Chapter -  1
Ari the Foe Mangler

The hulk of the burning Viking longboat slipped beneath the waves of the fjord; only the mast with tattered sails, scorched and burning, stood briefly and bleakly in the northern skies as a reminder, another Viking had entered Valhalla. Ari’s, father, Eric the Bold, had fallen in battle; this in itself caused feelings of sadness. Vikings do not fear death; it is a part of their culture and religion to die with sword in hand. Valhalla, their heaven; was the Home of the Gods, as well as the abode of those slain in battle. This concept was easier to accept when one’s father was sitting beside him, more difficult and less appealing when one was alone in the big house.

Reality set in, Ari was on his own; abandoned by the fates, his mother died in childbirth and the child was stillborn. Today his father sails in a burning funeral ship, transporting him to the Home of the Slain, never to return. Ari was without mother or father in his seventeenth year; his had been a close and generous family, his grandfather was a tribal chieftain and his mother, Astor Swanneck, was the daughter of a chieftain and the union of his parents unified two of the largest warrior families in the north. His great-grandfather had founded and named the village where Ari was born. His was a close family and lived in the fishing village of Grip for generations. The population varied from 125 to 250 people across the years of its existence. For nearly fifty years, the community was located closer to the opening of the fjord; a devastating storm almost wiped the village out of existence. The survivors moved the village further into the fjord to a more protected location and the village of Grip grew and prospered. At one time most of the population of Grip was a part of the family tribe until today when his father, Eric the Bold, made his final voyage on a funeral ship leaving Ari an orphan and the last survivor of his family’s tribe. Ari’s father was a wealthy and generous man. His father’s estate, which included the large log house in which he lived, was impressive.

By any measure, Ari, Son of Eric, was a man. He was swift as a deer, strong as a bear cunning as a wolf. He defeated older and more experienced men in the games and knew his place in the society of Norsemen. In his mind, he thought, “I am a Viking and I’m not alone nor do I fear, for to die with sword in hand is an achievement that takes me to the halls of the slain and the heroes of my people. Somehow, his bravado did not comfort him very long.

Ari’s evening meal was a sobering reality. He had many unresolved questions that he wished now he had asked his father, before his death. If I should sail as a Viking, what will I use for armor and weapons?   He remembered as a child the wooden sword and shield his father had fashioned for him so he and his childhood friends could play as Vikings. However, a toy sword was insufficient at this point.  As his eyes scanned the great log house that had been his home for seventeen years and his father’s, and father’s father before him, he remembered! He remembered the great skin covered trunks that occupied the lofts of this great house where his father and grandfather entertained friends before he was born. He thought of the trunks and boxes that held the precious armor and weapons of his ancestors. Ari also remembered the stories, or sagas, sung by the skalds, the poets of his people; how the bodies his kin occupied a place of honor in a longboat surrounded by the finest weapons and armor, the ship torched and valuable implements of war strewn along the bottom of the fjord. It seemed such a waste, the destruction of such beautiful weapons. He recalled his own Viking death, or the time in child play, he was mortally injured. The only recourse was to sail in a funeral ship. He and his friends constructed a raft, of sorts, which would be his way to Valhalla. On one of the small tributary creeks that flowed into the fjord, his playmates launched him for Valhalla.

He and his friends had bent a small sapling across the stream; Ari was to reach up and grasp the sapling and pull himself from the raft as it ran into the fjord. Ari on his back with his wooden sword and shield, and some sticks that served as knives, he floated toward Valhalla and immortality. He almost waited too long. He managed to grab the bent over tree and pull himself free of the raft, but alas, his armor fell into the creek and the current took it away, he never saw them again. While it was a childhood moment, he regretted the practice of losing one’s armor when the funeral ship sank.

In a state of excitement, he jumped to his feet and bounded up the wooden ladders that led to the lofts and the treasure trove that resided there. In anticipation, he tore the tops from the boxes and flung open the trunks to reveal their contents. To his dismay, he found armor, dented and corroded; swords, knives, and daggers gaped; rusted and broken, yet despite this, he felt the call of his ancestors, the feared and mighty warriors from the north. With the family weapons, he too, could be one of them! That night he could barely sleep. His dreams were filled with sounds of battle, screams of the Valkyries; those lovely women astride their steeds, burnished with sparkling armor sent from Valhalla to assist the Norsemen in conquering and destroying the enemy. They rode the currents of the air on shafts of lightening, the currents of the sea, with their spears sharpened to bring defeat to the enemy and victory to the Norsemen. Ari awoke in a sweat with every nerve pulsing to the rhythm of the battle of his dream! In the morning, he would bargain with the crafters in steel to repair his weapons and protective armor. Exhausted, he fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.

A kindly woman awakened him, an old friend of his mother, bringing him something to eat to break the night’s fast. He greeted her with respect as an elder and friend his family but quickly informed her that he had business to attend.

Gulping the warm tea and holding the half loaf of bread under his arm and with a large skin bag across his shoulder he walked across the village compound to the Blacksmith’s shop. The weight of the weapons and armor, in the bag, brought a light sweat to his upper lip along with the realization that summer was about to invade the Northland.

He stopped in the entrance of the Blacksmith’s shop, listening to the pinging of the hammer, watching the sparks flying in every direction. He observed the rhythm of the smith as he tempered the steel, hammering it, forming and folding layer upon layer. He watched the Smithy giving the sword strength and life as some believed a good sword possessed.  Ari recalled the days of his childhood, when he and other male children had the run of the small village on the fjord. There was little danger; and the boys spent those idyllic days in the homes of friends and they reciprocated the welcome. His mother, as he remembered, was a kind and person who went to great lengths to welcome his friends into their home. She served bread and jam or bread and cheese to friends who were present at noon.

Ari was obsessed with the blacksmith shops that dotted his village. He had been enchanted for years with tools found in the shops. All of the smiths knew him as the obedient son of Eric the Bold. He had a talent at an early age of being handy and familiar with the tools of the black smith trade. At times, if they were behind with an order, he helped them make spokes for the wagon wheels or oarlocks for the fishing dories that were numerous throughout the fjord. He remained enchanted with the sights and smells of the shops when his father sent him away to school and always made his rounds when he returned home. He knew the names of every smithy in the village and the names of most of their dogs. He was soon recognized and acknowledged as the son of Eric, the recently expired Viking. The Smithy made remarks about the bravery of his father and enquired as to the business that brought him to his shop.

Taking the bag from his shoulder, he dropped the bread from under his arm. A tamed wolf kept by the Blacksmith quickly snatched the bread. He heard a giggle from behind a curtain of skins that separated the living quarters from the work and business area. The smith had a fine home; paid for by his work, which insured the success of the battles and plunders in far off villages and hamlets. He, in every case, was a wealthy man who sired only daughters; while dreaming of a son, he constructed in his spare time a perfect set of armor with well-balanced swords, daggers and battle-axes to complement the armor.

A “psss, psss” from behind the curtain summoned the Smithy; who responded and walked away with shoulders drooping carrying a message from his wife and sixteen year old daughter. The smith’s family enjoyed leaving their home in the residential area of the village to visit the shop, meets, and greet their friends and customers. The message was, “Since our pet robbed you of your breakfast, will you not let us make amends and extend an invitation to have a meal with us when you’ve finished your business?” The Smithy shrugged his shoulders, shook his hands and head and said to Ari:

“Beware son; a snare is being set for you!” Before Ari could gather his wit or frame an answer, his response popped out of his mouth: “Tell them I would appreciate having a meal with your family!”

“Tell them yourself, Ari, both she and my daughter have their ears to the curtain.”

At first, much activity came from behind the curtain and the sounds eventually grew weaker and weaker. Ari replied with a look of distress “I thought I was invited to a meal, now they are all leaving!”

Suddenly, a beautiful young woman stepped out from behind the curtain of skins. “I haven’t Ari!” said the lovely maiden that stood before him and her father. A woman, yet a child, with hair of spun gold, eyes so blue they were like looking into sea water, and a figure that was that of a goddess.

The Smithy said, “May I introduce Kadlin, my youngest daughter.”    

Ari stammered, “I know, I mean, hello, I mean…I don’t know what I mean!”

Kadlin set the hook, she said, “Air, you said you knew my name,” teasingly, she asked! “How did you come to know it?”

By this time, Ari’s cheeks were crimson and perspiration was breaking out on his forehead. “Well I asked Mrs. Johansson who that beautiful…ahh, who that girl was, but you sure don’t look like that now, you look like ….ahh, you look so mature! Ari had known Kadlin for several years; admired her from a far, but as most adolescent boys, was too bashful to admit it.

