by Peter Fox
Eirik motioned for Rathulf to move out of the way. Leif shrank from his uncle.
‘For the love of Odin, stop snivelling!’ Eirik snapped. The jarl gripped Leif’s shirt and roughly pulled it up over the boy’s head. Even the battle-hardened warrior recoiled as he took in the vicious welts and bruising that mottled Leif’s body. He swore under his breath. Leif cowered against the wall, holding his hands over his head and face. The exposed parts of his forearms also showed fading bruises and cuts. Eirik took a long breath, and then he seemed to come to a decision. He turned back to Rathulf.
‘Perhaps you have a point after all,’ he said, ‘but he can’t stay here. That lot outside really will tear you all to bits as soon as I turn my back.’
He looked at both Rathulf and Thorvald. ‘You’ll have to trust me, I’m afraid. I give you my word that I will protect Leif and present him to the Althing where the menfolk can pass judgement upon his actions.’
‘Your word?’ Rathulf said disbelievingly.
‘Rathulf,’ Thorvald warned.
Eirik threw Rathulf a scathing glare. ‘I’m not the one who keeps breaking his promises,’ he said, ‘and just to make sure you do keep your end of the bargain, I’ll leave some men here to remind you.’
Rathulf sat down, defeated.
Eirik’s expression changed. ‘You think you have failed your friend, don’t you?’
Rathulf remained silent.
‘What do you imagine would have happened to him had you not taken him away? Cnut was very close behind me as it happens. He came by land, already knowing that something had happened to Horik because he’d met you up on the shielings, but he was on his way there anyway. What do you think would have transpired had you not gone to get Leif, and Cnut had instead been the one to find my brother, and worse, Leif, his hands and arms slathered in my brother’s blood? My nephew would be dead, and I’d have a nasty feud on my hands. You have managed to protect both him and perversely, me.’
‘But at what cost?’ Bardi said. ‘You know as well as I do that Rathulf is an accomplice, no matter what anyone of us might think or say. His actions will cost us all dearly.’
Eirik rolled his eyes. ‘Come now Bardi, when you and I were his age we’d have done the same as Rathulf. And need I remind you of Sigvald’s and Thorvald’s many transgressions in their youth?’
Rathulf looked at Sigvald, and then his father, surprised.
‘I know, you’d hardly believe it now,’ Eirik said disparagingly, ‘but once upon a time they were quite the renegades.’
Sigvald harrumphed, but he didn’t refute the jarl’s assertion.
Rathulf looked back at Eirik, no longer knowing what to say or do. As far as he was concerned, Leif was finished, no matter how you looked at it.
‘There is another reason I came here today; something you need to know, and that I need to hear.’ He directed his gaze at his nephew. ‘Leif, why did you attack your father? After everything that he has done to you over the years, why now?’
Leif frowned at his uncle, and Rathulf sensed another trap in Eirik’s question.
‘Rathulf told you what my father made me do.’
‘I have been to my brother’s house, remember.’
Leif refused to say any more, evidently sensing Eirik’s snare too.
‘You know what I’m talking about, don’t you?’ Eirik pressed.
Rathulf looked at Eirik, surprised and alarmed. There was more? What else did I miss?
Eirik waited for his nephew to answer, but when Leif remained silent, the jarl stood and banged on the door. It opened, and Snorri’s face appeared.
‘You want it?’ Snorri asked his jarl.
Eirik nodded.
They all heard the rabble chanting for Leif and Rathulf to be brought forth. Rathulf was certain the mob had grown louder and angrier.
Eirik agreed, seeing Rathulf’s worried expression. ‘We haven’t much time,’ he said.
Snorri reappeared bearing something bulky on his shoulder.
‘I – or rather we – have something of an unexpected complication,’ Eirik explained, indicating to Snorri to place his burden on the table.
Snorri carefully set a large, oilskin-bound chest down as instructed, then he went back out and closed the door behind him.
‘What? You…?!’ Sigvald blurted, his face reddening. ‘How did you get that?’
Thorvald stared at the box, speechless, as did Rathulf and everyone else in the room.
‘Is that…?’ Rathulf asked, unable to finish the question.
‘You’re accusing the wrong person,’ Eirik said smoothly. ‘I found it lying unwrapped and on its side near my brother, in his house. Not so far from his sword,’ the jarl added for Rathulf’s benefit, ‘and his axe.’
