Tara’s owners looked at each other in dismay. They had taken a gamble and lost and it had cost them dearly. They had paid for the voyage up the coast and now they had to return. They had also paid Meara to care for her.
“Now we must return,” one of them said wearily.
“Let us hope the slave markets are kind to us,” said the other.
Tara shuddered. What would happen to her now?
CHAPTER 4
Erik got out the slim wooden tablet he’d used to take orders from his customers. He’d carved the runes into its surface to record the orders they’d placed. Now, as he reviewed it, he knew he would have to leave his home village within a few days to ensure that he would be at the marketplace in Fram Hváll at the right time. It was important to catch the traders from foreign lands before they sold all of their goods and departed. He had orders for cloth, leather goods, metal goods and other sundry items. Quite apart from the orders, he also wished to purchase goods that he would have available for display when he visited the villages in his journeys along the coast. He smiled with satisfaction; he had earned good money over the past few months and it was a far more satisfying way to make a living than farming. His trading business had increased to the point where he would be able to support a wife and family and his conversations with his friends over the past few days had highlighted what was missing in his life. It was time he became serious about finding himself a wife. He had enough to pay a good bride-price now.
He headed out to his trader’s wagon and started to unload the remaining goods that hadn’t sold from his last journey. They would sell in the future, but for now, he needed the space to bring home new goods from the markets. This was one occasion where a servant or slave might be helpful but he preferred to do most of the work himself. The servant that worked around the longhouse was busy preparing food, so he was left to do the job on his own. Not that he minded; it gave him time to think. What would life be like if he had a wife and family? Would he be able to find a suitable wife?
Later that evening, he went inside for the evening meal, sniffing appreciatively at the delicious smells wafting from the cooking pot; Alvilda was a good cook. She was a widow that had come to their village seeking work. Einar had hired her in exchange for lodging and a small wage. She worked hard and cooked delicious meals; Erik found himself wondering what would happen to her once Einar married. Would Alvilda go to live with him once he was married to Sigrid? Or did Einar expect Erik to continue to pay her? He resolved to ask.
“This smells good,” Einar said, coming into the room.
Alvilda scurried to the cooking pot with a bowl and ladled the hot stew into it. She set a bowl in front of Erik and the two men sat to eat.
“I am ready to leave in the morning,” Erik said.
“When will you return?” Einar asked.
“I will be home in time for your wedding,” Erik replied. “I am going to Fram Hváll first to fill my orders and buy more goods and then I shall take a journey along the coast to visit my customers. I am hoping that this trip will be highly profitable.”
“Being a merchant is a little like being a farmer,” Einar said. “You must do most of your trading before the winter comes and you have to stay at home while the snow melts.”
“That is true. I will be buying materials to make leather goods while I am at the markets,” replied Erik. “I will have a good supply of stock to sell when the spring comes if I am diligent.”
“When are you planning to see Jerrik?”
“I was planning to see him after going to the markets but I have changed my mind. A wagon full of goods is a more attractive target to thieves than an empty one. I will travel through unfamiliar lands with an empty wagon.”
“That is a wise plan,” Einar agreed. “Keep your eyes open for Taft while you are at the markets. You might see him.”
“I will,” promised Einar.
“Erik my friend, heill,” Jerrik said, pleasure in his voice. “It has been too long since we last met.”
“Heill, Jarl Jerrick,” Erik returned the greeting. “It has indeed been too long.”
“Are you in good health?” Jerrik asked.
“I am, thank you,” Erik replied. “Are you in good health also? And what about Freja and the children?”
“Everyone is in good health,” Jerrik said. “Will you lodge with us?”
“If that is agreeable to you, it would be my pleasure to spend some time with you both.”
“Of course. Freja will be delighted to see you. We have three children now, two boys and a girl. She is very busy running our household but she will still be happy to sit down with you and talk about what you have been doing since we last met.”
“Thank you. I will look forward to that,” Erik said.
“What brings you here to my lands? They are a long way from your own.”
“I am here on a matter that needs your advice,” Erik said.
“Then let us sit where we can discuss it in comfort,” Jerrik replied. He motioned to a servant to take care of Erik’s horses and led the way to his house. It was large and at this time of the day, empty.
“Freja and the children are outside,” Jerrik said. “We are alone.” He
