The Dragon and The Raven: Or The Days of King Alfred

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"Would I could aid you, my son, in your enterprise against
these northern pirates. The depredations which they are
committing on the shores of Italy are terrible indeed, and we
are powerless to resist them; they have even threatened to
ascend the Tiber and attack Rome, and though I trust that
we might resist their attacks, yet rather than such misfortune
as a siege should fall upon my people I have paid a large sum
of money to the leader of the Northmen to abstain from coming
hither; but I know that the greed of these pirates does
but increase with their gains, and that ere long we may see
their pagan banner floated before our walls. A few galleys I
could man and place under your orders, but in truth the
people of this town are not skilled in naval fighting. I have
already endeavoured to unite the states of Genoa, Pisa, and
Venice against them, for it is only by common effort that we
can hope to overwhelm these wolves of the sea."

Edmund expressed his thanks to the pope for his offer,
but said that he would rather proceed with the Dragon alone.

"She is to the full as swift as the Northmen's vessels," he
said; "and although I would right gladly join any great fleet
which might be assembled for an attack upon them, I would
rather proceed alone than with a few other ships. Not being
strong enough to attack their whole armament I must depend
upon stratagem to capture the galley of which I am
specially in pursuit, and will with your permission set out as
soon as I have transformed my ship so that she will pass muster
as a galley of Genoa or Venice."

The holy father gave orders that every assistance should
be afforded to Edmund to carry out his designs, and the next
morning a large number of artisans and workmen took possession
of the Dragon. She was painted from stem to stern
with bright colours. Carved wood-work was added to her
forecastle and poop, and a great deal of gilding overlaid upon
her. The shape of her bow was altered, and so transformed
was she that none would have known her for the vessel which
had entered the Tiber, and she would have passed without
observation as a galley of Genoa.

A number of prisoners accustomed to row in the state
galleys were placed on board to work the oars, thus leaving
the whole of the crew available for fighting purposes, and a
state officer was put in command of these galley-slaves. The
ship was well stored with provisions, and after a farewell
interview with the pope, Edmund and his companions returned
on board ship, and the Dragon took her way down the river.

The fleet of the Northmen was at Palermo, and keeping
under the land, the Saxon ship sailed down the coast of
Calabria, and at night crossed near the mouth of the straits
to the shore of Sicily. They entered a quiet bay, and Edmund
dressed as a Dane, with the two Northmen who had accompanied
him from Paris, landed and journeyed on foot to Palermo.

Everywhere they came upon scenes similar to those with
which they were familiar in France. Villages burned and
destroyed, houses deserted, orchards and crops wasted, and
a country destitute of inhabitants, all having fled to the
mountains to escape the invader. They did not meet with a single
person upon their journey. When they approached Palermo
they waited until nightfall, and then boldly entered the town.
Here the most intense state of misery prevailed. Many of the
inhabitants had fled before the arrival of the Danes, but those
who remained were kept in a state of cruel subjection by their
conquerors, who brutally oppressed and ill-used them, making
free with all their possessions and treating them as slaves.

The Danes entered into conversation with some of their
countrymen, and professing to have that evening but newly
arrived from home, learned much of the disposition of the
fleet of the Northmen. They pretended that they were desirous
of joining the galleys under the command of Sweyn, and
were told that these had arrived three weeks before, and were
now absent with some others on the southern side of the
island.

Having obtained this information, Edmund and his companions
started without delay to rejoin the Dragon. Upon
reaching her she at once put to sea. Palermo was passed in
the night, and the vessel held her way down the western coast
of Sicily. She was now under sail alone, and each night lay
up at anchor in order that she might not pass the Danish
galleys unobserved. On the third day after passing Palermo,
several galleys were seen riding off a small port. The wind
was very light, and after a consultation with his friends
Edmund determined to simulate flight so as to tempt the
Danes to pursue, for with so light a breeze their smaller
galleys would row faster than the Dragon; besides, it was
possible that Sweyn might be on shore.

It was early morning when the Danish galleys were seen,
and apparently the crews were still asleep, for no movement
on board was visible, and the Dragon sailed back round a
projecting point of land and then cast anchor. It was so
important to learn whether Sweyn was with Freda on board his
ship, or whether, as was likely, he had established himself on
shore, that it was decided it would be better to send the two
Danes to reconnoitre before determining what plan should
be adopted.

