Excerpt from the journal of Ahmed Ibn Fahdlan, Ibn Al Abbas, Ibn Rashid, Ibn Hamad. Emissary to the north:
When I commented upon the different manners of speech among the company I received a lesson in not only geography but a hint of deeper social customs. This very close knit group of . . . brothers were born many thousands of miles apart.
Roneth is from Saxony along the southern coast of a northern sea that is called the Baltic.
Helfdane is from the eastern part of a land mass called Denmark or Daneland projecting into the sea further west. Halga from the western part of Daneland on an island he calls Mor. Edgtho is from the most northern part of western Daneland. The Danes are called Dark Norse the population having more dark haired people then the other Northmen.
Buliwyf, Herger, and the boy Haltaf are from the north and west, a place called Norway. Ragnar and Hyglak are from the eastern side of the same landmass which they call Swedeland.
Skeld is from an island far to the west called Erin. He was born in what appears to be a large colony called Black Lake or Dubh Linn in the language of his mother. He is the child of a northern warrior and a native woman.
Rethel is from a land even further west which is called Iceland, a journey of some weeks. Although he is a kinsman to Buliwyf. The village of his birth called Reykjavik, which means smoky bay, because of the steam rising from the earth its self. He told me of pools and streams of hot water pouring from the ground. Buliwyf and several other members of the company assured me that this is so.
Weath is from a Norse settlement in the northern part of an large island to the west, a place he refers to as Laithlinn which seems to be a series of Norse settlements in the land of the Scots. He is the child of a Norse warrior and a native princess. Weath has told me with great pride of a massive stone wall built to keep his mother's people out of the settled lands of the south. I believe this to be the land called Alba. The wall, the one built by the Roman Emperor Hadrian.
It is the birthplace of Weath that these men call home, having few ties to the lands of their birth. The wives of Herger and Edgtho are of some blood tie to the chieftain of the hold, a man called Donald Leodson, himself the child of a Northman and a native woman. Mixed blood seems to be of little concern, a man's deeds being of more importance.
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Ahmed stared in disbelief as the dragon ship was tilted until its side was barely over knee high to the men standing on the beach. One by one the horses were loaded onto the ship each calmly lifting its feet out of the surf and hopping onto the wooden planks. Once Hyglak's gentle gelding was loaded they turned to Ahmed's little mare.
"Time for you to ride for a change Lady," Halga patted the mare's neck.
"The waves make her nervous," Ahmed warned as he coaxed the reluctant horse forward.
When a wave slapped at her feet the normally sweet natured animal lay her ears back and balked refusing to take another step.
"What takes so long?" Buliwyf called from somewhere near the ship's prow.
"The white lady doesn't want to sail with us," Weath yelled back. "She doesn't like to get her feet wet."
"Then pick the dog up and set her on board. I want to be at sea with the dawn,"Buliwyf ordered.
"What?" Ahmed asked in confusion. "What does he mean pick her up? It is a horse, one cannot go around picking up horses."
"Of course they can Little Brother," Herger laughed reaching over taking the reins from the Arab's hand.
Halga gently patted the mare before ducking down and sticking his head under her belly, his massive arms wrapped around the slender legs and he lifted her off his feet with a grunt. "Hush now my girl all will be well," Halga crooned as he took several steps to the ship. The mare's ears twitched nervously as she tried to make sense of her position.
Aboard the ship Edgtho reached down and took the reins from Herger's hand keeping a firm tension on the mare's head preventing her from struggling once her feet were placed on the deck. Gently she was soothed before Halga released his hold and stepped away leaving her to stand nervously on her own four feet.
Ahmed stood staring wide eyed in disbelief. He picked up a horse! One man picked up my horse. Unbelievable how can I recount this when I can hardly believe it myself having seen it.
//It is not just the horse that fears the waves. The Arabe has yet to get his feet wet.// Edgtho told his guide.
//Well then he will not get his feet wet.// Herger smirked. A soft whisper of words had Halga stalking up the shore.
