Prophetic Dreams by Alfreða Jonsdottir

Author:Alfreða Jonsdottir [Jonsdottir, Alfreða]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780228882565
Publisher: Tellwell Talent
Published: 2022-11-16T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 19

The Meeting of Two Strong-Minded Men

The crossing took seven days with no issues. Kalf was a seasoned captain and knew how to read the stars and navigate the currents. But for both Kjartan and Bolli, Norway was a great revelation. So many people, so many buildings, and everyone living in close quarters, yet they felt at home with the people. Communication was no problem as everyone here spoke a similar language. Today they had gathered at the river with their newfound friends, young men resisting this new religion that was being forced on everyone arriving in Norway. Kalf was not one to partake in games and challenges, whereas Kjartan and Bolli, still young, could not resist. They accepted the challenge to swim across the river and back. Their Norwegian friends were astounded at their prowess. No one had beaten Kjartan yet. Even though Bolli almost always came in second place, he, too, was considered a winner. Both were strong, powerful swimmers with broad shoulders, and a lifetime of experience competing in the icy Laxa River.

Every Sunday afternoon, they met up with their friends for this race. One day a new group of men arrived and the tall, fair-haired man who approached the river’s edge with the authority of a leader asked as Kjartan was getting out of the water, “Who is the champion swimmer here today?”

Bolli had just ventured out and pointed to Kjartan. “It appears he is the winner once again. None of us has been able to beat him.”

He turned to look at Kjartan. “Well, I would like to challenge you then. Do you need to rest first?”

Kjartan gave him a sour look. “I do not need a rest. I am not tired at all.”

They stood side by side. When Bolli said go, they ran into the river and swam neck to neck there and back. Just before shore, Kjartan’s opponent suddenly grabbed his head and ducked him under. Spurting water and gasping from the shock, Kjartan bobbed up and finished his swim, losing for the first time ever. His opponent was waiting for him on the shore with wry amusement as if he had done nothing. Not saying a word to the stranger, he walked past him, but not before openly scowling at him.

“Do you know who I am?” his opponent asked loudly.

“No, and I do not care who you are. You do not play fair!” he retorted right back at him and kept walking away.

“Well, I am going to tell you anyway! I am Olaf Tryggvason, King of Norway,” he shouted to his back.

Kjartan turned to look his way. “So what? To me, you are but a man who did not play fair! There is no honour in winning the way you did.” Then he turned around and started to walk away.

King Olaf looked surprised at his boldness. “Wait for a moment. You are right; you might have won, but I doubt it. We will race again next Sunday, and I will prove myself correct.” One of his men had arrived with a scarlet cloak to throw over the king’s shoulders.

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