Hughnot shook his head heavily, leaning forward. He had a seax in his hands, and he was playing with it deftly. He pointed it at Father. ‘As has been agreed? Such agreements have changed now. I said “in our family”,’ Hughnot stated. ‘Yours and mine. We are that, never forget. A family. You have the same blood running in your veins as I do, only thinner like a muddy river that has run too far from its roots. Hrolf here grew up to be much like his father. You two are very unlike your father, very much so. One,’ he said and pointed at Hulderic, ‘is meek, and silent. Soft I thought you to be, but you are not, but you disdain power.’ The silence was terrible, the insult enough for a feud. But Hulderic said nothing, his back tense and I wanted to kick him into action. ‘The other,’ Hughnot said, ‘lacks something else.’ Bravery. That was his lost word, but he didn’t utter it. He slammed the blade into the bench. ‘There are no two families here anymore, like we agreed with Friednot. That is done with. Now we have only one. Our roots are in Gothonia, my friends, and while we rule two gaus, in truth we are but one. Always were. Hrolf is your equal because I rule Hrolf. Hrolf is not equal to me. But he is to you.’
And there it was. He considered himself our lords. It made Bero cringe, Maino sputter, the champions of the Bear’s shift in their feet and many crumbled angrily at the insults. Hughnot said nothing back, but stared at the lot, anticipating the mood. There were many who shook their heads at his words, but others looked down, thinking deeply
Hulderic, gathering his calm, grunted. ‘Thinner blood, eh? Perhaps the river that runs far from its roots is clear rather than muddy? No, we are free, powerful as forged Celt steel sword. Hughnot eyed the Head Taker, held by Bero. ‘I say,’ Hulderic growled, ‘that we are not less than our father, Hughnot. Do not assume so. That is an insult and insults do not lead to smiles and happiness. Especially if one has fewer men than the other.’
‘I agree,’ Bero said nervously. ‘Hrolf is your adeling, but our adelings are equal to him.’
‘Truly?’ Hughnot said softly, his jaw tight. He slapped his knee. ‘I apologize, Hulderic,’ Hughnot said, with a cruel smile on his face, ‘but I understand Bero here should rule us. I say I should. I have earnt the right. I am old, wily, wise, and my brother’s right hand. I made him great, and well you know it. What say you, Bero the lord of the Bears?’ The voice was mocking, and not lost on Bero. ‘Do you think you equal me in stature? Truly?’
‘I—‘ Hulderic began, but Hughnot shook his head.
‘I asked him,’ he roared and pointed his finger at the twisted lord.
Bero tried. He lifted his chin and eyed Hughnot with disdain. ‘The family is one. I agree. The rulership is not. Marka is the capital of our alliance. The ring is here, with me. The issue was decided when I married and so it shall be, no matter my age. We decide the rulership of this gau amongst our people, you yours, and you shall follow my banner in the future. You and Hrolf. Things will not change,’ Bero stated with a nervous stutter. The shields on our side were thrumming from being struck by the spear shafts, which emboldened Bero. ‘Family we are, but this is not land where you, or your son have a say on matters of its free men. In this Thing, we decide on common issues, but not on who is equal to whom. Aye,’ Bero said, gathering strength from some cheering nobles, ‘Things decide many things, and we sit here now, and in the future, but what Friednot once was, I am now.’
‘But you are not,’ Hrolf said darkly. ‘You are not the Thiuda. We elect war-kings for wars, and since we are always at war, Friednot was one for decades. But he is dead now and the spot is not something you inherit because of a band of gold, Bero.’
‘I say it is, because this band of gold, this ring was Friednot’s and gave him his authority,’ Bero told the boy, who sneered.
Hughnot grunted. ‘To the business at hand then. The Black Goths have agreed I and Hrolf shall be Thiuda, the war kings of our confederation,’ Hughnot said darkly. ‘We are changing the old ways.’
‘Well,’ Hulderic stated. ‘Bero will be ours. And yours. Did you truly ask your men to lift you over the rightful wearer of Draupnir?’ Hulderic’s eyes went over the men of the northern gau. Some were steady, many were not, looking down and away. The faces of the Black Goths gave little away, but many eyed Bero’s ring.
