Heroes of the Valley

by Jonathan Stroud

  'They say,' Grim the smith said, wiping ale froth from his beard, 'that Olaf Hakonsson was dragged from his bed and had his throat cut, just like that. And then, as added insult, his corpse was set alight for his kin to find!'

  'Olaf was no weakling. we all know that,' Eyjolf whispered. 'It would have taken great strength to carry out that killing.'

  'You'd never think it of the boy, would you?'

  'No. So small, so short . . .'

  Bolli the bread-maker shook his head wisely. 'Ah, but have you seen him working on the sheep sheds? The way he wields a hammer? You can sense his inner violence with each blow. In a way it's worse as he's so small. If he was a big man you'd understand it, it'd be more natural. Ah, it makes my skin crawl. I'd never cross him.'

  'Remember his great-uncle. Onund?' Unn the tanner said. 'He was the same, the stories tell. Feeble enough most of the time, but when the rage flared in him – well. watch out! Snap your neck with his bare hands, he would, soon as look at you.'

  'I want to know how the lad broke into the House! You've seen those walls! Must've climbed them like some kind of bat.'

  'It's hardly natural, is it?'

  'I'd never cross him.'

  It wasn't long before Halli noticed the way people fell silent as he passed them, the quick glances cast as he turned his back, the whispers on the fringes of his hearing. To his stupefaction, adults began treating him with awkward, even fearful deference, while knots of the youngest children followed him about, goggling from behind posts and bushes as he went about his business.

  'What's wrong with them all?' he exclaimed to Leif and Gudny in the hall one morning. 'I've just had three urchins peering in at me while I was sitting on the privy! When I looked up, they giggled and ran away. The whole House is mad.'

  'Why should you worry?' Leif said shortly. Since the rumours had spread, he had begun treating Halli with a certain resentful caution. He was often seen at the beer keg, brooding over his cup. 'It's what you always wanted, isn't it?'

  'What is?'

  His brother laughed bitterly. 'Your notoriety! Don't play the innocent with me.'

  Halli scowled. 'I'm not. But this is—'

  'No false modesty please, Halli,' Gudny said. She too had become slightly more civil in the last few days. It was as if she truly noticed him for the first time. 'Olaf had it coming. We're all agreed on that.'

  'Who's mourning him?' Leif grunted. 'Not me, for one.'

  'Nor me,' Gudny said. 'Nor poor Father. We're glad you killed him.'

  'But—'

  'How did you do it?' Leif said. 'Father's knife, I suppose?'

  'No. I—'

  'Garrotte, then? I assume you crept up on him. He was too strong for you.'

  'I heard he was burned to death,' Gudny said. 'I think that's rather horrid, don't you, Leif ? Even though he was a Hakonsson.'

  'Well, what else do you expect when killers settle their accounts?'

  Halli rolled his eyes and clawed at the air. 'Listen, what happened was—'

  Leif held up a hand. 'We don't really want to know how you went about it. It's rather distasteful, when all's said and done. Just make sure you don't foul up the trial next week. That's the important thing. We need that extra land.'

  A few days later a deputation departed for the trial by Council, at which Brodir's killers would be judged. It was to take place at a neutral venue, Rurik's House, across the valley from Svein's. Halli, relieved to be rid of the oppressive atmosphere at home, rode with his mother and brother, and a group of five men from the House. His father did not attend; his cough had worsened and he had taken to his bed with a fever.

  The journey took little more than three hours. Rurik's House was a pleasant mid-sized settlement set among green fields, not far from the rushing river. Like Arne's it had no Trow walls remaining, but was surrounded by orchards studded with hives – the source of the honey for which the House was famous. The hall, taller than most in the valley, with a rather conical roof, was alive with activity; through crystal windows they could see the green livery of the Ruriksson attendants mingling with brightly attired dignitaries from across the valley.

  They dismounted, and readied themselves in the yard, Halli standing quietly, looking at the doves fluttering above the roofs. Rather to his surprise, he felt no great anxiety at the prospect of meeting the Hakonssons again, only a dull resolve to get the business over with swiftly. All his hatred had evaporated in the heat of Olaf 's fire, and since no one had seen him leave the burning hall, he had no fear of exposure now. Enough of such valley squabbles! When Aud came to stay, they would turn their attention to greater things; he raised his eyes to the ridge-tops above the House.

