Lord of the Mountains

by Sabrina Jarema

  “I’ll tell Birgitta to make certain you get some.”

  “My thanks. Believe me.”

  Magnus sat down with his plate as Eirik made his way across the crowded room toward Asa. But Magnus didn’t eat. This was it. Tonight held his future. A marriage, an increase in strength and political power, and a war averted. Or at least prepared for. He watched his people gather around Asa. This was the difference between life and death for them. If Toke attacked him every time he sailed past the coward’s fjord, it jeopardized Magnus’s ability to get to the markets. One of these days, they might lose a battle and their cargo. Trading was essential to their survival.

  Longships and warriors were all well and good. But would he be able to afford Silvi’s bride-price? He’d been ruthless with Asa’s, wanting more for her than a king’s daughter was worth. Would Eirik return the favor for Silvi? Magnus had the gold he’d received for Asa. He’d planned to use it to support the village. Now it might go right back where it came from, in which case getting to market would be even more imperative. Of course, at that point, he’d have the longships.

  And Silvi.

  * * *

  “How old do you think the boy was?” Eirik leaned back in his chair and propped his ankle on his knee, a cup of ale in his hand.

  Magnus sighed. “Not more than fourteen winters, I would say. Our youth often begin fighting by then, but it was a shock to see him. If only I’d looked first.”

  “If he had been a skilled warrior, and you hesitated, you’d be dead. You did the only thing you could do. React.”

  “I could have taught him a good lesson and sent him back to his idiot father.”

  “Even young children have been known to exact revenge killings on their families’ enemies. The boy probably would have grown up in Toke’s footsteps and continued to attack you.”

  “At least he would have grown up. I could have handled the rest of it. I’ll see his face before me as he went into the water for a long time.” Eirik had, no doubt, seen much worse when he’d gone raiding throughout the world with Rorik. When all was said and done, Magnus was just a trader. He fought when he had to, but only when forced. Killing never came easy.

  The celebration of Asa’s return had gone on until well after dark. Some of the warriors were still drinking in the common room when he’d given up and caught Eirik’s eye. They’d left just as a brawl was threatening to start. As they’d closed the door to the meeting room, fists had begun flying. As long as no weapons were involved, or they didn’t break too much furniture, he didn’t care. The women had gone to bed earlier, so he let the men enjoy themselves.

  He’d related the details of the battle to Eirik, including Toke’s threat to destroy anything Magnus held.

  “I wanted you to know where things stand before we speak of my marrying Silvi.”

  Eirik inclined his head. “I appreciate your honesty. It makes me uncomfortable to know Toke could target this place again. That is, if he was behind the outcasts’ attacks this past winter.”

  “He lives over the mountain in the valley to the southeast, but he’s not strong enough to attack Thorsfjell. He needed others to do it for him, and they’re all dead now. Only thugs would follow him, which gave him a connection with those outlaws over the winter. He’s too much of a fool for many men to follow him. Besides, he doesn’t have the money to attract the honorable ones, and I do. It’s part of the reason he resents me.”

  Magnus took a drink of ale. “Where I’m vulnerable is on the water. Rorik’s ships can’t stay here forever. The entrance to Toke’s fjord is right next to mine leading into the Sognefjorden and he could waylay me again and again. He has smaller knörrs, but he got a longship from somewhere and can still do some damage to me. This time he got more than he bargained for—a dead son and another enemy. One of these days, though, he could get lucky. Silvi won’t be going to the markets with us. If she stays here, she will be safe.”

  He leaned forward. “I need those three ships you offered me. And the warriors. And the gold to support them. I could put an end to his pirating. All the other jarls and merchants in this region would be beholden to me. That would strengthen my position. If the offer is still open, that is.” He waited.

  Eirik didn’t answer. He drew a pattern in a puddle that their cups had left on the table. He’d done that before, when they were negotiating for Asa. Then he regarded Magnus, his eyes sharp.

  “The offer still stands. I think you’re strong enough here to repel any direct attacks, as you did with that bunch over the winter.”

