Olaf'S Saga by David Rosten

Author:David Rosten [Rosten, David]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781491772898
Publisher: iUniverse
Published: 2015-09-16T04:00:00+00:00

The next day is a perfect fall afternoon; the leaves on the trees are changing color, and there is a cool, gentle breeze. On the beach, Olaf and his men are repairing their ship. Boards are being cut into place and bent to conform to the curves of the hull, and sails are being mended.

Queen Geira approaches Olaf’s tent on horseback. Several other riders accompany her. Olaf comes out of his tent to greet her.

“Do you know how to ride?” she asks.

“I ride well,” he replies.

“Normally, subjects bow before they speak to me,” she says.

Olaf doesn’t know whether this girl is really the queen; she seems too young and too beautiful. “I bow to no one, not even one as lovely as you,” he says.

One of Queen Geira’s guards levels his sword at Olaf, but Geira waves him off, saying, “No, he’s our guest. Leave his big head on his shoulders.” Olaf laughs.

“May I present Queen Geira,” Dixen says.

Surprised, Olaf says, “I’m sorry if I offended you.”

“I accept your apology,” she says with a smile.

“May I speak?”

The queen nods her head.

“Your horse is beautiful. Is it friendly?”

Geira laughs. “Well, he hasn’t bitten anyone all morning.”

Olaf stares at the creature. “I’ve never seen this type of horse. What type is he?”

“Pontus is a fjord horse,” she says. “He originally came from Norway. Do you enjoy riding?”

“I do,” Olaf says. “You know, for such a fine rider, your position could be better.”

Geira frowns. “My position is excellent.”

“I beg your pardon,” he says. “Let me show you.” And in one fluid motion, Olaf swings up onto Pontus directly behind Queen Geira. Her guards draw their swords. “You see, here—this should be tight.” His hands reposition her lower body. She sits up, shocked but also somewhat aroused. “And this.” The guards move in. But Queen Geira subtly waves them off. Olaf gives a gentle kick, and the horse takes off. Olaf spurs Pontus away, clearly in control of both the queen and the horse.

Pontus pulls away from the queen’s guardsmen. As Olaf and Geira gallop along the shoreline, mist fills the air. The guards race after them, but just as they are catching up, Olaf wheels Pontus around and the guardsmen shoot past. Olaf pursues the guardsmen.

Geira can’t help but laugh. She’s having fun. She’s no longer the queen, Olaf notes; she’s just a girl frolicking on a late-fall afternoon.

Olaf and Geira veer off and ride into a forest of beautiful birch trees. The guardsmen follow as best they can, while getting slapped in the face by stray branches. Geira giggles as Olaf tries to lose them. But finally Olaf stops so the horse, Pontus, can catch its breath.

“I must return to the castle,” Geira says.

“What about me?” Olaf asks. “What am I going to do for the rest of the day?”

Queen Geira suddenly pushes Olaf off Pontus. He sprawls onto the green grass. She laughs and points back toward the beach. “Your camp is that way,” she says as Olaf brushes himself off. “Perhaps we will have a ride tomorrow morning?”

Olaf nods.

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