Isle of Sceapige (6) - Vikings on the move ...

Sven Erikson had a bad nights sleep. In the morning he felt that he needed to limber up and get some action - the rest of the men had been getting tetchy lately and there had been some squabbles recently in the camp which had turned into some nasty fights. So they are up for fighting he thought - we can't sit here any longer - time for action. 'To the ships' he bellowed loudly ...

The vikings scrambled aboard their ships and made their way up round the isle past Medham and along the coast towards Drengham - they beached their ships on the sandy cove about 3 miles from the saxon settlement (the other way was round the isle was a trickey route with dangerous rocks, especially near Drengham - where only the locals new the safe way through).

After getting ashore Sven Erikson ordered the battle standard to be unfurled.

He then ordered his mean to prepare some things to help in their attack on Drengham, after felling a few trees and some hard work they were ready to move,- a battering ram and some improvised ladders..

Ready for action the Vikings move off towards Drengham ...

---oXo---

 to be continued

Saxons make preparations ...

The Saxons on the island have been re-inforced by a small group of Warriors who arrived by boat a few days agos and some men who crossed to the island from the mainland using the old causeway at low tide.

Saxon scouts have been watching the Viking camp from woodland nearby and have reported what they have seen back to Drengham.   They must make decision soon as to whether to attack the vikings or not - before their camp becomes too strongly defended.

There is much discussion going on among the men
 

(image from http://www.regia.org/warfare/spear.htm )

Whilst this rural idyll goes on Sven is a worried man. Throughout the day the sound of axes ring through the forests, trees are cut, trimmed and dragged to his camp, shelters and palisading rises daily as his men enjoy the easy life.
This must soon end, The local fyrd are raising fresh troops from the countryside around, whilst he waits in vain for the arrival of Ivar Redbeard and his men, reports have arrived that the troops have arrived in the home vik, but troubles have arisen in equiping them and fitting out more longships.
More bad news arrives daily, today one of his scouts arrives with information that he has found a pathway to the mainland, this ford would seem only passably at extemely low tides, but these are approaching and his enemy must know of them and even now be preparing an attack.

Lost Monk ....

A touch of whimsy, prompted by finishing painting a ploughman figure ..

Monk: Excuse me kind sir, can you tell me the way to Wareham in the county of Wuduceastre ?

Ploughman: Same as you wears'em anywhere else

Here be the Isle of Sceapige ...

When the vikings landed they moved north and took the settlement of Medham, we have also seen their adventure in the forest where they retrieved the Book of Tanwold from the hermits island on Crawsmere (click map image to get larger version)

The vikings now control the island up to the long ridge hill of Segsden; although the Ufdenu (Owls den) Valley and nearby forested areas see incursions by the Saxons (mostly hunting for game).  The vikings have also recently raised Deorsingasham on the mainland to get St Wigberts relics, what will Sven Eriksen's next move be - more raiding or a another adventure looking for the treasure of the Whorled Cup ?

Bound for Sceapige ...

A small group of volunteers start their journey to the Isle of Sceapige to help the defenders against the vikings ...

[Boat constructed from Smer 1/60 kit as posted here]

Small Building - Plan Drawing

Plan layout of ends and sides of the above building with dimesions

Feel free to use copy amend as you like