I decided to give him a straw to grasp at and retreated a step. In that moment I saw that he was going to gamble big. He stepped in to deliver a mighty horizontal cut, designed to take my head with a single blow.
My retreat was only a feint. I anticipated his move and took a huge step forward with my right leg while keeping my left foot in position.
Cai had made me practise for endless hours: “Lucius of the Da Qin, power comes from hips, it flows through spine and gathers momentum. The arm is only there as path for energy to reach tip of blade.”
I could feel the power surge through my hips into my spine and at the last moment I let the sword deliver the energy, as I executed a thrust at Hygelac’s mailed chest. My huge lunge lowered the position of my head and Hygelac’s mighty blade passed over my head harmlessly. The blow was delivered with such force, I doubt that a mortal man could have parried it.
I struck with speed and force. Hygelac had no chance.
My sword sliced through his mail like a hot dagger through cheese and entered his chest, piercing the giant’s heart.
His knees buckled and he fell face down in the dirt. I walked towards the corpse and took the scalp in the proven Hunnic way.
Two of Hygelac’s warriors surged towards me, yelling something incomprehensible.
Kniva shouted a warning, but I was still kneeling next to the dead Heruli. As I righted myself I saw the warrior slicing down towards my exposed head with his sword.
Kniva’s spear impacted with such force that it passed through mail and threw the warrior back at least three feet.
The second Heruli was only a step behind but I was ready and I easily dispatched him.
I felled the third of Hygelac’s hearth warriors, but by that time the king’s bodyguards had stepped in and restrained the remaining two Heruli.
The king was standing facing the Heruli and said something in his language.
Kniva was next to me and said: “The king said to them that they have no honour and there will be a price. It will have to be paid in blood.”
Then Argunt turned towards Kniva and me and spoke.
Kniva translated his words: “The gods have spoken. The Roman is the victor and you, Kniva, are legally awarded all of the treasure of Hygelac. His treasure is still under my control and I will ensure that you receive it soon.” The elders nodded, demonstrating their agreement with the words of the iudex.
The king walked into the circle and picked up the sword of Hygelac and presented it to Kniva. He said something to my friend and walked away.
Kniva said: “This is a famous sword, it is called ‘Oathbringer’. The legend is that it was forged by the dwarves for Teiwaz the god of war, who gave it to the first war leader of the Goths in our homeland across the sea.”
He handed me the blade and it was truly magnificent. Many runes were etched into the blade.
Kniva grinned: “The weapon possesses powerful magic through the runes. With this I will demand the oaths of the Heruli.”
I did not know it yet, but I have helped to create a king. The king that would be a thorn in the side of the Empire for decades. But let me not get ahead of myself.
We made our way to our host’s hall with haste where servants hurriedly filled our horns with ale and mead.
The lady of the house arranged for haunches of cold meat and rounds of cheese to be brought out for an impromptu feast.
Marcus took a deep swallow from his horn and stuffed a large piece of cheese into his mouth.
“Lucius, tonight you have outdone yourself. I watched the faces of the Heruli. They saw your demise as a formality, like swatting a troublesome fly.”
He grinned and continued: “It is an insult to you to call it a fight. Maybe they think that all Romans fight like you and they leave us alone, heh?”
He took a long swallow from his horn, finishing it off and continued: “It is the most impressive fight in a Holmgang I have ever witnessed.”
I grinned and said: “And it is the only one you have ever witnessed.”
Hildebald was already drinking his second horn of ale and he walked over to me and slapped me on the back.
“I remember hearing a tale a few years ago. A tale that a Gothic war leader, a reiks, told Argunt. He relayed the story of a duel between a Roxolani boy and the champion of the Goths.”
“Argunt had the reiks executed for being foresworn and failing in his mission.”
“It would be impossible for a mere boy to defeat our champion. The tale said that the boy was the incarnation of Teiwaz.”
He drank but held my gaze.
“If I had not been present tonight, I would not have believed it.”
“Kniva is good with a sword, but he would not have been able to defeat the Heruli. Hygelac is a monster, as strong as three men. And he fights with the sword of Teiwaz.”
He shook his head and said: “Were you the boy who defeated our champion?”
“He did not last as long as Hygelac”, I said and nodded.
“Thank you for saving the life of my son. I will honour our arrangement. I am never foresworn.”
Chapter 23 - Spoils (Jul 237 AD)
Argunt offered to arrange safe passage for us across the lands of the Bastarnae. We could not accept his offer and settled on Kniva and ten of Hildebald’s oathsworn escorting us to the lands of the Roxolani.
Hildebald’s household feasted us again on the evening prior to our departure. It was more a private dinner than a feast. I was amazed at how at home I felt in the hall of my sworn enemies.
Early the following morning we enjoyed a breakfast with our hosts. Afterwards Marcus, Kniva and I exited the hall with our travel packs and found Cai and the oathsworn waiting for us next to the stables.
Hildebald muttered something to Kniva, who turned to me and said: “It will be here soon.”
He had barely finished speaking when four heavily laden pack horses appeared at the open gate of the compound.