"Come Little Brother time to go aboard," Halga coaxed.
Ahmed blinked a moment before cautiously taking a step back. "Aboard the ship now? How long will we be at sea?" He asked nervously.
Not giving the Arab a chance to run for it Halga plucked the protesting man from the sand and tossed him over his shoulder. Carrying Ahmed to the ship he dumped him with much less care than the mare onto the oak decking. "We will sail west and north for a five day if the weather is clear. There will be a storm, there is always a storm," Halga answered.
"It is more dignified to make your own way Little Brother instead of being tossed aboard like a girl taken in a raid," Herger sniggered.
Ahmed glared at Herger as he stood and readjusted his clothing. Five days . . . well at least we will go ashore at night.
"Are we loaded?" Buliwyf stalked back checking to make certain the horses were secured amidships himself.
"Everything is loaded, including one skinny Arabe," Halga laughed softly.
"It is time to sail," Buliwyf hopped overboard offering his hand to his cousin Eric Forkbeard. "I thank you for the use of the ship."
"Try to return it undamaged," The huge red head hugged his cousin, slapping his back.
"It is in the gods' hands," Buliwyf reminded.
"Take care kinsman, I fear for you on this hunt," Eric said seriously.
"The call must be answered," Buliwyf reminded watching as Edgtho leaned out over the waves now standing at the bow of the dragon ship. "Herger?"
"Yes, my Lord?" the blond guide walked up unconsciously shifting from one foot to the other Edgtho's unrest affecting him.
"What disturbs the Huntsman?" Buliwyf demanded.
"He hunts where I cannot go. It is as if he can hear voices on the wind. This will be a difficult hunt indeed," Herger admitted bitterly. "Already I have pulled him from the stillness and the sun has yet to rise. He would eat nothing and prowled throughout the night."
"A hunt in truth then and not some drunken dream." Buliwyf's jaw tensed as he looked north.
"Launch the dragon," Eric called.
Ahmed held his breath as his companions and the Northmen of Eric's hall righted the ship by sheer muscle and pushed it out to float on the sea. Soon all the company was aboard along with a crew of eighteen of Forkbead's warriors. Skeld took the tiller and headed north. The sail was raised and they were on their way. An escort of a half dozen fishing boats would sail with them as far as the headland before turning back to their duties.
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"Down wind Little Brother," Herger grasped the suddenly green faced Arab by the shoulder pushing him against the gunwale at the stern of the dragon ship. I should have taken Weath's bet. We haven't cleared the headland and Eban is heaving.
Skeld wrinkled his nose and shook his head as the Arab gagged. Tightening his hands on the styri he kept close watch on the wind lest it change abruptly, placing him downwind of the spewing Arab.
"Herger, Edgtho has gone into the stillness and Buliwyf can not call him back." Haltaf rushed up.
Herger abandoned Eban to his misery as he rushed forward intent on the zoned Edgtho. It is my hope I have not ill-wished Edgtho to avoid the Arabe's sea belly.
Haltaf winced and hurried forward before Herger could order him to tend Eban. Weath refused to meet the harried Herger's eyes making certain to stay well away from the seasick Arab.
"I'll see to the lad. You know Weath has a belly like a breeding woman, he'd only join the Arabe in heaving over the side," Helfdane snorted and calmly made his way aft to at least sympathize with the distressed man.
Worried looks lingered on the 'lost' sentinel as the pack made last minute adjustments to the load.
"Brother!" Herger tugged Edgtho's head down so the sentinel's nose was buried against his throat. //Come to me.// Hands tugged gently on Edgtho's dark curls and patted the still cheeks. What sense has been trapped so deeply.
Buliwyf had his arms wrapped around the dark warrior from behind cradling the sentinel protectively. "I think it is his ears."
"He has stopped breathing help me lay him down," Herger ordered sharply.
