Kaarina: Rejected (Viking Guardians Book 2)

by Kaitlynn Clarkson

  “Pay me?” squeaked Kaarina.

  “Of course. You’re not a thrall. You’ve worked hard for your lodging and it’s only fair that you have some money of your own.”

  “Oh, thank you, Emiline!” exclaimed Kaarina. “In my village, I would work hard and get nothing. That’s the way it is. Women’s labor has little value.”

  “Well, not for me,” answered Emiline. “We do value the work that women do. And if they work hard and earn money, it is only right that they get to keep it.”

  “Well, that is one of your beliefs that I shall not argue with,” laughed Kaarina. She couldn’t imagine having her own money to spend as she pleased.

  That afternoon when she went to see Eira, the girls couldn’t stop talking about the upcoming markets. Kaarina and Eira had never been to the markets before and they listened wide-eyed as Sigrid and Frida tried to describe what they would see.

  “There are skalds that play beautiful music and recite poetry,” said Sigrid.

  “And we will sleep in a gizelt,” added Frida.

  “There are so many things to buy!” Sigrid told them with sparkling eyes. “Of course, you must have money. But it is fun to look.”

  “And not only at the wares,” sniggered Frida, digging Sigrid in the ribs.

  Sigrid blushed. “There are many young men at the markets,” she giggled.

  “Many marriages are arranged between people from the villages,” explained Frida. “Of course, our parents prefer us to meet someone we like but that happens sometimes at the markets, too. Just last year, our friend Helga married a young man she met while her family was selling dried fish!”

  Kaarina and Eira looked at one another. It seemed that a visit to the markets was a highlight in this part of the world.

  “But if you have nothing to sell, you stay home,” Sigrid said. “So, we’d better keep making things to sell. I would not wish to miss the markets for anything!”

  “Only the old people stay home,” Frida told them. “They care for the animals while everyone else is gone.”

  Kaarina gasped as the town of Fljót Hlið came into view. The villagers of her village had taken the coast road, a bumpy, rutted track with bog holes and the deep grooves worn by countless carts over the years. It rarely strayed out of sight of the ocean and required several water crossings manned by ferrymen who took them across in boats built for the purpose.

  But many others had come in longboats. Kaarina couldn’t believe how many skútas were tied up at the wharves and along the edges of the river that met the sea. Surely there couldn’t be that many people in the world! She was glad that the people of their village preferred to transport their wares in carts pulled by oxen. She was quite certain that she would die of fright if anyone ever asked her to get into a boat and travel across the ocean. The crossings they had already done were bad enough.

  Landwulf came to walk beside her.

  “It’s an exciting sight, isn’t it!” he exclaimed.

  “I suppose so,” she said uncertainly.

  He looked at her. “Have you been to the markets before?”

  “No, in our village only the men went.”

  “You will enjoy it, I promise,” he said. “Why don’t I show you around after we get set up?”

  “I’d like that,” she said. “It looks so big! I fear getting lost.”

  “You will not get lost. I will take care of you.”

  She smiled up at him. It was a good feeling to have someone like Landwulf to take care of her. She found herself looking forward to their visit to the markets; she could relax and enjoy the new experience now that she knew someone would be watching out for her.

  They made their way to a field next to the town where the markets were being set up. The women busied themselves readying the tents, erecting the skin structures and placing skins on the floors to sleep on. The men took the oxen to a nearby stream for a drink then tethered them in the animal holding area and gave them grain. The weary beasts were soon lying down, contentedly chewing their cuds.

  “At least the people that came by boat don’t have animals to care for,” said Gerfrid as he returned from the ox pen.

  Kaarina shuddered as she overheard him whilst helping Emiline prepare food. “That is a good thing,” she said. “Travelling by land is far safer.”

  “Have you ever been in a boat?” he asked.

  She shuddered again. “No. And I do not wish to.”

  “You know not what you are missing out on,” he teased. “Fear is robbing you of all the good things in life.”

  She shot him a sideways glare and turned her back on him. He wasn’t going to get the satisfaction of knowing that he’d annoyed her. She thought about Landwulf, who had never teased her about her fear of the water even though he knew more about her secret than anyone else. In her opinion, he was the best one of the brothers. She was looking forward to exploring the markets and she hoped that he remembered his promise to show her around.

  The following morning, trade was brisk. Emiline showed Kaarina what to do and how to count out change when a customer bought something. By the afternoon, she’d mastered the art of market selling. Their sales were steady and Kaarina was excited as she watched the money in her pouch grow. She would have to count it out with Emiline, of course. They would put some aside to buy more materials and then she could keep half of what remained. She wondered how it would feel to have money of her own to spend. Would she even know what to do with it?

  Emiline spent the afternoon purchasing household goods and other items that they needed. She bought hides from the tanner for making leather goods. She purchased several pottery items, soap, thread for weaving linen cloth and an assortment of metal clips and buckles for attaching to the leather goods she planned to make.

  “That was a good afternoon,” she beamed as she returned to their market table.

