it.”
“We call it Yule and it has nothing to do with the birth of the White Christ.”
“But it is similar. We both welcome the end of the short nights and the beginning of new life. The difference is we celebrate the birth of the son of God. It would be good for our son to be a celebration of that.”
“Perhaps.”
I had learned not to argue with Brigid about her religion; no one won.
“What other treasures did you bring back? The fine cloths and linen were most welcome.”
“There was a golden torc. You heard Einar mention that. I am hoping that Kara and Aiden can divine whence it came. The Viking who gave it to me said that it belonged to an ancient queen.”
“Your daughter’s power frightens me a little.”
I smiled, “She knows your thoughts?” She nodded. You will get used to that. Aiden can do the same.” She seemed satisfied. “Come let us bathe in the Water.”
We had found that bathing in the water between hot sessions made us feel better and cleaner. By the time we were done our skin would shine. Einar was fishing from the bank. He waved at us as though there was nothing strange about two naked people bathing.
When we returned to the hut the heat was almost overpowering. This was when it did the most good. I could feel my body glowing as it was cleansed. “You have spent some time with my people. How do you like them?”
“They are good and honest people. They have been kind to me while I have been learning your language. I know that I am lucky to be here. Had I remained with my father I would have been little more than a slave.”
“It is good that you are here and I am happy.” That was about as romantic as I ever got. I did not have words like Haaken.
That night Kara had prepared food for me in my hall. Aiden joined us and the four of us enjoyed a fine meal. I still had a little of the wine we had brought from Vasconia. We would now be reliant upon Coen ap Pasgen’s ships bringing such wine. After the meal Aiden brought out the torc. He and Kara both held it and closed their eyes. Brigid looked as though she would speak but I held my finger to my lips. At one point Kara frowned.
They both opened their eyes together. “There is death connected with this torc. The Queen was murdered. She died with an unborn child within her.”
We all looked at Brigid. Her hand went to her crucifix. She mumbled something, I think it was a prayer.
Aiden said, “I saw a sword.” His eyes went to my wall. “That sword.”
Wyrd .
Aiden and I finished off the wine and we sat in silence looking at the torc. It was obvious now that we could not sell it nor melt it down. It was connected to me and to the sword. I suspected, but I could not work out how, that it was also connected to the parchments which Aiden had brought.
Brigid broke the silence, “Is this not just an accident?”
Kara put her hand on Brigid’s, “No my sister. This is the work of the spirits and the Norns. Jarl Dragonheart has been chosen. He is not Norse and yet he is a Viking legend. He is not of one world but of many. His threads reach back beyond time itself to the ancient peoples and their beliefs.” She pointed to the torc and then to the sword. “Those were made before your White Christ walked the earth. We do not say your beliefs are wrong but ours are older. But you need not fear. You and your baby will be safe.”
“How do you know?”
“The spirits have told me.”
Later that night as we lay together, Brigid hugged me so hard that I thought I would break. “I am afraid.”
“If Kara says you are safe then you have nothing to fear. I am content. This is just another part of my life… but now it is our life and you are part of it.”
I really wished to travel to my jarls and see how they had fared. I had not seen my son for some time either but Brigid was still more than nervous and Kara advised me to stay close to home for a while. Aiden and Kara
“We call it Yule and it has nothing to do with the birth of the White Christ.”
“But it is similar. We both welcome the end of the short nights and the beginning of new life. The difference is we celebrate the birth of the son of God. It would be good for our son to be a celebration of that.”
“Perhaps.”
I had learned not to argue with Brigid about her religion; no one won.
“What other treasures did you bring back? The fine cloths and linen were most welcome.”
“There was a golden torc. You heard Einar mention that. I am hoping that Kara and Aiden can divine whence it came. The Viking who gave it to me said that it belonged to an ancient queen.”
“Your daughter’s power frightens me a little.”
I smiled, “She knows your thoughts?” She nodded. You will get used to that. Aiden can do the same.” She seemed satisfied. “Come let us bathe in the Water.”
We had found that bathing in the water between hot sessions made us feel better and cleaner. By the time we were done our skin would shine. Einar was fishing from the bank. He waved at us as though there was nothing strange about two naked people bathing.
When we returned to the hut the heat was almost overpowering. This was when it did the most good. I could feel my body glowing as it was cleansed. “You have spent some time with my people. How do you like them?”
“They are good and honest people. They have been kind to me while I have been learning your language. I know that I am lucky to be here. Had I remained with my father I would have been little more than a slave.”
“It is good that you are here and I am happy.” That was about as romantic as I ever got. I did not have words like Haaken.
That night Kara had prepared food for me in my hall. Aiden joined us and the four of us enjoyed a fine meal. I still had a little of the wine we had brought from Vasconia. We would now be reliant upon Coen ap Pasgen’s ships bringing such wine. After the meal Aiden brought out the torc. He and Kara both held it and closed their eyes. Brigid looked as though she would speak but I held my finger to my lips. At one point Kara frowned.
They both opened their eyes together. “There is death connected with this torc. The Queen was murdered. She died with an unborn child within her.”
We all looked at Brigid. Her hand went to her crucifix. She mumbled something, I think it was a prayer.
Aiden said, “I saw a sword.” His eyes went to my wall. “That sword.”
Wyrd .
Aiden and I finished off the wine and we sat in silence looking at the torc. It was obvious now that we could not sell it nor melt it down. It was connected to me and to the sword. I suspected, but I could not work out how, that it was also connected to the parchments which Aiden had brought.
Brigid broke the silence, “Is this not just an accident?”
Kara put her hand on Brigid’s, “No my sister. This is the work of the spirits and the Norns. Jarl Dragonheart has been chosen. He is not Norse and yet he is a Viking legend. He is not of one world but of many. His threads reach back beyond time itself to the ancient peoples and their beliefs.” She pointed to the torc and then to the sword. “Those were made before your White Christ walked the earth. We do not say your beliefs are wrong but ours are older. But you need not fear. You and your baby will be safe.”
“How do you know?”
“The spirits have told me.”
Later that night as we lay together, Brigid hugged me so hard that I thought I would break. “I am afraid.”
“If Kara says you are safe then you have nothing to fear. I am content. This is just another part of my life… but now it is our life and you are part of it.”
I really wished to travel to my jarls and see how they had fared. I had not seen my son for some time either but Brigid was still more than nervous and Kara advised me to stay close to home for a while. Aiden and Kara
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