Olaf the Glorious: A Story of the Viking Age

by Robert Leighton

  CHAPTER IV: THE SLAYING OF KLERKON.

  It was yet early in the forenoon when the games began. They were heldon the great plain beyond the gate, where fences were raised as agirdle round the course. Upon the sunny side was the king's tent, whereValdemar and Allogia sat, attended by many guests and courtiers, amongwhom was Sigurd Erikson.

  For a long while Sigurd, who sat near to the queen, was at his ease inthe belief that young Olaf was keeping within doors, and he paid littleheed to those who were within the ring. First there were jumpingmatches. Olaf did not join in these, for he was not yet tall enough tocompete with full grown men, and there were no youths of his own heightwho were skilled enough to match him. Neither, for a like reason, didhe take part in the sword feats. But at last it came to a trial ofskill with the longbow. The bowmen were at the far end of the course,and their faces could not well be seen from the tent, even had Sigurdsearched among them for the face of his wilful nephew. There was one,however, who saw better than he, and this was Queen Allogia.

  She waited until it came to the turn of those who were younger thaneighteen years, and then she watched with keen eyes. Among them shesoon discerned the youth whom she sought; nor did she lose sight of himuntil his well aimed arrow shot full into the mark, and he wasproclaimed the victor. Then, when Olaf came before the tent to make hisobeisance, Sigurd saw him, and was very wroth, for he knew that Klerkonthe Viking was among the king's guests.

  Now, when Olaf was thus near, it seemed to Klerkon that the lad was notwholly a stranger to him. Indeed, had it not been for the long goldhair and the disguise of better clothing, he might have known him to bethe same whom he had seen in the last summer playing at the knife featon the gangplank of the viking ship. But Klerkon only admired the lad'sskill with the longbow, and thought what a goodly warrior he wouldmake. So having this in his mind, he watched Olaf closely when againthe boy ran past in the footrace, leading his competitors by many yards.

  And now, being first in the race, Olaf came once more before the tent,and the queen gave him his well won prize.

  As he took the silver hilted sword from Allogia's hand, one of thevikings went to Klerkon's side, and said he:

  "Master, this youth is the same who appeared in the last summer as abond slave at the time when the Hersir Sigurd came on board of us. Wasit not this same lad who was to be the prize in our horse fight?"

  Then Klerkon fixed his eyes more keenly on the lad, and thought of himas he might be with his fair hair cropped short, and with a slave'swhite kirtle in place of the fine clothes he now wore.

  "It is the same!" he answered. "And now I mind that someone told me itwas he whom we captured among others many summers ago off Alland isle.It was we who brought him into Esthonia. Much would I give to have himwith us on our longship. And by the hammer of Thor, I swear that if Iwin him not over the horse fight, then I will take him by force!"

  So then Klerkon made his way to the side of Sigurd Erikson, and toldhim that he had recognized the boy. At which Sigurd grew very pale, andblamed himself in that he had not kept Olaf within doors by main force.

  Now, at high noon when the king and queen departed from the tent,Sigurd made his way round to the entrance of the lists, and theresearched for Olaf and found him. He spoke to the lad very gravely, and,telling him of the viking's recognition, cautioned him againstappearing again within the circle of the course. Olaf, seeing now thatit was a serious matter, agreed to abandon the wrestling, and gave hisword that he would thereafter be more cautious of showing himself.

  "Much do I fear," said Sigurd, "that the mischief is already done. Yourfuture welfare, your happiness, your claiming of your father'skingdom--all depends upon the result of this horse fight. If Klerkonthe Viking's horse should overcome Sleipner there is no help for us.You must go with the victor."

  Then Olaf smiled almost mockingly.

  "Be not afraid, my kinsman," said he. "Should Klerkon come to claim meas his prize he shall not find me. But he will never need to claim me.I have seen this great stallion that he has so much boasted of, and Iknow full well that it is no match for Sleipner in a fair fight."

  "We shall see very soon," returned Sigurd; "meanwhile, if you intend towitness the combat, I beg you to take your stand as far as possibleaway from the vikings. And when the fight is over--whatever be theresult--make your way over the river and keep well hidden in old GrimOrmson's hut. There you will be safe from all discovery until after thevikings have departed."

  Now Olaf had no notion of hiding himself thus. He was not personallyafraid of Klerkon, neither did he believe that the viking would go tomuch trouble to secure his prize even if his horse should besuccessful. Olaf had heard that that horse had been brought fromEngland, and he did not believe that anything good could come from acountry so far away. His uncle's horse, on the other hand, wascelebrated all through Gardarike, and it had never been beaten eitherin the race or in the fight. Why, then, should there be any fear forthe result of the coming contest?

