Forged by Iron by Eric Schumacher

Author:Eric Schumacher [Schumacher, Eric]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Legionary - A Next Chapter Imprint
Published: 2020-04-14T16:00:00+00:00

The following morning, Sigvard gathered his crew and told us to stay close to the dock. He and his men were going to bury Arne's remains in the graveyard on the east side of town, but did not want us to come. As we waited for their return, a crowd gathered on the beach. Shouts carried to us over the water as the group grew in size and moved close to the water. At the same time, one of Dag's men approached Sigvard's ship and beckoned for us to come. Wordlessly, we gathered our weapons and followed him to the beach and the gathering crowd.

Even before we reached the strand, I could see what awaited. The group had formed a crescent around several men, one of whom was Holger. They faced a fire that crackled in a pit on the beach, their bodies bound by ropes. Across the fire stood Dag, as silent and rigid as an oak tree in the midst of the townspeople. To his left, at the head of the crowd, Sigvard stood with his crew, their arms crossed and their faces masked with anger. Our guide led us to Dag and ordered us to face Holger and his bound men.

“Holger Einarsson. You and your men have attempted to take this child, Olaf,” he gestured at Olaf, “against his mother's will and, in so doing, have killed an innocent man and broken the peace of this place. In addition, you have lied to me and to my lord, King Erik. As a consequence of these actions, you and your men will be punished.”

Holger scowled. “I act at the behest of my lord and my queen and with the support of your king. If you punish me, you bring punishment on yourself.”

“I will take my chances,” replied Dag. “For the life of Sigvard's crewman, you will pay him two hundred silver coins.”

Holger tried to speak, but a warrior rammed the butt of his spear into Holger's back, knocking him to his knees. The crowd cheered as Holger collapsed.

Dag continued, unfazed. “For disturbing the peace, you shall pay another one hundred coins. And for lying to my lord, the king, and attempted kidnapping, you will each be given a choice. You shall lose a hand or an eye. Since Olaf Tryggvason was the subject of your crimes, it is he who shall exact the punishment.”

The four men with Holger accepted Dag's words with stoic courage. Holger did not. His face pinched and his cheeks flushed. He spat at Dag and yanked at his bindings until his guard rammed his spear butt into Holger's back again. The crowd cheered that wretch's misery and I felt a smile form on my face.

Dag did not delay the punishments. A guard brought the first man forth while Dag extracted a sword and a spear from the fire, the metal on each glowing orange and blue. The guard shoved Holger's man to his knees before a wood block and asked which he preferred to lose, his arm or his eye.

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