Saga: A Clash of Jarls by de Monchy Theo

Author:de Monchy, Theo
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Olympia Publishers
Published: 2024-01-29T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

‘This could never have happened if Erik was here,’ Váli grunted as he angrily speared another slice of meat with his eating knife.

Turid, Arleigh and Hoelun were eating with Váli in his hall along with several of his warriors, his wife, Astrid, their son, Ragnar, and their daughter, Signy. Both Arleigh and Turid had met Astrid in the past, and had cherished the kindness and warmth she had showed them when they arrived, bringing them food and drink after their journey. The table before them was laid with haunches of beef and pork, as well as bread and plenty of ale and mead. Váli was a generous host.

Compared to Erik’s hall in Vágar, Váli’s home was modest. It stood taller than the surrounding buildings and had a similar design, looking much like an upturned ship, but that was where the similarities ended. Everything about Váli’s hall was more subdued and humble, which gave it a cosy feeling, rather than working to exhibit his power and influence as Erik’s hall did. Arleigh saw that the beams supporting the roof were decorated with both Váli’s and Erik’s banners, which swayed gently as the smoke rose from the central hearth. The sight of Erik’s banner still standing gave her a feeling of hope.

‘I still can’t believe that Vágar has fallen,’ Astrid said quietly. She was the polar opposite of her husband, with a slight frame and long blonde hair that fell down her back in a single thick braid. ‘I’m so sorry for all that you’ve suffered, it must have been terrible.’

‘You said they struck almost immediately after the fleet left. Jarl Ake must have known when they would leave and been waiting for them. He’s probably been planning the attack for months.’

‘The prisoner,’ Turid gasped, surprising everyone as Váli’s words sunk in.

‘Prisoner? What prisoner?’ Váli and Astrid asked together.

‘The boys went hunting a few weeks before Erik sailed,’ Turid explained, ‘and found a group of vagrants up in the hills. The one they brought back said they were there for simple vengeance; something Erik had done years ago. Bjørn told us that one escaped and fled into the woods but Erik’s warriors never found him. He must have been Ake’s man.’

‘I would guess you’re right on that count,’ Váli said, shaking his head, ‘but there’s nothing we can do about it now. What happened in the attack? If I knew Leif at all, he wouldn’t have gone down without a fight. He always was an unshakeable bastard.’

‘As far as we know, Leif and his men fought to the last man,’ Turid began, taking a sip of the rare Frankish wine Váli had opened for them. ‘They held the front gate against overwhelming odds and beat them back at least once, but Ake sent men around the rear of the settlement who overwhelmed our defences. It was a miracle that Hoelun was able to escape when she did; even more so that we could follow. If not for Erik’s forward thinking, we’d still be tied up in the hall.

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