Read Online Heroes of the Valley by Jonathan Stroud - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Jonathan Stroud
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took your time, boy.'
Aud said: 'Do not be hard on the lad. He means well, I believe.'
Halli performed an elaborate salute. 'I found the finest ale I could, sirs, a special brew for the noblest guests. If I might be so bold, I would suggest it is too strong for the Lady Aud to sample.' He looked at her pointedly, bowed and withdrew.
Down to the meadow went the happy Hakonsson party, clustering close about Aud, each youth laughing louder than his fellows. Halli watched them from the shadows of the gate, then went back to the hall.
5
S VEIN'S YOUTHFUL PROWESS IRRITATED the other heroes so much that several decided to kill him, but their ambushes never had much luck. One time Hakon lay in concealment and shot Svein with arrows. The first struck Svein's silver belt and bounced harmlessly away; the second narrowly missed his neck and pinned him to an oak tree by the tangle of his plaits. Svein was unable to pull himself free without plucking out half his hair, which he was unwilling to do. Seeing him standing helpless, Hakon drew his sword and sauntered up to make an end to him, but Svein pulled the oak up by the roots and, whirling it round like a fighting staff, gave Hakon the thrashing of his life. Svein made light of the incident afterwards. 'It was only a sapling,' he said. 'It was no great feat.'
The first day of the Gathering ended happily with festive revelry in the meadows, but with the mists of morning, news drifted up to Svein's House of a misfortune befalling the Hakonsson deputation. A violent cramp and sickness had overtaken the menfolk of the party; they had spent all night leaping urgently into nearby bushes before returning groaning to their mats. Several neighbouring parties had been forced to move their tents further afield, while no less than six horses had shied and broken free of their tethers in their efforts to move upwind of the Hakonssons.
Halli learned the particulars from Eyjolf, who was busy in the kitchen organizing herbal brews for the sufferers.
'It is a wretched inconvenience,' the old man grumbled. 'No crops will grow again in that corner of the meadow, take it from me.'
Halli's expression was melancholy. 'Does anyone know the cause?'
'No. They blame a keg of beer, which is ridiculous: no one else at the Gathering has complained. More likely it is their vile personal habits.' Eyjolf looked left and right, and spoke quietly. 'The sons of Hakon rarely wash, and I have heard it said that some of them cultivate the grime between their toes and crumble it on their salads as a garnish. So: they only have themselves to blame!'
Halli spent the day quietly; dusk found him behind the hall, throwing horseshoes round a hob-stick in the flagstones. As he completed a cast, his father appeared beside him. Arnkel's face exhibited lines of weariness and care.
'My son,' he said heavily, 'I am glad to see you have been keeping out of trouble, as your mother and I requested. This is a small boon on such an unlucky day.'
'What is the matter, Father?'
'It is those cursed Hakonssons! Still they vomit, without consideration for the general festivity; when they catch their breath, they vow to bring a legal case against me on a charge of poisoning! Oh, they would lose, of course, but the threat taints the atmosphere of the Gathering. There are no takers for our delicious giblet sausages and pigs' entrails in butter sauce; worse still, some refuse to drink our beer! What is a Gathering without unseemly drunkenness?' He shook his head in wonder. 'If matters continue, our visitors will disperse, bringing shame upon our House.'
Halli said musingly, 'Perhaps mention could be made of the Hakonssons' novel approach to hygiene, so that blame does not rest on us?'
His father grunted. 'I have been spreading rumours to that very effect. Hopefully it will take root. Still, when the pompous fools recover, I must appease them to forestall their legal action. They are a powerful House and are best kept on good terms.' He
Aud said: 'Do not be hard on the lad. He means well, I believe.'
Halli performed an elaborate salute. 'I found the finest ale I could, sirs, a special brew for the noblest guests. If I might be so bold, I would suggest it is too strong for the Lady Aud to sample.' He looked at her pointedly, bowed and withdrew.
Down to the meadow went the happy Hakonsson party, clustering close about Aud, each youth laughing louder than his fellows. Halli watched them from the shadows of the gate, then went back to the hall.
5
S VEIN'S YOUTHFUL PROWESS IRRITATED the other heroes so much that several decided to kill him, but their ambushes never had much luck. One time Hakon lay in concealment and shot Svein with arrows. The first struck Svein's silver belt and bounced harmlessly away; the second narrowly missed his neck and pinned him to an oak tree by the tangle of his plaits. Svein was unable to pull himself free without plucking out half his hair, which he was unwilling to do. Seeing him standing helpless, Hakon drew his sword and sauntered up to make an end to him, but Svein pulled the oak up by the roots and, whirling it round like a fighting staff, gave Hakon the thrashing of his life. Svein made light of the incident afterwards. 'It was only a sapling,' he said. 'It was no great feat.'
The first day of the Gathering ended happily with festive revelry in the meadows, but with the mists of morning, news drifted up to Svein's House of a misfortune befalling the Hakonsson deputation. A violent cramp and sickness had overtaken the menfolk of the party; they had spent all night leaping urgently into nearby bushes before returning groaning to their mats. Several neighbouring parties had been forced to move their tents further afield, while no less than six horses had shied and broken free of their tethers in their efforts to move upwind of the Hakonssons.
Halli learned the particulars from Eyjolf, who was busy in the kitchen organizing herbal brews for the sufferers.
'It is a wretched inconvenience,' the old man grumbled. 'No crops will grow again in that corner of the meadow, take it from me.'
Halli's expression was melancholy. 'Does anyone know the cause?'
'No. They blame a keg of beer, which is ridiculous: no one else at the Gathering has complained. More likely it is their vile personal habits.' Eyjolf looked left and right, and spoke quietly. 'The sons of Hakon rarely wash, and I have heard it said that some of them cultivate the grime between their toes and crumble it on their salads as a garnish. So: they only have themselves to blame!'
Halli spent the day quietly; dusk found him behind the hall, throwing horseshoes round a hob-stick in the flagstones. As he completed a cast, his father appeared beside him. Arnkel's face exhibited lines of weariness and care.
'My son,' he said heavily, 'I am glad to see you have been keeping out of trouble, as your mother and I requested. This is a small boon on such an unlucky day.'
'What is the matter, Father?'
'It is those cursed Hakonssons! Still they vomit, without consideration for the general festivity; when they catch their breath, they vow to bring a legal case against me on a charge of poisoning! Oh, they would lose, of course, but the threat taints the atmosphere of the Gathering. There are no takers for our delicious giblet sausages and pigs' entrails in butter sauce; worse still, some refuse to drink our beer! What is a Gathering without unseemly drunkenness?' He shook his head in wonder. 'If matters continue, our visitors will disperse, bringing shame upon our House.'
Halli said musingly, 'Perhaps mention could be made of the Hakonssons' novel approach to hygiene, so that blame does not rest on us?'
His father grunted. 'I have been spreading rumours to that very effect. Hopefully it will take root. Still, when the pompous fools recover, I must appease them to forestall their legal action. They are a powerful House and are best kept on good terms.' He
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