  Somewhere up there . . . a way of escape from all this . . .

  Perhaps Aud would be present today. Her father certainly would, in his capacity as a Lawgiver. Halli's heart beat a little faster at the thought. He scanned the courtyard for her, whistling.

  A shadow at his shoulder. His mother caught him by the ear and drew him to one side.

  Astrid's voice was grim. 'Listen to me clearly, Halli: pay attention with every sinew of your body. We now contest our case before the Council of Lawgivers – my equals along the valley. You will give an account of what happened to your uncle, and you will do so clearly, politely and concisely, for much depends upon it. Address the Lawgivers only; and above all do not have any interaction with the Hakonssons, who will also be present. They may seek to put you off or pour scorn upon your story. Do not rise to their goading! No interaction whatsoever – do you understand?'

  Halli spoke stiffly. 'A hasty man might infer you did not trust me, Mother.'

  'Hasty or not, he would be a perceptive fellow, since I trust you less far than I could spit you. Hord and Ragnar will be five feet away. Avoid displays of open hostility or contempt, foul looks, exchanges of insults, abuse or impertinent hand gestures, and above all refrain from physical assault of any kind. Is the matter clear?'

  'You could have been a little more specific in the details, but yes, I suppose so.'

  'Good. Then let us go in.'

  18

  WHEN RURIK LEARNED HOW Svein had kidnapped his tenants, he went purple with rage. He took a group of men across the river to Svein's lands and killed the first group of farmers he could find.

  Svein shook his head at the news. 'It's dangerous for a man to start something he can't finish,' he said. With that he crossed the river with his men and torched the nearest settlement, but he had scarcely got home when he learned that Rurik had carried out another raid as a reprisal.

  All year the feud went on. At last Svein said, 'Rurik's persistent, but let's see if he can do it on an empty stomach.' So he set fire to Rurik's granaries and drew back to see what happened. It proved a decisive blow. When winter came Rurik was forced to come on his knees before Svein's gate, pleading for food to save his people. Svein let him crawl awhile, then doled out grain.

  The hall, when they entered, was abuzz with noise: with whispers, laughter, shouted greetings, the camaraderie of important people jostling for status. It had been cleared of its usual furniture; ten chairs were arrayed in a semicircle at one end, with two other sets of chairs – for plaintiffs and defendants – facing one another along the longer edges of the hall. Most seats were filled; attentive servants flitted about, refilling beer cups and presenting platters of food to the ten presiding Lawgivers. Of these ten, eight were women. The remaining two (Ulfar Arnesson and another man whom Halli did not know) were Arbiters whose wives had died and who had taken the Lawgiving role themselves. Only the two Houses engaged in the action – Svein and Hakon – were unrepresented; otherwise the entire variety of valley life was there: the pink faces, fair heads, broad bellies and splaying buttocks of the lower Houses; from up-valley, slighter, wirier persons, dark-haired and olive-eyed. Each Council member wore their House colours, each spoke volubly to the members on either side. It was an august and noisily intimidating circle.

  Halli, Astri
d and Leif sat on the plaintiffs' side. The five men from Svein's House lined up behind them against the wall.

  The chairs opposite were as yet vacant. Onlookers from Rurik's House and attendants to the various Lawgivers were filing in to stand in the margins of the hall. Halli looked hard amongst this number, but could not see Aud.

  Now white-bearded Ulfar Arnesson left his place among the Council and bustled over, taking Astrid's hand with unctuous familiarity. 'Well, well, cousin, it has come to this. I am sad my mediations bore no fruit! But I am sure all will be settled admirably today.'

  Astrid gave a wan smile. 'So we hope too. How is young Aud? We are looking forward to enjoying her company this winter.'

  A flicker passed across Ulfar's smooth features; his expression grew a little cold. 'Ah, yes, I had forgotten we made that arrangement! Forgive me, I have changed my plans. Ragnar Hakonsson has invited her to stay with him during the fever months, and of course I accepted his offer gladly. Sea air is healthy, you know. Besides, it is not nearly so far for the girl to travel, and perhaps just a little more comfortable for her also? Hakon's is, after all, a splendid House.' He was glancing away to the door as he spoke, as if in anticipation of the defendants' arrival.