But the young Viking wasn’t listening. He felt dizzy all of a sudden, and he turned to Leif, shocked.
Leif looked away, unable to meet Rathulf’s gaze.
‘Horik had it?’ Sigvald spat. ‘That thieving, scum-sucking qlfuss… How did he get his grubby hands on it, and what was he planning to do with it?’
‘You have such a charming way with words, Sigvald,’ Eirik countered. ‘I’ve no idea how my brother came by it, but you can probably guess his intentions.’ He turned to Leif, who stared back at his uncle, his face pale. ‘This is what tipped you into your rage, isn’t it?’ he asked.
Leif dropped his eyes but remained silent.
‘Horik found it and was going to break it open. That’s why he had the axe, wasn’t it?’
Leif didn’t lift his face, but he nodded.
Eirik turned to Bardi. ‘I do wonder whether you had a point back on the Osprey all those years ago, you know. This accursed chest has been the cause of more trouble than good. I’m not so sure those wolves are Geri and Freki. More like Sköll and Hati if you ask me.’
Thorvald was still too stunned to speak.
Sigvald looked ready to explode.
‘So, now we have a very awkward situation,’ Eirik continued. ‘My brother was in possession of Rathulf’s trunk, which was not his to have. As we all know, theft is as serious a crime as murder, especially in this case. It was clearly Horik’s intent to break it open, thereby breaking the blood pact which I – and by virtue of our kinship, Horik – have sworn to honour on pain of death. But my nephew killed said brother before Horik broke open the chest, which has prevented the violation of the pact, and in so doing Leif has done us all, and in particular Rathulf, a good turn.’
Everyone stared at him, confused and surprised.
‘So, he’s off the hook then?’ Sigvald asked.
‘I didn’t say that,’ Eirik said. ‘He killed my brother, his father, and whilst I will not demand Leif’s head, the rabble out there didn’t agree to any pact and have every right to cut Leif down here and now, despite whatever larceny charge you may wish to bring against my brother.’
The door opened, and Snorri stuck in his head. ‘You need to get out here, boss,’ he said.
‘Fine,’ Eirik replied. ‘I’ll deal with the mob, and then I’ll be back in for Leif. Get your things ready, boy, but leave your shirt off. I want everyone to see that.’
Eirik stepped outside. There was a roar from the gathering, then audible groans and protests when Eirik told them there would be no razing of Thorvaldsby today.
The door had barely closed before Thorvald stumbled to the other side of the room.
‘Father!’ Rathulf cried, coming to Leif’s aid.
‘Out of the way,’ Thorvald snarled. Despite his disability, he managed to grab Leif by the arm, and he hauled the boy to his feet. ‘You miserable little liar,’ he said. ‘Were you ever going to open your mouth, or were you going to hide in the corner while my son died for you? I’ve got a mind to throw you out to the pack and leave them to it. It would save us all a good deal of trouble.’
‘I said, leave him alone!’ Rathulf shouted, wrenching his father’s hand from Leif’s arm.
‘And what of Rathulf’s
chest?’ Thorvald demanded of Leif, ignoring his son’s protests. ‘When were you going to tell us about that? I presume it was you who took it?’
Leif quaked under Thorvald’s fury, too frightened to speak. Outside the men were chanting and roaring at Eirik, demanding the charcoal-eating boys come out to meet their fate.
‘Well, if Leif did save the chest, then it’s in the right hands now, so all is not lost,’ Helga said. Even though she had spoken them with kindness, her words still sounded hollow.
The door opened, and Eirik came back in. ‘We have to go. Now,’ he said. ‘Thorvald, release Leif.’
‘But we haven’t opened it,’ Rathulf said, mostly to Leif.
‘Most of us already know what’s in there,’ Eirik said impatiently, then on seeing Rathulf’s reaction, added, ‘we opened it on the trip home from Dumnonia. As for Leif, I can’t say.’ Eirik raised his eyebrows at his nephew.
‘My father had it, not me, and he didn’t have the key,’ Leif muttered.
‘Well then, you’ll have to wait because it’s time to go. I don’t trust Cnut, and I wouldn’t put it past him to cause trouble. Snorri and his crew will stay here for protection, and I’ve told Snorri not to let Rathulf out of his sight.’