The Smithy broke in here and said, “See there, Kadlin, I told you to stay out of those clothes, they are too old for you, too revealing! I mean it; get out of them right now!” “Poppa, do you mean right now…in front of Ari?”

“No! Get in there and change while we men talk business!”

“He’s not a man, Poppa! He’s a boy!” She barked turning on one foot showing a fine turned and shapely ankle.

This time it was Ari’s turn, “How did you know that my name is Ari?” Kadlin blushed and jumped behind the curtain.

The Smithy began to explain about the clothes. “They are some of the goods looted in England from royalty. I usually do not accept clothing regardless of how fine it might be. Personally, I prefer gold or silver, but in this case, my wife said she would like to have some light filmy garments for the summer. I can see now, it was a mistake! With them she has perverted my youngest daughter.”

Ari’s mind was behind the curtain and he muttered, “She didn’t look too perverted to me, sir!”

“What did you say? Listen son,” said the Smithy, “She is listening to every word you say, don’t encourage her. Now how can we do business?”

Moving his gaze from the curtain, Ari turned toward the Blacksmith: “Sir, I am about to begin training as a Viking warrior and will hopefully sail on one of the longboats by this time next summer. I will have a year to prove myself and I believe I can do it! The problem is, Vikings always take their finest equipment with them on the funeral boat to Valhalla and it is all lost.

“That’s the way it is in our society, the best weapons are rusting on the ocean’s floor; but that practice also keeps me in business. What’s your proposition, Ari?” About that time the Blacksmith’s wife returned with two older married daughters accompanying her. She began to move tools around on one of the smith’s oak worktables, tossing some of them to the ground. “Hold on there,” the smith, shouted. “Those tools are expensive and difficult to make, some were brought from Europe and never seen before in the North.”

Absorbed in her work, his wife Jorunn, directed her three daughters in placing several kinds of cheeses on the oak table along with fresh bread, pickled fish and a delicious sauce, a bottle of wine from France and a flask of fresh water taken from the ice of the surrounding glacier. Picking up a pair of tin snips between thumb and fore finger to make more room, she dropped that tool to the ground also.

“Careful there woman, I make a living for all of us with those tools!” the Smith shouted!

“Hush Börg, we have company, go ahead and talk while we finish the meal.”

“Now, getting back to our business is there something I can do for you?” asked Börg, the Blacksmith.

“Sir, I have some weapons and some body armor that belonged to my father and my grandfather that need repaired and refurbishing. As I said, in a year I hope to be on a longboat heading south to wealth and adventure. I’ll need sufficient equipment with which to do battle,” said Ari broadening his shoulders and chest. At that moment, he dumped his cache at Börg’s feet.

The Blacksmith picked up one of the several swords, almost caressing it as he talked. “This was your father’s first sword. It is a fine sword, I made it for him when I was an apprentice Blacksmith, and the gaps can be filed down, smooth and re-sharpened!” Looking at the pile, he said, “and there are others that I made that have promise; as a matter of fact most of them are better than many Vikings carry into battle today. How are you going to pay for repairing all of this? I have to say that the armor is hardly worth repairing”

Ari breathed deeply and asked, “Would you repair a minimum of these weapons for the remainder of them as payment?”

With Ari’s question breaking the concentration of Börg’s wife, Jorunn, said she had a question of her own. Jorunn asked her husband, “You say that you designed and crafted most of these weapons and you built them to last a lifetime?”

Börg shifted on his work stool and said, “I did fashion them to last a lifetime, because if a Norseman’s weapon fails in battle and word reaches home, then I’m out of business!”

Jorunn walked over and stood behind her husband, massaged his shoulders and kissed his ear, she said, “Börg, come inside with me for a moment, I need your help to carry something.”

Börg stood, scratched his behind and obediently, followed his wife through the curtained opening. When inside, Jorunn looked lovingly at her husband and said, “When we were courting, you said that you would give me the moon and the stars; do you remember saying that?” Wondering what was next, Börg replied, “Yes, I remember.” “You also said that you would give me my heart’s desire if it were in your power. Do you remember that?”

“Of course, I remember, I also remember that I have a business deal waiting for me outside, what do you really want?” Jorunn probed further, “Do you really want to give me what I want?” she asked coyly. “Certainly, certainly, what is it you want?” he asked.

This time Jorunn barely whispered, “I want the armor and swords you fashioned for a son that we will never have!”

“Great God Thor, son of Odin, why, why do you want armor and weapons? Are you taking a voyage; you know I designed them with all the love and all the skill I possess for a son to make me proud. No! No! Woman, you ask too much of me.”

“Then your words of love made to me mean nothing!” Jorunn, with her fair skin, blue eyes and blond hair had dropped her bomb!

“But Jorunn, you know that I fashioned those for a son!”

Jorunn exclaimed from the depths of her Viking soul, “My darling Börg, you know full well the midwife said that I would never have another child, let alone the son you’ve always dreamed of.  Look at those two out there, your youngest daughter and Ari who may be your only hope of a Viking son! You complain that your other son-in-laws are merchants and clerks, but they were not the one thing you desired; you desire a Viking on a longboat seeking his fortune. For Odin’s sake, with the best you have ever made; a chance to go and to come back to us. Give him, whom I believe, if Kadlin has anything to do with it, will be the son you have always wanted!” Börg could not argue with her logic and with trembling hands, Börg reached for the fleece-lined bag that held his masterpieces. Then he called Kadlin and Ari and blurted out, “for your wedding gift I give Ari the best I have ever made, my youngest daughter, and the best weapons I’ve ever fashioned!”

Kaolin’s sisters and mother squealed with delight and gathered about her as she, blushing with embarrassed from her father’s proclamation, and said “but Poppa, he hasn’t asked for my hand in marriage”…and before she could say to her father that he was entirely too premature and presumptuous, Ari shouted above them all, “I accept!”

Ari cleared his throat, stood tall and said, “I accept your daughter to cherish and to love with all my heart as I have secretly, for several years and I accept the results of your labor of love over the forge and anvil for a son who only today walked into your life.” The family with their new son sat down to eat with smiles on their faces and satisfaction in their hearts. Ari ate and enjoyed the meal, but neither he nor Kadlin could take their eyes off each other.

Ari spent the remainder of the day in a daze! He had accepted the hand of marriage to a girl; he had worshipped from a distance for a long time, and was the owner of Viking weapons that were perhaps better than any other who set sail from this tiny fishing village. The ancient gods of his father were certainly smiling on him today. Despite his sorrow and loss, the future was looking brighter and more promising. With those thoughts, he fell asleep.

The next morning the talk on the streets of the village was that Börg had found a husband for his youngest daughter and was lucky this time. Lucky to get a young man whose family had the reputation of being of the best Viking stock in the village.

The same morning, Ari awakened to the voice of an angel singing an old song of his village. Thinking he was still asleep, he shook his head and rubbed the sleep from his eyes. Clad only in the loincloth, still groggy, he heard the commanding voice of Kadlin, saying, “Wake up Viking, it’s time to wake up, get up, take a bath and get ready for breakfast! Do you want fish or flesh?”

Stunned at her presence, he managed to ask, “Kadlin is it permissible?”

Before he could speak further, Kadlin responded by asking, “Permissible for what?”

“You know what I mean, is it permissible for you to be in a man’s home without a chaperone?”

She replied with, “If you don’t get caught!” Then she said, “If poppa knew I was here, he would skin me alive, tan my hide and tack it to the door of his barn, but mother said I was an engaged woman and although not yet married, nor ready for the marriage bed, that we should get to know each other. Ari, have you ever kissed a girl?”

“Sure I have!” he boasted. “I’ve kissed lots of girls in my time.”

Kadlin dropped her head and confessed that she had never kissed a boy. Ari noticed that some tears had formed in her eyes and guessed the reason. “No, I was only trying to act like one of the older and more experienced fellows in the village. I have never kissed a girl! I thought about kissing a cow once to see what it would be like, but never did.”

Then Ari walked over to Kadlin and lifted her face to his and placed a tender kiss on her mouth, and then again! About that time Kadlin’s mother, Jorunn exploded into the room. “How sweet, listen, there will be plenty of time for kissing, at the moment there are things to be done. First from now on, Ari, you will have your meals with us, no arguments, mamma has spoken. Secondly, you will sleep here Ari, but the girls and I will keep it clean and presentable. Of course, the two of you will live here after you are married, any suggestions, or questions?”

Ari looked at Kadlin, and asked, “Is your father aware of this arrangement? If he is aware, does he approve?” Kadlin looked at her mother who was quick to answer.

