“That is not all of it,” he said.
The men placed the chests before Gunnar and left the hall.
“There is four times that to be brought from the ship,” Magnus said.
“From where did these spoils originate?” Giric could not help but ask.
“We raided some chapels on Lewis and on Skye. We figured Iona was pretty much stripped by now, so we focused on some smaller islands.”
“Smaller chapels and islands. There’s far more here than that,” Gunnar said.
Magnus smiled. “Ja, brother. You are as shrewd as you have always been.”
“Where did this come from?” Gunnar asked again.
“You may not like the answer,” he said.
“Where?”
“From Snorri Short-Beard.”
Gunnar’s eyes grew wide for a moment. “Do you know what you have done?” he asked in a quiet voice.
“Ja, I do. I have prevented him from attacking us and claiming these lands, and I did not need to marry off my family to foreigners to do it.”
“You have brought war upon us,” Gunnar said.
“When did you take these things,” Giric asked.
“Last summer.”
“And does he know it was you?”
“Of course he knows it was me. I walked into his hall and told him what I was about to do.”
Giric shook his head and looked at Gunnar who appeared just as incredulous.
“Magnus, this is why Short-Beard plans to attack us.”
“You are a fool if you think his plans for attack began a year ago. I have been telling you for a long time that Short-Beard had his sights set on our village,” Magnus said.
“You have, but your actions have brought about more trouble than solution,” Giric said. To Gunnar, he added, “I fear if I ask my king to get involved now we risk full on war between our people instead of peace.”
“You will go back on your word?” Gunnar asked, his fists clenching.
“We need to keep our heads calm, Gunnar,” Giric said. “What Einar said now must be true, that your king supports Short-Beard’s claim to these lands, and it is because he thinks you have stolen from the man,” he said pointing at the chest. “Because youhavestolen from him.”
Gunnar turned back to Magnus. “You have brought a lot of trouble to my hall, brother.”
“Then let it come. Short-Beard has been plotting to destroy you and I prevented that from happening. Without his gold he cannot pay his men to cross Islay and attack which gives us time to form a plan.”
“So you’re telling me that you decided to rob from him, and you didn’t think of the full consequences, but you criticize me when I am left to clean up the mess you have made.”
To Giric, Gunnar said, “Our betrothal stands. You will follow through with your agreement of extra men, when and if Short-Beard manages to amass enough men. Magnus, you will take some men and bury all of this and create stake out points along the border farms. I want reports back every day.”
He stroked his beard and stared hard into the chests of treasures. “I have not received any word from King Harald concerning this matter and so will not make contact with Short-Beard.”
“And what about Saga?” Giric asked. “Should she not come with us when we leave on the morrow?”