  Halli's mother flushed at the thinly veiled insult. Halli. who at the news felt as if his stomach had been punched, smiled pleasantly. 'Is it still so splendid? I heard rumours the place had half burned down.'

  Ulfar's pink tongue wetted the fringes of his beard. 'The damage was confined to a small portion of the hall. What would you know of it, young – I'm sorry, I forget your name.'

  'Halli Sveinsson. I shall be giving evidence today.'

  'Ah, yes.' Ulfar regarded Halli vaguely. 'You are the witness. I remember. If you will excuse me. 'With this he stalked back to his seat.

  Astrid made a face. 'No prizes for guessing which side he will take this afternoon. He gravitates always to wealth and power, which is why his daughter over-winters with the Hakonssons. There will be a wedding there next year, if Ulfar gets his way. Are you all right, Halli? You look a trifle pale.'

  Halli hardly heard her. Aud would not be coming after all. She would stay with Ragnar Hakonsson instead. As in a dream he recalled Hord and Ragnar's discussion in the hall, their talk of arranging an advantageous marriage . . .

  Leif interlinked his hands and cracked the knuckles of his fingers one by one. 'I did not like your insolence to Ulfar, Halli,' he said. 'If you cannot restrain yourself, we are lost.'

  With difficulty Halli battened down his distress. 'Be sure that I shall treat everyone with the greatest respect,' he said faintly. 'Incidentally, Mother, I've been wondering – why is that dumpy serving woman sitting amongst the dignitaries? Surely someone should move her on?'

  'That is in fact the eminent Lawgiver Helga of Thord's House, who is leader of the Council this year.'

  'Oh.'

  At the end of the hall there came a flurry of movement. Even without looking, Halli felt his shoulders stiffen, sensed enmity suddenly in the room. He turned his head with careful calm, saw Hord and Ragnar Hakonsson stalking up the aisle, leading a group of men from Hakon's House. Both wore great furred capes, both had hair tied back and fixed with jewelled grips. Hord unclasped his cape and with a flourish draped it on his seat. He sat, clapped hands expansively on knees and stared about with lofty condescension. His men arranged themselves against the wall. Ragnar, trotting behind, had difficulty unfastening his cape, and was still fiddling with it when Helga of Thord's House stood to open proceedings. He sat hastily as she turned her frown upon him.

  Helga cleared her throat. She was a broad, powerful woman, with a voice that loosened earwax at a dozen paces. All listened attentively when she spoke. 'The Council,' she said, 'meets today to hear the case brought by Svein's House against Hakon's House. Three men, Hord, Olaf and Ragnar, are accused of the murder of Brodir Sveinsson three days after the Autumn Gathering. Let us proceed with dignity and peaceful restraint in the great tradition of our valley! So, to begin. Astrid of Svein's House shall summarize.'

  Halli's mother stood and gave the bare facts soberly, without emotion. 'My son Halli was witness to it all,' she said. 'May he be allowed to speak?'

  'If you please.'

  All eyes now fixed on Halli. With a deep breath he stood and, turning to the Council, bowed politely. 'I swear that I speak truth on this. Early on the morning of my uncle's death—'

  The Lawgiver from Gest's House, an ancient woman, rheumy-eyed and wrinkled like a crabbed pear, banged her stick loudly upon the floor. 'Why does that urchin speak from the far side of the room?'

  Ulfar Arnesson leaned in close. 'He is not distant, merely short.'

  'Continue, Halli Sveinsson,' Helga of Thord's House said.

  Halli gave his account as his mother had requested: succinctly, soberly and without excess emotional colouring, while retaining all the details of the horror in the stables. At no time did he so much as look across at the Hakonssons. When he had finished, he answered one or two questions about specifics, then was told to sit. His mother patted him on the knee.

  The Chief Lawgiver nodded. 'Thank you. Now, we must hear from the defendants. Hord Hakonsson, what do you have to say?'

  'This will be interesting,' Halli's mother whispered. 'I do not think he can deny it; the evidence stacks up too high.'

  Hord rose, coughed, bowed low to the Council. He spoke in quiet tones, clearly designed to express humility. Rather to Halli's surprise, his version of events was more or less truthful.' But my late brother's action must be seen in context,' he said. 'Do not forget that this drunken lout, who insulted our honour so gravely, was the selfsame man who committed an outrage in our House, and escaped unpunished.'