It was evident that Jorunn had everything under control. Ari remembered how his mother used to rule her home while making his father believed he was doing so. Is it a woman’s thing to do this? “Of course he approves, he is already referring to you as his son, not sons-in-law as he refers to the others; but as my son, Ari!”

“That’s not what I mean,” said Ari. “I mean about Kadlin and I.”

“Ari, set your mind at ease, he believes you truly love our daughter and plans to marry her when the time is right.”

“Well ma’am, when do you think the time will be right? I love Kadlin with all my heart, but I feel that we are both too young at the moment to get married.”

“Ari, you maturity and wisdom shine forth again! Börg and I discussed these very things and feel that in a year, you will be nearly eighteen and Kadlin will be nearly seventeen. I was barely sixteen when Börg and I married. Sixteen is an acceptable age in this village for its women to marry and then, from seventeen into their twenties. It also seems a fact in this village that if a maiden is not married by the time she is nineteen or twenty; she will end up an old mail. How does this sound to you and Kadlin?”

“Ari, I love you enough to marry you today, but mother is right, we both have thins to learn and to do before the day we begin sharing our lives together.”

“That’s exactly what I mean and I began Viking training as soon as possible, hopefully, this week.” The questions and answers had been articulated, answered and moved aside for further developments that seemed to be moving along speedily!

When the house was clean, clothing washed and hung out to dry, breakfast done, and the kitchen straightened up, Ari decided to apply for a position on a longboat. He had his equipment, his families’ reputation as a loyal shipmate and Viking; he donned his sea going clothes and walked down to the wharves. The longboats, moored side by side, with wide planks connecting one to another. It was necessary to cross four longboats to reach Thor’s Hammer.

Seeing Bödvar, the Captain of the longboat, Thor’s Hammer, he recalled that his father once said that Bödvar was a brave man, a skilled Captain, and one who always returned his ship to this fjord and village with his brave and competent crew.

Walking along the jetty, Ari hailed Captain Bödvar who was standing on the deck of his longboat, Thor’s Hammer.  Captain Bödvar was a tall, fair skinned, blue eyed, blond man in his forties. Resembling the other Vikings, he appeared as though cut with the same cookie cutter. Finally, over the screeching of the sea gulls, he acknowledged Ari and motioned him aboard.

The longboat is a unique vessel; pointed at each end for speed, half-decked aft and the forward area of the ship, where the sailor-warriors, ate and slept, among other personal things. Most longboats had at least 30 rowers or more, sitting low in the ship so their oars would reach the water. Equipped with square sails of many bright colors, the round shields of the Vikings hung outside on the gunwales above the oars. The shields designated that it was a warship rather than a merchant vessel. Most of their battles were on the sea rather than on land. With the multi-colored shields and bright colored sails, the ships had a festive appearance. However, they were deadly serious about their business. With amazing skill, the Captains of the longboats with their high curved fore and aft figureheads, would sail beside another vessel, merchant or battle ship, throw grappling hooks across the gunwales of the other vessel and pull them along side and hold them fast. Then the boarding parties would throw the loose planks across the sides of both vessels and with sword, spear, battle-axes and clubs, they would kill until there was no resistance.

Following the battle, the Vikings would ransack, loot, and burn the enemy ship or merchant vessel. Any treasure aboard was transferred to the Viking ship along with any persons they desired as slaves. The Vikings were violent and destructive men. This is the life chosen by Ari, following the example of his father, and his father’s before him.

“Hail, Captain Bödvar,” Ari shouted as he watched his balance while maneuvering the boards that linked the ships together. “How may I help you?” asked Captain Bödvar, as Ari made his way to the rear deck of the Viking ship, Thor’s Hammer.

Ari made no bones about it, he replied, “I want to sail with you next summer.” I want to spend the interval between now and then training to sharpen my skills as both a sailor and a Viking warrior.”

“It appears to me that you’ve charted your course pretty clearly. Are there any romantic ties in your plans?”

“Yes, sir, I’ve plan to be married next year some months before sailing.”

Captain Bödvar asked and, “who is the lucky maiden?”

“She is the youngest daughter of Börg, the Blacksmith, her name is Kadlin,” replied Ari.

“As I said a moment ago, you seem to have all the loose ends tied up quite properly. It is all beginning to come together now, you are Ari, the son of Eric, a brave and deceased Viking Captain and the word on the streets is that you are to wed Kadlin, Börg’s baby daughter. I know them well, we are family friends.”

A little ruffled, Ari answered the Captain, “Yes sir to most of your questions and comments, but if you had seen Kadlin yesterday, you would not have called her a baby daughter, she is a mature young woman.”

“Excuse me, Viking, don’t get you hackles up, we sailors respect our women, and it is right that we should. A good woman is like a good ship, you can depend on her and vice versa. You want to be a Viking, do you? Do you have weapons, armor, things a Viking needs?”

“Yes, sir, “Yesterday I took all of my families tools of the trade to the Blacksmith to refurbish and sharpen. Several things developed and my father in law, to be, gave me these things,” holding up the fleece lined bag.

“By the stars that guide our ships, I’ve never seen workmanship like this! They are similar to the gear Börg, the Smithy prepared for a son he hoped to have some day, but he would never part with them,” the Captain said, examining the contents of the bag.

“They are one and the same. Apparently, he feels that I am the Viking son that he has been waiting for and not only the contents of the bag, he has given to me the hand of his daughter in marriage. We marry in a year, or less!”

“Viking, you are better prepared with weaponry than any Viking I know, including myself. But can you use them?”

“Yes, sir, my father made certain that should the time come that I wanted to sail as an adventurer or as a warrior, I would be prepared.”

Captain Bödvar looked Ari in the eyes, and asked, “Then why not sail this year rather than waiting.”

The answer to this question is one that Ari had rehearsed, repeatedly. “Captain, I could sail this summer, but in my heart, I feel I need the extra time and training before I take on the responsibility as a seaman and Viking on your ship. I do not want to be your weakest link; I want to be your strongest right arm. I want to intensify my training in order to do my job not only properly, and efficiently, but also so effectively that I will bring honor to your ship and to this village. Do you understand my desire?”

“I understand perfectly and I admire you that you want to be the best! Do you have a Viking instructor who can hone your skills until you are as competent as your equipment?” Captain Bödvar had experience many men who wanted to serve his ship, but in the end, they were hacked to pieces because they were not competent to go the distance, or to accomplish the task.”

“No! Sir, I don’t have anyone to help me, but my prayer to Thor is to lead me to the right person.”

“Thor just did! I have a Viking seaman who was injured in our last raid on England, at my insistence; he agreed not to make the voyage this summer, but to wait until next summer. The two of you will complement each other, he will learn from you and you will learn from him. If you are serious, by the end of this summer and winter, I shall have the two best swordsmen in all Viking history and legend. Do you still reside in your father’s house in the village?”

“Yes sir, and thank you sir. I’ll be ready by the beginning of next summer.” Ari was excited over his good fortune. Everything was coming together, a new bride, new equipment, and a billet on a Viking ship sailing for England next summer. “Goodbye, Captain, I’ll see you next summer!”

“Correction, seaman, you will see me this winter, there is plenty of work to do on a ship even when it is tied up for the winter. Work hard; do not let the ship down! I shall get in touch when your skills are needed.”

Reeling with excitement from his successful interview with Captain Bödvar, Ari managed the planks from longboat to longboat back to the jetty. The sun seemed brighter, the sky bluer, and cliffs that delineated the fjord were beginning to reveal patches of green grass and trees that only a few days before presented nothing but snow and ice. All the signs indicated to Ari that summer was upon them. His steps quickened with the realization that the adventure of a lifetime lay before him. By this time next year, he would be married and preparing to leave this village for his first voyage. Ari wondered who would be his weapons instructor and what would he be like. The trip to the wharves and his interview with Captain Bödvar filled his morning. He could hardly believe his luck. He felt a hunger pain and remembered the instructions of Jorunn, his mother-in-law to be, that he would have meals with his new family from this point on; and besides being hungry, he was eager to share with Kadlin his acceptance as a crewmember aboard Captain Bödvar’s vessel, Thor’s Hammer.

Arriving at the shop of Börg, Kadlin ran out and greeted him with a kiss. “Kadlin, what do you think you are doing, we’re not married yet! What is your father going to think when he hears about this?”

Stepping through the curtain, Börg answered his question, “Get accustomed to it, Son, that’s all she talked about last night. Neither her mother nor I could talk because she had a hundred questions about the conduct of an engaged woman. Her mother and I agreed that a kiss here or there, within reason, would not be out of line. However, I think it best that when she visits your home, she should be accompanied by a member of the family.”

“Yes, sir!” replied Ari, “That’s exactly what I told her yesterday when I was awakened by her singing and exploration of my house.”

