Snorri stood beside him, and clapped his back. "Truthfully, you look foolish out of the robe. I just never told you." They laughed and Toki let Gunnar go to his father, who greeted his son with a brief hug.
Having arrived late, not much remained to do other than assemble the jarls for the sacrifice. As the men began to converge on the pit, Ulfrik turned Gunnar back to Toki's care. Gunnar protested and dropped himself to the grass, as it made him too heavy to lift. Toki swept the boy over his head and then planted him gently at his side. Gunnar laughed and forgot his argument. Toki glanced up to see Hardar had arrived, and Halla stood behind him. She had been observing Toki, and gave the faintest smile when their eyes met.
His return smile fled when Hardar caught Toki's eye. Hardar's flat expression shifted to disgust and he looked away. His eye was still swollen and red from Ulfrik's gouging. Toki knelt to Gunnar, straightening the boy's tunic, and ignored Hardar and his small group. He didn't want to signal too much interest in either him or his daughter.
"So Hardar shows his face this morning without an apology," Ulfrik said, keeping his voice low.
"I heard he insulted you. I'm sorry I wasn't there to stand up for you." Toki stood again, releasing Gunnar to inspect the rams.
"It's better you weren't there. Your hot head would've made things worse."
"Are you saying I would've acted on impulse?" Toki feigned shock.
"You hardly act any other way." Ulfrik and Snorri both chuckled. "He'll have to apologize sooner or later, or he'll look like a fool. I'll show him who the more gracious lord is. Now let's get this done."
Toki guided Gunnar away from the animals, as Snorri led the first one to Ulfrik. Gunnar patted one on the head before he left. "Will it hurt him?"
"Don't worry what an animal feels," Toki advised. But he saw the concern in Gunnar's young face. "Well, they're going to the gods. They'll be happy. Don't say things like that in front of your father."
"Yes, Uncle Toki. Father doesn't care about animals, does he?"
"He cares about his people. That's a jarl's first responsibility. Now be a good son and watch. And be silent. This will be your duty one day."
As Ulfrik assumed his position before the bowls, the people gathered closer. Toki strained to focus on the sacrifice, but his eyes wandered to Halla. An ember fell into his gut. Another jarl, the bony faced Vermund, hovered next to her. He was whispering to her while she stifled her giggles. He stood close. Very close. He could read Vermund's desire as easily as the stars in the night sky.
Ulfrik had started his invocations to Odin, Freyer, and Thor. Everyone turned their attention to him. But Toki lingered on Halla and Vermund. If she noticed him, she gave no hint. Finally Toki faced Ulfrik, hearing but not listening to what he said. His mind buzzed with his own thoughts. Vermund had traveled with Hardar, and was unwed. Pieces snapped together for Toki. He had competition.
The first ram screamed when Ulfrik sawed open its throat, snatching Toki's attention. Snorri and another man held the other two rams at bay. The ram's blood poured bright and steaming into a wooden bowl. It slumped as its lifeblood pumped away. Two other men hauled it aside as Ulfrik took the bowl in his hands and held it to the sky.
"May this sacrifice please the gods. May it show our gratitude for surviving another winter."
He placed the bowl aside, and repeated the sacrifices two more times, filling two more bowls. When finished, he implored the gods again to favor everyone for another year. Then he unclasped his silver arm band and dipped it into each bowl for each god. He gently shook off the excess blood, then showed it to the crowd.
"The oath ring is reddened again. Swear your oaths upon it, now while the blood is hot, and the gods will know your resolve." Ulfrik held out the oath ring, he would wear it year-round. Many believed the most powerful oaths were made on fresh blood, though any oath given on the ring any time was equally sacred.
"I give my oath," Ulfrik intoned to the crowd, "to protect and provide to those sworn to me, to bring glory and honor to all the people of Nye Grenner."
Toki felt Gunnar's hand squeeze his own. He glanced down and the boy dutifully observed his father, giving no sign to the agitation Toki guessed he felt. Toki again glanced at Halla. I should learn something from Gunnar. The boy is better than me at hiding his thoughts.
