Tormod walked forward and clasped Einar’s shoulder. “It is good you are showing Elisedd how to play.”
“I can beat him easily,” Einar boasted, puffing his chest out. “He does not know the rules. I have had to teach him and—”
“Einar!” Tormod snapped. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. “I am glad you were showing Elisedd how to play. It does not matter whether you are the victor or not when you are training someone. There is little glory in defeating an enemy who does not know how to fight. Do you think our warriors in Valhalla boast of easy victories or of the ones that were a challenge?”
Einar frowned. “I thought you would want me to win! After all, one day I will follow in your footsteps and be jarl here.”
Around them there was a sudden moment of silence, as if collectively everyone held their breath. Villagers working nearby and the women at the fire all turned to watch. Most knew the truth of Einar’s birth, although none would dare say it out loud. Accepting him as their future jarl was, however, a different matter entirely and one, Tormod realised, must be addressed.
Elisedd remained focussed on the game board and seemed oblivious, but Einar and Aoife had both picked up on the fact that something was amiss.
“Father?” Einar said.
Tormod kept his gaze on Einar, ignoring the others round him. Now that Einar was here, he needed to know the truth. The villagers would never accept him as jarl as things stood, and Einar had to be told. But this moment was too public to tell the boy something so personal, something that would change his life forever. He cleared his throat.
“Sometimes situations are more complicated than we realise,” he said. “We do not always have to be the one on top. Teaching others is an important skill as well. And encouraging others to improve their skills is nothing to be ashamed of. It is what makes a warrior a good leader as well. Not everyone is destined to be a leader, though, and we do not all become jarls.”
Einar looked from his father to Elisedd and back again, confused.
“I thought you were my friend,” said Elisedd.
Before Einar could answer, Tormod said, “He is. You are one of us now, Elisedd. Einar will continue to teach you to play and train to fight with you.” He turned to Einar. “I hope you have continued your training in the time since I left.”
“Yes, Father.”
“Then you and Elisedd will make good sparring partners and you will make sure he learns as much as you do. I am entrusting this task to you.” Tormod squeezed his shoulder.
Einar glanced over at Elisedd and a slow smile spread across his face. “Yes, Father. But am I allowed to win?”
“You are allowed to try,” Tormod replied. “Never underestimate your enemy.” Tormod caught sight of Elisedd’s face falling. “Or your friends.”
Einar got to his feet. Both boys were smiling now. “Come. I will teach you what I know and we can be the best pair of fighters ever!”
Einar ran off towards the barn where the wooden swords were kept, but Elisedd didn’t move, just stared at Tormod. “Is Håkon still angry?”
“No, not with you,” Tormod said. “Or Lady Aoife,” he added when the boy’s eyes darted to his wife.
Elisedd nodded and followed Einar into the barn. A few minutes later the two ran back over with helmets on and wooden swords in their hands. Any villagers who had been watching them had thought that the scene was now over and all had returned to their work.
“Perhaps I should stay… advise them,” said Tormod.
“I will do it,” said Arne, coming up behind them.
“Did you find any problems on the other farms?”
“No,” said Arne. “I heard what Einar said. You must deal with the situation somehow. The sooner he understands, the better.”
“Understands what?” Aoife asked.
Arne put a hand on Tormod’s shoulder. When their gazes met, they held. Thoughts whirled in Tormod’s head. It was a challenge, Tormod knew, but he also knew that perhaps it was time to let this particular challenge stand.
“I will teach the boys,” Arne said. “Both of them. I would like to foster Einar. It will go some way to you repaying the debt you seem to believe you owe me.”
“Father?” asked Einar uncertainly. “I thought…”
“I will tell him why,” Arne said. “Later.”
For a moment Tormod did nothing, said nothing. Then he turned to Einar. “Arne will teach you. You are privileged to learn from a warrior as brave as Arne. To be taken in, fostered and trained by a warrior such as him is a great honour.”
