Sceapig, Kingdom of Wessex, 886 AD
Sceapig, Kingdom of Wessex, 886 ADBy his account, the messenger had ridden through the hostile territory from the East Anglian coast to the Thames and made a ferry crossing to deliver his message to the commanders of the Saxon fleet. When he spoke, it was in a coastal accent, with distinctive long, stressed vowels.
“Lord Aethelred, I saw the Vikings leave to head southwards. My informant tells me they have unfinished business in Kent.”
unfinished business“How many ships?” Faruin intervened, earning himself a scowl from the Mercian lord.
“More than forty, Ealdorman. Gunkell Hrodrsson is commanding them.”
Faruin turned to Aethelred. “If they are heading for Rochester again, we should sail on the first tide.”
“I will decide when we depart,” Aethelred s