Toki realized he was tapping his foot, waiting for the rams to be bled and the offerings completed. A few men came forward to swear on the ring. At the finish, gore had spattered Ulfrik's white robes. The gathered visitors nodded in satisfaction, a happy murmur spreading through the crowd. Then the clouds parted for the sun and Ulfrik momentarily blazed like a white flame. It drew expressions of awe from the crowd.
"There's a good sign," said one of the jarls; Ragnvald was the name Toki remembered. Many agreed. But Toki noted two who did not. Hardar and Vermund left without a word, dragging Halla in tow. She did not look back as her father led his small group across the waving grass to a line of bobbing tents. Toki worried she would not keep their date.
"So the gods are happy now?" Gunnar asked, looking at Toki with his lip trembling.
"That they are. You're father pleased them greatly, it seems."
Gunnar nodded and was silent a moment. Then he tugged Toki's arm. "Do the gods always need blood to be happy?"
"I suppose they always do, boy." Toki was not looking at Gunnar, but watching Hardar and Vermund stalk down the grassy slope.
Toki and Halla stood at the edge of the northern cliffs. The green sward ran down to the ocher rocks of cliff faces. The cliffs layered back in serried ridges, shading into the blue haze. The purr of the ocean traveled up the walls, filling the silence between them. In the middle distance, birds darted in and out of the cliffs' shadows.
"When I was a girl, I played beside cliffs like these," Halla said. Loose clouds had broken up and the sun hit her eyes, making her squint. "I used to see faces and shapes in the shadows of the rocks."
"Do you see anything now?" Toki peered at the cliffs, imagining the face of a wolf in one. People born here have never seen a wolf, he mused. Halla shook her head in answer to his question.
"The puffins live further on. Do you mind the walk?" They had already come far, unobserved. Despite Toki's fears, Halla had slipped her father's attention while he brooded in his tent. Nye Grenner had disappeared behind the folds of the island, vague streamers of hearth smoke placing the village.
Toki did not wait for Halla's answer but resumed walking. She followed in silence.
"I saw you with your nephew today," she said. "He seems well behaved."
"True, though he didn't get that from my family. Must be his father's blood."
"Lord Ulfrik seems a fair and generous man. His people love him."
Toki stopped and faced her. He nodded in answer. Halla clutched her hands over her stomach. The sunlight turned her hair to white fire. She searched his face for something, and Toki found himself suddenly holding his breath.
"When I was younger, I thought everyone loved my father. That everyone respected him." She dropped her hands and faced the sun again. "But as I got older I realized people feared him more than loved him. I remember once, a man had broken an oath to my father. I don't know what for, but he had the man thrown from a cliff while his family watched. Just like this one."
"Sometimes a broken oath deserves death." Toki grimaced at his words. "But I don't have the details of the story. Sorry, I didn't mean to stir bad memories."
Halla raised a hand and smiled. "No. Please, forget what I've said. I shouldn't speak of sadness. I hardly know you."
Toki checked his urge to make a trite reply. "If you prefer to go back, I'll take you."
"No, I have to see these puffins you are so fond of."
"They are a unique bird, if you've never seen them. We're almost there." Smiles again returned and Toki led the way.
He walked a few paces ahead. Wanting to appear confident, he clasped his hands behind his back and casually scanned the blue cl
iffs across the fjord. In fact, his hand was clammy in his palm. Polite conversation was not his strength. He could stand at the front of a battle line and scream into the face of death. But a willow of a girl one head shorter than him set him trembling.
Not expecting to get this far with Halla, he lacked a plan to advance his desires. Aside from her beauty, her rugged independence intrigued him. He experienced a twinge of shame, realizing that his sister had a similar character and it might be part of Halla's charm. But Runa's confidence could overwhelm a man, whereas Halla's masked vulnerability.
They continued in silence, Toki desperate to ask his questions but unsure of the best way. Halla solved the problem for him.
"What do you think of Jarl Vermund?"
"I think he stands too close to you and you don't like his sense of humor."
