I slowed up. The sentries on the western gate were too far away from the construction site to have heard anything and I rode casually. The problem would come when they saw the eight men with me. I turned to them. We could not be seen from the gatehouse. As they halted, chests heaving with the exertion, I said “There is a boat tied just beyond the wall. One of you must swim to it and cut the rope. Sail down the river. The Jarl will be at the wooded island close to Nantes in two or three day’s time.”
“And what of you?”
“I will slow down the pursuit and lead them through the forests. I will catch up with you at the island.”
They nodded, Erik Long Hair said, “We are in your debt.”
“Wait until we are back in Raven Bay before you say that. The Weird Sisters are listening. Now walk until the alarm is given. I will put the horse between you and the gate.” I held the bow and an arrow in my right hand as we walked out of the forest and across the road. I could see, thirty paces away the prow of the boat. Olaf the Bear nodded. He had seen it. There were four sentries lounging in the gateway. They had swords and shields. I stopped as though I had a problem with my reins. Then a sentry in the tower shouted.
As I lifted my bow I shouted, “Run!” I calmly sent one arrow at the leader of the sentries. He wore mail but I was so close that it hit him in the middle. My second arrow missed for the three dived for cover. I heard a splash and knew that Olaf the Bear had gone for the boat. Then there was a cry as Sigtrygg Red Hair was hit by a crossbow. I sent an arrow towards the second crossbowman who took evasive action and ducked beneath the battlements. I could hear the noise of the alarm being sounded. Ironically they closed the gate which helped us. They thought they were being attacked. The danger to us lay in the men on the gate tower and my bow had made them keep their heads down. It was a situation which would not last.
I heard Erik shout, “Ride Hrolf! We have the boat!”
I needed no urging and I kicked Dream Strider hard as a flurry of crossbow bolts splashed around the stern of the fishing boat. They were raising the sail even as they were moving west. I knew that they would send horsemen after me. The boat might be safe for they could not reach them once they reached the wider Liger but I was not. I would ride for as long as I could before I took to the woods. The road ran parallel to the river for a mile or so and I kept up with the rapidly moving boat. I felt guilty about robbing old Theobald but the clan came first. When the boat struck the Liger it began to move quickly and our courses diverged. I waved farewell and then kicked hard. Leaning forward I said, “Now we just worry about each other my friend. What a tale you will have to tell when you are back in my stables.”