Wrinkling her nose and pouting with her lips, Kadlin replied, “It’s my house too, and I just wanted to see what it looked like inside.”

Then she walked over to Ari and gave him another big kiss! Börg cleared his throat and immediately Kadlin said, “Well, Poppa, you said we could kiss here or there! I kissed my future husband over there and now I am doing it here. That’s what you said, ‘here or there!’”

“I can see that we must keep an eye on that girl. Well, the sons-in-law are here and it is time to eat. Let us sit down to the table. You’ve all noticed that to protect my tools, Jorunn purchased a dining table for the family.”

As the family gathered around the table, one of the son-in laws sarcastically directed the conversation to Ari. “Well, how is the new Viking in the family? We haven’t been introduced yet but I believe your name is Ari Foemangler or is it Ari the Foe Mangler!” This set the other in-laws to giggling.

“Hey!” said Ari, “That’s not a bad name for a Viking, I think I will adopt it and you dear brother in law may address me from now on as Ari Foemangler! Let us see, as you stated, we have not been properly introduced!  How must I address you? I know! I will call you ‘Hey Boy, the Goose Egg Salesman’ or perhaps simply, ‘Hey Goose egg?”

Now, Börg doubled over in laughter, delighted indeed, that he had a fearless Viking in his family who would not sit still for ridicule from the pale-skinned clerk from the produce store whose face was now the color of the deep red coals in the Blacksmith’s forge.

Jorunn walked in with a serving tray overflowing with several meats, salmon, and cheeses. “What’s everyone laughing about? Did I miss a good joke? And Edgaar your face is as read as a beet, are you sick?”

“No! Dear, Edgaar the red here, dubbed our new son, Ari as Ari the Foemangler and Ari dubbed him, ‘Hey Boy, the Goose egg,’ or something like that.”

Jorunn shook her head and said, “Now boys, you should be nice to one another, after all, we are one family. And by the way Edgaar, speaking of goose eggs, I need to know if Ari likes chicken eggs or goose eggs for breakfast.”  Unaware that animosity had invaded her happy home. At her mention of goose eggs, Börg’s face contorted in laughter again. He was almost choking on a mouthful of breakfast rolls.

Edgaar did not speak another word after Börg insisted that Ari share with them his encounter with Captain Bödvar earlier that morning. Ari, having attended the finest school in the area while his father sailed in conquest, was an extremely intelligent and articulate young man. He shared about the tide, the blue water of the fjord, the patches of green along the faces of the cliffs that formed the fjord, the gaggling of the seagulls, the beauty of the outline of the moored longboats as well as the positive input of his new ship’s Captain. Ari controlled the table, every eye was upon him, all leaned forward to catch the nuance of any new nautical term. All, but Edgaar, seemed to relish the report of Ari’s meeting with Captain Bödvar.

The family enjoyed the meal with gusto, laughing, teasing, and making further introductions that were civil in tone and conduct except for Edgaar who excused himself, saying that he was not feeling well. “Poor fellow,” said Ari, “Perhaps I was too rough on him!” “No!” said Maria, Edgaar’s wife, “Edgaar’s actions were very rude, he had it coming. He was wrong to insult Ari like that and I assure you all, he will hear from me, as well! Say, little sister you wouldn’t like to trade husbands, would you?”

Kadlin jumped up and ran around behind Ari and flung her arms around his neck, and shook her head and said “No! Big sister, stay away from my Ari, besides, you have something to tell Mama and Papa.

Börg’s ears perked up, “Has Edgaar been gambling again?” Maria made a gesture toward Kadlin that said, “I’ll get you for this!” “No Poppa, he hasn’t gambled at all since you threatened him the last time.”

“Maria, this isn’t the time or place to talk about this, but since it has come up, I did not threaten him. I only told him that he was taking an awful chance gambling with those unsavory people. I also told him that he must be ready to pay them if he loses, because I will not pay another weight of silver for his gambling debts. Now what is this secret of yours?”

Before she could answer, Kadlin, with hands on her hips announced, Poppa, she’s going to have a baby!”

Börg stood and clapped his hands, “at last, grandchildren and perhaps a grandson. He embraced his daughter and announce, “I’d better begin fashioning a sword and armor; we may have two Vikings in this family. Ari said, “Congratulations sir! Perhaps I should return the equipment in case it is a grandson, if you don’t mind refurbishing my old equipment.” Börg threw his arms around Ari and said, “I wouldn’t dream of returning the weapons, I have eighteen to twenty years to work and dream about  a Viking grandson and you, Ari, have brought luck to this family, just think, a grandson! Not only are you helping me by marrying my ugly daughter, you are bringing honor to my house.”

“Poppa, Ari didn’t get Maria pregnant, it was her husband, not mine! Am I really your ugly daughter? Is that what you think of me?” Tears were welling up in her eyes and she ran to her mother’s arms.

“No! No! My darling little one, I do not think that at all, but you have been a little forward today and it is the father’s responsibility to make sure that you have grace and charm and not the cackle of a witch! Now then, Ingrid will you and Thord walk your sister, Maria, home. I have to get back to work. Kadlin what plans have you and Ari; Jorunn, did you know about the baby?” As all were leaving, Jorunn nodded her head in the affirmative.

At the curtain, Ari gave Kadlin a peck on the cheek and said that he had some business that would probably take all afternoon and that he would see her at supper, tonight. Kadlin smiled and hid the disappointment she really felt. Ari had business to attend that only he could care for and that was that!

From the Blacksmith’s shop, he headed east along the fjord in the direction of the produce store where Edgaar worked. Arriving at the front door, he noticed some fruit from the south that looked appetizing, but first, he wanted to talk with Edgaar. Edgaar saw him come in and it concerned him. Why was he there, did he want to pursue the argument that began at the dining table? Ari had twenty pounds and four inches on him; it would not be much of a fight. He looked around for something with which to defend himself and the only thing he could find was a shovel, which he used to shovel ice and snow away from the entrance of the store.

He stooped to pick it up and was startled when he heard Ari's voice. "Good afternoon brother! I hope you do not mind me calling you brother, I never had a brother or sister, and I was an only child. My mother died in giving birth and the child she had died in a few weeks due to some illness. Therefore, that means that you and Thord are the only brothers I have. In addition, I will have the pleasure of being an uncle to your child. I hope I can be a good brother and uncle."

Edgaar was disarmed and speechless! He leaned the shovel against the wall, turned and extended his hand and said, "I want to apologize for embarrassing both of us at lunch, I was jealous of all the attention you were receiving, and I have some other problems as well."

Ari took his hand as a gesture of peace and offered an apology of his own, "We both were acting like small school boys. I'm sorry it happened also, so we have peace from now on?" Edgaar smiled a smile of relief, he also was happy that this situation had been resolved. Ari looked at his new brother and asked him if he had plans for the evening. "The reason I asked is that there will be a lantern light gathering up on the hill for the Viking's families of those who died in the voyages last summer. Vikings do not fear death, but it is difficult on the survivors left at home. The schoolchildren will be singing some songs and there will be a pageant of sorts, then those who wish can make a contribution that will be divided among the families that are in need. I thought we might take our women and enjoy the production. Are you interested?"

Edgaar's countenance fell a little and he said, "I would love to take Maria to something like this, she has complained recently of being lonely, but I mentioned earlier that I have this problem." Ari remembered the talk at the table about his gambling debts and asked him directly, "Has it to do with gambling?"

Edgaar could hardly hold back the tears, "Yes, and I believe everyone in the village is knowledgeable of my debts. Even the proprietor of the store watches me wondering if I am stealing from him. Ari, I do not know what I am going to do, a new baby on the way and I cannot even pay the midwife's fee. What's going to happen to us?" Ari asked Edgaar, "How much and to whom do you owe?"

Edgaar dropped his head and his shoulders slumped. 'I owe three wedges of a gold coin and I owe it to your Captain." Ari asked, is he a good gambler? In addition, Edgaar said, "Better than I!" Ari continued to probe, "Where and when do they play and what game is it?"

Edgaar said they are playing right now. "They play early till late." "Well what time do you get off?” In about an hour from now due to the pageant you mentioned." "Brother Edgaar, I'll meet you hear in an hour and you and I are going to gamble for your last time." "Ari, they will just take your money and I don't have any." "One hour, and I will go by now and tell the girls about the pageant at sundown and to be ready, Kadlin will get the word out to the sisters."

Ari had an hour, first he went by the Blacksmith shop and luck was with him, Kadlin was still there as was Jorunn. He told the girls and directed Kadlin to contact her sisters to be ready at sunset to attend the lamp light pageant. Last, inform Thord of the plans and tell him to be ready. Now I have things to do!