The guide never stopped crooning to his sentinel as they stretched him out on the deck. Herger lay down beside him and rolled Edgtho until his head rested over the guide's heart. //Come back to me Sjálfr.// Gentle hands patted and stroked exposed skin. "Sentinel! Hear me and return now!" //EDGTHO!// Herger's voice changed to a dangerous snarl. The sentinel took a deep gasping breath. "Good, that's good, Sjálfr another breath now," Herger urged. Gasping breaths settled out into a normal rhythm and Edgtho buried his face into the familiar warmth and aroma of his guide. //Yes, I am here brother.// Herger cuddled the shaking man close.
"What is wrong?" Buliwyf asked very softly.
Edgtho muttered faintly seemingly trying to crawl inside his guide.
"What?" Herger demanded.
//Whales, I got lost in the whale song.// Edgtho admitted sheepishly. //Signal Forkbeard the whales say the fishing is good to the south of the headland.//
"There are whales to the south. Edgtho says the fishing is good and to let the Forkbeard know," Herger reported.
"Whales! He . . . next time I throw him in the sea," Buliwyf scowled down at the pair.
//You will eat and sleep. Don't argue, you are exhausted and the hunt not even begun.// Herger tugged a bit roughly on one of the soft black curls. //Years, it has been years since you were trapped by something as familiar as the whale song.// The shaken guide 'grumbled'.
//I'm sorry.// Edgtho 'said' trying to move away. //I will be alright now. Go do as you want.//
//You are what I want.// Herger huffed pulling the other man tightly against himself. //I just worry.// "Someone bring Edgtho something to eat," Herger called.
Edgtho hesitantly tasted the smoked fish before attacking it as if he were half-starved.
"Sjálfr?" Herger nodded to the few remaining crumbs.
"First thing that has tasted right in days." Edgtho fidgeted.
"You did not think this was something I should know?" Herger scowled.
//I didn't want to . . . burden you.// the dark sentinel muttered.
//Is this because of the cave?// the guide asked faintly.
//No, you were over tired and smelled off.// Edgtho assured the other man.
Smelled wrong? Oh the girls. Herger considered thoughtfully. Too long from home.
//Eban is miserable.// Edgtho noted.
"A good thing we did not gift him the sword yet," Herger chuckled.
"Cut his own throat to end the wave sickness," Buliwyf laughed from his stance at the prow.
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"Shouldn't we land for the night soon?" Eban asked hopefully. The Arab sat huddled between a pair of sea chests in a miserable knot arms wrapped around his tender belly.
"No Little Brother, we stay at sea until we make landfall in Hrothgar's kingdom," Herger answered cheerfully.
The Arab simply curled in on himself with a whimper.
"I brought you something to eat," Herger plopped down on one of the benches to set out the food.
"No, no food," Eban 'whimpered'.
"There is water. You must drink lest you fall ill," Herger coaxed.
Fall ill? Does the fool not see that I am most ill already? Ahmed thought to himself.
"You will feel better with something in your belly," the Norse guide promised.
"If I had the strength I would cast you into the sea," Ahmed growled before lurching to his feet and hanging over the side once more.
"Don't eat then, but this may be your last chance for a while. Edgtho says there will be a storm by dawn," Herger warned.
"Truly I have been cursed," Ahmed slumped back to the deck as the painful heaves ended.
Author's note:
It is possible for a strong man to carry a large animal this way. An Arabian horse weighs on the average between 800 and a 1,000 pounds. Asbjrrn 'Bear' Riis the actor who played Halga in the movie stood 6'6" and weighed 315 pounds. People of this period were extremely familiar with carrying great weights as a matter of course. Consider the weight of weapons and armor these warriors lived in. On more than one occasion I have seen my father or husband . . . assist an animal into a truck or trailer. Neither man weighed over 200 pounds at the time.
I can remember quite vividly my brothers and other local boys taking turns lifting the back end of a pickup truck. I once measured the distance my father carried a 500 lb anvil before setting it into the back of a 1968 dodge pickup, 57'. These 'events' were just a matter of course working around a farm. Of course this isn't the fancy weight lifting you see where a man holds 400 lbs over his head. This is supported weight at chest or shoulder making a huge difference.
styri-rudder old norse