VIKING: The Reckoning (Norse Adventure Series Book 4) by Aiken Ritter Katie

Author:Aiken Ritter, Katie
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: ABOB Press
Published: 2022-10-30T00:00:00+00:00

. . .

The other reason for the enormous crowd was Erik Thorvaldsson.

News of Erik’s return from the outlaw voyage had spread like a river in flood. Between him and the election, the normally pleasant Althing festival had become chaotic. Food vendors had already sent riders for extra supplies, and the camping fields overflowed with tents for hire at several times the normal cost and too many people jammed in each.

Now all those eager folk had converged into an enormous, animated throng below the Law Rock. The words ‘new land in the west’ proved a heady topic. Already people had come to blows, bickering over who had first rights to claim land in a place that no one had confirmed even existed.

Three years since the outlaw ship had sailed. Where had it traveled, they wondered? What had it found, or not found, and of the band that left, why did only one man stand on the Rock beside Mani and Dalla, squinting in the bright morning sun?

At last, the Kalendar blew the great Horn of Althing to silence the crowd. Knowing the crowd’s impatience, Mani kept his opening speech as short as possible. When Dalla spun glittering drops of ale from the Horn of Plenty to bless the festival, Mani moved to what everyone really wanted.

“Men and women of Iceland,” he cried, “Many of you have heard of the return of Erik Thorvaldsson, who along with others, was outlawed three Althings ago. They departed in a brave search for land we all hoped might be in the western seas. With the three-year term of his punishment over, let us now welcome Erik back to all the protections our Law offers.”

Thunderous applause answered him. Mani gripped the ancient ash Lawspeaker staff, bracing for what came next, sickened by what Erik and Thio had told him last night.

“You may recall that those who went on the journey were promised rewards: silver, gold, land, and honor. Outlaws they were, but instead of serving their sentence in hiding, they risked their lives for us.”

More applause, although not quite as loud.

“This matter is of such importance that, for the first time ever, our Law Council will change the standard order of business. Normal matters will be postponed until the Council has sufficient opportunity to hear from Erik. You should plan for a longer-than-normal Althing.”

A breeze lifted the edge of Mani’s cloak as he waited for his words to sink in. “We all have questions, which will be answered soon. Now, let Erik speak.”

. . .

The roaring below the Rock lasted even longer than Mani had expected. He used it to offer advice to Erik.

“Don’t worry about shouting. The echo off the cliff behind the Rock will carry the sound of your voice quite far. Beyond that, everything you say will be repeated back to the very edge of the crowd. Speak in short phrases and pause between, and all will hear the message you bear.”

“My head feels disconnected from my body. I’ve never addressed more than a crew.

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