CHAPTER XVIII: FREDA DISCOVERED

The spies upon their return reported that Sweyn had
taken up his abode in the mansion of the Count of Ugoli,
who was the lord of that part of the country.
Most of the Danes lived on shore in the houses of the
townspeople. Many of these had been slain, and the rest were
treated as slaves. The lady Freda was also on shore, and it
was thought that she would ere long become the bride of the
Viking.

"Think you that there will be any possibility of surprising
the house and carrying her off?"

"I think not," the Dane said, "for Sweyn's men are on
the alert, and keep good guard, for the people of this part of
the island, being maddened by their exactions and cruelty,
have banded themselves together; and although they cannot
withstand the strong parties which go out in search of plunder
they cut off stragglers, and have made several attacks on
small parties. It is thought that they may even venture an
attack upon the place at night, therefore sentries are set, and
a portion of the force remains always under arms in readiness
to sally out in case of alarm."

"I would fain go myself," Edmund said, "and see how
matters stand, and try to communicate with Freda. It may be
that her long resistance has tired her out, and that she is at
the point of consenting to become Sweyn's bride."

"I think not that," Siegbert replied. "When Freda has
once made up her mind she is not given to change."

"I doubt not her resolution," Edmund said; "but none
can blame her if, after all these months, she has begun to
despair of rescue; nay, it is even probable that, having Sweyn,
who is assuredly a brave and enterprising Viking, always near
her, she may have come to love him."

"No, Edmund," Siegbert replied. "I am sure you need
have no fear that she has softened towards Sweyn. But how
do you think of proceeding if you land?"

"I will take with me this Dane, and if one of the Genoese
nobles will go with me I will take him, and also the man we
brought from Marseilles, who acts as an interpreter between
us and the Italians."

"But why hamper yourself with two men, who would be
even more likely to be detected by the Danes than would you
yourself?"

"I shall leave them in the outskirts of the place," Edmund
replied. "I would fain see if I can enter into any negotiations
with the natives. Perhaps we may arrange that they shall
attack the place on the land side, while the Dragon falls upon
the galleys, and in any case we may need an interpreter with
the people."

One of the young Genoese, upon being asked whether
he would take part in the adventure, at once consented, and
the four men, attiring themselves as Danes, speedily landed
in the Dragon's boat. The bay in which the ship was lying was
some ten miles along the shore from the town. The spies
had made their way along the sea-coast by night, but as it was
morning when Edmund landed, he thought that it would be
safer to make a detour so as to arrive near the landward side
of the town and so enter it after dark.

They had not proceeded far when they came upon the
ruins of a village. It had been destroyed by fire, and the
freshness of the charred beams showed that it had been done
but a short time before, probably not many days. Marks of
blood could be seen in the roadway, but no bodies were visible,
and Edmund supposed that, after the Danes had retired,
the survivors must have returned and buried their dead. They
had not proceeded far when the Dane pointed out to Edmund
a half-naked lad who was running with the swiftness of a deer
over a slope of some little distance.

"He is going too fast for us to catch him," Edmund said
carelessly; "and as, even if we did so, he could give us no
information of any use, for you may be sure he has not ventured
near the town, we may well let him go on in his way."

For three or four miles further they pursued their course.
The country, which was exceedingly fertile, and covered with
corn-fields and vineyards, appeared entirely deserted. Here
and there a wide blackened tract showed where, from
carelessness or malice, a brand had been thrown into the
standing corn.

"The Danes are ever the same," Edmund said. "Well
may they be called the sea-wolves. It would be bad enough
did they only plunder and kill those who oppose them; but
they destroy from the pure love of destroying, and slay for
the pleasure of slaying. Why are these robbers permitted to
be the scourge of Europe?"

