The Vikings on the Cotentin try to live in peace with their neighbours, the Franks, but when they are attacked they have to fight. Aided by fellow Vikings they begin to make inroads into the land of the Franks until disaster strikes and the new allies meet defeat. When the full force of the Franks descends upon the Haugr every member of the clan must fight to prevent their extinction.
This book is set in Normandy when Hrolf and the clan are trying to establish their new home. They meet fellow minded Vikings and it looks as though they are set to carve out a land for themselves. When King Louis decides that he does not want to suffer their presence things turn ugly.
Excerpt
When the greenway entered another wood, thinner this time, we halted to rest our horses. We were only six Roman miles from home but we were halfway to Valauna. Nipper growled as I let Dream Strider drink from the beck. Gilles and Bertrand knew my dog as well as I did and we all slid into our saddles and drew our swords. I left my shield hanging from my saddle until I had seen what danger came our way.
I waved Gilles and Bertrand into the shelter of the trees and waited in the middle of the path. I heard the hooves of the riders as they approached. Nipper had felt the ground move at their approach. I hissed, “Nipper, hide!” My dog disappeared. I sheathed my sword.
The four riders saw me when they were just thirty paces from me. I had seen their movement before they spied me. My stillness, born of long training from Ulf Big Nose, had come to my aid. None of the four had mail. They had the leather studded byrnie with open helmets and javelins held in their arms. They halted ten paces from me and peered around suspiciously. The leader was a young warrior. I think he had been with the seneschal when he had come to the haugr. He must have recognised me. He said, “You are the Viking the Seneschal spoke with when we delivered our lord’s ultimatum. Have you come to hand yourself over for punishment?”
“No, I came for a ride in this pleasant wood. Soon it will be winter and not as enjoyable. And you?”
My easy manner disarmed them. They looked at each other. Then the young leader said, “It matters not why you came here. We have you now and shall take you to the castle for judgement.”
I drew my sword, “Heart of Ice here disputes that.” I leaned down and took my shield. “As there are four of you I may well need my shield too.”
“You are arrogant for a barbarian who cannot ride! We are Neustrians and lords of the horse! Take him!”
They split up as they charged at me with their javelins lowered. I saw that the young warrior hung back a little. If they thought to intimidate and frighten me they were sadly mistaken. I kicked Dream Strider in the ribs and he leapt forward. The four of them were too close to be able to use their javelins effectively. Two clattered into my shield; one missed me completely and Heart of Ice sliced through the javelin of the fourth. I wheeled Dream Strider around. The Franks tried the same manoeuvre but their javelins and numbers threw them into confusion. As I urged Dream Strider towards them I shouted, “Now Gilles! Now Bertrand!” My two men had been waiting for my order and they both sprang from cover. They had ten paces to cover but the Franks only heard hooves. Their heads whirled looking for the new danger.
The warrior whose javelin I had sliced in two had drawn his sword. He swung it at my head and I blocked it easily with my shield. I stood in my stiraps and brought my sword across the top of his shield. He fell from his horse. A javelin punched into my back but my forward momentum stopped its penetration. I whipped Dream Strider’s head around and brought my sword across the neck of the Frank. The other two were not faring well against Gilles and Bertrand who were both superb horsemen. Gilles lunged at his opponent and found the gap between his shield and his saddle. The sharp sword slid into his body and he fell. Bertrand’s opponent, the young leader who had held back a little, turned his horse and galloped off. I saw that Bertrand had caused a wound to his head for there was blood coming from beneath his helmet.
