Ale and mead were freely available but I tried not to overindulge, unlike the majority of the guests.
Hygelac the White occupied the seat of honour to the right of the king. I picked up during the evening that the main reason for the feast was to celebrate the victory over the Costobocci.
When Kniva left to talk to friends, Segelinde shared her concerns with me.
“Eochar, I fear for the future and the safety of our family. Ever since Argunt had allowed the Heruli into our midst, it became evident that the white haired pig covets the throne. The king has no heir. Kniva has the strongest claim to the throne next in line to Argunt, but the pig is poisoning the king’s mind against my brother. I fear that soon Hygelac will make an attempt on Kniva’s life.”
She drank from her horn of ale and continued: “But he will strike from behind. Kniva is already a formidable warrior and few will be able to defeat him in combat.”
I had no wise words or solution ready and said: “What does Kniva have to say about this?”
She sighed and said: “Kniva is only interested in being a warrior. He trains every single waking moment. He does not covet the throne.”
I looked away and smiled, thinking about how similar we were. I looked up again, into the angry blue eyes. A frown creased her brow.
I laughed. “I am sorry. Segelinde, he is just so similar to someone I know.”
She smiled and said: “You men. You are insufferable.”
While Marcus spoke to me I noticed Segelinde leave the table and go outside with a girl of similar age.
After a while Marcus engaged in some drunken conversation with the girl next to him and I decided to go and seek some fresh air as well, followed by Kniva.
“I needed an excuse to leave those men, they drink too much”, Kniva said with slightly slurred speech.
It took some time for our eyes to become accustomed to the near dark.
Kniva was saying something when we heard a scream. A distinctive female scream, originating from around the corner of the wooden hall.
Kniva and I shared a look and ran towards the sound. I saw Segelinde falling on her back in the mud and Hygelac the White towering over her in a menacing way.
It was clear that Hygelac had either pushed or struck Segelinde and in that moment I feared for her life. I ran and bent down next to her, totally ignoring the huge Heruli. I noticed that she was bruised, but alive. I turned towards Hygelac but halfway through the turn, his enormous boot struck the base of my skull and the world went black.
Chapter 21 – Laws of hospitality
I woke with the familiar face of Cai studying me.
“If I not look after you, these things happen”, he said.
I wanted to protest, but I was still too drugged from whatever Cai had forced down my throat.
Heartbeats later he produced a mug with one of his potions and said: “Drink.”
It tasted disgusting but I knew better than to argue with Cai.
When I woke again, it was morning and Segelinde and Kniva were both next to my bed. I glanced around nervously, just to make sure that Cai was not waiting in ambush.
“Don’t worry, Eochar, your servant is not here with a potion. He said that you would be back to normal today and that there is no need to babysit you.”
Kniva frowned and said: “By the way, you are too lenient with that servant, Eochar. He has no respect.”
I ignored his rebuke and said: “Tell me what happened.”
Kniva looked at Segelinde and she related the events.
“I went outside with my friend Romilde to get some fresh air. Romilde is the girl your friend Marcus had been eyeing the whole evening.”
Marcus was sitting next to my bed. Hearing his name in the same sentence as Romilde’s, he just nodded and grinned like an idiot.
She carried on: “We were talking about things when Hygelac approached.”
Kniva interrupted, grinned, and said: “Eochar, the things they were talking about were you and Marcus.”
Segelinde hit Kniva in his chest with the back of her hand, blushed, and carried on: “I asked Hygelac to leave, as we did not desire his company.”
Kniva chipped in: “I’ve always been the sibling with tact.”
She frowned at him and said: “I am not someone for mincing my words. At least people know where they stand with me without having to guess.”
She said: “Hygelac put his arm around me and said that he would talk to my father about me being his bride. I kneed him in the groin. When he recovered he approached me slowly. Grinning. He slapped me with the back of his open hand and I fell. That was the moment you and Kniva arrived.
He kicked you when you attempted to tend to me. My brother hit him on the side of his head with his fist when he came forward to kick you again. Kniva hit him so hard! I think a normal man would have died, but the giant Hygelac only stumbled backwards.
The Heruli smiled then, and in that moment I was sure that he had orchestrated everything to achieve his goal. He spat into the mud, showing his contempt and said: ‘I challenge you, boy. You have insulted my honour. We will do this the old way.’ He walked away with a spring in his step.”
Kniva added: “Hygelac is a Heruli, an elite warrior, but he is also a Goth. He desires the throne and he thinks that eliminating me will bring him one step closer.”
Segelinde said: “And he is correct. With Kniva out of the way, he would then focus on getting rid of my uncle.”
I sat upright in the bed and looked around.
I saw no sign of Hildebald, but Avagisa was stitching something, looking generally distraught.
Kniva said: “He has gone to speak with Argunt. He is adamant that Hygelac should withdraw the challenge.”
Just then Hildebald entered the hall. His face was dark and brooding. He shook his head and looked at Avagisa, who looked even more distraught. His attempt to get the duel set aside had obviously failed.
Looking back, I always wonder how different the world could have been if I had not acted the way I did. I believe that there are only a few times during a man’s life where his actions or decisions alter the course of his life and even the course of history. I am also convinced that those decisions are guided by the hands of the gods.