  Astrid stood angrily. 'Hardly unpunished! That matter was judged and our House lost good land because of it!'

  Helga of Thord's House waved for her to sit down. 'Astrid speaks truth there, Hord. Your actions and words imply that this can be justified as an ongoing honour-feud, not a question of simple murder. Feuding is forbidden, as you well know. It has been since the heroes' time. We have moved beyond such primitive responses now.'

  Muscles tightened beneath Hord's cheeks, but he bowed respectfully. 'As you say.'

  Various other statements were taken, but the discussion was soon over. 'The details are clear enough,' Helga said. 'We shall consider our verdict presently. First, I would like to hear what compensation the plaintiffs require, should they win the case.' She looked at Halli's mother enquiringly.

  Halli's mother stood and bowed towards the Council. 'For us this is a matter of principle, not material gain. We have lost a beloved uncle, a brother, a friend . . . We'll take twelve thousand acres and not a tussock less.'

  As proceedings had gone on, Halli had slumped ever lower in his seat. Here then was the nub of the matter, the real reason why the trial was taking place. Politics and land! For all that his old ideas of vengeance had proved treacherous and corrupting, he disliked this bickering for advantage even more. This was not about his uncle, but about power. Where was the honour in this? Where was the bond between kin? Where, indeed, was love? Aud was right – there was nothing for him in the valley any more.

  The Council were asking Astrid and Hord detailed questions about compensation; as he sat waiting, Halli thought of Aud again, of her dreams of escape, of her fear of marriage . . . He imagined how she would be suffering now, with a winter – and perhaps a life – of Ragnar Hakonsson to look forward to. The idea made blood rise to his face, made his breath come fast. His eyes shifted; he found himself staring across at Ragnar Hakonsson, and saw Ragnar staring back, his face hardened with lines of hate. Halli did not look away. Their eyes locked; their gazes met midway across the floor and wrestled silently, unnoticed amid the crowded hall. Beside them their parents bartered in businesslike tones, discussing the merits of specific fields and flocks, with the Council members joining in, making suggestions, quoting precedents. It was a legal tangle to be legally resolved. S
oon the matter of Brodir's killing would be over, the issue settled between the Houses . . . But Ragnar and Halli sat motionless, staring at each other, their wills moving together like stags, first one backing, then the other, neither giving ground.

  Helga of Thord's House allowed her voice to rise a little, rattling the ale cups on tables across the hall. 'Well, that much is done. Now we shall discuss our verdict.'

  'A moment, please!' It was Ragnar Hakonsson who spoke. Without taking his eyes off Halli, he stood abruptly and walked a little way into the centre of the hall. 'Before the worshipful Council makes its decision, I believe we are allowed to bring to your attention other matters pertaining to the case, if such there be. Is this correct?'

  The Chief Lawgiver nodded. 'That is so.'

  Hord Hakonsson sat forward urgently in his seat. 'Ragnar, what is this?'

  'Wait, Father, and you shall hear. I wish to bring a countercharge of murder, which – at the very least – will negate and nullify any wrong done to the Sveinssons. I talk of my uncle Olaf 's recent death. Prepare yourselves for a shock, but I have no doubt of it.' He stared at Halli, eyes glittering. 'His murderer sits here in this room.'

  At Ragnar's words, several of the Lawgivers audibly sucked in their breath and seats creaked as bottoms were adjusted into postures of fresh attention. Hord Hakonsson looked as surprised as anyone; he made frantic gestures at Ragnar, which were ignored.

  The Chief Lawgiver's voice was stern. 'This is a grave statement that needs justification.'

  'I can give it.' Ragnar bowed to the Council, then strode into the centre of the hall. Now he spoke to Halli, sitting pale and frozen in his place. 'My father,' Ragnar said softly, 'runs slower than I do. It took him time to cross the hall, to get to the window. So he saw nothing. But I saw. And I know.'

  'From a legal viewpoint your words are ever so slightly opaque,' Ulfar Arnesson called. 'Also, could you speak up a little? This is most exciting.'

  Ragnar's smile was thin. 'I think Halli Sveinsson understands me well enough.'