Halla burst out in laughter, revealing her strong teeth. "How true! He's an evil old man, one of my father's dear friends. He's used to men laughing when he laughs, and it shows in what he thinks is funny."
"Vermund is fond of you; that's obvious. But so am I."
"Which is also obvious," Halla finished for him. She flashed a honeyed smile. Her expression showed confidence, but hesitation wavered in her eyes.
"Nothing wrong with honesty, right? You suspected my intentions coming out here with me. Alone." She nodded, her smile melting away. "And my guess is you feel safer alone with me than with Vermund."
"So you know about him, then?" Toki shook his head. "Oh, well, to tell it would be spreading rumors."
"Vermund is on my lord's land, within arm's reach of his neck. If there's something to tell, say it." His tone carried more force than intended. The hint of danger to his family triggered it. Halla leaned back, eyes wide. But she answered without hesitation.
"It's said he murdered his wife and his son. That he strangled her in their own bed, and when his son found out Vermund had him thrown into the sea."
"That's a grave accusation to make against a man. Why would he do it and how would you come to know?"
"I don't know why. Some say his wife was a shrew, that he married for her status and family. Maybe she grew too old or was unwilling to please him. He claims she died in her sleep and his son washed overboard in a storm. But many believe otherwise."
"And you believe otherwise?"
"It is safer to be wary of him than it is to assume he is a victim of gossip."
"And how do you know? Certainly your father doesn't believe it?"
"I heard it from one of Vermund's men who swore he saw the son thrown overboard. He warned me to be careful of Vermund, on the day we arrived here. I've known this man since I was little girl. I believe him."
"I already didn't like him. I don't mind having another reason. Thank you for your honesty."
Resuming the walk, Toki began to think ahead to how he could progress with this woman. She was only five or six years younger than him, too old to still be a virgin. He hoped he could verify that point on his own.
"I think my father wants us to marry." She blurted the words. Now Toki stepped back in shock. Halla regarded him, brows knitted in worry and eyes wide.
"Well, then, that's complicated. I was afraid you were too good to be true."
She put up her hands in protest. "It isn't a formal arrangement. But I know my father, and he wouldn't let even an old friend like Vermund get close to me if he disagreed."
"Then we must meet when your father is elsewhere. Halla, I confess, I want a chance to know you better. We can visit the puffins, but I merely sought privacy to ask if we might continue to meet. Am I a fool?"
She didn't smile or answer. Toki's face burned, his stomach soured. So I am a fool, he thought. Not half the ladies man you thought, eh Toki? Well, I do live most my life at sea. Halla folded her arms, her eyes appraising and calculating. She cocked an eyebrow. The wind picked up, blowing her hair across her face. She at last ended the silence.
"Not a fool. And I think you're a fine man, Toki. You serve a good lord, have a beautiful and royal sister, and you are gentle with your nephew. You've got wit, more than most men on these islands. I think I could become fond of a man like you. But I leave tomorrow. If I come back, or we meet again, I will be another man's wife. I'm too old to remain unwed, and many want my hand just for my father's wealth."
"I'm not interested in your father's wealth."
"Obviously not, or you wouldn't have chosen the one way to court me that would ensure my father's anger. Another reason you interest me, Toki."
Halla's worldly insight contrasted with Toki's naive thinking and left him wanting. He had only focused on wooing a pretty girl, forgetting she was the daughter one of the richest men in all the Faereyjar. She was royalty, and he was nothing but a freeman. He bowed his head. "I understand your meaning. I would be nothing more than a distraction for you. Eventually you will marry according to your station."
"No," she said, as forceful as Toki had been moments ago. "I am a free woman, not a piece on my father's game board. I will choose my own husband. Other women choose for love, so why not me?"
"Noble words, but I think your father would not hear them."
"He is a difficult man, vain, arrogant, ambitious. But I am his lone surviving child. He would be hard to convince, and maybe he would never accept my choice, but I will prevail."
Toki stared at Halla, her determination only enhancing her charm. She stood poised with the cliffs and ocean behind. A sea bird climbed into the sky, soaring like Toki's confidence. "I am chastened. Then, will you allow me the opportunity to further impress you?"