  The twins spotted her. “Muoter!” they cried, running towards her on chubby legs.

  “My babies! Did you miss me?” she exclaimed, scooping up one under each arm. It wasn’t often that she parted from them and she knew they were anxious without her.

  Kaarina laughed. “They kept me busy, especially with all the customers as well. We sold lots of cloth today.”

  Emiline nodded. “We have a reputation for making fine cloth,” she said. “People are eager to buy it and we usually cannot make enough to supply the demand.” She peered into the cart at the piles of cloth. “But since you helped me this time, maybe there will be enough.” She looked at Kaarina. “Go and enjoy yourself, dear. You’ve worked hard here today and I can manage until the market closes.”

  “Thank you, Emiline,’ Kaarina said gratefully, but she was reluctant to venture into the markets alone.

  Almost as if he’d overheard, Landwulf appeared. “Are you free for the rest of the day?” he asked.

  Kaarina smiled at him. “Emiline told me that I can spend some time looking around the markets,” she said. “But I know not where to go.”

  “Come with me,” Landwulf told her. “We shall explore the markets together. Do you have money?”

  Kaarina blushed. “No, I am afraid not. Emiline will pay me later but we have not worked out what she owes me yet.”

  Landwulf whistled in surprise. “Have you ever had money?” he asked.

  “No. Women in our village were not important enough to have their own money.”

  “Well, that is not the way it works here. The women get to keep what they earn by selling the things they make. Having money is important for a person to feel secure.”

  Kaarina marveled at his wisdom. “How do you know so much?” she asked.

  He looked at her in surprise. “Everyone knows these things,” he said.

  She shook her head vigorously. “No. I had never thought about money that way. No one in my village ever did, either. It was just accepted that the women would make things and the men would take them to the markets to sell them. No one ever thought that the women should get to keep
the money from the things they made.”

  “I guess my people see things differently,” Landwulf said thoughtfully. “We believe that each person should be compensated for their labor, regardless of who they are. That is the right thing to do.”

  Kaarina shook her head in disbelief. “You Christians are always surprising me,” she said.

  Landwulf grinned. “There is never a boring moment,” he said. “How about we explore the metalworkers’ section?”

  Kaarina gaped in astonishment at the sheer size of the metal market. She’d never seen so many people or goods in one place. Landwulf laughed and tucked her hand under his arm. She felt like a princess with her prince as they wandered along the rows of metal goods. Her heart swelled with an unfamiliar feeling as people turned to look at them together. It felt good to be with Landwulf.

  Next door to Emiline, Minna was counting the coins they’d made from selling their goods. She handed Eira the money pouch with her earnings in it. Eira looked inside and gasped.

  “Minna! I’ve never seen so much money,” she exclaimed.

  “Well, dear, you worked hard for it and it’s yours,” she said.

  Eira hugged her. “Thank you, Minna. You are so kind to me,” she said. “I have never had my own money before.”

  “Spend it wisely,” Minna advised. “Keep some for the future. You know not when you might need it.”

  “I will,” Eira promised.

  “Go, enjoy the markets,” Minna said. “You have worked hard today. Have some fun.”

  Eira didn’t need to be told twice. She wondered briefly where Kaarina was but she was determined not to waste this opportunity to see new things. She darted down the makeshift street before someone could stop her.

  She wandered through the metal markets, astounded by the beauty of many of the goods for sale. She’d never seen anything like it and her eyes feasted on each new treasure that she spied. Before she knew it, she’d wandered past the end of the metal market and into the farmers’ market. Chickens squawked, pigs squealed and children ran around as their mothers shrieked at them. Eira smiled; the farmers’ market wasn’t unlike her home village.

  “Eira!” said a familiar voice.

  Eira blinked and looked up. Who would be calling for her here? She knew no one.

  “Eira!” The call was more urgent this time.

  She looked around, then broke into a run.

  “Father!” she cried, throwing herself into Bjarni’s arms as tears cascaded down her cheeks.

  He caught her and held her tightly against him.

  “Eira,” he said again. “My little girl! I never expected to find you here!”

  “I did not expect to find you either, Father,” she sobbed. “I thought I would never see you again!”

  Bjarni brushed a tear from his cheek. “I thought you were safe with Taft, living in his village. What are you doing here?”

  “It is a long story, Father.”

  “Well, we had better sit to hear it,” he answered, leading her to his market stall.

  Two stools sat behind his crates of chickens and bags of grain. Eira was grateful to sit down; her legs felt wobbly.

  “Tell me of Mother,” she said eagerly. “Oh, I have missed home so much!” Fresh tears slid down her cheeks as she remembered the carefree days she’d spent roaming the forest and the village.

  “Your mother never changes,” Bjarni said drily. “Like a leaky roof when it drips in the night.”

  Eira giggled through her tears. “But you love her anyway,” she said. “Is she well?”

  “She is. We are getting older now and your brothers have many children between them. It is the time of life for us to slow down.”