  But Sigurd Erikson was wiser, and knew better that his steed was atlast to meet its equal. Never before had he seen an animal so strongand fierce as the stallion that Klerkon the Viking had matched againstSleipner.

  Many horses were led forth into the circle, and they were taken inpairs to the middle, where they fought one against the other. Eachhorse was followed by its owner or the trainer, who supported and urgedit on, inciting it with his stick. The crowd of onlookers was verylarge, for among the Northmen no amusement was more popular than thehorse fight, unless it were the combat between men. But at first therewas not much excitement, because many of the horses would not fight,and others were too easily beaten. At last Sleipner and the Englishhorse were led forth into the centre. When they were let loose theycame together fiercely, and there followed a splendid fight, bothsevere and long. Little need was there for the men to urge them or touse the sticks. The two horses rose high on their hind legs, biting ateach other savagely until their manes and necks and shoulders were tornand bloody. Often the animals were parted, but only to renew the fightwith greater fierceness. The combat went on until eleven rounds hadpassed. Then Klerkon's stallion took hold of the jawbone of Sleipner,and held on until it seemed that he would never yield his hold. Two ofthe men then rushed forward, each to his own horse, and beat and pushedthem asunder, when Sleipner fell down from exhaustion and hardfighting. At which the vikings set up a loud cheer.

  King Valdemar was the umpire, and he said now that the fight mustcease, for that Klerkon's horse had proved himself the victor in eightrounds, and that it could easily be seen that the steward's horse wasno longer fit. Then the king asked Sigurd what prize he had staked, andSigurd answered:

  "The prize was staked many months ago when I met Klerkon over inEsthonia, and it was arranged that if the viking's horse shouldovercome mine he was to take the young thrall Ole."

  "Let the boy be given up to him, then," said the king; "for he has wonhim very fairly."

  "I will take the boy tonight," said Klerkon, who stood near, "for mybusiness in Holmgard is now over, and at sunrise I go back to thecoast."

  Now Sigurd believed that Olaf had surely taken his advice, and gone atonce across the river to hide himself in Grim Ormson's hut, so he wasnot in any way anxious.

  "Take the lad wheresoever you can find him," said he to the viking."And if you cannot find him before the sunrise, then I will pay you hisjust value in gold."

  "Though you offered me all the gold you are worth," returned Klerkon,"I would not take it in place of the boy. No thrall born lad is he, butof noble descent, and I intend to make a viking of him and take himwith me west over sea to England. It is not well that a youth so cleveras he should waste his years in an inland town. He was meant by hisnature for the sea, and I think that he will some day prove to be avery great warrior."

  At this Sigurd Erikson grew sick at heart, for he knew that the vikingwas a man of very strong will, and that no half measures would serve toturn him from his purpose. Also, he felt that it was n
ow useless toattempt any deception concerning Olaf. The vikings had recognized theboy, and none other could be passed off in his stead.

  With a gloomy cloud on his brow, Sigurd left the tent and made his wayback to the king's hall in search of his nephew. Olaf was not there.The hours went by, and still there was no sign of him. Neither didKlerkon come to make claim to his prize.

  It was in the evening time. Sigurd sat alone in his room at the back ofthe great hall. He was thinking that Olaf had become strangely restlessand unruly of late. Many times the lad had disappointed him and causedhim trouble, but never so much as today, when his wilfulness threatenedto bring about very serious consequences. Had Olaf taken the advicethat had been given him in the morning, the coming of Klerkon mighthave been a matter of small moment; but the thoughtless boy had boldlyshown himself before the tent, and had never striven to hide himselffrom the quick eyes of the shipmen. He had been recognized--as howwould one so distinguished from all other youths fail to be?--and nowKlerkon would not rest until he had safely secured his coveted prize.

  Very different now was Olaf from what he had seemed on that day when hestood near the viking ship in the guise of a poor slave. In the yearthat had passed Sigurd had grown to love the lad with the love of afather, had taught him many useful arts and handicrafts, had given himfine clothes to wear, and had so improved his bodily condition andmoulded his mind that no king's son could ever hope to excel him eitherin physical beauty or in skill of arms, in manly prowess or moralgoodness. Never once had Olaf done anything that was mean or unworthy;never once had he told an untruth or gone back from his promise. At anytime when Sigurd had told him to do what was not to his liking the boyhad simply shaken his golden curls and said, "I will not promise"; butalways when he had given his word he held to it firmly and faithfully.He could be trusted in all things. But for all this he had latelybecome most wilful, and the trouble he was now causing made his unclevery anxious.

