Flight of the Ravens: The Saga of Bjorn Halfdanson (The Norman Millennium Book 1) by Richards Peter David

Author:Richards, Peter David [Richards, Peter David]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-01-29T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 24: Return to Jomsborg

The voyage home took us past the lands of the Welsh, the Saxons and even the Franks, but we sailed without encountering any hostile ships. At night we anchored offshore, stopping briefly for respite before continuing at first light, and we made good progress navigating with the summer breezes behind us. Twenty days later we reached the shores of Wendland, and the welcome sight of the stonewalls of the Jomsborg fortress. Slipping quietly into the huge harbour, we were home. The ships were secured, and I jumped down onto the stone quay, feeling its welcoming solidity beneath my feet. The weary crews of each longship joined me on the dock, and with the Commander at our head, we trooped back up the hill to the castle and returned through its gates where the companies were dismissed.

The next day, at dawn, the company captains and the skippers of the ships were summoned to Styrbjorn’s long hall where we joined him at his table.

“A successful voyage?” asked Ubbi.

Never one for a quick reply, the Commander considered the question. “Yes, I believe so. We have much support among our friends and allies, and many fine words were spoken, but come the spring we will find out how true these words are.”

He went on to describe in some detail all the support that we were promised and what he expected would happen. He finished by listing all the pledges of support that had been made.

“Come the spring, if all men have spoken the truth to me, we will have three hundred ships to sail against the Swedes,” he continued.

Each ship would carry at least fifty men and our forces, numbering fifteen thousand, would make a powerful adversary.

Ubbi was the first to respond. “That number of ships would surely bring us success, Lord,” he said.

“Yes, if they all come, we shall doubtless succeed. Now, tell me how the recruitment plans are proceeding.”

At least two hundred new men had been selected, and they would soon be ready to be inducted into our order. They came from near and far, from all over Scandinavia, Frankia, Byzantium and places I had never even heard of. We needed a large intake of new men, but it would be a great undertaking to get warriors with the right fighting skills and qualities. The discussions went on for some time.

Eventually, Styrbjorn said, “I have made a decision. We will need another company, and it will be led by Bjorn Spear Arm.” Then, looking directly at me, he said, “I shall need you to recruit five hundred men by the spring. Take your cousin, use one of the empty halls across the square and make a new company of Jomsvikings. You know the sort of men we will need. There will be coin and ships at your disposal. Ubbi will spare you a few men to start you off.”

With that, he finished his briefing and dismissed us all.

“You look a little surprised,” said Ubbi, as we walked back to the Raven’s barracks.

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