  Eira couldn’t imagine her mother getting old and slowing down but as she looked at Bjarni, she could see that what he was saying was true; grey peppered his shining blonde hair and deep lines creased the corners of his eyes.

  “Tell me, how did you come to be here?” asked Bjarni. “I never wanted to banish you. I was forced into it.”

  “I know, Father. I do not blame you.”

  “And your gift? Has it led to problems in your new life?”

  “Not directly. I have learned how to keep it to myself.”

  “But?”

  “When I arrived at Taft’s village, word got out that I’d been accused of witchcraft. I was almost killed before I even found Taft.”

  Bjarni gasped. “I would never have consented to you being sent there if I had known. I believed you would be safe there.”

  “Taft is a cruel and angry man, Father. He deeply resented my presence in his house. Eventually, there was a fight because of me and I left the village and lived in the woods. But Halvar found me.”

  “Who is Halvar?”

  “He is the village chief.”

  “And he is special to you, yes?” Bjarni asked with a sly grin.

  “He is,” Eira said, her eyes shining. “We are hoping to wed soon. But neither of us has parents to arrange it for us.”

  “That still does not tell me how you came to be here.”

  “After the fight, I realized that I would never be safe living in the village. I could not live all year in the forest, either, so Halvar brought me over the mountains to the coast. We live in the coastal village of Merilant.”

  “Merilant? That doesn’t sound like a word in our tongue.”

  “It is the language of the Alemanni people.”

  “You live among foreigners?”

  “They are sabbatati Christians and I serve with one family as domestic help. They welcome anyone who needs a home for they have also been homeless in their past. Remember that, Father. If you ever need to flee from the village, you are welcome in Merilant.”

  “It is a terrible tale that you tell, Daughter. But I am glad that you are happy and safe now. Where is this young man you are fond of?”

  A shadow fell across Eira’s face. “He is back at his home village,” she admitted. “Some of the young men came from there and begged for his help. They said Taft planned to attack the village after the snow melted. I can only pray for his safety.”

  “Your mother’s brother is not the man I thought he was,” muttered Bjarni. “He was harsh and unkind when we married. But I had no idea that he would turn out to be an enemy of his own kin.”

  “Don’t blame yourself, Father. You were not to know. I am so glad I found you again.” She took his large, weathered hand. “Please give Mother my love. I have missed you both so much.”

  “She misses you more than she will admit,” Bjarni said. “She will be glad to know that I have seen you and that you are well.”

  “What of the village since I left? Is there peace now?”

  “Do you really think there would be? There is always something for the people to grumble about. Sometimes I fear that they will no longer want me to be the chief.” Bjarni’s words were light but concern creased his brow.

  Eira realized that he wasn’t telling her the complete story for fear that she would worry about them. “Father, just remember what I told you. You will always be welcome in the village of Merilant.”

  “I will,” he promised.

  Later, as she snuggled into the blankets beside Frida and Sigrid, Eira couldn’t sleep because she was thinking about her parents. She was overjoyed that she’d found her father again but concerned about the state of affairs in the village. She knew that several troublemakers called it home. She just hoped that her father had the wisdom and courage to do the right thing even when he faced opposition. No one could fault a village leader who was wise and strong.

  CHAPTER 6

  “S o long dear friend. See you on the other side,” Halvar spoke the solemn words as three young men carefully laid Harald’s body in the pit they’d dug. Beside him lay his wife, Gudrun, who’d perished in the fire. They’d tried to keep all family members together in the mass grave. They placed those they couldn't identify at the far end of the pit.

  It was a grim, t
hankless task, but Halvar was determined that these people who’d been part of his life for so long would have the best sendoff they could manage under the circumstances. There would be no ale or mead, no feasting, no celebration of a life well-lived. Just a simple remembrance ceremony under the canopy of the weeping sky. It was all the traumatized survivors could manage.

  That night, crammed into the barn with everyone else, Halvar thought about what to do next. There was no way the people were ready for a journey over the mountains, even with the warmer weather starting to melt the snow. Some of them were old and others were injured. They would need to wait until conditions were more favorable if they were to make it to the coast. But if they stayed here for too long, they risked starvation. There was no way they would have enough food to last until the crops grew again. Staying wasn’t a long-term option.

  Halvar sighed as the responsibilities he now faced pressed against the heavy weight of grief in his chest.

  But at least there had been one bright moment that brightened the gloom of grief and survivors’ shock. They had found Canute. Halvar remembered the joy he’d felt when he’d spotted his old friend crawling out of the ruins of a pit house, injured but alive.

  “Canute!” he’d exclaimed, running to help the wounded man get to his feet. “What did they do to you?”

  “I was lucky,” Canute had replied, his face screwed up from the pain of his injuries. “Taft spared me because he wanted information about you and Kaarina.”

  “So that’s what this was all about,” Halvar had said bitterly. “We weren’t here so he destroyed the village.”

  “They attacked at dawn while everyone was sleeping,” Canute replied.