  Sigurd knew full well that Olaf loved him, and that all the possibleglory of being a viking would not lead him away from Holmgard of hisown free will. But in the present case he might not be able to helphimself, despite his having so positively said that Klerkon shouldnever carry him off alive. So in his heart Sigurd feared that Olafwould take some mischievous and unwise measure of his own to evade thevikings. It might be, indeed, that he had already gone across the riverto the security of Grim Ormson's hut; but it was greatly to be fearedthat he had fallen into the hands of Klerkon Flatface.

  Suddenly, as Sigurd sat there in moody thought, the door of the roomwas flung open, and Olaf rushed in. He was strangely agitated. His hairwas rough and his clothing was torn; his large blue eyes flashed inanger, and his breathing was heavy and uneven.

  Sigurd sprang up from his seat. He saw that something ill had happened.

  "Why are you here?" he cried. "Why are you not in hiding? Have I notwarned you enough that you are running into danger by letting yourselfbe seen? Klerkon has won you from me, and he may be here at any momentto claim you and carry you away!"

  Olaf did not reply for a long time. He only bent down and took ahandful of rushes up from the floor, and began to quietly clean theblade of his axe that he held under his arm.

  "Speak!" cried Sigurd, driven to anger by the boy's silence.

  Then at last Olaf said in a steady, boyish voice:

  "Klerkon will never claim me from you, my kinsman; for he is dead."

  "Dead?" echoed Sigurd in alarm.

  "Yes," answered Olaf, "I met him in the gate. He tried to take me. Iraised my axe and buried it in his head. Well have you taught me theuse of my axe, Hersir Sigurd."

  As he spoke there came a loud hum of angry voices from without. Theywere the voices of the vikings calling aloud for the blood of him whohad slain their chief.

  Without a word Sigurd Erikson crossed the room, and drew the heavy barathwart the door. Then he turned upon Olaf.

  "Well do I discern," said he, "that you are of King Harald's race. Itwas ever so with your forefathers; thoughtless, fearless, ruthless! Andso all my teaching of you has gone for nothing! Oh, foolish boy! Tothink that you, who might have lived to be the king of all Norway, haveended in being no more than a common murderer!"

  "Murderer?" repeated Olaf. "Not so. It is but justice that I have done.Klerkon was the slayer of my dear foster father. He slew him cruellyand in cold blood, and for no other reason than that poor Thoralf wasold and infirm. I have done no murder. I have but taken just and lawfulvengeance."

  "Just and lawful it may be in our own birthland, Olaf," returned Sigurdgravely; "but in this kingdom wherein we now live the peace is heldholy, and it is ordained by law that he who kills another man in angershall himself lose his life. I cannot save you. You have broken thepeace; you have taken the life of one of the king's own guests, and youhave insulted the king's hospitality. I fear that you must die."

  He broke off, listening to the furious cries of the crowd outside."Hark!" he went on. "Those wild sea wolves are calling for bloodvengeance. Come! come with me quickly. There is but one hope left, andin that hope lies my own despair and my own undoing."

  So, while yet the people were clamouring for the young peace breaker'slife, Sigurd took Olaf through the back part of the house and by manysecret passages into the queen's garth. Here, in a large hall that wasmost splendidly adorned with carved wood and hung with tapestry, satQueen Allogia with two of her handmaids working with their needles upona beautiful robe of embroidered silk.

  Sigurd passed the armed sentinel at the door and strode into theapartment, followed closely by the boy. The queen looked up in surpriseat the unexpected visitors.

  "I crave your help, O queen," cried the steward excitedly.

  The queen stood up in alarm. She had heard the turmoil of voices fromwithout.

  "What means all this shouting?" she inquired.

  Then Sigurd told her how Olaf had killed the viking, and implored herto help the boy out of his trouble.

  "Alas!" said she, when she had heard the tale. "Little power have I tomeddle in such affairs. The penalty of murder is death, and I cannothinder the law." She looked at Olaf as she spoke, and saw the pleadingin his eyes. "And yet," she added with quick pity, "such a handsome boymust not be slain. I will save him if I can."

  She then bade Sigurd call in her bodyguard fully armed to protect thelad, while she went out into the king's chamber and pleaded withValdemar to prevent the shedding of blood.

  Now, by this time, the enraged vikings and many men of the town hadgained entrance to the outer court, and they rushed forward to claimthe life of the offender according to their custom and laws. Long theywaited, hammering noisily at the oaken doors of the hall wherein Olafwas now known to have taken refuge. But at last the door was flungopen, and King Valdemar appeared on the threshold, guarded by manyarmed men. The crowd drew back, leaving only the chief of the vikingsto speak for them and ask for justice. He told the king how Klerkon,standing within the gate, had been attacked by young Ole of the goldenhair, and how without word or warning the boy had suddenly raised hisaxe and driven it into Klerkon's head, so that the blade stood rightdown into the brain of him.