This was one of those opportunities.
I rose from the bed feeling absolutely fine and gestured to Kniva to follow me. I walked over to Hildebald, inclined my head and said: “Earl, I wish to discuss an issue with you and your son.”
Hildebald called for mead and we sat down next to the hearth fire in the middle of the hall.
Even though the women would be able to hear some of the conversation, they would not interrupt.
I took a deep breath: “As I have told you, my mother was a Roxolani. What I did not tell you is that she was the sister of the king. King Apsikal of the Roxolani was my uncle.”
Hildebald nodded and said: “You were honest with us, but had enough cunning not to tell all. Cunning is a virtue of a warrior.”
Relieved, I continued: “There is more.”
I heard Arash whisper a plan into my ear and I replied: “My uncle was killed by Hygelac the White. I have taken an oath of vengeance. I noticed him at the king’s side, but it would not have been honourable for me to fight him while you have granted me hospitality.”
Again Hildebald nodded and said: “Should you have challenged Hygelac, it would have brought great dishonour onto our home. You did good to contain your vengeance.”
I was ready to play my trump card: “By kicking me in the face while I was attending to your daughter, Hygelac greatly insulted my honour. I also swore an oath of vengeance. Should Kniva kill him, he would forever rob me of my vengeance.”
I saw that both father and son were thinking deeply over my words.
I drew a breath and continued: “I know that any reasonable request of a person enjoying hospitality must be granted. I beg of you to allow me to fight Hygelac and restore my honour and provide me with the v
engeance I have sworn.”
I could see that I had given Hildebald a great deal to think about. Kniva was also stunned.
“I would like to talk to my son before I give you an answer, Eochar. This is not an easy decision.”
I nodded and left them to deliberate the answer that would determine the destiny of a nation.
I went to find Cai, who was meditating in the stables. I waited until he was done and told him what had happened.
Cai nodded and said: “Kniva is wise, he is using the hand of his enemy to catch a snake.”
I nodded, suddenly feeling foolish, and left to find Marcus.
I found him sparring with the earl’s oathsworn. It was good natured so I sat down to watch.
Kniva joined me a while later and said: “You are a man of great honour and courage, Eochar. I left it to my father to make the decision. He is a wise man.”
Later that afternoon Hildebald summoned Kniva and me to the hall.
He looked serious and said: “I have considered your request, Eochar, and I have decided to grant it. It is not uncommon for a friend to take the place of another in the ‘Holmgang’, the trial by combat.
In your case, you have a valid blood feud, but most of all, you have made a request under the law of hospitality. Your request is reasonable. I must grant it. But I have to ask first if you can handle a blade? I will not send you to a certain death, although I am willing to grant your request.”
I was never a boaster and replied: “I have been given adequate instruction in sword fighting, Earl. I am sure that you would not send me to my death.”
He was not so easily convinced and said: “Show me.”
He gestured for me to follow him. Kniva followed us outside to where Marcus was training with the oathsworn.
He turned to me and said: “I will ask them to bring two blunted blades used in training.”
I nodded my head and waited.
The earl spoke to his men and one left to get hold of the warrior the earl was seeking.
A few heartbeats later, a tall and sinewy warrior walked from the hall housing the oathsworn.
Hildebald spoke to him briefly and handed him a blunted sword.
He handed a sword to me and said: “I have asked him to test you. Second only to Kniva, Herwig is our best swordsman.”
My greatest concern was to not hurt Herwig, as that might be seen as an insult to the earl.
I inclined my head to the warrior as a sign of respect and swung the long sword to test it for balance. It was satisfactory, although inferior to my eastern sword.
Herwig attacked and I parried each strike with ease.
The earl scowled at me and said: “Eochar, convince me or I will not allow it.”
I put Herwig on his backside five times in a row without hurting him.
Hildebald nodded and I clasped Herwig’s arm, helping him up yet again.
“You have convinced me”, he said, and walked back to his hall.
Kniva slapped me on the back and said: “You are much better than I thought, Roman. But I think that you are still hiding your skill.”
Chapter 22 – Holmgang (Trial by combat)
According to the ancient laws of the Goths, the Holmgang had to take place within seven days of the challenge, but not sooner than three.
Hildebald went to talk to the king to inform him that I would take the place of Kniva in the trial by combat.
The king agreed, having great regard for honour and the laws of hospitality.
Argunt proclaimed that it would take place two days hence, on the night of the full moon, to honour the goddess, Mani, the sister of the sun god.
The atmosphere within the household of my host was tense during the time leading up to the trial.
Should I be killed in the duel, I would not be the only one to lose something. Hildebald brought the tiding that should Hygelac be victorious, he would be allowed to claim Segelinde as his bride. This was a request from the leader of the Heruli and due to Segelinde’s involvement in the dispute, the king deemed it a fair settlement.
On the upside, should I be victorious, Kniva could claim all the treasures owned by Hygelac. Even more important, there was a good chance that the Heruli warriors would give their oaths to Kniva as the party favoured by the gods.
The stakes were extremely high. Hildebald and Kniva spent most of their time outside, training with the oathsworn.