‘Is that really necessary?’ Thorvald asked. ‘A moment ago, you said it was to stop Rathulf doing anything stupid.’
‘That too,’ Eirik said. ‘Listen, the boys have made enemies this summer, and men have been prone to take matters into their own hands ahead of the Althing before now. It would be a grave mistake to believe that Ivar’s kinsmen will wait for the assembly to resolve matters, let alone honour any settlement we might agree at the Althing. The same can be said of Horik’s friends. I’ll be back to discuss tactics once the dust settles.’
Eirik pushed Leif out the door, holding him by the shoulder and pinning one arm behind his back. Despite Sigvald’s warning, Rathulf followed. He was stopped at the threshold by Snorri, who planted his considerable bulk in Rathulf’s way. ‘That’s far enough,’ he growled. Sigvald, Bardi and Helga came out and stood either side of Rathulf in a show of support. Snorri stepped aside to let Thorvald come through and take his place beside his son. Rathulf felt a nudge to his left and saw that Alrik had also stepped up beside him. Rathulf’s heart lifted a little.
Eirik and Leif were met by row upon row of angry faces, and it was all Eirik and Snorri’s men could do to keep the mob at bay as Eirik led his nephew to his longship. As it was the pair were jostled, and one or two punches landed on Leif as he and Eirik barged through the line of warriors to the Sea Dragon.
Once on board, Eirik turned Leif around so that all could see the crisscrossed marks on his back.
‘All of you bear witness to these injuries, inflicted by Horik upon his son,’ Eirik said, then he shoved Leif roughly down into the shallow hold. He slammed the decking over the hole, penning Leif in the dark, cramped space beneath the jarl’s feet. How much of that was for show and how much reflected Eirik’s true feelings was hard for Rathulf to tell, but at least Leif was out of harm’s way down there. It had to be a good sign that Eirik had made a point of showing off Leif’s battered body. The jarl strode up to the prow and planted a foot on the shield rail and yelled for silence.
‘I have what we came for,’ he shouted, and the men roared their approval.
‘But we will follow the law,’ Eirik said firmly, to boos and protests. ‘I have spoken to my nephew and Rathulf, and I am satisfied with their accounts. I name you all as witnesses today to the murder of my brother Horik and his mistress by his son, my nephew, Leif Horiksson. I hereby clear Rathulf Thorvaldarsson of any part in that crime. He arrived after the fact.’
There were more boos, but Eirik held up his hand. ‘Thorvaldarsson will have his day in the assembly as a harbourer of the criminal, but until that time Leif will remain in my charge and behind my shield. My previous oath of protection to Thorvaldarsson still stands. Any person who attempts to harm the boys, their kin, their friends or their allies will answer to my sword, Neckbiter. Is that understood?’
When he was met with silence, he roared at them again: ‘Is that understood!?’
There was a grudging murmur from the assembled crowd, but to Rathulf’s ear, it did not sound particularly convincing. Evidently, Eirik shared Rathulf’s distrust of the crowd’s conviction. ‘And know that I am leaving Snorri and his crew here to ensure Thorvaldarsson’s safety.’ There was more muttering from the gathering. ‘Now return to your garths. We have no more business here.’
Snorri’s men began to herd the host down towards the shore. Many of the men threw dark glances at Rathulf, who stood his ground by the house, but he felt the same fear now that he had when he and Alrik had faced Ivar on the fjord following their first rescue attempt in the spring. The Althing would not come soon enough.
Eirik waited until the other longships were well on their way down the fjord before making ready to depart himself. Now that it was safe to do so, Rathulf walked the short distance to the waterside and Eirik leaned out over the shield-rail to bid him goodbye.
‘It’s a pity you didn’t fetch him a day or so earlier,’ Eirik said. ‘I confess I’m surprised you took heed of my warning for so long.’
Rathulf glowered at him, unimpressed.
‘But then again, it would be a whole different scenario if you had gone earlier and found Horik with your trunk. You’d have had every right to kill him on the spot, and then I’d have been honour bound to kill you, and so your kin would have had to kill me, and, well you know how it goes. A sad end to the Saga of Rathulf, wouldn’t you say? You’re welcome to visit by the way,’ Eirik added. ‘I mean it, only please come with Snorri, not in Alrik’s karve and most certainly not alone. Don’t take this the wrong way, but it would be most unfortunate to die on Leif’s account, especially now that you have got your things back.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘I just worry that your loyalty might be misplaced,’ Eirik said. ‘My advice is to make amends with Bardisson here. You shouldn’t have gone without him, and you’re going to need him and his kinsmen’s support at the Althing.’
