Thurid threw her arms about them and kissed her mothers. She started to skip out the door, then stopped and sat back down. “I suppose I should start making him wait,” she said, and the three women all started laughing together.
Outside, the men raised their heads at the sound. “Well,” said Colm, “I think everything will turn out.”
“I wonder what they’re laughing about,” said Frosti. He was afraid that they were laughing at him.
“Better that they are laughing rather than crying,” said Mar. Colm agreed and the three men smiled together.
Frosti returned to Orm’s farm and spoke to Braga. “Mother, the women will be coming to see you soon to speak about marriage. And I want you to meet Thurid.”
Braga was out in the yard cleaning milk vessels. She dried her hands on her apron and embraced her son. “And I want to meet her. I’m sure she’s a wonderful girl.”
“Yes, and beautiful, too. You will like her, Mother.”
“I know I will,” said Braga, but she wondered how Thurid would like her. She knew that other women did not hold her in very high esteem. Still, she thought, she could hold her head up. She had lived an honest life and survived her share of misfortune – being enslaved, one dead husband, another one vanished, two stillborn children... Ah, but two alive and well!
Braga clasped her son’s hand. “I have something for you.” She gave him the ring set with a green stone that Gunnora had given her for Ljot. “Give this to Thurid as a wedding-gift.”
“Oh, Mother, it’s beautiful! But don’t you want to keep it for... for Freydis?” He had been going to say, to give as a gift to these women who will be your sisters-in-law.
“No,” said Braga. “When Freydis is old enough to wed, perhaps I will have something else for her. Anyway,” she shrugged, “Who can say where we will be then?” And I do not want to give it to haughty people who will never find me their equal, she thought. Better it goes to this girl that lights up my son’s eyes.
So the marriage was set for the autumn. Gwyneth and Groa began to argue over where the couple would live. It was an amiable debate, but the sort of thing that might lead to trouble between the mothers-in-law. Colm and Mar came to a quick agreement. Together they rode over to Thorolf and arranged to rent the farm at Helgafeld for the young couple until it should produce well enough for Frosti to buy it.
Soon after, Thurid rode over to Orm’s farm on her own and spoke to Braga. “You should move in with us,” she said. “I hardly know how to run a household and you are already familiar with the place.”
Braga was touched and pleased with her prospective daughter-in-law. But she had learned some wisdom over the years. “No,” she said, “Not right away. After. When the babies come, then you will need help. But for now you only need each other.”
“Well,” said Thurid, “I expect the babies will come soon enough.”
“I have no doubt of it,” smiled Braga.
So Thurid and Frosti were married. Mar had a feast and Colm helped supply it. Thurid wore a jewelled lace head-dress, a gift from Gwyneth, and she wore the greenstone ring that Frosti had given her. She looked very beautiful and everyone thought the marriage would be a great success.
28. Snorri Kills Arnkel
It was around this time that Snorri the godi killed Arnkel. Snorri had followers, his foster brothers, who lived near a woodlot belonging to Arnkel. They grew tired of seeing Arnkel ride by their place unmolested and asked Snorri if he really could protect them should the need arise. Snorri now was ready to deal with Arnkel, who was the only man in the region not his friend. So when the brothers reported to Snorri that Arnkel had driven a sledge past their place, heading to his woodlot, Snorri buckled on his sword and went after.
They say it was quite a fight, there in the snow. When Arnkel saw the riders approaching, he knew what it meant. He had no weapon with him so he ripped a runner from his sledge and defended himself with that. He fought bravely and crippled one man, but soon enough he lay face down, his life-blood draining into the snow.
Arnkel’s female relations started an action at the Althing, but Snorri had neutralized all of Arnkel’s allies, either they were beholden to him or had been bought off. No one came forward to aid the women. It was thought a shameful thing that a man of Arnkel’s stature could be killed and no action taken so, at the Althing, a new law was passed forbidding women from initiating any suit. No one was happy about these events, save possibly Snorri, and people became uneasy and distrustful of the laws and the system under which they lived.