"Why indeed?" the Genoese repeated when the interpreter
had translated Edmund's exclamation to him. "'Tis shame
and disgrace that Christendom does not unite against
them. They are no more invincible now than they were when
Caesar overran their country and brought them into subjection.
What the Romans could do then would be easy for the
Christian powers to do now if they would but make common
cause against these marauders--nay, Italy alone should be
able at any rate to sweep the Mediterranean free of their
pirate galleys; but Venice and Genoa and Pisa are consumed
by their own petty jealousies and quarrels, while all our
sea-coasts are ravaged by these wolves of the ocean."

"Ah! what is that?" he exclaimed, breaking off, as an
arrow struck smartly against his helmet.

They were at the moment passing through a small wood
which bordered the road on both sides. The first arrow
seemed but a signal, for in an instant a score of others flew
among the party. It was well that they carried with them the
long Danish shields, which nearly covered their whole body.
As it was, several slight wounds were inflicted, and the
interpreter fell dead with an arrow in his forehead.

Immediately following the flight of arrows a crowd of
peasants armed with staves, axes, and pikes dashed out from
the wood on both sides and fell upon them, uttering shouts
of "Death to the marauders!" "Kill the sea-wolves!"

So great was the din, that, although the Genoese shouted
loudly that they were not Danes but friends, his words were
unheard in the din; and attacked fiercely on all sides, the
three men were forced to defend themselves for their lives.
Standing back to back in the form of a triangle, they defended
themselves valiantly against the desperate attacks of their
assailants.

Several of these were cut down, but so furious was the
attack of the maddened peasants that the defenders were
borne down by the weight of numbers, and one by one beaten
to the ground. Then the peasants rained blows upon them
as if they had been obnoxious wild beasts, and in spite of
their armour would speedily have slain them had not the
Genoese, with a great effort, pulled from his breast a cross,
which was suspended there by a silken cord, and held it up,
shouting, "We are Christians, we are Italians, and no Danes."

So surprised were the peasants at the sight that they
recoiled from their victims. The Dane was already insensible.
Edmund had just strength to draw his dagger and hold
up the cross hilt and repeat the words, "We are Christians."
It was the sight of the cross rather than the words which had
arrested the attacks of the peasants. Indeed, the words of
the Genoese were scarce understood by them, so widely did
their own patois differ from the language of polished Italy.

The fact, however, that these Danes were Christians
seemed so extraordinary to them that they desisted from their
attack. The Danes, they knew, were pagans and bitterly hostile
to Christianity, the monasteries and priests being special
objects of their hostility. The suggestion of one of the peasants,
that the cross had no doubt been taken from the body
of some man murdered by the Danes, revived the passion of
the rest and nearly cost the prisoners their lives; but an older
man who seemed to have a certain authority over the others
said that the matter must be inquired into, especially as the
man who had the cross, and who continued to address them
in Italian, clearly spoke some language approaching their own.
He would have questioned him further, but the Genoese was
now rapidly losing consciousness from the pain of his wounds
and the loss of blood.

The three prisoners were therefore bound, and being
placed on rough litters constructed of boughs, were carried
off by the peasants. The strength and excellence of Edmund's
armour had enabled him to withstand the blows better than
his companions, and he retained his consciousness of what
was passing. For three hours their journey continued. At
the end of that time they entered a wood high up on the hillside.
There was a great clamour of voices round, and he
judged that his conductors had met another party and that
they were at the end of their journey.

The litters were now laid down and Edmund struggled
to his feet. Before him stood a tall and handsome man in the
attire of a person of the upper class. The old peasant was
explaining to him the manner of their capture of the prisoners,
and the reason why they had spared their lives.

"How is it," the noble asked when he had finished, turning
to Edmund, "that you who are Danes and pagans, plunderers
and murderers, claim to be Christians?"

Edmund did not understand the entire address, but he
had already picked up a little Italian, which was not difficult
for him from his acquaintance with French.

"We are not Danes," he said; "we are their enemies, I am
a Saxon earl, and this my friend is a noble of Genoa."

"A Saxon!" the Italian exclaimed in surprise; "one of the
people of King Alfred, and this a Genoese noble! How is it
that you are masquerading here as Danes?"

"I speak but a few words of Italian," Edmund said, "but
my friend will tell you the whole story when he recovers.
I pray you to order aid to be given to him at once."

