"In the meantime, the young men will know where to find me if the village needs my help."
"It is a good plan," Canute agreed. "I only hope that Eira is as pleased with you as you are with her."
"So far she has been," Halvar said with a wink. "We have been getting along very well."
Canute laughed. "May it always continue," he said. "May you never be cast out to share the fleas of all the dogs because your wife is angry with you."
“A wedding is still far in the future, my friend. For now, all the fleas are safe.”
“Does Eira know of this plan of yours to wed her?”
“Not yet. I am waiting for the right time to tell her of my intentions.”
“Are you not afraid?”
Halvar looked around to see that no one else was listening to their conversation. “Between you and me, I am a little afraid. It is something our people do not normally do. We usually have parents to arrange a match for us. Pretty words to woo a woman do not come easily to me.”
“I am glad I had parents to arrange my marriage with Olga,” Canute said. “I cannot imagine having to do that for myself. You are indeed a brave man, my friend.”
“I am a man who has no choice,” Halvar said. “If I do not arrange a match for myself, no one else will do it for me.”
Canute yawned. “You are right,” he said. “But it is bedtime for me.”
“Very well,” Halvar replied. “I will see you in the morning to discuss some of the duties you will need to undertake as the leader.”
The next few days passed in a blur of activity. There were supplies to provide for the journey as well as goods to trade at the new village they were going to. The farm had to have one final check before winter. The young men who’d agreed to go with him also had to prepare for the journey. They were eager for an adventure and had readily agreed to accompany Halvar on his mission. They planned to return to the village right away as long as the weather allowed. It would be a risky journey and they had to prepare well.
Halvar wondered whether Eira would keep her promise to wait for him on the path. Would she really be willing to cast her lot in with him and trust him with her future? He felt nervous as they approached the meeting place and he wondered what he would do if she wasn’t there.
As they rounded the corner, Halvar could see her waiting beside the path with her herb pouch and a blanket and little else. He was glad he’d asked Kaarina to pack the clothes and bedding that Eira had left behind in Taft’s longhouse. She would need them on the journey.
He swung down from his horse to greet her.
“You came, my love,” he said, without regard for the young men and Kaarina who were listening.
“Yes. This is the best plan,” she replied. She looked warily at the six young men. “Why are the young men accompanying us?” she asked.
“The journey will be long and difficult. There could be bears or bandits or slave raiders. They are here to help me protect you.”
“Oh, well, in that case, thank you,” she said, addressing the young men.
Torsten, their leader, acknowledged her thanks with a nod.
Then Eira spotted Kaarina. “Kaarina!” she cried. “You are here too! Oh, this is a surprise.”
Kaarina dismounted and ran over to hug her. “I’ve missed you,” she said, tears in her eyes. “I have so much to tell you!”
Halvar stepped forward. “We must be going,” he said. “We have far to go and the daylight hours are short.” He took Eira’s things and stowed them on one of the packhorses. Then he helped her onto the horse.
“Are you sure?” he asked, looking into her lovely green eyes. “It is not too late to turn back.”
Eira realized that he was asking her if she was willing to go wherever he took her, not just on this journey to safety. “Yes. I am certain,” she told him. One day they would marry but for now, the adventure was in being together. As Halvar swung onto his horse, Eira knew that she would follow this man anywhere.
The End
GLOSSARY
Old Norse
English
Völva
Sorceress, witch
Illr
Evil, bad
Armr
Wicked, vile
Loki
Capricious god capable of mischief or evil
Amma
Grandmother
NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR
While every effort has been made to preserve historical accuracy throughout this story, some elements of Norse culture remain a mystery or are disputed among historians. Therefore, some aspects of Norse life and beliefs have been “borrowed” from the known practices of surrounding nations while others are fictitious.
A NOTE ON THE NORSE SEERESS
Ancient Norse society had a strong moral code and penalties were enforced upon those who broke it. In the case of a witch or seeress, she could be feared or respected, depending on whether she used her powers for the good of society or if she used them to harm others. Anyone who used their powers for harm was feared and hated by the people and could face punishment. Conversely, seeresses who used their powers for good were respected and honored.
Kaarina: Rejected Chapter 1 (Sneak Peek)
This is book 2 in the Viking Guardians series.
Description
Forced to flee from her father’s rage, Kaarina is escorted to a Christian village on the coast, where she finds employment and lodging with the kindly Emiline. Halvar, the village chief, remains at the village for the winter, and she has her friend Eira for company. She begins to feel secure at last.
But