Hughnot’s eyes also went to the ring on Bero’s finger. That made our Thiuda the leader of the two gaus and that was the truth. The two Black Goths stared at us, until Hughnot sighed. He waved his hand. ‘Here it is, nephews. The fact remains that the … Bear Goths are more numerous than the Black ones. Your battles with the Svearna are not as frequent as ours. Svearna, and raiders from the coasts find us easier prey since we are the northernmost Goths, live across the Long-Lake, isolated, and so we must suffer more than you do, who have other Goths to the south. Even the Saxons find our land alluring, often rowing their ships past your land, and the Boat-Lord, our relative and a fellow Goth might soon attack us. Guess where he shall begin? He will burn our halls first, and you will help us, of course, but we will be the ones to suffer.’
‘Powerful case,’ Aldbert whispered. ‘Well practiced.’
‘Perhaps true,’ I retorted.
Hughnot went on. ‘With Friednot we had ties of blood. Yes, with you as well, but not as thick and strong as they were before and I mean no insult, this time. He was a strong leader. He anticipated trouble like a bloodhound would. We worked well together. With him in the rudder of this confederacy, we did well enough. My people suffered fewer losses when Friednot ruled. Svearna will raid harder now. Very hard, as they seem to be up to no good. They will bring thousands and they will do so in the winter as well. We need something new for our future. Something better.’ Hughnot’s men thrummed their shields briefly. ‘We need to take war to them. And we have to drive them out, far away. And that means we have to risk what Friednot didn’t wish to risk. Our lands. We have to risk war, and accept the need to conquer in order to grow. We have to risk our lives and crops. I can lead that effort. Hrolf will learn.’ His eyes went to Bero. ‘Our northern people do not trust you, though. Ring. Or no ring. Will the ring change Bero into a savage warlord as he leads us west? Or east? I doubt it.’
Bero grunted and there was an awkward silence. He said nothing, but stared forward and I saw there was a film of sweat on his forehead. Aldbert was frowning and Hulderic was fidgeting, and cursing Bero’s silence softly. ‘Lord uncle,’ Hulderic said respectfully after a while. ‘I say it is hard for a man to decide if a coming winter will be deadly beforehand. You have to endure it and see what happens. Perhaps the Svearna will not come? Perhaps they will see us still strongly united as they have always seen us. Yea, you suffer more than we do, but never have they tried to dislodge you. What we need is unity. But to go to war? Perhaps we should find out more about the threat, lord? More about the girl that was to be married to the Boat-Lord? Your brother stopped that, and perhaps that gives us time to act. Many things need clarity. Where would we strike? Against our brethren, the Boat-Lord’s men? Against those Svearna who trade with us, still? Or beyond? We don’t know who leads them.’
‘I know who leads the ones who plan to destroy us,’ Hrolf said and Hughnot slapped a hand on his shoulder.
‘Oh?’ Hulderic asked, cocking his head. ‘Tell us.’
Hughnot looked like he was munching on a rock, grinding it to bits. Then he answered. ‘One Gislin. Lord of Snowlake, a wealthy hill fort some days away, beyond Long-Lake, further than the Three Forks, the rivers of the west. I learnt it from a trader. I’ll say no more of it.’ And there was more, as Hulderic and Bero eyed each other with confusion.
‘Did Friednot know?’ Bero asked him.
‘Yes,’ Hughnot said. ‘He did.’
‘Is the girl related to him?’ Hulderic insisted. ‘This Gislin?’
‘Might be,’ Hughnot answered, glowering darkly. ‘But we are not here to discuss strategy. We are here to discuss who will make it. I’m not inclined to wait until they butcher us.’
Hulderic nodded as
he thought about it and waved his hand. ‘I say sit tight on your throne, lord, in the north and trust we will prove to be careful protectors of all our interests. We will be hounds now, Hughnot. Keen, bloodthirsty and loyal to our family, to our ancient agreements. And perhaps we shall go to war together, but under the Bear banner. Does this please you?’ Hulderic asked his brother and Bero nodded stiffly and Hrolf my father like he would a corpse. The twisted Bero cringed as Hughnot straightened his back slowly, and stood up. He pointed a finger at Bero.
‘I want,’ Hughnot said softly, his eyes glowing and voice crackling with impatience, ‘Hrolf to live in the Bone-Hall. I want you to respect him like you did Friednot. And then we shall plan for war and for peace and that is the way of it. I’ll not discuss this further.’
The silence that followed was so heavy you could hear a horse farting in the halls nearby. Danr and Eadwine, Bero’s warlords were stroking their beards. Ingulf and Ingo were staring resolutely at every champion present and I noticed they held hands on their ax hilts. Aldbert leaned on me. ‘That is why he didn’t want the gods blessing on the Thing. If he is rejected, there was no real Thing, was there? Just a group of idiots refusing to see his wisdom.’
