The King Is Dead by Griff Hosker

noticed that like the other sailors he had  short sword and hatchet in his belt.  Both would be useful tools on a ship but they could also be used as weapons too.
    "Here it comes, Captain."
    It was the other sailor who spoke.  He pointed to the east where the glow was now visible.
    "Best rouse the watch, Edward." As the sailor hurried off the captain looked up at the sail.  He moved the tiller over a little.  "Wind is changing a little."
    "Is that good or bad?"
    "It comes more from the north east so that could be bad.  You never know." The roused crew began to emerge as Carl handed me a jug of beer and some bread. I had not expected fine food on the cog. I was not disappointed.  "Right, Carl, up you go."
    Carl leapt up the ropes which held the mast and he clambered quickly to the top.  He sat on the yard with his legs wrapped around the mainmast.  He scanned the horizon. "All clear, Captain."
    "Good.  That is a relief.  There is nothing worse than dawn breaking and discovering a longship close by."
    "Are they still a threat?"
    "Not really.  When King Harold defeated Tostig just down the river from York most of the dangerous Vikings were slaughtered.  Most sailed west to the Ice Lands.  There are rumours that many of them found somewhere beyond the western sea, Vinland."
    "Do you believe them?"
    He laughed, "Of course not.  If they went west and made through the unending sea they would have fallen off the edge of the world.  No, King Harold did us a favour that day although it unleashed the Normans on us." He seemed to remember to whom he spoke.  "Sorry, my lord, no offence meant."
    "I am not Norman.  My father fought with Harold that day.  He was a housecarl." I touched the blue stone on my sword.  "This stone fell from Harold's sword that day."
    Captain Jack's eyes widened. He tentatively held his hand out and then withdrew it. 
"Touch it captain. I do, often." As the captain caressed the stone I smiled.  "It is like touching the past, is it not?"
    "Aye my lord." He grinned, "And I feel it will bring us good fortune.  We have the stone from the last King of  the Saxons.  It was Alfred who defeated the Danes.  This is a sign."
    I shook my head. I had heard such superstitions before.  They made men complacent instead of alert. Finishing my bread I wandered back to the well.  "Dick, best get the lads up.  It is dawn!"
    "Aye, my lord."
    My men at arms were in the aft castle and I went to wake them too.  "Wulfric, it is morning.  This is the danger time."
    "Aye, my lord."
    Finally I went to the squires.  They rose, red eyed and sour faced.  I laughed, "I can see that you are not cut out to be sailors!"
    John shook his head, "How did you sleep, my lord?  The creaking of the ship and the hard deck stopped me getting any rest at all."
    I remembered then that on the previous voyages they had slept either with the horses or on the spare sails.  There they had a softer bed. "I slept the sleep of the righteous John.  Perhaps your sins were on your mind."
    He looked suddenly guilty and said, "What sins, my lord?"
    William laughed, "My father is teasing, John.  It shows he is in good humour."
    "No matter what my humour I want you to eat, drink and then arm yourselves. This may not be a peaceful voyage. You are squires yet."
    That prompted them to movement. I began to don my mail. I was usually aided but I could do it alone.  It took longer but I had plenty of time.  By the time my squires had made water, eaten and drunk I was dressed. "Arm yourselves and then go on deck.  We watch for sails."
    "But we are at sea.  We will see sails."
    "And, William, we will watch them until the Captain determines if they are friend or foe."
    I looked up at the pennant on the masthead.  It showed the wind had not shifted. I climbed to the aft tower and peered to the north and east. The morning passed. Captain Jack had been for a short sleep and his son, Jack son of John took over.  He looked up at me.  "Wind