Thorolf grumbled a bit to Hallvard but, since he was unwilling to take on Arnkel’s action, saw little that he could do.
29. Ljot And Styr Discover A New Problem
Thurid had her first child that summer, a girl she named Ingveld. Braga and her daughter Freydis moved in to the farm at Helgafeld to help keep house. Braga was tactful and did not abuse her position as mother-in-law and former mistress of the farm. Freydis was a quiet girl who worked as hard as a woman twice her age; she had learned this from being daughter to Braga, a servant in another’s house.
Ljot and Styr were growing older now and began to eye the girls around them. Soon enough, they both noticed Freydis. She was still a little young to be betrothed so the boys, each of them, decided to wait a bit before mentioning it to Gunnora.
Gunnora saw the boys’ interest in Freydis and knew that neither was aware of the other as a rival. Once again, she foresaw trouble, but didn’t know what to do about it.
One day, Ljot and Styr were lying in the meadow, watching the clouds overhead and picking out shapes in them. Ljot said, “That is a wonderful cloud, thick and curved like... like...”
“A woman’s cheek,” said Styr, for they were both of an age to see poetry everywhere.
“Yes,” said Ljot, “Like Freydis’ cheek.”
“What do you know of Freydis?”
“Well, I have seen her about and think that she looks very fine. Don’t you?”
“Yes,” said Styr, “I also think that she looks very fine.” The two boys were silent for a moment. Each understood the problem.
Ljot said, “I do not find her finer than our friendship, Brother.”
“Nor I,” said Styr.
So things rested there.
30. The Missionary And The Sacred Stone
When Orm’s farm was built, a great stone was found thrusting up from the earth. No other stone like it stood anywhere nearby. It was about as tall as a man with features that were worn but very noticeable and some said they could see a face or faces in the stone. Everyone thought there was something special about it and men refused to pull it down when they built Orm’s house. So now it stood there in the yard.
Marta thought that a land-spirit lived inside the stone. Sometimes she spoke to it, just acknowledging its presence and the primacy of the spirit in that place. Other times, she asked for the land-spirit’s aid and then she left it gifts, dishes of milk that she placed on the ground or bits of silver that she buried in the earth. The farm did well and Marta’s children were healthy so far, so she thought that the land-spirit looked after them.
A Christian missionary named Albert had landed in the east and was going about talking to people about his religion. Eventually he came to Thorolf’s district. “I think this could be a problem,” said Thorolf, but he did not force the man to leave. Later, he regretted this.
Some farmers invited Albert to stay with them for a day or two and tell them about his faith. Most of them did so in order to win favor with Snorri the godi, who was believed to be friendly toward the new religion.
Eventually, Albert came by Orm’s farm and Orm said that he might stay the night and speak to anyone who cared to listen. Marta was less inclined to be hospitable but she prepared food for her guests and said nothing insulting. Ljot and Styr came by and Ljot was taken by Albert’s words. “I think there is something to this,” he told Styr.
Styr shrugged. “I don’t know. One god is like ano
ther to me. They all drink the blood of your horses and demand gifts and even then you can’t count on their help.”
Ljot shook his head. “This god doesn’t want blood. In fact, the Christians do not sacrifice.”
“Don’t sacrifice! Well, how do they celebrate then? How bring everyone together and feast?”
“I think they still celebrate,” said Ljot, “But I’m not certain as to the details.”
In the morning, Marta was outside talking to the land-spirit in the stone when Albert overheard her. “What superstitious nonsense!” he said. “You will only bring harm on yourself calling on these idols and false gods.”
Marta became very angry. “What do you mean, taking food from us and then insulting the being who protects our farm!”
“There is no being inside that stone, unless it is an unclean spirit,” said Albert. “I speak to you out of love so that you may learn the truth and keep your life free of error. But I will take no more food here, if that concerns you.”