Aldbert’s whispered words didn’t carry to anyone’s ears, but they did release everyone else to whisper as well. The Bear Goths were muttering angrily, though not everyone looked upset at the threat Hughnot was making. Eyes were glinting in the ranks of nobles on our side and the fact was not lost on Bero. Hulderic saw it as well and flashed a look at Bero. The twisted lord swallowed and shook his head. ‘This is not a decision for today.’
‘Not for today?’ Hughnot asked softly. ‘Why not?’
‘I will have to consult a vitka,’ Bero said slowly. ‘And I will decide this only after my son’s issues have been dealt with.’
‘What issues are those?’ Hrolf sneered. ‘What issues might Maino have that are more important than the rulership of our people? I would think he can speak for himself? Or has he fallen over his ax and swallowed his tongue? Gotten lost in a mug of ale?’
Maino growled. ‘I—‘
‘Come, stand up, I cannot hear you!’ Hrolf yelled.
Maino did and it did take away the smile from Hrolf’s lips, because Maino had a reputation and it was no less than Hrolf’s. He spoke surprisingly strongly. ‘I will not have you lot spoil the night of my marriage to the Svea girl.’ Hughnot frowned at the news. If the girl was the one that had been planned on to cement the alliance between the Boat-Lord and the Svearna, this Gislin, then it would not suit Hughnot Maino married her. The angry reaction on his face told us that.
But someone else reacted more strongly.
‘Marriage?’ the question was growled so loudly it reverberated across the meeting. Hundreds of people turned to look at the source. Aldbert, and Father as well, their eyes scouring me feverishly, as I had uttered the word.
‘To Snow-Flower,’ Maino said with a sneer, turning to me. ‘Happy you spoke up. You see, I need to pay her father a dowry. And you, Maroboodus shall provide it. You’ll do it for the insult, the cowardly attack on me during the battle. Your father has agreed to this. Six cows and a horse. And you shall bring them to me, drag them to their new master and ask for pardon, cousin.’
‘You want me to pay for your dowry?’ I growled. ‘You wish me to apologize to you?’
‘Yes, cousin. You will bless my marriage with your gifts,’ he grinned. ‘I’ll tell her it was the red-haired dolt who thinks he saved her, that paid so handsomely for our bliss.’
Bero raised his hand. ‘We will speak again tomorrow, Hughnot. The Bear clan needs to sit down with its family heads. In the meantime, let us deal with these unpleasant matters, and pleasant ones as well.’ In that meeting of the families that would take place in a moment’s time, I decided, they would threaten the lords of the houses, bribe others and Hughnot would be left powerless. The wily Goth knew they would risk much if they chose young Hrolf as the new lord, but they had listened to the northern lord even then and would reap some rewards from Bero.
Hughnot nodded tiredly, and wiped his hand across his eyes. ‘By all means, discuss the matter. But we are not changing our point of view. And we deserve better from you. And,’ he said with a strong voice that brooked no argument, ‘none shall marry the girl. None, before our issues are settled.’
Bero and Hulderic stared at him and the twisted lord gathered some of his pride, as he ignored the threat. ‘We shall decide on that, Hughnot. And now,’ Bero said, visibly relieved by not having to decide anything right at that moment, turned to us, ‘we have to discuss the apology.’
Hulderic squared his shoulders and got up. ‘We had an unfortunate fight between the boys, that is all. He will—’
And that is when Maino could not keep his mouth shut. ‘He attacked me like a true coward,’ Maino sneered and I reddened as men’s faces turned my way.
‘A coward who killed both chiefs,’ I said icily.
‘I killed Cuthbert, and chased the other one to your limp spear,’ he retorted. ‘I will want two boats in addition to what your agreement was. Two. After all,’ he laughed, ‘I’ll have to feed my future wife. And our many beautiful children.’
I felt sweat trickle down my face and cursed him profusely, and felt Aldbert tug at my thumb for some reason. I glanced at him, and saw him trying to calm me down, but he was also terrified.
Hulderic looked at Bero, who was supremely bothered, his eyes drifting to Hughnot. Finally, he agreed with his boy’s claim. ‘The cows will be paid. The horses. And one of the two boats you were promised, Hulderic.’
Hulderic shuddered with anger, but nodded and spoke coldly. ‘Four cows.’
