the northern wave: book 2

Harold had warned Sigurd not to occupy land he couldn’t hold no matter the temptation. Sigurd being a realist knew his limitations and conveyed them to his commanders. Frode however was a strategist of great merit and his thinking was far ahead of Sigurd’s. Give Picts in the north, reason to stay in the north. They must fear an invasion of their land. Frode urged. Sigurd agreed and allocated that task to Frode.

Knarrs and longboats brought reinforcements daily from Norway and Orkney. Five thousand warriors would trigger the invasion. Two thousand marching, and three thousand holding the great fort of Torfness. Sigurd would lead towards the mountains then follow the lay of the land east to the sea. They would return to Torfness following the coast west.

Chiefs had massed fleeing Picts around the hill fort of Bennachie, to the south of Huntly. Between Bennachie and Ellon on the River Ythan they would stand in open battle. Tusk held his ground, secure in his island stockade at Lochindorb. Joined by stragglers from Elgin and the surrounding area they awaited the inevitable with defiance. Warriors in Huntly and Banff also stood their ground in stockades that were far from secure.