Her smile returned and the hardness fled her eyes. "If you can figure a way for us to meet privately, I would enjoy it. I would encourage it, in fact."
Toki's heart fluttered and he felt giddy. He tried to flatten his voice as he spoke. "We have plenty of ships, and I'm at sea often enough. If you have a secret place we can meet, I will find it. But how will you slip away?"
"I have slipped my father's notice for years. Don't worry for me. I have a slave who will help. She can explain to you where we shall meet. Let's plan for one week hence."
"Sounds wonderful," Toki winced at his gushing words. Halla giggled, and he assumed it was for his outburst. He straightened himself and continued. "Now about the puffin colony. It's just ahead as I mentioned. We can still visit it and return in reasonable time. Shall we?"
Halla giggled once more and stepped to his side, offering Toki her hand. He took it, hoping his palms were dry. They walked north along the cliffs, Toki wondering if this was nothing more than youthful foolishness. He thought of Hardar and Vermund again, and shoved away the fear he might be starting a conflict that would end badly for him and everyone else.
CHAPTER FOUR
Hardar pinched his chin, tugging the hairs of his gray streaked beard as he thought. He stood outside his tent, a fresh sea wind bringing its cleansing scent to his nose. He drew it in and held it. The assembled jarls and their hirdmen milled about the fields outside Nye Grenner, forming jovial clusters that broke apart and reformed like clumps of sleet on an iron plate. Hardar snorted out his breath.
"They're having such a fine time for themselves. Damn them." Hardar muttered, one of his own hirdmen looking expectantly at him. Hardar dismissed him with a frown, then entered his tent. It was the largest of the visitors' tents, brilliant white with red stripes. It had served him well in his younger days when he raided overseas in Northumbria and Frankia. Despite fifteen years of storage, it remained in fine condition.
The inside of the tent glowed with diffuse light. Ingrid sat on a stool, hands patiently folded on her lap. Dana, a slave girl from Ireland, combed Ingrid's platinum hair. He gestured her out with a flick of his hand.
"Where's Halla?"
"I sent her with an escort to tour the land. All of these games and arguments bored her."
Hardar stared at Ingrid. She had been a rare beauty in her day, and was still better than the toothless hags most men endured for their wives.
But she was older now. Lines creased her eyes and brows. Her hair had thinned. Her eyes were still stunningly clear, cheeks still full. But she could not compare to a young woman, not like Ulfrik's wife.
"Just as well she be gone. I am in a foul mood." He looked expectantly at Ingrid, who simply cocked an eyebrow. He waited, but only distant laughter and the snap of the tent in the wind made any sound. He shrugged and turned away, dropping his sword on his fur bedding. "And I see you are in a foul mood, as well."
"After what you put me through last night? I was humiliated." She kept her tone even, and her gaze on an indistinct point of the tent.
"You should have left with me. I am the one humiliated."
"As you say."
Hardar lowered himself to the bedding. Ulfrik's beating had left him sore. His face was puffy and his eye still wept. But nothing bothered him as much as Ingrid's pat response. He wanted to roar in her face that it is as he says, and will ever be that way. If this were his own hall, he would. But here, even in his tent, he was in public. He had a reputation for calm and generosity. Blaring into his wife's face would damage that reputation, especially considering his actions of the prior night. So he pinched his chin again and closed his eyes until the urge passed.
"Tell me what was said after I left. What did the others think?"
"I cannot claim to know their thoughts. Some appeared shocked."
"But others agreed with me, am I right? They must see what Ulfrik is doing here?"
"No one agreed, but for your friends who left with you. No one dwelt on your words once you had left. In fact, your exit was like a wind that disperses a foul smell."
Hardar's eyes snapped open, and Ingrid remained perched upon her stool. But now she fixed her eyes on his, anger bobbing up in two hazel pools. Ingrid rarely came into such anger, and Hardar had learned caution when she was vexed. But like every misstep he had taken during this festival, he felt helpless to do otherwise.
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