Two of the horses were led away towards the hall and two joined our group.
Marcus raised his eyebrows in a questioning look.
“It is our share of Hygelac’s treasure. Argunt owed him twenty thousand gold coins. As Hygelac is not able to collect it in person, we agreed to accept sixteen thousand coins in full and final settlement of the king’s debt.
I negotiated with Hildebald and Kniva prior to the duel. You and I will have to share eight thousand gold coins.”
Marcus was stunned. He was clearly at a loss for words. He just stared at me and shook his head, grinning.
He was still in shock when Segelinde walked from the hall, followed by a female servant carrying a travel pack.
I continued: “I negotiated for an additional treasure that I will unfortunately not be able to share with you.”
He frowned, for a moment not understanding what I meant. Then he saw Segelinde and her servant both mount and his frown turned into a grin.
“Your negotiating skills far surmount your fighting skills, brother.”
We both mounted and our little convoy walked the horses through the gate.
Chapter 24 – Princess
We were still within the territory of the Thervingi Goths. The warriors escorting us seemed relaxed.
The horses were not tired as we were travelling through the forested landscape at a slow pace.
At midday our entire party dismounted.
Marcus and I were chatting to Kniva and his sister when the Gothic warriors suddenly started yelling and mounted their horses.
Fifty paces ahead of us I noticed two Hunnic scouts inspecting us from the backs of their horses.
I spoke to Kniva, who had drawn his sword and was running for his horse: “Please calm the warriors, Kniva, these men are here to protect us.”
Moments later Kniva and his oathsworn were bunched together, a couple of paces behind me.
Kniva looked at me sceptically and said: “You surely cannot trust these savages, Eochar. I would not turn my back on them
if I were you. They will put an arrow in it.”
I scowled at the Goths, turned around and walked towards the Huns.
“Get off the horses and put away your bows”, I told the Hunnic scouts.
“And for the sake of Arash, come meet these people.”
They were extremely reluctant, but they knew better than to gainsay the favourite of the war god. They slowly walked towards us, leading their mounts.
I turned towards the Huns and said: “I am in your debt for waiting for us. You will be rewarded when we arrive at the camp of the Roxolani. I need you to scout and ensure that we are not surprised by an enemy.”
The bowed low and said: “We are here to serve you, lord.”
I handed a leather satchel to one of the scouts and said: “Please take care of this for me.”
He looked inside and smiled, clearly pleased: “It will be an honour.”
The scouts walked away and melted into the forest.
“What did you say to them?” Kniva asked with suspicion.
“I told them to leave you alone. Your scalps are mine”, I said and grinned.
Kniva was still scowling as I walked away to mount my horse and continue our journey.
Segelinde rode next to me for the next while and I explained to her how I came to know the Huns so well. She was not impressed when I told her how I helped defeat a Gothic army, but she understood the happenings in light of the Gothic war leader breaking the blood oath.
The rest of the journey was uneventful.
We travelled through the lands of the Goths. No one would dare attack Kniva and his retinue, who were clearly Gothic nobles.
We eventually reached the border of the Roxolani lands. Segelinde and Kniva shared a tearful goodbye.
I had negotiated for the hand of Segelinde. It was highly unusual, but as Hygelac would have won her as his bride, I could take his place as the victor of the Holmgang.
The fact that Segelinde was as keen on the marriage as I contributed to my success in persuading her family. The alternative for her was to eventually be married to some tribal chief twice her age. In the end it was not a difficult decision.
We were soon intercepted by a Roxolani border patrol led by a smiling Elmanos. This time there were no hostilities as he was clearly keeping an eye out for our return.
He dismounted and bowed his head when we approached: “It is good to see you Lord Eochar. I see you travel with a Gothic hostage.”
“This is my bride to be, Lady Segelinde and her servant.”
Elmanos blushed bright red and inclined his head: “It seems that I have developed a habit of offending you, lord. Please forgive me, Lady Segelinde.”
Segelinde smiled disarmingly at Elmanos and said: “Lord Eochar has spoken highly of you, Elmanos. It is good to meet you.”
She had clearly won Elmanos over for life and he smiled like an idiot, now redder in the face.
During the following few days we were escorted by the Roxolani warriors to the camp of the king.
I was itching to tell Bradakos what had happened but he was now the king and I had to adhere to the necessary decorum.
We hadn’t been in camp long when we received an invitation to dine with the king that very evening.
As was my habit, I rode to the nearby river to swim and wash after a long journey. I requested that the servants prepare some heated water for Segelinde inside our tent.
Elmanos even arranged for two warriors to guard the entrance to our tent while Segelinde was alone.
A typical man, it had slipped my mind to explain my relationship with Cai to Segelinde. At the allotted time Segelinde and I strolled over to the king’s spacious tent. We were ushered in by the guards where we found Cai and Bradakos already deep in conversation.
I could see that it was strange for Segelinde to see my servant deep in conversation with a king. It was too late to inform her. I made a mental note to explain to her later when we would be back at our tent.