  “I’ve thought of what you said when you cast my runes back then.” The casting had haunted him ever since. “You said I tend to hesitate, and it would cause harm to someone I love. I did so with Asa, and it almost ruined her life. I think I do it because I’m concerned about making the right decision. I’ve considered attacking Toke first this time, do some damage to him as a warning. But he’d run, and the only thing I’d hurt would be the people of Bygvik. They’ve suffered enough.”

  “You could take this to the Thing when it meets in a couple of months. All free men will be at the gathering and will hear your grievances. He attacked you with no provocation. They can vote on what should be done to resolve this.”

  “That’s weeks off. I need to get to the markets before then. It’s something to keep in mind, yes. Even if they might vote in my favor, it’s still up to me to enforce whatever they might decide. I don’t see gaining any revenge from them I can’t do for myself.”

  “You called Toke a nithingr. He has the right to try to kill you for that. You could let him make the attempt, then slay him.”

  “He’ll never try.”

  “Then I suppose we have a marriage to negotiate.”

  “We’ve already negotiated the dowry. That leaves only the bride-price.” Magnus wanted to hold his breath, but Eirik would notice. It would give him an advantage to know how much Magnus wanted Silvi. Eirik also had a lot to lose if Silvi made good on her desire to become a priestess. She would be lost to them all.

  Eirik smiled, just a bit. “I know you have the gold from Asa’s bride-price, since I gave it to you at the wedding.” He paused and their eyes met and clashed. “Half of that. It’s not that I think Silvi’s worth so much less. Quite the contrary. But the bride-price you wanted for Asa was exorbitant, and we both know it. Though she’s worth every coin and then some. Besides, you have need of it. It’s still a large sum. It doesn’t insult Silvi. In fact, it would even things out, for us both to receive the same amount.”

  “Done.” Magnus shook his head. “Do we have any other female relatives between us? We can just keep on exchanging the same pile of gold back and forth.”

  Eirik laughed. “There’s always Leif and Kaia. But that’s Rorik’s business, and I’m not getting involved with that.”

  “Nor I.” They raised their cups to each other.

  Eirik leaned back and regarded his ale. Magnus waited. He had come to know Eirik very well during the long winter. There was more.

  Eirik’s eyes narrowed. “I won’t force her to marry, just as we didn’t force Asa to marry me. It’ll be up to you to convince her.”

  “I’d like to be the one to tell her. After we’ve had a little time to get to know each other. I’ll show her around Thorsfjell, introduce her to the people here. If she can accept them, it might make it easier for her to accept this marriage.”

  “Don’t be too surprised if she already knows about it.” Eirik held his hand up, palm out. “I don’t mean through visions or runes. She’s a very smart, sensible woman. She can figure it out. We had her bring almost all her possessions with her. She doesn’t have much. Things mean little to her. But it was more than she would need for a short stay. If she agrees, and only if she agrees, we can have the handsal, sealing the contract. With all these warriors staying here, we won’t have any problem finding six men to witness it.”

  “Agreed.” He rubbed the bridge of his nose. “I just wish I understood he
r better.”

  “If you are to marry her, first thing tomorrow is as good a time to start as any.”

  “In other words, you don’t understand her either.”

  “I’m not certain I even understand Asa yet, though at least she’s a warrior. That puts us on somewhat even footing. Silvi can be practical when she needs to be. She was trained to run a household, but any woman can do that.”

  “You mean in between doing whatever it is she does for the gods.”

  “She brings a connection to the gods, yes, which never hurts. She’s also a rune reader, a healer, and is versed in the ways of the ancient wisdom and herb-lore. She is wise and compassionate, thinking of others before herself. And I’m certain you’ve noticed her beauty. She’ll be a good wife once she accepts it.”

  Magnus leaned back. “I thought we started this conversation with me trying to convince you. Now it sounds like you’re trying to convince me.”