Others gathered to hear what was going on. Albert began to preach to them, telling them of the White Christ and his love and power. Ljot was very interested and began asking questions. Albert answered them all and preached some more. Marta stormed inside to a room where she had an altar set up for Freya. She lit a ritual fire there and made certain preparations, then she began to chant and pray. Outside the house, whenever Albert paused, Marta’s chanting was heard. Some people laughed. Albert paid no attention but went on quietly speaking of his faith.
Albert had several men accompanying him. One, named Thorodd, became more and more angry as the laughter grew. Albert made a statement about Christ and Marta, inside the house, shouted a chant about horse sacrifice. The two statements together sounded like someone saying Christ was a horse’s ass. Asgrim, Thorolf’s grandson, burst out hooting with laughter. Thorodd raised his sword and rushed at him. “No!” said Albert, but it was too late. Thorodd brought his sword down and split Asgrim’s head in two.
Everyone was silent. Albert knelt in Asgrim’s blood and made the sign of the cross over his broken skull. “Jesus, accept this man who never had the chance to show his love for you.” Albert reached in his pouch and drew out a pinch of salt that he placed between Asgrim’s cold lips.
Thorodd said, “He was a mocking pagan who deserved to die!”
Albert faced him. “No. You are a fool and a slayer of men who must throw himself on the mercy of these people who offered us hospitality.”
“They will kill me!”
“Then pray that your murder will be forgiven so that you are resurrected in Paradise!”
“No! I will show you that I love Christ!” Thorodd caught his horse and rode away. Albert knelt by Asgrim’s body and bowed his head.
Word of what happened soon spread through the district. Thorolf got together a group of men, including Hallvard, his other grandson Ahmund, Colm, Gunnar, Frosti, Ketil, Thrain, and Orm. Styr rode with them, too, but Ljot stayed with Albert. Thorolf and his followers pursued Thorodd as he went south. Along the way they came across desecrated shrines and smashed idols. Thorodd had decided to please Christ that way.
Thorolf was close enough to Thorodd to see him climb into a boat and sail away to the south. The boat was headed toward the Vestmann Islands that lay off the coast of Iceland. Thorodd would find a ship there to take him to Norway. Thorolf got his own ship, but by the time they reached the islands, Thorodd was gone.
When Thorolf got back to the mainland, he found Snorri the godi waiting for him. “This is a terrible thing,” said Snorri.
“It is terrible that I could not catch that bastard,” said Thorolf, “I would have nailed him to a tree like that cursed god of his!”
Snorri nodded. “He committed an evil act and if he were anywhere around I, myself, would help you capture and kill him. But he is gone.”
“That stinking priest is still here!”
“Albert did not murder Asgrim. He tries to end killings. These Christians desire peace.”
“How can you say that after one of them killed my grandson!”
“The world does not shift all at once,” said Snorri. “These things need time. And Christians are no less human than other men and just as prone to foolish acts. The White Christ does not end the heat in men’s hearts. Or so Albert says. He says that Christ’s message is that men must overcome this heat...”
“I am hot now to spill Albert’s guts on the ground!”
“There is no honor in that. No one would oppose you, not even Albert. He would call on his god to receive his soul and you could slice him to pieces.”
“Then what?”
“Exactly. Neither I nor anyone else would avenge Albert. You would have his corpse. Then what?”
Thorolf breathed hard. Veins bulged in his forehead. Tears of rage flowed down his cheeks and he closed his eyes. Then men saw another party riding toward them. It was a small group and Ljot and Albert were among its number. Hallvard, who had been quiet, spurred his horse forward. Albert saw him coming and dismounted. He knelt on the grass, hands clasped in prayer. Hallvard swung from his horse and drew his sword. He hesitated and looked back. “Grandfather?”
Thorolf took in the scene. His eyes changed expression as he turned his mind to godi duties. Finally he said, “No. Do not kill him.” He rode up to Albert. “I do not know how long I can keep myself from killing you, Priest, so best you leave my district.”