  The king then declared that he could not believe a boy so young as Olecould have either the skill or the boldness to attack so powerful a manas Klerkon Flatface. But the viking turned and called upon some of hisshipmates to bring forward the dead body of their chief, which theylaid down before the king. Valdemar looked upon it and examined thedeath wound. The skull was cloven with one clean blow from the crownright down to the red bearded chin.

  "A wondrous strong blow!" murmured Valdemar. "But I see that it wasstruck from the front. How came it that Klerkon could not defendhimself?"

  "Little time had he for that," answered the viking, "for the lad fellupon him with the quickness of an eagle's swoop, and although my masterwas well armed, yet he could not raise his sword ere he fell dead atour feet, and then Ole turned and fled with such speed that none couldfollow him."

 
"Such an act as this," said the king, "cannot have been without somecause. What reason of enmity was there between this boy and Klerkon?"

  "No reason but wanton mischief," answered the warrior. "It was acauseless murder, and we claim the full and lawful punishment."

  "Justice shall be done," returned the king. "But I must first know whatthe peace breaker may have to say in his own defence. I beg you,therefore, to keep truce until the sunrise, when the penalty shall beadjudged."

  At hearing this promise the crowd dispersed in peace. Many grumbledthat the customary sentence of death had not been instantly pronounced.But in causing this delay King Valdemar was but yielding to thepleadings of the queen, who had implored him to spare the life of thehandsome young murderer, or at the least to save him from the fury ofthe vikings.

  When the crowd had gone from the courtyard Allogia returned to the hallin which the steward and Olaf had been kept under the protection of theguards. Dismissing the men, she turned to Sigurd Erikson.

  "You have asked me to save the boy's life, hersir," said she, "but,alas! I cannot do it. All that the king will do is to give a few hours'respite. At sunrise the law is to take its course, and much do I fearthat its course will be death."

  Olaf heard her words, but did not show any fear of the expectedpunishment. It seemed, indeed, that he had become suddenly hard ofheart and dauntless, as though he thought that the killing of a man wasa matter to be proud of. Certainly, in his own mind, he did not lookupon the taking of Klerkon's life as an act of guilt deservingpunishment. He recalled what he had seen on the viking ship yearsbefore. The old man Thoralf had fallen to Klerkon's share in thedividing of booty. Thoralf had held little Olaf by the hand as theystood apart on the ship's deck, and Klerkon had come up to them androughly separated them, flinging Olaf across to where young Thorgilsstood. Then, tearing off Thoralf's cloak, the viking had said: "Littleuse is there in an old toothless hound, but his flesh may serve as foodfor the fishes;" and, drawing his sword, he had given the aged man hisdeath blow and tilted him over into the sea. So Olaf and Thorgils hadsworn to take vengeance upon this viking, and Olaf had now fulfilledhis vow.

  The queen came nearer to Olaf, and looked at him tenderly. "It is agreat pity," said she, "that one so fair should be doomed to die beforehe has grown to manhood. It might be that with good training he wouldbecome a very famous warrior, and I would gladly see him enlisted inthe service of the king."

  She broke off and turned to Sigurd. "Hersir Sigurd," she said, lookingkeenly into the steward's face, "I have noticed many times that youtake a more than common interest in this boy. Even now, when he hasbroken the law of the land, it is you who take it upon yourself toplead his cause. It must surely be that you have powerful reasons forkeeping him from harm. Whose son is he? Of what kin is he? It is butright that I should know."

  Sigurd demurred, remembering that it was forbidden by the law of theland that any king born person should live in Gardarike, except withthe king's permission. He thought that it would go very ill withhimself if Olaf's kingly birth should be known.

  "Lady, I cannot tell you," he murmured.

  "Would you then rather that the boy should die?" she asked with angerin her tone.

  "Not so," answered Sigurd, drawing himself up to his full height. "Ifthe boy is to be condemned to death, then I will offer to take thepunishment in his stead."

  The queen glanced at him quietly.

  "If that be so," said she, "then the sacrifice of your own life canonly be taken as showing that you count the boy of more value to theworld than yourself." She paused for a moment, then added: "I am yourqueen, Hersir Sigurd, and I command you to tell me what I ask. What isthe boy's true name, and what is his parentage?"

  She went across to the side of the great fireplace, and, seatingherself in one of the large oaken chairs, signed to Sigurd and Olaf toapproach her. Then, taking up an end of the silken robe upon which shehad before been working, she threaded her needle.

  "I am ready," she said.

  So Sigurd, seeing that there was no way out of his difficulty andhoping that the telling of his secret might after all be of benefit toOlaf, obeyed the queen's behest, relating the story of the kings ofNorway and showing how this boy, Olaf, the slayer of Klerkon, wasdescended in a direct line from the great King Harald Fairhair.