Avagisa and Segelinde were crying frequently, causing Marcus and myself to go riding aimlessly just to get away from the oppressive feeling of impending doom. We were however not allowed to ride around on our own without a couple of the hearth warriors protecting us. I was sure they were assigned to us to ensure I did not run away and leave Kniva high and dry.
Thankfully, the big day soon arrived. We woke up late as usual. By now Marcus and I had given up on our Roman ways.
The servants prepared a hearty breakfast, mostly consisting of generous portions of fried smoked pork and cheese. We even had honey, but to the surprise of our hosts I refused to drink any beer or mead.
Early afternoon I went in search of Cai in the stables.
“Cai, I need to be calm tonight.”
“Come, Lucius of the Da Qin, we meditate and breathe.”
I joined Cai in breathing and meditation exercises and the time passed quickly.
My mind was cleared of the nervousness and fear and I set off to find Hildebald and Kniva. I had items to negotiate on before the big event.
The Holmgang was not accessible to the whole tribe. As Kniva and Hygelac were both nobles, attendance was by invitation only.
Five of the oathsworn of the Heruli accompanied Hygelac. The iudex and his two bodyguards were obviously in attendance. Marcus, Hildebald, his wife as well as Segelinde and Kniva were present. In addition, there were five Gothic elders present. As this was essentially a trial, their presence was required to add legitimacy to the proceedings as well as to ensure no foul play took place.
The duel was fought in a stone circle, within the king’s compound and close to his hall. The circle was fifteen feet in diameter. The fight was to be to the death, but a combatant could step outside the circle, choosing life. The second option was seen by most as a worse fate than dying, as he would be branded a coward and his spirit would never be accepted into the presence of the gods.
For once I left my Roman centurion’s outfit in the hall of my host. Cai had wisely packed my Roxolani scale armour made from the hooves of horses. It was lighter than chain mail and more suited to single combat. I did don my standard Roman issue iron greaves worn by centurions. My forearms were protected by leather vambraces, with strips of iron sewn onto the leather. I decided not to wear a helmet.
The Holmgang was traditionally fought with longswords. I was armed with my jian sword, a gift from Cai. The blade forged by a master swordsmith from the land of Serica. The blade was strong but extremely flexible and held an edge like none other.
As each combatant was afforded an assistant, naturally Kniva performed that roll for me. Only the combatants were allowed to carry arms, but the assistant did carry additional weapons should both fighters agree to use alternative weapons in case of a stalemate.
Kniva and I approached the stone circle. It was well lit, with a multitude of torches placed on head high poles. Argunt and the elders were sitting on an elevated platform bordering the circle.
I studied my opponent who was standing on the opposite side of the circle. Hygelac was at least a head taller than me. His braided hair and beard was nearly white, but not due to age. He was born that way. He must have seen at least thirty summers. He wore a coat of mail that extended to his knees, with bronze greaves protecting his shins. On his enormous feet he wore undyed sealskin boots.
His left forearm and left cheek were tattooed with blue runes.
The sword he held was longer than any I had ever seen, but it matched his build. I noticed that it had a longer than usual grip, indicating that it was designed as a two han
ded weapon. Hygelac was strong enough to yield it with one hand. His hand opened and closed on the hilt and I could see the huge muscles flexing in his forearm.
He was studying me with intense blue eyes. It was clear that he was no dimwit. I had confidence in my abilities, but it was still intimidating to face such a large and powerful warrior.
The king held up his hand for silence and said something I did not understand.
Kniva whispered from beside me: “When the king drops his hand, the fight will commence.”
Argunt lowered his hand. I drew my blade and stepped inside the circle, towards the advancing Hygelac who had also drawn his weapon.
I had expected him to attack immediately, which was normally the way of the Goths, but even though he towered over me, he was clever enough to first probe and find out what he was dealing with.
The way I had been taught to fight did not allow for my opponent to evaluate my swordsmanship. Once the opponent engages with me, I do not allow him to fall back and regroup.
The big man stepped forward with his left leg and executed a powerful thrust to my chest. It was a conservative move, not opening himself up, and difficult to parry.
Hygelac possessed an enormous amount of strength and it would have been folly to try and parry the move with only my sword. I gave a small step forward and slightly to the left and let his blade scrape the scales of my armour while the flat of my sword slid against the edge of his blade, guiding it along its natural path.
He was too good a warrior to overextend with the first blow and as he stepped back with his left foot, I stepped in, aiming a cut at his right leg. My unorthodox grip where the thumb reaches between the third and fourth finger, allows me extraordinary control over the jian and as Hygelac parried my blow, I again met the edge of his blade with the flat of my sword.
My opponent was hovering close to the edge of the stone circle and suddenly his eyes were darting to the side to try and establish how far he was from stepping out of the circle. This was a mistake.
I stepped back, allowing him the opportunity to attack.
Hygelac was visibly unsettled. I had been inside the danger area throughout the fight and had never given him a chance to gather himself. By then he must have realised that I possessed extraordinary skills. He was not a man who achieved his position in life by being overly cautious. He would attack as soon as I gave him half a chance.
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