Although still at a loss to understand how it had come
about, the Count of Ugoli--for it was that noble himself-
saw that his prisoner's statement must be a true one. In their
native patois he hastily told the peasants that there must be
some mistake, and that although their prisoners seemed to
be Danes they were really Christians and friends. He bade
them then instantly to strip off their armour, to bind up their
wounds, and to use all their efforts to restore them to life.

At his bidding one of the peasants brought a wine-skin,
and filling a large cup with the liquid, offered it to Edmund.
The latter drained it at a draught, for he was devoured by a
terrible thirst. After this he felt revived, and soon had the
satisfaction of seeing his comrades recovering under the
ministrations of the peasants, who chafed their hands, applied
cool poultices of bruised leaves to their bruises, and poured
wine down their throats.

In half an hour the Genoese was sufficiently recovered
to be able to sit up and to give a full account of their presence
there, and of their object in assuming the disguise of Danes.
He then told the count that Edmund intended to reconnoitre
the place alone, and that he hoped he and his people
would attack the town, while the Saxons in their galley made
an assault from the sea. The count replied that the peasantry
could not be induced to take such a step.

"I will, however, aid your friend," he said, "by a feigned
attack to-morrow evening when he is there. This may help
him to escape, and if the Danes sally out next day in pursuit
there will be the fewer for him to cope with."

When Edmund awoke the next morning he found himself
able to walk and move without difficulty and with but
little pain, thanks to the care of the peasants, and in the
afternoon, being furnished by the count with a guide, he started
for the town.

When he arrived within a short distance he dismissed
his guide and lay down in some bushes till nightfall, then he
rose and made his way into the town, passing unobserved
between the watch-fires made by the parties of Danes encamped
in its outskirts to protect it against surprise. Once
in the town, he walked boldly on, having no fear of
recognition or question.

Sounds of carousing came through the open casements,
but few people were in its streets. He made his way down to
the sea-shore, which he followed until he came to a large and
stately mansion standing in beautifully laid out gardens at
the end of the town. Several tents were erected in the garden;
and although the night was not cold great fires had been
lighted, around which the Danes were carousing.

Avoiding these Edmund walked up to the open windows.
The first room he looked into was deserted, but in the next,
which was a large apartment, a number of Danes were seated
at table. At its head sat Sweyn with Freda on his right hand.
Around were a number of his leading men, the captains of
the galleys and their wives. The meal was over, and the winecup
was passing round. A number of attendants moved about
the room, and many of the warriors who had supped elsewhere
stood around the table, joining in the conversation
and taking their share of the wine.

Edmund saw at once that he could not hope for a more
favourable opportunity, and he accordingly entered the mansion,
and, passing through the open door, joined the party
within, keeping himself in rear of those standing round the
table, so that the light from the lamps placed there should
not fall upon his face.

Just as he had taken his place, Sweyn called out:
"Let us have a song. Odoacre the minstrel, do you sing
to us the song of the Raven."

A minstrel bearing a small harp advanced into the centre
of the horse-shoe table, and after striking a chord, began
to sing, or rather to chant one of the favourite songs of the
sea-rovers.

A shout of applause rose from the Danes as the minstrel
ceased, and holding their goblets high above their heads, they
drank to the Raven.

While the singing was going on Edmund quietly made
his way round to one of the open windows. It was the hour at
which the count had promised to make his attack, and he
listened eagerly for any sound which might tell that the
peasants had begun their work. Other songs followed the first,
and Edmund began to be afraid that the courage of the peasants
had failed at the last moment.

Suddenly he saw lights appear at five or six points in the
distance, and, putting his head out, he thought he could hear
distant cries and shouts. The lights grew brighter, and soon
broad tongues of flame shot up. Shouts at once arose from
the guards without. Some of the revellers hearing these went
to the windows to see what was happening, and gave a cry of
alarm. "Sweyn, we must be attacked; fires are rising in the
outskirts of the town."

"These cowards would never venture to disturb us,"
Sweyn said scornfully; "of all the foes we have ever met none
were so feeble and timid as these Italians."

"But see, Sweyn, the flames are rising from eight points;
this cannot be accident."

Sweyn rose from his seat and went to the window.