‘He said—‘ Maino began, but Hulderic got up.
‘I said four cows, whelp,’ Hulderic said slowly and with a clipped threat in his voice. ‘It will be four cows and a boat and not a single horse. If you wish for Maroboodus to bring them to you, this is the price. You pay the rest of the dowry by yourself, boy, and that is your duty, not ours. You are stretching your luck, Maino, and I think I will be insulted very soon.’ It was a clear challenge, but not one Maino wanted to take. His beady eyes glittered angrily and then he bowed stiffly.
‘Four,’ Bero said with a cold smile. ‘One boat.’
They were speaking of it as if I was not there, and I felt rage tearing me apart inside. My fingers thrummed the hilt of my cudgel.
‘And your boy will bend a knee before me,’ Maino added with a throaty, thick voice full of malice. ‘And he will give Snow-Flower to my hand in the wedding. He will bring her to me and stand and smile while we are wed.’
Bero covered his face with his hand, and cursed softly, unable to control the idiot.
Hulderic gave a guttural laugh and regarded him. ‘Deal. May she bring you misery, Maino. You are not a gracious winner and she does not care for you. Who would? You are not worthy of her and one can only hope Bero will have more sons, and the wise gods will give them more blessings. You will die sad and reviled one day, Maino. It is evident as an eye in a head.’
Bero touched his shield’s wooden frame at the terrible words and Maino’s lips quivered as he tried his best to ignore Hulderic. He pointed his finger my way. ‘Get the apology over with now, Maroboodus.’
Hundreds of mocking eyes turned to look at me, enjoying the humiliation, no matter what they thought of Maino. I stood up, and took a faltering step forward, ignoring the stern look Hulderic gave me, the eyes of Bero, begging I would behave and the calming whisperings of Aldbert. I hefted my shield, held my back straight and walked to Maino, who came to stand before me. I was tall as a tree, but Maino was taller and I resented the fact I had to look up in order to gaze into his brutish eyes. He pursed his lips and kicked the dust before him. ‘On your knees. And you will tell me you are so sorry, with such a miserable, sad voice that even I am convinced of your sincerity. And I do not get convinced easily, cousin.’
My knees felt like they were made of ha
mmered iron, as if they were tough spear points and would not bend. To kneel and go before Maino? Impossible. My lips moved, but only barely. And what came out was not an apology. ‘Your ale.’
‘My what?’ he asked with incredulity. ‘He is addled!’ Maino yelled. ‘Frightened beyond his wits.’ Men laughed, women tittered.
‘The day of the battle, cousin,’ I said surprisingly steadily. ‘I spat in your ale that day, when you took your piss. And you drank it down like the very best of drinks. You enjoyed my snot, you filth, and let my vomit travel your throat as if it was brewed by the handmaidens of Frigg themselves. You grinned like a child, Maino. You gobbled down my phlegm, dear cousin. It was like this.’ And I spat on his face.
He stared at me. Hrolf laughed with a surprised, high voice.
In a few minutes’ time, a dozen men had managed to wrestle Maino off me. I had bruises on my neck, some on my sides, but Maino’s nose was bleeding. He had a feral, dog-like look on his face. His lips were drawn back, his teeth bared and yellow and his eyes were bloodshot as Danr and Eadwine held him. Dubbe and Sigmundr were sitting on me and I smiled at Maino. ‘Girl,’ I called him. ‘Ugly, useless bit of lard. You go and hump your cows, idiot cousin. That’s all you are good for.’
‘I’ll show you who I shall—‘
‘Silence!’ Hughnot yelled.
Bero growled and slammed his shield down on a bench, silencing everyone. He got up and stood before me. ‘Will you agree to his terms? Do it, Maroboodus, and save us this trouble. You’ve had your fun, now obey!’
‘I’ll fight him, and then I’ll kneel next to him. I’ll beat him senseless and tell him how sorry I am when he is weeping sadly!’
‘Yes, fight!’ Maino growled. ‘Now!’
‘No!’ Hulderic said.
‘Yes,’ I hissed. ‘Let him prepare first. Get the ax, get the mail you likely robbed from my kills.’
Bero rushed to my side and kneeled. He leaned closer and growled at the men to step away. They did and he whispered to me. ‘We don’t need this,’ he hissed at me, trying to avoid looking at Hughnot. ‘You know this. You must know this. He benefits from that.’ He nodded towards the Black Goths.
Maroboodus: A Novel of Germania (The Goth Chronicles Book 1) Page 12