Ari then went to the office in the village where the officer there, for years, had handled his father's business and cared for his wealth, a man who was completely honest. He greeted Ari and there was no waiting. When asked what service he could provide, Ari asked for three gold coins from what was now his account. The man asked no questions because he was aware of Ari’s thrift and the transaction ended. All of his business was done in about an hour, he set out to meet Edgaar, and off they went to Thor's Hammer.

Approaching the ship, he hailed the sailor on duty telling him that they were there to gamble. A smile crossed the sailor's face as he recognized the looser but did not connect Ari with his father, Eric.

Ari spoke directly to the sailor and asked how the luck was running today. The sailor answered, "Some are winning and some are losing." Ari asked," Is there any possibility that we might get in a game." The sailor looked them up and down as if he was measuring them for new clothing, "The Captain might let you in, but I don't think the other one with you will be allowed because he owes too much to the Captain."

The sailor led them to the stem covered by a deck protecting the Captain's quarters. Inside was the smell of distilled spirits, beer, and smoke from the pipes of those participating in the game? The sailor cleared a place at the table for Ari, but not for Edgaar, he remained standing. The Captain asked Edgaar if he had any money that he owed the Captain. Edgaar shook his head, "No!"

Ari smiled at his new Captain and said, "He isn't playing today he is only here to help me carry my money home! What's the name of the game?" It was the Captain's call. It was an easy game to win, and win he did. Edgaar whispered to him, they are setting you up to take a fall. One of the players overheard his remark. He then made a snide remark while tossing a wedge of gold on the table and said to Ari, "Match that!" Ari said to the sailor and the Captain, "We don't have much time because we are taking our ladies to the pageant at sunset. We just wanted to see how much we could win in the meantime." The Captain said, "Son, win all you can, it's an honest game!" Ari replied, "I'm counting on it sir!" Then tossed a gold coin on the table worth four gold wedges, and said, "Cover that!" The sailor tossed three more wedges to cover the bet and said, "You're covered!" Ari then said, "Let's make it really interesting!" Ari placed the second gold coin on the table followed by the third. The Captain said, "Ari, can you afford to lose this money? You are engaged to be married; you'll need all that you have and more to keep up a wife." Ari replied, "Captain, I've always wanted to play one time for big stakes, this is it!" The Viking sailor covered thee three gold pieces and in the final move, the Captain said, "By the stars in Orion, you've won again. Who taught you to play this game?" My father said it was the favorite game on long voyages and he taught me to play it so well that he could not beat me himself.

"By the way Skipper, my friend owes you three gold wedges, here you are. One, two, three; Paid in full. Sir, if he ever comes aboard this vessel again, throws him to the sharks! Now let us go pick up our women. Captain did he give you a marker, yes, may I have it? We'll play again another day!"

Making their way back to the jetty, Ari began to whistle an old Viking tune about friendship and family. Edgaar joined in the whistling and soon both had their arms across each other’s shoulders as they walked west along the fjord toward the Blacksmith’s shop. Ari turned to Edgar and handed him the other three golden wedges that he won, saying they were for his wife and child. Börg, Jorunn, Thord, Ingrid, Maria and Kadlin were all standing in front of the shop waiting. Seeing Ari and Edgaar, they began to wave and they all entered the shop together.

Jorunn, the eternal mother said, “If you children don’t mind, Börg and I would like to join you; we haven’t been out in months.” Ari walked over to Jorunn, took her hand, placed his other hand at her waist and they twirled together, and then he stepped back, bowed and exclaimed, “Mother, dear, I’m hungry!” Everyone laughed Jorunn said, “I thought we all would be so Kadlin and I prepared a snack, let’s eat, time is passing and we don’t want to miss any of the pageant.” All agreed and entered the shop and went directly to the table.

When all were seated, Edgaar suggested that all have a glass of wine for he was about to propose a toast. When all were ready, he lifted his glass and said, “Tonight I want to toast my brothers! And I also want to apologize to you, my family for being such a clod!” All lifted their glasses, took a sip and almost asked in unison, “What happened to you?” Edgaar replied, “Today I found a brother, actually he found me. He also taught me a couple of lessons!”

Börg stood at the head of the table and took another sip of wine and smiling a smile that only a satisfied father could, said, “I don’t see any blood or bruised eyes, what kind of lessons did he teach you, apparently they were not physical lessons?”

Still standing, Edgaar said, “Father, may I call you father? Mother, may I call you mother? Ari and Thord, may I call you brothers?” All were nodding affirmatively, and grinning like a fox leaving the hen house after a delicious meal. “Tell us the lessons!” Edgaar, blushing and embarrassed replied, “Today, Ari came to the store after the noon meal. I thought he might have come to fight because of the rude manner in which I addressed him; so I picked up the only defensive weapon I could find, a snow shovel. He quickly disarmed me, not physically, see, no broken arms. He disarmed me with brotherly love, He shared that he was an only child and that he lost his mother in the childbirth of an infant brother or sister, he did not say which. Then he spoke of the love he held for this family, especially Kadlin, and said that he wanted to be a good uncle to my child. My heart melted, as I had been such an ass towards him. His love was so contagious we embraced. All was forgiven and we instantly became friends and brothers.” Maria, his wife said I am so pleased and proud of you both but I am dying to know what the second lesson was!”

“Yes, yes,” urged Börg and Jorunn, simultaneously, “What was the second lesson?” Edgaar dropped his head and shrugged his shoulders, “He taught me a lesson about gambling!” All looked at him in disbelief knowing that he had almost wrecked his relationship between he, his wife, and his father-in-law because of his gambling. “What did he teach you,” they asked, again in disbelief, hoping that the new lesson would not lead him again to the gambling table.

“Ari is a good teacher, he took his money and the two of us went to the ship where the gambling was taking place and asked the Captain, to whom I owed three gold wedges, if we could play. The Captain said Ari could, but I couldn’t until I paid-up.”  Edgaar paused to wipe his eyes as he was beginning to weep. His wife Maria, said tenderly, “Edgaar, tell us what happened!” Edgaar gained his composure and continued. “Ari using his own money sat down and in three hands of the game won over twice as much as I owed, then he paid the Captain off and retrieved my markers and told the Captain if I ever came back to throw me to the sharks!” Again, all asked, “What was the lesson?” Edgaar smile and said, “It was a lesson I should have known myself. The lesson he taught me about gambling is: ‘DON’T!’”

“And on the way back here, he placed in my hand the three golden wedges that he also won and said, ‘This is for your wife and baby!’” Ari, Brother, thank you for your love and respect while I am such a goose egg!” Immediately Ari stood and said, “Don’t talk that was about my brother, either Edgaar or Thord or they will incur the wrath of this Viking, to be!” At the same time, Maria rushed to her husband and embraced him and Börg and Jorunn were right behind her. “Today,” He exclaimed, loudly enough for the whole village to hear, “I have three sons whom I dearly cherish and what I have desired for a long time.” Everyone hugged each other, ate a few bites and as they left the shop for the pageant, Maria stepped up beside Ari and whispered, “Thank you, Brother, thank you for everything, especially for giving me my husband back again! As she walked on to her waiting husband, Börg moved up beside Ari and whispered, “Thank you son, again you’ve worked your magic and brought luck, love and honor to my family.” Ari put his arm around his father’s shoulder and said, “OUR family!”

The family spread out in couples along the path that led to the hillside and the pageant. Ari and Kadlin were the last in the line and Kadlin stepped in front of Ari, put her arms around his neck, kissed him, and whispered in his ear, “Ari Foemangler, I love you so much. You have worked miracles in our family. Edgaar did not know it, but he dubbed you with a good name, Foemangler, because you take foes and mangle them with love until they surrender! I do love you so much that I don’t know if I can stand waiting until next year.” Kissing her on the lips, he whispered, “But we will wait, won’t we?” Hand in hand, they joined the others and the crowd that was forming. Ari excused himself and located the master of ceremonies, handed him a purse, whispered something to him, nodded affirmatively in agreement to something and rejoined his fiancée.

The pageant lasted about forty-five minutes, the children were beautiful in their costumes, precious in their singing and Ari pointed to five little girls on the front row and whispered to Kadlin, “I want five little children just like those! I also want a son to carry on my father’s line” Kadlin stuck her elbow in his ribs and gave him a little bump! “Me too, darling, me too, I was just thinking the same thing.