Eirik turned away and ordered his men to cast off. The rowers at the rear of the drakkar hauled on their oars, and the great ship ground out of the shallows into deeper water. Rathulf watched the Sea Dragon retreat from the shore then swing around to face the west. Soon the sail was hoisted and the rest of the oars set in their ports. What had Eirik meant by his parting comment? Rathulf wondered, more than a little disturbed by the implication behind the jarl’s words.
He looked back toward the steading, aware of the watchful gazes of Snorri’s men – all twenty-five of them – following his every movement as they set up camp around the house. He saw too that Alrik was waiting for him by the door, and suddenly Rathulf couldn’t face any of them; their criticism, their lectures, their questions, demands and expectations. He turned and made his way instead to the boathouse, which had become a de facto place of sanctuary for him. Snorri trailed dutifully behind him, evidently taking Eirik’s orders literally. The big Viking caught Rathulf’s annoyed frown and gave an apologetic shrug.
Rathulf sat down on the damp, gravelly floor and gazed out at the fjord. The Sea Dragon was making its way back towards the other ships, and Rathulf watched them for a while, wondering at how different the outcome might have been had Eirik not been so clever and influential.
Thank the Gods he had come at all! Rathulf thought, both relieved and angered that his story had crumbled so rapidly under the jarl’s questioning. He let out a long breath, trying to calm his frayed nerves. How had the joy of his birthday been so comprehensively obliterated in such a short time? I brought it upon myself, as usual, Rathulf thought, knowing the answer to his own question. Still, what if Eirik is right? What if Leif had in fact planned all this? What if Leif is to blame for everything? After all, had Leif not brought the avalanche with him? And was it not for Leif that I fought with Horik, and then Ivar? And now
I have Cnut to add to my growing list of enemies. Enemies? Until this winter Rathulf’s life had been simple to the point of tedium, and he’d counted only friends. Well, except Gunnar perhaps, but that was because he was jealous of Rathulf’s status and good looks, or so Ingrith liked to assure him.
It was then that he realised Gunnar had not been aboard the Sea Dragon. He smiled to himself. Wouldn’t Gunnar have loved to have been here to see my humiliation? More credit to Eirik then, for keeping him away. Rathulf saw that the longship had nearly reached the bend in the fjord and would soon pass out of sight. He glanced to his right and saw that Snorri stood near the edge of the water, also watching the Sea Dragon turn beyond view. Will you be enough? Rathulf wondered, to fend off whatever force is amassing against me? Cnut was obviously unsatisfied, and what of Ivar’s allies, few of whom would bother adhering to the law? Would Eirik’s oath of protection and Snorri’s crewmen be enough? Can I even trust these strangers, many of whom I’ve never seen before?
There was a splash outside, and Rathulf looked up to see Alrik making his way through the shallows into the boathouse.
‘Didn’t you get the hint?’ Rathulf said.
‘Helga says I have to apologise,’ Alrik responded, pausing in the water. ‘Although I don’t see why. I’m not the one being a dickhead.’ He put great emphasis on the last word.
‘Why are you so angry with me?’ Rathulf said. He glanced again at Snorri, who stood with his back to them just outside the wide entrance to the building.
Alrik let out a sarcastic laugh and shook his head. ‘You really don’t get it, do you?’
When Rathulf looked back at him bemused, Alrik shook his head in exasperation. ‘You lied to me; you lied to everyone! What did you think you’d achieve by doing that? But that’s just it, isn’t it? You didn’t think.’ He paused for a moment, then changed tack. ‘What I don’t understand is why you’re going out of your way for that… that useless… I mean, how many times has he put himself in harm’s way for you? And where was he when we went to get him? I’ll bet you any amount of silver he was shitting himself in a dark corner somewhere out of sight. And what are the chances he’ll stand at your side when you face the Althing, or Cnut, or any of Ivar’s lowlifes? None. Zero. You’ll be on your own, and Leif will be cowering behind a rock, pissing himself while you get your head lopped off for standing up for him.’