  “All that matters is that you convince her. And if it doesn’t work, my mother may step in. She doesn’t want to lose Silvi to these foolish dreams of hers any more than I do.” He sighed. “Believe me, my mother may not be a warrior, but she always knows just where to strike.”

  Chapter Four

  “May I join you?”

  Silvi looked up from her breakfast straight into Magnus’s eyes. They were very blue this morning. His hair was freshly washed and combed, and he wore narrow trousers and a fine linen shirt, open at his throat. His belt had an intricate gold buckle and he wore a gold twisted-wire wrist cuff. He hadn’t been dressed so well yesterday, but then, he hadn’t been expecting them. He held a plate full of sausages. He must like them; he’d eaten them at last night’s meal also.

  “Silvi?”

  “Of course. Please.” She played with the spoon in her porridge as he slid onto the bench opposite her.

  “Did you sleep well last night?” He nodded his thanks to Birgitta, who brought him a mug of buttermilk.

  “I don’t remember climbing into bed at all. I hadn’t slept well on the ship, so I was more tired than I thought.”

  “You didn’t hear the brawl?”

  “What brawl?”

  “The one in here last night. It went on for quite a while. Several of my men won’t be reporting for work today. They have splitting heads from either too much beer or too much fighting.”

  She smiled and ducked her head. “I didn’t hear anything. I truly needed to sleep.”

  “It must have been unnerving being on a ship for the first time.”

  “That wasn’t why I didn’t sleep.” She set down her spoon. “I was so excited. There were sounds I wasn’t accustomed to, like the waves against the sides of the ship, the wind in the sails, the men talking through the night. The rocking should have put me to sleep, but instead I wanted to be out there, standing at the bow, watching the moon’s light on the water.”

  He grinned at her and her heart paused. “You liked being on the ship?”

  “Oh, yes. I wasn’t certain I would at first. It made me realize how big the world is, and that was a bit frightening. But I soon grew to love it.”

  He chuckled. “You only sailed for a couple of days, and much of that was along the fjords. That wasn’t even a small bit of our own land, much less the world. You could spend a lifetime sailing and never glimpse most of it.”

  “I know. Eirik sailed with Rorik for three years. He said it took months to get to some of the places. I can’t imagine that.”

  “It takes six months to reach Miklagard. If you arrive there at all. It’s very dangerous in the rivers. My father was killed near one of the rapids when they portaged their ship.”

  “I’m sorry, Magnus. That must have been difficult.”

  “It was. I was too young to assume the title, but I did what I had to do. And Leif made it home, so at least there was that.”

  “Your family is very close. I saw it when you were at Haardvik.”

  “After our father’s death, our mother chose to return to her homeland, so we only had each other to depend on. I took what he left us and built on it. I don’t travel the eastern routes, as he did. I go only to the closer markets like Kaupang, Birka, Hedeby, and Paviken in Gotland.”

  “Judging from what I’ve seen here, you’ve done very well.”

  “You haven’t seen much yet. Would you like to come with me around Thorsfjell when we’re finished with breakfast? I need to speak to some of the people about their cargo for our first trip. It would do you some good to get out and walk a bit after being on the boat. It’s not usually this warm so early in the spring this far in the interior, so we’d best enjoy the fine day while we can. We might still have a couple of months of cold ahead of us.”

  She did want to see the village, but she’d thought she would go with Lifa that afternoon. Her mother was out reading runes for the women until then. Still, if Eirik was going to ask her to marry Magnus, she’d best find out what manner of man he was. Marriage wasn’t something she wanted, but it would be difficult to fight both her brother and mother. And Magnus. If he wanted her. It didn’t seem to matter what she wanted.

  “Of course I’ll go with you.”

  He nodded and turned to his breakfast. She nibbled at her porridge. If they were married, would they have other mornings like this? Eating together and discussing the days’ events? Would they have arisen from the same bed? Would he have . . .

  She lost her appetite. Setting down her spoon, she took a sip of milk. It would calm her stomach. The last thing she needed now was for the pain to begin.