Finally, the end came and the real purpose for the production. The Master of Ceremonies stepped forward and said, “We all know why we are here! We gather annually to raise a fund to assist families in our little community who has lost husbands with children on the long voyages at sea. We manage to raise several wedges of silver and some brass coins as well each year. Tonight, we have a special challenge! A young man who will be sailing a year from now has given me three golden coins, folks that is twelve wedges of gold. He challenges anyone to make a contribution of gold to our coffers. Of course, we still need any silver or brass contribution as well. Is there anyone here that will answer the challenge?

From the back of the crowd walked Captain Bödvar. He laughed as he confided to all that, “The money given by this young man was really mine, he won it at my tables to help a friend and in his generosity has contributed it as well to this worthwhile cause. I’ll give an additional nine gold coins to make it an even dozen.” He handed a purse to the Master of Ceremonies and returned to the back of the crowd. The Master of Ceremonies was wiping his forehead with his sleeve, as other contributions of brass and silver were coming in. He was exhilarated at the response, probably the largest contribution ever raised at the annual pageant.

Finally, Börg stepped forward, he cleared his throat, nodded to several in the crowd who patronized his shop and began, “Most of you know me, I am your local Blacksmith, I fashion implements of battle as well as candleholders and lamps! If it can be fashioned from iron, steel, brass or bronze, I can make it. However, I have been unable to make it as a father and perhaps as a husband until recently, there has been dissention in my family. In addition, a day or so ago, a young man walked into my shop. All of you know whom I am speaking of because our village is small and we have few secrets. He brought a duffel bag full of his father’s and grandfathers weapons for me to repair. I made most of them myself. When he left, later that day, he left with the heart of my youngest daughter, a pledge for her hand in marriage, the finest armor and sword I have ever constructed all free at the encouragement of my dear wife. which incidentally, I had made for a hoped for son who might become a Viking, Ari fit the bill as a son, a husband,  a brother to my present son’s-in law who never addressed me as father until Ari worked him magic in their lives. I am so happy I am about to weep. In the name of all my children, I give twenty-five golden coins that make a hundred wedges of gold, with a promise of help and assistance to anyone who has lost a father at sea. Thank you!’

Everyone in the audience stood and applauded and tears reflected by the lantern light of dozens of lanterns revealed not a dry eye in the crowd. The MC made his closeting remarks and the festivities ended as people gradually moved away or paused to chat with friends. Mother Jorunn directed her brood to return to their home and not to the Blacksmith shop.

The home of Börg and Jorunn was one of luxury. The home had a great hall for entertaining, four sleeping rooms, one for each member of the family, a kitchen, loft and a sauna. Börg insisted on the sauna to steam and sweat away, the soot and grime of the Blacksmith shop then half an hour in the bath, a cedar barrel big enough to hold a seated man. Beneath the barrel was a metal plate, beneath which burned charcoal embers, keeping the water warm. The furniture was European brought back from the voyages and bartered at his shop for weapons and maintenance on the vessels. Upon entering the residence, it was evident that those who inhabited the home were financially secure.

Kadlin enjoyed showing her friends her home. She doubly enjoyed showing Ari almost every nook and cranny. Ari teased her saying he was not sure he could support her in this fashion. He knew full well that he could and more, but it was fun teasing her into believing that he could not.

Shortly, Maria and Edgaar found them and again poured out their thanks for what Ari had done. Edgaar confessed to them that, in a sense, he is free from the prison that bound him Moreover, is now a free man. Ari encouraged him never to set foot again in that place. The two brothers embraced once more and Kadlin said, you know something Maria, Ari has hugged Edgaar more today than he has me. Thord and Ingrid walked in the room and Thord said, “We wondered where you were. You are not hiding from us are you?” Ari walked over and pretended to hit Thord in the chest, but instead put his arms around Ingrid and Thord and said, “Brother and sister, there’s nothing to hide any more in this family, and we are all an open book to each other and let’s keep it that way.” At that moment, Börg and Jorunn stepped in the doorway, “Children, we have been standing behind the door listening to our children and there is a whole new spirit in our family, mother and I feel so blest. Mother and I want you to come to us if we can help with any problem before it gets full blown.”

Ari stepped forward and said, “I’ve got a problem and I need some help immediately!”  Immediately the room was like a tomb, quiet! “Son, we are all family here and we are all ready to help you, what can we do?” “Poppa, I have got to pee and I have no notion which way to go in this big house.” “Seven people stepped forward to give him direction.”  Poppa, held up his hands and said, “This is a job for the head of the house, come on son.” In a few seconds, they were in a cedar-lined toilet. Börg stepped outside and closed the door. In a minute or two, Ari stepped outside to join him, “Whew, that was close, I am glad to find this spot, you never know…..” His father-in-law slapping his legs and laughing, “You are right son, you never know, you have been a busy man today, how long has it been?” “Just before breakfast and I never found time or a place after that.”

Joining the others, Poppa announced that the emergency is over and all is well. The families had moved to the great room and were sitting around a beautiful dining table laden with baked goose, salmon steaks, venison, rabbit, potatoes, and other vegetables Ari had never seen before. There were two empty chairs, one at each end of the table.  Börg sat down at the head of the table leaving the place of honor for Ari. Ari shook his head, “This will not do Pop. I am the youngest here except for Kadlin. This place belongs to Thord, the oldest son. Is that all right Mother?”

        Jorunn answered immediately, “How could we have been so insensitive, of course that is Thord’s privilege. We are sorry dear, please change chairs.” With a smile on the face or all, Börg clapped his hands in support of Thord, and remarked, “We are beginning to be a real family!” “Thank you Poppa, we have good news also. Thord is so timid that he would not interrupt the flow of the conversation, but Thord is now the head of the investment department with a substantial raise in salary and tell them the rest Thord.” Blushing with the attention, Thord said, “With my new responsibility I have been directed by Mr. Swenson to find a replacement for my old job as clerk. I asked him about hiring a relative and he said, “Yes! I could hire whomever I pleased as long as I was satisfied that he could do the job.”

Edgaar chimed in, “Well brother Ari, looks as if you have another job offer, if you want it, ”Ari replied, Brother, can you think of me, Ari the Foe Manger, with an inside job?” Thord stepped in again and said, “No! Edgaar, you goose egg, I meant you and your salary will be well over twice what you are receiving now. Are you willing to give it your best effort, and it means no more gambling!”

Well, said Börg, “This old Blacksmith now has a Viking and two executives in the family.” Ari chimed in again, “Make that two executives and a Viking, to be!  Anyone can swing a sword, but it takes real commitment to sit in a hot office in the summer time! In addition, Brother Thord, I want to talk with you about investing some of the interest in my father’s, make that my account. However, not at the table while we are celebrating the new advancements of my two favorite brothers.

Börg looked at Edgar and his daughter, Maria, both had their faces in their hands weeping at the good news, “Bring on that good French wine, let’s celebrate! And thank the gods for our continued good fortune.” Therefore, the night ended….only very early in the morning!

The sun had no more than peeped over the rim of the glacier that surrounded the fjord and small village than a loud knock and a loud voice awakened Ari from a sound sleep. He pulled on some trousers and a jumper, slipped his feet into some shoes and answered the front door. As the door opened, Ari faced a young man in his mid twenties. No mistaking his identity or his purpose for he was dressed in the typical Viking garb, with a sheathed sword hanging from shoulder straps, a battle ax in his belt, a round shield in his hand and a Viking helmet on his head! He was ready to do battle.

“Are you the son of Eric and the new recruit for the ship, Thor’s Hammer?” Ari quickly said, “I am! You must be the instructor that the Captain alerted me about, yesterday. Say it is early, are you hungry?” The Viking replied, “Yes!” To both of the questions Ari asked him! I do not have anything here, because I am soon to be married and I am having my meals at the home of my in-laws. If we can hold out for an hour, he will open the shop and we can join them for breakfast. Is that satisfactory with you?” “That’s fine with me,” the Viking said. Ari decided to open up the conversation and asked the Viking for a name. “What do you wish me to call you?” “It doesn’t matter, call me whatever you wish, some call me sailor, or Viking, or the first thing they think of to call me.” “Don’t you have a name?” Ari asked again. “Of course I have a name, everyone has a name. I was named Bardi, at birth, which was a long time ago!” Bardi replied. “Fine, Bardi, I’m Ari, I hope we can become friends as well as ship mates.” “I don’t have many friends because I’m a killer. A Viking kills or is killed, it is that simple. You do not hesitate nor look at the morality of it or you will lose an arm or leg if not your head. On our voyage to England last summer, I was in hand to hand combat with two Englanders, I dispatched one of them and was about to knock the brains out of the other when his helmet fell off and it was a child about twelve years of age. I stopped fighting and looked at that boy; I let my guard down; he lunged and nearly got me. That is why I am here instead of preparing for this summer’s voyage to Europe. “I will try to be careful,” said Ari. “In our training, what do you want to do first?” asked Ari.

