chest by the fire. I took out a bag. "Here is gold and more. Take it."
He shook his head, "I am a man and I will provide for my own people."
"That is admirable but the offer is always there."
Aiden chose that moment to enter. He and my son were as close as brothers. "And I would like Aiden here to be my guide."
Aiden cocked his head to one side in question. "My son wishes to go to Bourde and Amalfi to trade. Will you show him the way?"
"Of course! When would you leave?"
"As soon as I can gather enough trade goods and make arrangements for Elfrida and Ragnar."
Elfrida shook her head, "Do not use me as an excuse. I am sure that your father will let us stay here."
"Of course! In fact I insist!" I was pleased beyond words at the way events were turning out.
"Then it is settled. I will leave tomorrow to speak with my men."
Aiden stood, "And I will see those who have goods to trade. I am not certain that Coen Ap Pasgen will sail for they do not need any more trades this year but Siggi or Trygg might." My son had his own knarr but it was still laid up in Bolli's yard. He would need a captain for it.
There was much running around for a few days but I cared not. My son was warming to me and I had months with Elfrida and Ragnar. The Gods were smiling on me once more.
Chapter 4
When my children had been young I had been too busy on Mann to be able to play with them and enjoy their growing up. Erika had seen to that. With Elfrida and Ragnar in my home I had all the time in the world to play with my grandson and watch him change, almost daily it seemed. Kara, too, spent many hours with the three of us. She would never have children of her own. Hitherto she had been denied the company of her nephew and she too made up for lost time. My grandson would grow into a fine young man. His aunt and his mother would ensure that he understood the gentler side of the world while his father would make him the warrior he was destined to be.
When I did drag myself away from my family I made a point of visiting, each week, every family in Cyninges-tūn. The mistakes we had made with Magnus the Foresworn would not be repeated. I also wanted to show the families of the banished that they were welcome. I wanted to get to know all those who might, one day, sail with me. You could learn much about men by the way they played as children.
It was Snorri who reminded me of my promise to Seguin I Lupo. "It is the time for the wolf hunt, Jarl. There are two warriors who wish to take the test. Would you hunt for the cloak for the Duke of Vasconia or shall we do that for you?"
It was as close to a criticism as Snorri would ever come. I smiled to show I was not offended, "No, Snorri. I made the promise and I will not be foresworn. Let me know when you hunt."
He grinned, "On the morrow, Jarl. We leave before the sun rises for we go to Úlfarrberg."
"Then I had best prepare!"
Úlfarrberg lay between the Grassy Mere and Ulla's Water. We had driven most of the wolves from Lang's Dale but the high mountain was not used by those travelling between valleys and the wolves prospered on the high wild mountain. There had been attacks and sheep had been taken from both adjacent valleys. Now the people of the Grassy Mere, Ulla's Water and the Rye Dale feared that a harsh winter would bring them to take their children. We would hunt them.
I did not take my bow. Instead I took my boar spear. Ragnar's Spirit and my seax were strapped to my waist and I wore my wolf cloak above my leather byrnie. Snorri and Bjorn the Scout led Asbjorn the Strong and Eystein Finnison north. We rode on ponies for part of the way. Even though it was dark we travelled a familiar trail and we made good time. As the sun broke we reached the farm of Audun Thin Hair at the col close to the Rye Dale. He gave us a horn of ale and promised to watch our beasts for us. We would do the hard part on foot.
We climbed the Scar which led to the series
He shook his head, "I am a man and I will provide for my own people."
"That is admirable but the offer is always there."
Aiden chose that moment to enter. He and my son were as close as brothers. "And I would like Aiden here to be my guide."
Aiden cocked his head to one side in question. "My son wishes to go to Bourde and Amalfi to trade. Will you show him the way?"
"Of course! When would you leave?"
"As soon as I can gather enough trade goods and make arrangements for Elfrida and Ragnar."
Elfrida shook her head, "Do not use me as an excuse. I am sure that your father will let us stay here."
"Of course! In fact I insist!" I was pleased beyond words at the way events were turning out.
"Then it is settled. I will leave tomorrow to speak with my men."
Aiden stood, "And I will see those who have goods to trade. I am not certain that Coen Ap Pasgen will sail for they do not need any more trades this year but Siggi or Trygg might." My son had his own knarr but it was still laid up in Bolli's yard. He would need a captain for it.
There was much running around for a few days but I cared not. My son was warming to me and I had months with Elfrida and Ragnar. The Gods were smiling on me once more.
Chapter 4
When my children had been young I had been too busy on Mann to be able to play with them and enjoy their growing up. Erika had seen to that. With Elfrida and Ragnar in my home I had all the time in the world to play with my grandson and watch him change, almost daily it seemed. Kara, too, spent many hours with the three of us. She would never have children of her own. Hitherto she had been denied the company of her nephew and she too made up for lost time. My grandson would grow into a fine young man. His aunt and his mother would ensure that he understood the gentler side of the world while his father would make him the warrior he was destined to be.
When I did drag myself away from my family I made a point of visiting, each week, every family in Cyninges-tūn. The mistakes we had made with Magnus the Foresworn would not be repeated. I also wanted to show the families of the banished that they were welcome. I wanted to get to know all those who might, one day, sail with me. You could learn much about men by the way they played as children.
It was Snorri who reminded me of my promise to Seguin I Lupo. "It is the time for the wolf hunt, Jarl. There are two warriors who wish to take the test. Would you hunt for the cloak for the Duke of Vasconia or shall we do that for you?"
It was as close to a criticism as Snorri would ever come. I smiled to show I was not offended, "No, Snorri. I made the promise and I will not be foresworn. Let me know when you hunt."
He grinned, "On the morrow, Jarl. We leave before the sun rises for we go to Úlfarrberg."
"Then I had best prepare!"
Úlfarrberg lay between the Grassy Mere and Ulla's Water. We had driven most of the wolves from Lang's Dale but the high mountain was not used by those travelling between valleys and the wolves prospered on the high wild mountain. There had been attacks and sheep had been taken from both adjacent valleys. Now the people of the Grassy Mere, Ulla's Water and the Rye Dale feared that a harsh winter would bring them to take their children. We would hunt them.
I did not take my bow. Instead I took my boar spear. Ragnar's Spirit and my seax were strapped to my waist and I wore my wolf cloak above my leather byrnie. Snorri and Bjorn the Scout led Asbjorn the Strong and Eystein Finnison north. We rode on ponies for part of the way. Even though it was dark we travelled a familiar trail and we made good time. As the sun broke we reached the farm of Audun Thin Hair at the col close to the Rye Dale. He gave us a horn of ale and promised to watch our beasts for us. We would do the hard part on foot.
We climbed the Scar which led to the series
Similar Books
