“You will be my honoured guests at our feast tonight. Come join me in a horn of ale. The food will not disappoint.”
Giric nodded and turned to Osgar. “How fare the men?”
“They are well. They were surprised to be invited to the chief’s table tonight.”
“And you?” he asked quietly. “Are you surprised by such hospitality?”
“Aye, Giric. You know I am. I look forward to sharing our thoughts on what we’ve learned here.”
“You are reading my mind, my friend.”
“You two can stop whispering and share your thoughts with me,” Gunnar said. “I have excellent hearing, you know.”
“I think there is much about you I have yet to learn,” Giric said.
“And what is your assessment thus far?”
Giric paused for a moment. What was his assessment? The man was a warrior, but kept his temper in check. He was uncomplicated, yet quite intelligent. A contrast at every turn.
“Someone with whom we could grow an alliance,” Osgar said. “I have taken in much around your village this day and my impression grew tenfold at every turn. Most importantly, your people are loyal to you. That says much about the kind of man leading this place.”
Gunnar nodded then poured two horns and passed one to each of them.
“I was born in this place,” he said. “In that chamber behind us.”
Giric looked closer at the wall separating the chamber from the main hall. Two long swords criss-crossed behind an enormous shield clearly meant for display versus use in battle. The background was painted black and white in perfect balance, a red serpent weaved its way around the centre, but then protruded in metal form from the centre boss.
“You like the shield,” Gunnar said.
“Aye, I do. It reminds me of a story my grandfather once told me about how the serpent Beithir spread his evil, terrorizing coastal villages at night; only lightning reveals his true nature. This shield brings me back to a time when I believed in serpents and dragons.”
“And now that you are a man you do not permit yourself to believe in magical creatures?” Gunnar asked with brows raised.
“You do?”
“Of course. What kind of world would it be without magic? We too have a legend. The shield represents Jormungander, the Midgard serpent and nemesis of the mighty Thor. Both our legends are a reminder of the constant battle between good and evil. The trick is to know how to reveal the evil.”
Giric shook his head and downed his bitter ale, unable to hide the wince.
Gunnar laughed again. “Our ale is too strong for you,” he said with a proud look upon his face.
“Strong ale can be tempered with the right sort of accompaniment,” Giric said, understanding that every word spoken now had a double meaning.
“That is true so let us speak plainly. You have men and I need them. I will agree to anything you want, save forcing any woman or man under my care to marry if it is not their desire.”
“I agree with that wholeheartedly,” Giric said. “The women in our families have dowries consisting of money and land.”
“You did not say anything about land earlier. Why not?”
“Because I wanted to sort out the kind of people I was dealing with before putting that on the table, so to speak.”
Gunnar crossed his arms over his chest and grinned. “You’re going to want my sister, aren’t you?”
“I am not opposed to it,” Giric said, though the thought had crossed his mind. There was much about this shield-maiden that intrigued him. He had to admit, he wanted to know her better before committing to any woman. His heart had known the twilight of love before and a part of him would always miss Aileen. When he’d arrived here, he was more interested in the business side of a marriage contract for mutual purposes. Perhaps he should explore the personal side as well.
Chapter Four
When Saga woke the pain in her head had completely subsided. She sat up and tried to stand, but kept going, landing on her elbows on the floor of Freydis’ hut.