Bardi smiled and said, “We need to run to get in shape. Vikings do lots of running and we do it in full battle gear, helmet, battle-ax, sword, spear and club. Those who thirst easily, also need a canteen, or do without.

“How far shall we run?” Ari tried to imagine. “We will start out running about four thousand yards. In a year, we will be doing ten thousand and that will be in full gear.

“Get dressed and we will be on our way, when we return we will see if we can get some of that home cooked breakfast you told me about,” Bardi was ready to get back in shape. He knew his life depended on it.

Ari was dressed in short order. He found clothing, the other night that would be suitable for long voyages or a long run. His father was his size, so the clothes fit him perfectly. Rather than using his new weapons and body armor, he picked something that would suitable for training. When entered the great room where Bardi waited, he was meet with a steel stare, “Well, you look like a Viking, but where is that fancy gear the Captain said you had.” Ari began to explain, “I wanted to use this old stuff and save the new until time to head south.” Bardi said, “For today, all right, but tomorrow bring the stuff you will be using on the voyage because you need to get used to it. You may need some adjustments. You need to use it until you hand develops the calluses that hold it correctly so it will not slip from your hand. You want your hand to form around it so it is one piece from the point of your shoulder to the tip of the blade. Your body will be one element shoulder, arm, and hand, weapon rigid and strong. Otherwise, some Englander will knock it from your hand cut off both arms, then legs. I have seen it all too often. Tomorrow bring the best if you intend to use it in battle also a shield.” Ari could tell that Bardi knew the ropes, and that his training will be to perfection. Looking into Bardi’s steel blue eyes, he could see death to anyone who crossed his path. Bardi would never pause or hesitate again. To Bardi, one kills, or suffers the consequences! At the same time, Bardi did not fear death; he simply wanted to postpone it for a while!

Bardi started out with a long stride, slow trot. It was evident that he could run like this all day, should he need to. They ran by the Blacksmith shop along the fjord and over the hill where they watched the pageant last evening. As they ran by the shop, Börg ran out to greet them, but Bardi did not slow down and Börg ran to keep up, but became winded, and turned back to his shop. He called to Ari to stop by on the way back. That breakfast would be ready and they could all eat together and bring his friend. He was a sentimental old man, but he was also shrew! It would be prestigious and good for business to have two Vikings visible around the shop.

The first two thousand yards were not too bad for Ari, but the last two thousand caused him to pant! He realized that he was not in as good condition as he thought and was thankful that Bardi had slowed the gait so they were running side by side. Bardi chuckled and said he did not want Ari’s sweet heart to be ashamed, so he slowed down so she would think h had kept up all the way. Reaching the Blacksmith shop thy turned into the work area, Börg was waiting for them. He directed them to the washroom and said that he had placed a bucket on the fire for some warm water and he hoped it was warm enough to wash up a little before breakfast. Ari introduced Bardi to his father-in-law to be and went straight to the washroom, small but large enough for the two. Bardi stripped off his shirt and Ari was amazed at the scars on his back and chest. You could hardly place your finger on his back or chest without touching a scar. To be marked like that he had been in many battles. Ari’s father had a few scars, but not near as many as Bardi

While washing up, Ari noticed that something was missing. A medallion that his father had given him on his tenth birthday was missing. It was a gold coin on a leather thong. One of his father’s sailors had found an ancient shark’s tooth in the sand around the opening where the fjord opened to the sea, carved a hole into the center of a golden coin, and inserted, sideways, the shark’s tooth until it appeared to have grown there. Then the sailor bored a small hole, formed a small metal ring through the hole and with a leather thong used as a bootlace made a medallion to hang around his neck. When he learned that the skipper had a small son, he offered it to his Captain as a gift for the son. Reminding the Captain of the tradition and superstition that if one wears a medallion such as this, should one fall over the side of the boat into the sea, the medallion would protect him from being bitten by a shark. All sailors wore them. Ari had worn his medallion for seven years and hoped he could find another before he went to sea. He regretted loosing it because it had been a gift from his father.

When they began toweling off, Börg walked over and said, I hope you boys are hungry. My wife and daughters have worked overtime preparing for breakfast. I hope you will enjoy it. They have prepared fish, pork, sausages, hot cakes, bread and marmalade. There will be something here you will like. Jorunn came in to ask what they would like to drink, Bardi requested milk. He opened up a little and shared that he could never get enough milk. Milk does not last very long on the seas and beginning to smile, he said, “It is difficult to milk an English cow while fighting the owner with a sword or pitchfork.” Then he changed his tone, as they walked to the table with a white linen tablecloth covering it and the sisters and their husbands sitting down waiting for them, he removed his helmet, smiled and bowed at the waist when Ari introduced him to them. He called each woman ma’am; and was respectful to her husband. He turned out to be an educated and likable chap. The sisters were already matching him with some of their friends. All concluded that the perfect match was Asta!

After the meal, Bardi and Ari made their goodbyes to their hosts and prepared to walk back to Ari’s home. As they turned to leave, Kadlin ran to Ari and said you were not leaving without saying goodbye were you? Ari mumbled something about his training and that he was preoccupied and apologized to her, then sweeping her off her feet, he hugged her and gave her a kiss she would never forget. She was still stunned when her mother walked over to her and said, “Kadlin, are you alright?” “Yes, Mother, that Ari sure can kiss. Do you suppose we could move the wedding up six months? I’m not sure I can wait a whole year!” Jorunn laughed and said I can remember when your older sisters were planning their weddings; each one of them said the same thing. Maria actually did move her wedding up a few months; we will see what Poppa and Ari have to say about it. Come on back in and help your sisters with the dishes. You will see Ari again tonight.” “Mother, won’t he be here at noon?” “No! Darling, he told me that he was just getting into his training and he would skip the noon meal.” “Mother, I wish he would just stop this Viking business and get a job and we could go on and get married.”

“You listen to me, and you listen well; stop this talk this instant. You know that everyone in this family loves Ari; he has changed every life he has touched. It would be a shame if this family lost him because you started whining, nagging and drove him away. You would regret it the rest of your life. Think about this! What do you intend to do while he is on a voyage? Young woman, it is time we had a long talk. You may not be as ready for a wedding as we thought. Tonight you and I will have a long talk about being a wife Things are not the way you pretended when you were a child. This is adult business. It is not all hugs and kisses. It is being there when your husband needs you as a grown up, mature woman. You act more like a child than you do a woman who is getting ready to get married. Where are your bed covers where are your towels for bathing, or dish towels for drying your dishes or a thousand other things a bride needs to know. Your father and I will not be with you, you will be on your own! What will you use to cover your beds to stay warm during the long cold winters? Have you learned to pick goose down and stuff a featherbed? Can you stitch a quilt, or spin flax to make linen, Can you sew at all, card and make woolen thread to weave into cloth? Ari is working his heart out to be good Viking. He wants to learn combat so he can stay alive and come back to you! Finally, what dishes do you how to cook, can you milk a cow, kill and dress a chicken, or rabbit. Do you know how to bake a loaf of bread or a cake?” Kadlin’s lips began to quiver, her cheeks were wet with tears, her whole body shook and she wept like never before in her life. Sniffling, she said, “Mama, you know I don’t know how to do any of those things, when was I going to learn? Who was supposed to teach me? Then she straightened her face and said, I want to learn all of those things, and I am going to learn them!”

Jorunn patted her youngest child on the head and said, “My darling daughter, you asked two very important questions, first, who was going to teach you? Darling, I am the one, when was I going to teach you? When you felt it was important enough to ask me. Kadlin, your man and his friend are coming to our home tonight for supper. You and I are going home and we are going to put on a smock over our dresses and you dear are not going to concern yourself with kisses, you are going to learn to cook and to sew and everything you need to know. Ari has a year and you have a year. Closer to your wedding date your friends will be giving parties for you. Therefore, I guess we have six or eight months to teach you all the things you need to know as well as some woman things also. What shall we prepare for supper?” Are you hungry?

On the way home, Ari turned to Bardi, and said, “Bardi, tell me about yourself. We will be training together and sailing together, I would like to know you better. You know about all there is to know about me, tell me about yourself.” “There isn’t much to know,” replied Bardi. “But if you are serious, I don’t mind talking a little. I am the oldest son in my family. My father was a physician, some called him a witch doctor, but he was a good doctor and a good man. He made certain that his children had good manners, attended the university, and in short, planned for all his sons to be professionals. I was the son who thrived on adventure. It broke my parent’s hearts, but when I completed the course at the university, I walked away and became a Viking. I wanted adventure and excitement and I found it. My father called the Vikings, the murderous bunch, and many of us are just that. And that’s about it.”

