He followed Saga and Vigdis back to the great hall. While he had to admit, their ritual was not something he would seek out, there was a certain beauty and respect they showed to the animal for its sacrifice. And it would not be wasted, that was important. Animals were slaughtered regularly on his lands for feasting with no ceremony whatsoever. Yet he would take the time to visit the chapel later to say his own prayer for God’s grace and blessing for their child. Surely all the Gods combined would heed their call for the safety and wellbeing of the child.
A commotion met them when they re-entered the great hall.
“Where is my sister?” a booming, familiar voice asked.
Saga ran toward Gunnar and wrapped her arms around him. Giric loved how free she was with her emotions. In his own world, one was taught to keep emotion in check at all times as it could be seen as a weakness. But these Vikings loved and lived with abandon. They were fierce in their battles and in how they loved.
“Welcome to my home, Gunnar of Islay. I hope you like it.”
“’Tis more than a man needs,” he said. “Only a man who needed to make up in other areas would need a dwelling this large.”
Giric winked at Saga. “My endowments are well enough,” he said. “Come and enjoy this feast and I will give you a tour.”
“Feast indeed,” Gunnar said as he took a seat beside Giric and across from Saga. “Exactly how many people are we feeding?”
“My family and I dine first, and the rest is shared amongst the castle staff.”
“They eat after you like dogs?”
Giric had not thought of it like that and was slightly taken aback. It was one thing for Gunnar to degrade him on Islay, but another altogether to do it in his own castle and in front of servants.
“Every person here is a valued member of this household.”
Gunnar eyed him for a moment then burst out laughing. “You really are much too serious, MacDomnail.”
He’d almost forgotten how much Gunnar enjoyed a good jest and prayed he would keep it in check when the king arrived. Comments like that would not bode well for either of them and he would need to find a way to temper Gunnar’s boisterous nature.
“My brother is not in his cups now,” Saga said. “I see the worry on your face. You do not think he will get along well with your king.”
“I don’t think that at all. I am certain when the time comes for your brother to meet the king, he will pay the man his due respect and that respect will flow both ways.”
Giric really did not want to get into this at the moment.
“You think I am unworthy of your king?” Gunnar asked in a voice that almost sounded hurt.
“No, Gunnar. I believe you are an honourable man and I am honoured to introduce the king to you. The path forward for us all is through this alliance. It is important, as are you, otherwise we would not all be here together at the moment.”
“I am unwell,” Saga said and abruptly left the table and the hall.
Giric did not follow her this time, rather nodded to Vigdis who left the hall behind her.
“What’s wrong with her?” Gunnar asked.
“She is with child.”
Gunnar sat back for a moment and howled in laughter again. This was shaping up to be a long day.
Chapter Twenty-Three
“Saga, I do not understand what has made you so vexed. Giric did not say anything about Gunnar, did not accuse him of anything.”
“Nay, but he was thinking it. I could see it on his face.” Saga was not about to sit around and allow her family or her people to be treated like an embarrassing relative. Nay, she would set Giric straight before his king arrived, or they would leave.
“Saga, come and sit with me,” Vigdis said. “You must calm yourself.”
She didn’t want to calm herself. She wanted to grab the nearest sword and go thrash at something. Odin’s breath, her emotions were all over the place. She must surely be going mad.
“Well, at least cease pacing. You’re making me dizzy.” Vigdis approached Saga. She placed her hands on her sister’s shoulders and stopped her movements.
