Saga Haraldson slammed the door to her brother’s hall as hard as she could. Damned men! They were always up to some scheme. This latest was the most ridiculous she’d ever heard fall from Gunnar’s lips. Marry a Scot? Was he out of his mind? She’d been convinced the message Bjorn had brought from the mainland had been a terrible jest. It wasn’t unlike something he’d make up, but she would have no such luck. Bjorn had not been jesting and the Scots had landed.
Well Gunnar could do what he pleased, but neither she, nor her sister Vigdis would be forced to marry anyone, much less a Scot. They imagined themselves so much better than everyone else, with their Christian God and their overly decorated clothes. This one she’d just met had been adorned from head to foot in a crimson cape with some sort of gold stitched trim. When he turned, she could make out the leather tunic he wore underneath which spread across his broad chest. She’d sat close enough to note his thick, shoulder-length dark hair and eyes so deep they appeared almost black. And why did he have to smell so good? It was some combination of leather and fresh air that threatened to draw her in, but she would be resolute. Bulging chest and arms be damned. It was true, she admired strength in men, but that was as far as she was willing to go with this man. What he suggested would be advantageous to no one except him.
“Good morning, sister. Saga, does something trouble you?” her sister, Vigdis asked.
Younger by two summers, she was petite and delicate where Saga was tall and strong. Delicate features she may have, the young woman had strength of will if not of hand.
“The Scots have come after all.”
“They are here?” Vigdis asked with wide eyes.
If anything, it made her look even more innocent. What would a man whose mind was twisted with political greed do with such a maiden? Saga was not prepared to find out.
“They are and it appears our brother thinks it is a good idea to ply them with our ale and food and negotiate with them.”
Vigdis lowered her head and wrung her hands.
“You need not worry, little sister. You will not leave this island unless it is your wish.”
“I wish I had your strength, Saga,” she said. “But you are the shield-maiden, not I. You must fight against this tyranny.”
“I will,” she said. “If our brother insists, we shall take a vessel and leave this place.”
“And go where?” Vigdis asked with a grin.
This was a game they had played since they were young maidens.
“We shall sail off to live with the gods.”
“And how shall we get there?”
“We shall take the Bifrost out of Midgard and cross the rainbow bridge into Asgard.”
“And what shall we do once we are there?” Vigdis asked.
“We shall ask Heimdall to send these Scots to Jotunheim,” Saga said with a grin.
Vigdis gasped and laughed. “That’s a terrible thing to say, even for you!”
“Perhaps some time in a completely untamed land is what they need.”
“Perhaps, but I will not have it on my conscience,” Vigdis said. “Now, will you help me call the cattle home?”
“But you know they never come for me. For my voice is not as sweet as yours and they know I am not as patient.”
“That’s because you do not give them time to come before you call them again.”
No doubt she was right. Saga followed Vigdis up the path away from the sea and toward the fields where the cattle grazed. The land here was so rich and if it were not for the new settlers on the other side of the island, there would never be a need for them to leave. She was sure they could survive and thrive here, but not with several hundred new inhabitants wanting to work the same land and threatening to go to battle to settle the dispute. It appeared they had enemies on all sides at the moment.
Saga stopped by the fencing enclosure and waited for Vigdis to begin her kulning song. The air was sweet with the scent of late summer wildflowers. The rainfall from earlier and heat from the sun created the perfect recipe for all this beautiful island’s growth to display its bouquet. She drank in the fragrance, willing it to help her forget the madness happening at the hall. Saga opened her eyes and turned toward her sister.
“Well, shouldn’t you get started?” Saga asked.
“No. Not today. I want to hear you sing today.”
“But they don’t come for me,” she said.
“Just try it today. Please?”