“Yes,” said Albert. “I will leave Iceland. My mission has failed. I have only brought destruction here. I am a poor servant to my god and a bad exemplar. I am deeply sorry.”
“Just leave,” said Thorolf and rode off.
Ljot told Styr, “I am going with him. Tell Mother.”
“She will want to hear this from you.”
“There is no time,” said Ljot. “Tell her I will be back as soon as I have learned the magic language of priests and how to make their runes.” He smiled at his brother. “Be good to Freydis. I think you two were meant to be together.”
So Ljot sailed away with Albert who promised to take him to a place where he could learn to be a priest. Gunnora was unhappy, but comforted herself with the thought that Ljot would return. Styr decided to speak with Freydis at the first opportunity and, if she seemed suitable, ask his mother to help him make a match. He worried about that, since he thought his mother might object to a girl of such low social standing.
Snorri offered Thorolf a handsome gift worth the blood-price of a grandson, but Thorolf refused, politely, saying that he was unwilling to indebt himself to a Christian at that time. “I’m not a Christian,” said Snorri.
“Not yet,” said Thorolf, “But I can see there will be a decision time and I do not want to commit myself right now.”
Snorri nodded. Later, he offered the same gift to Hallvard. Hallvard thought about it for a while and then he accepted Snorri’s gift.
31. Religious Troubles
These were difficult times in Iceland. Olaf Tryggvesson was King of Norway now. He had been a fierce viking, harrying other lands, until the English king Ethelred converted him to Christianity. Now he spread his faith everywhere, using all the ferocity he had learned raiding. He sent another missionary to Iceland, a Frankish priest named Thangbrand who killed three men who opposed the new faith. Thangbrand’s ship was wrecked and people said that Thor had done it, but Thangbrand and his crew reached shore and he killed another man before leaving Iceland. No one spoke of Thor then.
People were anxious and distraught. There were reports of hauntings and walking dead. Ominous portents showed in the sky. People muttered prayers to whatever god they followed, then looked over their shoulder to see if anyone had heard them. Some men tore down temples and wrecked idols. Others attacked them for doing so. Some men refused to pay temple-tax to their godis. People spoke against the gods and a law was passed forbidding blasphemy. Hjalti Skeggason was sentenced to lesser outlawry when he said:
“I don’t mean to blaspheme
But to me it seems
Freya’s a bitch all the same.”
So the country was in turmoil over large matters, but most people still had to deal with the more usual common concerns. Colm didn’t trouble himself over religion. Though he had been nominally a Christian when he was taken into slavery, he scarcely thought about that now. He seldom thought of the Norse gods, either. He shared the meat at sacrifices and made toasts in broth across the fire, but he never prayed. There were many like Colm in Iceland, men who tended their farms and paid little attention to religion. A few said they believed in no gods at all but trusted only their own strength. Others just shrugged and said that if there were any gods, then they believed in them. They attended sacrifices and enjoyed the celebration but it can’t be said that they worshipped.
32. Thurid Is Unhappy
Braga sent for Colm and he rode over to Helgafeld. Braga and Freydis were outside in the yard. Each held a baby. Freydis had Ingveld in her arms. The girl was almost two and just learning to walk. Braga held the new baby, a boy named Magnus. Colm thought that Thurid had probably picked this name, after the step-father, Ingveld's husband, who had died before she was born, and he hoped that the child might show more sense than his namesake. He himself could not recall the name of the slave that had probably fathered Frosti and he wondered if Braga did.
Magnus was crying lustily while Braga held him close and rocked him against her. Colm could hear Thurid shouting at someone in the house. A slave, he thought. He seated himself between the women and greeted Braga, then Freydis. “That’s a fine-looking bundle you have there,” he said to the girl. Freydis sat erect, her chin up. She did not reply but she returned Colm’s smile. What’s all this? he wondered.
Braga finally got Magnus quiet. “I want to speak to you,” she said, “About Freydis.”
The Saga of Colm the Slave Page 24
