Page 2 of Wolf of the Nordic Seas (Valiant Vikings #2)
Richard Sans Peur
The Viking settlement of Fécamp was enclosed by dense forest and perched atop the two hundred foot oceanfront cliffs of the alabaster coast of Normandy, approximately twenty miles east of étretat. Encircled by Viking longhouses, huts, and merchant shops, the ducal palace of the thriving village was the birthplace and personal residence of the Duke of Normandy.
Richard the Fearless.
Richard Sans Peur .
Son of William Longsword, grandson of the Viking chieftain Rollo, Richard — as Duke of Normandy—was vassal to King Lothaire of West Francia. Yet, by amassing political alliances through two marriages and several strategic victories in battle, Richard ruled the dukedom of Normandy with as much—or perhaps even more — power than the Frankish king.
Flanked by loyal guards and served by dutiful thralls, Richard and his pagan wife Gunnor now sat in the Great Hall of the fortress of Fécamp, breaking fast with castle occupants on the mild, late summer morning. The sound of rapidly approaching horses’ hooves announced an unexpected arrival.
“ Jarl Rikard , an urgent message has come from le Chateau Blanc. The rider requests permission to enter.” Clad in boiled leather and chain mail armor, armed with axe and sword, the Viking warrior Halvar bowed respectfully before Richard as his sovereign lord.
“Bring him in.” Richard nodded as a servant refilled his mug of ale. He glanced at Gunnor. Cautious concern shone in her wary amber eyes. “Thorfinn needs help. Soissons must have attacked again.”
Halvar escorted the messenger into the vast chamber. The flustered rider removed his chain mail coif, wiped the sweat from his brow, and fisted his armored chest in reverence to Richard. He gratefully accepted a mug of ale from a thrall and greedily gulped it down while several of Richard’s ducal guards approached in full alert. “ Jarl Rikard , Lady Elfi sent me,” he stammered, struggling to catch his breath. “Alberic of Soissons attacked le Chateau Blanc and captured Lord Thorfinn. He devastated the village and demands Lady Elfi’s hand in marriage. She has requested that you come to aid étretat.”
Richard rose from the table and issued orders to Halvard and his armed guards. “Assemble a hundred men. Pack supplies and load up the horses. We depart in two hours.”
Halvar ducked his chin and dashed out of the Great Hall with Richard’s armored knights and the messenger from étretat.
Returning to sit at Gunnor’s side, Richard squeezed her hand and considered his limited options. “I cannot permit the Count of Soissons to marry Elfi of étretat.” He downed a gulp of ale and slammed the mug on the table. “King Lothaire seized my castle years ago in an attempt to establish a Frankish colony here in the Pays de Caux . Thank the gods, with the aid of Sk?rde the Scourge and Harald Bluetooth, we reclaimed Fécamp. But now, the Franks are trying another approach to gain control of Normandy. If Soissons marries Elfi, he becomes Lord of le Chateau Blanc, and King Lothaire would be perfectly positioned to launch further Frankish attacks against the entire alabaster coast. Perhaps finally succeed in his endless attempt to drive the Vikings from Normandy. And reattach my dukedom to his West Frankish crown.”
Gunnor brushed a lock of blond hair from Richard’s heavily bearded cheek. Intelligence glinted in her shrewd golden gaze. “Send word to Harald Bluetooth. Marry Elfi to one of his powerful Danish jarls, just as you wedded your daughter Ylva to Count Sk?rde. Request reinforcements once again from the King of Denmark for the Pays de Caux. ” Soft, sensuous lips whispered in his attentive ear. “With the combined forces of two Viking armies, you can force the Count of Soissons to release Thorfinn.” She purred like a contented cat. “Elfi’s new Danish husband will fortify your power as Duke of Normandy. And further strengthen your Viking alliance with the King of Denmark and Norway.”
Richard grinned at his brilliant, beloved wife. Not only had she borne him several children, including five stalwart sons, but she was also astute and insightful. An exemplary leader who ruled as Duchess of Normandy at Richard’s proud side.
He kissed her slender hand, thrilled with her splendid idea. “I’ll dispatch a ship to Denmark immediately, asking Harald to send his finest Viking jarl with an army to fortify the Pays de Caux through an arranged marriage to the heiress of étretat.” Richard tugged his braided beard in pensive contemplation. “Elfi’s dowry will include le Chateau Blanc, as well as Thorfinn’s lands along the alabaster coast. Since his son Dag was killed in the last Frankish attack, Thorfinn has no male heir. He'll therefore appoint Elfi’s husband as Lord of Chateau Blanc and future Count of étretat. A tempting dowry, worthy of Bluetooth’s finest Danish jarl. And, since Harald is grateful that Sk?rde and I helped him regain control of Heieabyr in the battle against the Franks two years ago, he will gladly send a powerful Viking ruler to Normandy. Just like he did for my daughter’s marriage to the Dragon of Denmark.” Richard finished his last bite of haddock and washed it down with ale. “Elfi’s Viking husband will help Sk?rde and me rule the White Chalk Cliffs of Normandy . And keep King Lothaire of West Francia in check with a trinity of Viking armies along the coast of the Pays de Caux .”
Delight illuminated Gunnor’s radiant face. “ Harald will surely bestow a worthy bride price for Elfi as well.” She sipped her ale, a feline smile curving her full lips. “Perhaps a thousand Viking warriors and a fleet of drakkar ships — to rebuild étretat and defend our alabaster coast .”
Richard pensively twirled his moustache. “Before we depart for étretat, we’ll make a sacrifice to the gods.” He took another swallow of mead and brushed his lips with back of a hand. “My men and I shall remain at le Chateau Blanc to fortify the castle and defend Elfi — in the event the Franks attack again. Odin willing, Harald will send a fine Danish jarl to marry her and a formidable Viking army to rebuild étretat.” He arose from his chair and bent to kiss Gunnor’s grinning cheek. “In the meantime, my love, I leave Fécamp in your highly capable hands.”