"No, by Wodin," he exclaimed, "there is mischief here;
let us arm ourselves, and do you," he said, turning to a young
man, "run swiftly to the outposts, and learn what is the
meaning of this."

Scarcely, however, had he spoken when a man ran breathlessly
into the hall.

"Haste to the front, jarl," he said to Sweyn, "we are attacked.
Some of the enemy creeping in between our fires set
fire to the houses in the outskirts, and as we leapt to our feet
in astonishment at the sudden outbreak, they fell upon us.
Many of my comrades were killed with the first discharge of
arrows, then they rushed on in such numbers that many more
were slain, and the rest driven in. How it fares with the other
posts I know not, but methinks they were all attacked at the
same moment. I waited not to see, for my captain bade me
speed here with the news."

"Sound the horn of assembly," Sweyn said. "Do you,
Oderic, take twenty of the guard without, and at once conduct
the ladies here to the boats and get them on board the
galleys. Let all others hasten to the scene of attack. But I
can hardly even now believe that this coward herd intend to
attack us in earnest."

In the confusion which reigned as the warriors were
seizing their shields and arms, Edmund approached Freda,
who had with the rest risen from her seat.

"The Dragon is at hand," he whispered; "in a few hours
we will attack Sweyn's galley; barricade yourself in your cabin
until the fight is over."

Freda gave a little start as Edmund's first words reached
her ear. Then she stood still and silent. She felt her hand
taken and pressed, and glancing round, met Edmund's eye
for a moment just as he turned and joined the Danes who
were leaving the hall. A minute later Oderic entered with
the guard, and at once escorted the women down to the boats,
and rowed them off to the galleys.

Sweyn and the main body of the Danes rushed impetuously
to the outskirts of the town. The fighting was already
at an end, the peasants having withdrawn after their first
success. Two or three of the parties round the watch-fires
had been annihilated before they could offer any effectual
resistance, others had beaten off the attack, and had fallen
back in good order to the houses, losing, however, many men
on the way from the arrows which their assailants shot among
them.

Sweyn and the Norsemen were furious at the loss they
had suffered; but as pursuit would have been useless, there
was nothing to be done for the present, and after posting
strong guards in case the attack should be renewed, the Danish
leaders returned to the banqueting hall, where, over renewed
draughts of wine, a council was held.

Most of those present were in favour of sending out a
strong expedition on the following day to avenge the attack;
but Sweyn argued that it might be that the natives had
assembled from all parts of the island, and that this sudden
attack, the like of which had not been attempted before, was
perhaps made only to draw them out into an ambush or to
attack the town in their absence. Therefore he urged it was
better to delay making an expedition for a short time, when
they would find the enemy unprepared.

After some discussion Sweyn's arguments prevailed, and it
was determined to postpone the expedition for a few days.

CHAPTER XIX: UNITED

No sooner did Edmund find himself outside the mansion
than he separated himself from the Danes, and
following the sea-shore, set out on his return to the
Dragon. The tide was out, and although the night was dark
he had no difficulty in finding his way along the shore,
keeping close to the margin of the waves. When he approached
the headland he was forced to take to the land, as the waves
beat against the foot of the rock. Guided by the stars he
made his way across the cape and came down on to the shore
of the bay.

A light was burning on the poop of the Dragon, and his
hail was at once answered. A few minutes later a boat touched
the shore beside him, and he was soon on board the ship,
and at once held council with Egbert and Siegbert, to whom
he related all that had happened. He learned from them
that his two wounded comrades had been brought down to
the beach that evening by the country people, and had told
them how narrow an escape they had had of death at the
hands of the enraged peasants.

After a discussion of all the different plans upon which
they might act, it was determined that the attempt to rescue
Freda should be made at once, as they considered it certain
that Sweyn with a large portion of his band would set out at
daybreak to take vengeance upon the natives.

The plan decided upon was that they should proceed
along the shore, and that if the Danish galleys, being
undermanned, did not put out in pursuit, they should sail in
and attack them. The Danes were indeed greatly superior in
force, for they had counted the ships, the smallest of which
would carry a hundred men. Still in the absence of a portion
of their crews, and from the effects of surprise, they thought
that success was possible.

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