“I hope that is not the case,” Tormod said, frowning.
Håkon walked into the burnt field and dug his fork in at the edge of the scorched earth.
“Come, we shall repair this damage and show that we will not be forced from this place. I will replant this field with another crop. It’s not too late. Something fast growing,” Håkon said. “I will make the best of this.”
Elisedd watched Håkon carefully and copied what he did. He didn’t yet have the strength to work effectively, but Tormod could tell he was trying.
“You will,” Tormod said. “And for today, I will help you.” But the comment about Aoife’s father nagged at him.
“You must have other things to do.” Håkon grinned. “You are a newly married man.”
Tormod made a face at him and dug his spade into the ground.
“Ragna has many tasks for my wife today. I think my aunt is happy to pass many of her responsibilities over. Finding wives formy cousins is something I know she is now ready to see happen sooner rather than later. Besides, the physical work will be good for me,” Tormod said. “Give me time to think and a task which has an end. It will be a relief from all the problems of starting a new life in a new land.”
“We will succeed,” Håkon assured him. “We always do. Have courage.”
“I do,” Tormod said. “Truly. Now let’s get to work.”
The three of them worked side by side as the sun grew hotter. Finally, Tormod pulled his kirtle and shirt off and relished the feel of the sun warming his bare skin. It was not a sensation he had felt often since coming to this land, where even the summers could be wet and miserable. Håkon’s wife, Magda, brought them ale regularly, and soon the worst of the damage to the field had been dug over, the burnt crop now back to being a field ready for planting. The smell of smoke was still in the air, but less noticeable than it had been earlier.
At the end of the afternoon, Tormod couldn’t wait to get back to the hall and bathe. He told Elisedd he had done enough, and the boy ran towards the water and jumped straight in to swim not appearing to mind the cold water. Tormod was going to arrange for some more men to work on the bathhouse. The weather had grown warmer these last few days, and it was now a priority. He’d tested the waters of the Loch Garw late morning and the cold had been breath-taking. Not that it had stopped him from bathing regularly—the bitter smell of the fire was best washed away as often as possible, although he yearned to soak in water that was not cold enough to shrivel his extremities.
“The gods have blessed us with a day fit for our purposes,” Håkon said when they stopped. “It is a sign that we are where we ought to be.”
“Yes, although we have much to learn.” Tormod looked around, then across the sea-loch to where Cadell’s land lay. He could seesome planted fields, but it was mostly forested and there were also a few areas of pasture. No fences or boundaries surrounded the fields and the land uses were so very different. Livestock wandered on the beach, and Tormod wondered idly how they kept track of their beasts. He would be sure to ask his wife.
Håkon followed Tormod’s gaze and laughed. “I think it may be that they have much to learn from us. They do not protect well enough what is theirs.”
“Not in the way we do anyway,” agreed Tormod. “But there may be other reasons. We will be sure to ask and to learn.”
Håkon obviously caught the note of warning in his voice as he frowned before he nodded. “Yes,herre. And thank you, I am indebted—but if I could beg another favour? Both of which shall be repaid in full upon the harvest.”
“Yes?” Tormod asked.
“My wife and daughters would like to learn the language of the Britons better. Their lands stretch from here all the way east up the River Clut and south from the firth all the way down the west coast. Many of our people trade with the Gaels and the Northumbrians on the east coast; far fewer here in the west. It is a good opportunity to reach a new market. As you know, Magda is a fine seamstress, as are my daughters, and they sell many of their wares. Plus, if the boy is going to stay with us… We will teach him Norse. It will be a show of friendship. Would your wife be willing to teach them Brythonic?”
“My wife?” Tormod had thought only of Aoife taking over some of Ragna’s burdens, although maybe this was a good idea. “Allow me to think about it. And to ask her.”
“It might be a good way of her showing that she wishes to help us…”
“Yes.” Tormod turned to face Håkon. There was a line to be drawn here. “But I will decide how best she can do that.”
“I’m sorry,herre, I meant no disrespect, it’s just that—”
“I know what it is, Håkon. I am not a fool.”
“No, that you are not.” Håkon started to pull his kirtle back on. Their day of companionship was over. “But there are many—”
“I know,” Tormod said. He was torn. He held suspicions of his own, but he would say nothing to anyone in case he made Aoife’s position even more precarious. Wives, especially jarl’s wives, were often outsiders to a village. But Aoife was not one of their people. She could not even speak their language.
A thought struck him. He’d intended to ask Ragna to teach Aoife Norse. “Your wife, Håkon.”
“Magda? What of her?”
“In return, Magda can also teach Aoife Norse. Our wives can work together each day and it will allow Aoife to visit with Elisedd. Yes, I think that may work well for us all.”
Håkon stared at him for a long moment. “Yes, that would be good. Magda is a quick learner, and the girls can take on more of the household tasks. It is time we found them good husbands now we are settled here. And then Magda can teach others. She will like that,herre. Thank you.”