  People in the common room interrupted Magnus to ask his advice or to let him know of difficulties they were having. His warriors stopped at the table to receive their orders. He dealt with all of it as though born to it. Which he was. His power flowed from him, as much a part of him as his arms. Strong, well-made arms.

  To get away from that particular line of thought, she glanced around the room. Leif and Asa were in the far corner, playing tafl, from the looks of it. Leif didn’t seem pleased. Asa gave him a smile that made him wince. She’d seen Asa use that smile on Eirik, and it didn’t bode well.

  Asa made a move, then took one of Leif’s pieces. He clutched his chest as though he’d been wounded, studied the board, and moved another piece. As Asa countered his move, Kaia walked past, toward the open door. She was long-legged and tall, as were most shieldmaidens. Her black hair was braided behind her and she had her hand on the hilt of her sword.

  Leif leaned back against the wall behind him. “Kaia, why don’t you come and help me here? My sister has mortally wounded me and my king is threatened. Again.”

  Without pausing, she said, “I don’t heal wounds. I cause them.” As she strode out of the door, the other warriors hooted in appreciation. Leif burst out laughing. Silvi smiled as well. Although her cousin intimidated her, she had always liked her.

  “You’d think Leif would know how to handle a shieldmaiden since our sister is one,” Magnus said.

  Silvi shook her head. “There’s no handling Kaia. Not even Rorik tries, and you know what he’s like. Kings don’t challenge him, but she does. I think he likes it, though. But then, she’s his sister, so it doesn’t count. Everyone else bows and scrapes to him. It must get old. Someone has to knock him back a bit.”

  “What would he do if he ever found a woman like that?”

  “I don’t think she exists. They see him and fall at his feet. Do whatever he wants. It’s always been that way and he expects it now.”

  “I agree. That would get old.” His smile was warm. “Better a bit of a challenge. That makes it all the more appreciated when it does come.”

  Heat rose in her cheeks.

  He stood and held out his hand. “Are you finished?”

  She stared at his hand for a moment. No man touched her. But then, no man other than her brother and her father had ever looked into her eyes before, either. And if he became her husband, he would do much more than that. It wouldn’t be wise to a
ntagonize him. She put her fingers on his palm.

  He led her out into the bright yard. Young boys ran past them, yelling, brandishing wooden swords. Women and girls sat outside, weaving ribbons on board looms, enjoying the unusually warm weather. An old man sat on a barrel, carving a soapstone bowl. Everyone greeted them, and when he introduced her as Eirik’s sister, the women gathered around her.

  “Silvi is a rune reader like Eirik is,” Magnus said. “I hear she’s very good.”

  One woman pressed a beautiful piece of ribbon into her hands. “Eirik made a rune for my child when he was sick. He got well. I will always be grateful.”

  “It was my brother, not me.” She tried to give it back.

  “It is what you do as well. My thanks.” The woman stepped away.

  Another said, “He read my runes and told me I should speak to a man I’ve had my eye on. I did, and now we’re going to marry this fall.”

  “He told me I would bear a child this year.” A young woman placed a hand on her belly. “I haven’t even told my husband yet, but I think Eirik was right.”

  The women crowded even closer. “Would you read mine, mistress? Please see what my future holds.” One of them reached for her.

  Magnus glanced at her, his hand tightening around hers. “It has been a long voyage for Silvi. She might not be ready for that yet.”

  People never came too close to her at home. They loved her, but respected her need to remain apart. These women didn’t know that. Didn’t know her. Such peace and warmth came from them that she wanted to bask in it. It was strange and wonderful. “It’s all right, Magnus. I don’t mind. I did, after all, bring my set. I can read for anyone who wishes it.”

  “In a few days,” Magnus said. “When you’re better rested.”

  As the women thanked her, joy filled her. Always in Haardvik, people went to her mother for such things. And why not? She was a renowned rune mistress, trained at the temple, known throughout the south. These women, too, should go to Lifa since she was reading elsewhere in the village. And yet, they looked to her.