Segelinde and I bowed to Bradakos who greeted us and personally handed each of us a golden cup filled with dark red wine. True to his nature he had dismissed the waiting servants to afford us more privacy. Platters of sliced meat, wild fowl and cheese were already laid out on the low table next to the central hearth.
Bradakos sat down, scowled and said: “Cai refused to tell me anything about your journey. He said that it makes a good story and that you will tell it.”
I winked at Cai and said: “First, I have a present for the king.”
I handed him the leather satchel containing the scalp of Hygelac the White.
The Hunnic scouts had cleaned and worked the gory trophy at my request.
Bradakos opened the bag and withdrew the scalp.
I could see that he immediately knew what he was holding in his hand. He turned to me and had difficulty speaking: “Eochar, you have restored my lost honour. Ask me anything. Anything. If it is in my power, I will give it to you.”
I expected him to be glad about the demise of Hygelac, but his response was overwhelming.
True to the culture of the barbarians, it was my turn to respond and no one would interrupt until I had spoken.
I took a long, slow swallow of wine. I could not ask for nothing, as that would be a slap in the face of the king. I did not desire treasure as I already had enough gold to last me ten lifetimes.
Two swallows of wine later, I put down my beaker and said: “Bradakos, I see you as an older brother. Your opinion means more to me than anybody else’s. I have decided to take Segelinde as my bride. She is a princess of the Thervingi, our sworn enemies.
I ask that you accept her into the tribe of the Roxolani and adopt her as your daughter. We will live in Roman lands, but I know that she would forever be under your protection should the need arise.”
Bradakos did not respond immediately. He was not expected to.
At last the king took a deep breath and said: “Eochar, what you ask for is no small thing, but I know your intentions are good.”
He stood, walked around the hearth and raised Segelinde by the hand.
“Welcome to my home, Segelinde, daughter, princess of the Roxolani.”
He embraced her, kissed her on both cheeks and then they sat down again.
Just like that my bride to be became a princess of the Roxolani.
The king said: “It is done. I will inform the elders. Let us not dwell on it any longer. My debt of honour is paid.”
We spent a long, pleasant evening in the presence of Bradakos. I told my tale in detail.
When I told the part about the Holmgang, Bradakos just shook his head in resignation.
“Eochar, your duels never make good tales. It is over too quickly. Even if you are unable to let the fight last longer, I recommend you learn the skill of making the tale about the fight last longer.”
When he had heard all, the king said: “I can see that my new daughter comes from a family who values honour. I support your choice, Eochar.”
Although Bradakos requested that we stay longer, we reluctantly had to be on our way the next day.
I was still a soldier and realised that it would spell trouble should I arrive back in camp with a Gothic princess. We decided that Segelinde and Cai would travel with an escort of Roxolani to cross the river close to Sirmium. From there Cai and my bride would travel to my estate. I was not surprised when I found out that Elmanos volunteered to lead the escorting party.
Marcus and I would keep a low profile and travel with the Hunnic scouts on our way to report to the emperor who was still in Noviodunum.
On the day we left, Bradakos came to see us off and he in turn embraced each of us, except Marcus, who he clasped arms with.
He took me aside.
“Eochar, I was greatly concerned about the reaction of the tribal elders to my adoption of Segelinde, mainly due to her being a Goth. Surprisingly, they embraced it, especially after they heard that my now future son in law had avenged the death of Apsikal. I had great diffic
ulty calming them after I told them that my daughter would marry you in Roman lands, rather than here in the camp of the Roxolani.”
I had said my goodbyes to Segelinde and Cai earlier and I clasped forearms with Bradakos.
Marcus and I rode on our own, the Hunnic scouts ranging far ahead to keep us safe. I had rewarded each of them with twenty pieces of gold, thus they were eager to please.
On the fifth day we reached the Danube. A Roman barge was anchored fifty paces offshore and it was easy to draw their attention.
Two hours later we were back in camp.
I accompanied Marcus to the Praetorium. We were immediately ushered into the presence of the emperor.
Maximinus Thrax was standing, a large goblet of red wine in his hand. He seemed to be relaxed and was studying some document.
At the table, also enjoying some wine, a handsome young man was seated. He did not rise or even look in our direction.
The soldier emperor looked up and said: “Tribune, Centurion, I am delighted to see you back in camp.”
Marcus and I went down on one knee, but the emperor dismissed it with a wave of his hand.
“I will have none of that. We are all soldiers here.”
Marcus handed him the scroll that he had received from Argunt, the iudex of the Thervingi.
The emperor handed it to his personal secretary, Aspasius, who unrolled it and immediately translated the Greek, whispering the words to the emperor.
“I am pleased. You have done well and will be rewarded.”
He clasped arms with both of us and we were dismissed.
We walked out of the tent and Marcus asked: “Do you know what the scroll said?”
“Yes, Marcus, Kniva told me. He said that Argunt agreed to meet with the emperor on the day of the new moon. Which is only ten days from now.”
“Argunt is looking forward to becoming an ally of the emperor.”
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