“Where are you sleeping?” enquired Ari. “At the moment I have a nice clean stall in a nice clean barn,” replied Bardi. “Do you pay rent?” asked Ari. Bardi grinned and said, “Who do you think keeps the barn nice and clean? The Captain said I could bunk in on the ‘hammer, but I like to live a while on dry land between voyages.” “Bardi, I have a proposition. Come bunk in at my house, with me, while we are training. That way you can give me advice about battle and the Viking life in general. Bardi looked quizzical, “I thought your father was Eric, Captain of his own vessel, did he not prepare you for the Viking life?” “Bardi, he did, but he was very protective of me. I was an only child and I am not altogether sure that he wanted me to become a Viking,” said Ari. “Well, if you are serious, we can give it a try and if it doesn’t work out, we can always go our own way.” “Fine,” said Ari, let us go get your gear! “We don’t have to,” said Bardi, “I’m wearing it!” “Oh!” said Ari that makes it easy. You are about the same size as my father and I; you can have some of his clothes.” Bardi Questioned, “Are you trying to civilize me?” Both laughed then Ari said,” When it is time for me to get married you will have to find other quarters. Fair enough, ship mate?” “Fair enough, ship mate!”

That evening, two young men, again visited the Blacksmith shop. They had bathed, shaved, given each other a haircut and presented themselves to Börg and Jorunn. Bardi again bowed at the waist and said to both of them, “Sir, Ma’am, it certainly is kind of you to welcome this old tramp to the table of your family, extremely kind, may our gods bless you!” Börg took his hand and said, “Bardi, you are a friend of our son and a Viking, you are always welcomed in my shop and at my table.” Bardi had made the connection between Thord and Ingrid, Edgaar and Maria, Ari and Kadlin, but there was someone else present. She was, perhaps a couple of years younger than he was and quite a lovely girl. The other women called her Asta.

For the first time, Ari saw Kadlin in a different light. In the past, she flitted around with a serving dish, fresh as a daisy, but tonight it was evident that she had spent hours in the kitchen, cooking with her mother.

Ari eased up behind her, gave he a little kiss on her neck and said, “I’m relieved, I didn’t know whether you could cook or not.” She grinned, knowing that her mother had been right, and said to her fiancé, “Hold on there, sailor, I want more of a kiss than that, give me one or this hot grease goes down your trousers.” She put her pot down and turned facing Ari, who took her in his arms and smothered her with kisses. “I’ve missed you Kadlin, darling, I really have!” She exclaimed, “Oh, Ari, I’ve missed you too.” Jorunn walked over to Ari and said, “You should be proud of Kadlin, she is learning to cook and sew and later to spin and weave cloth all the thing a new bride should know.” “That’s wonderful!” he said to Kadlin. “When we finish supper and you are through helping your mother, why don’t we take a stroll in the moonlight if it’s permissible with mother?” “Certainly,” said Jorunn, stroking and smoothing Kadlin’s hair. “The two of you have proven your trustworthiness. Börg and I were talking about that last night. He said that he trusted both of you to proceed appropriately.” “Mama, does that mean that we can hold hands in public?” “Of course, I believe it would be more dignified and mature if you simply held Ari’s arm, like this.” and demonstrated it to her by taking Ari’s arm.” “Mama, there is so much to learn.” Jorunn continued, “It is also best not to kiss in public, save that for private times.” “Mama, we don’t have much privacy.” “You will as time goes by, and you have your whole life before you.”

Ari stood amazed, “I was never aware that there was so much protocol involved in courting!” Jorunn grimaced and said, “Not so much protocol as manners and breeding.” “What do you mean by manners and breeding, Mama?” Kadlin asked. I know you are right, because you’ve been right about everything else, but why?” “Kadlin, No one else is interested watching you and Ari washing each other’s face with your lips. You must respect others. You don’t see your sisters and their husbands kissing before you, have you noticed?” “Yes I have! And I’m beginning to wonder if they love each other as much as I love Ari.” “Alright Kadlin, just take my word for it.” “I will Mama, you haven’t been wrong yet!”

Following the information and taboos involved in courting, Ari left Kadlin and Jorunn to finish their choirs and noticed that the sisters had been successful with their project; Bardi and his new acquaintance, Asta, were involved in a profound conversation about the life of a Viking. Asta remarked, “A Viking doesn’t have much time for a family, does he, gone all the time to England and other places!” Bardi was quick to inform her that, generally, they were away from home only during the summer and were home with wife and family the rest of the time.

Asta was teetering on the brink of becoming an unmarried woman at twenty-three. Perhaps the right man had never come along. Bardi, the sea rover, was in the same boat so to speak, but they seemed to be getting along well. Ari walked over and announced that he and Kadlin were going to take a moonlight stroll in a few minutes. “Would the two of you like to accompany us? That way, we can chaperone each other.” The two of them first looked down, and then into each other’s eyes. Bardi said hopefully, I ate too much of this home cooking tonight and a little stroll would help the digestion.” Ari chimed in almost immediately, “Asta, did you know that Bardi’s father was a physician and that Bardi completed the university preparation to be a physician also and could be if he ever gave up the Viking life.” Asta was instantly more impressed. “Is it true, Bardi, could you really practice the healing arts?” “Yes Ma’am! I could, but I still have a couple more voyages before I retire. It’s my job right now to teach Ari the lessons of seamanship and Viking prowess.” “You are teaching Ari?” She said, “That’s exciting!” Bardi again looked into Asta’s eyes, nodded affirmatively, and asked, “Asta, would you like to go for a walk with Ari and Kadlin?” “Indeed I would!”

About that time, Kadlin, her sisters and their husbands joined them and decided that all would take a moonlight stroll. Bardi was quick to pick up Asta’s stole and placed it on her shoulders. “Why, thank you sir!” beamed Asta, “you are a gentleman.” Ari turned to his brothers and confirmed that all three of them needed to take lessons from Bardi. Ari found Kadlin’s wrap, as did the other two find their spouses, and they stepped into the moonlight.

The spring moon was full, and bright enough to see without a lantern. However, Edgaar brought one along because he did not want Maria to fall due to her condition. All eyes were on Bardi as he offered his arm to Asta; the three other men followed his example. Soon they were walking at intervals with a short distance between them enabling them to carry on intimate conversation or speak louder for all to hear. Kadlin hung on Ari with both arms as if she was holding him to preventing him from escaping. She looked into Ari’s face and said, “Darling, I am glad that your Captain sent Bardi to assist you; he seems like family and I’ve never seen Asta so radiant.” Ari chuckled and added they seem to be smitten with each other, all right. I believe your sisters made the right choice, there could be two weddings next spring.”

After an enjoyable walk, Asta suggested that it was time for her to return home. Bardi added that all of them could walk her home and they did! As they neared her home, a lantern appeared and Asta’s parents came out to greet the group of young adults. Her home was a lovely home, well kept and in the same neighborhood as Börg and Jorunn.

Asta’s father was none other than the man who tended to Ari’s financial accounts. Ari stepped forward and addressed him saying that he had no idea that he was Asta’s father. Ari asked Bardi to step forward and introduced him as his friend, instructor and roommate and on next summer’s voyage would be his shipmate. Bardi stepped forward with Asta still clinging to his arm. Bardi half bowed and handed Asta’s hand to him and then bowed to her and said, “Ma’am, I have thoroughly enjoyed meeting you and also your father. We enjoyed a delightful supper at your neighbor’s home prepared by these fine women and their mother. It was kind of them to include me and I hope they will do it again soon!” Then he bowed again and stepped back. Asta’s father nodded affirmatively to Bardi and his friends and said, “Thank you sir, for your kind comments and for seeing my daughter home. Asta and her mother are extremely talented in the kitchen and perhaps when you have time we can reciprocate your kindness. Thank you sir, said Bardi, I shall look forward to Asta’s invitation and the opportunity of meeting your madam. Good evening, to you Miss Asta who was fluttering with joy that her father seemed impressed with Bardi. As she and her father walked through the door, Asta turn and over her shoulder said, “Good night, Bardi!” The sisters all stared at Bardi, and said in unison, “Well?” “She is a lovely girl, I hope to see her again, soon,” returned Bardi.

The others walked to Kadlin’s door where the young couple said goodnight, kissed and Kadlin went inside.

Ari and Bardi walked home and while on the way Bardi broached the topic, “Ari, what did you think of Asta?” Ari and Bardi walked in silence for a few moments, finally Ari asked, “Bardi, what do you want me to say? We have both know her the same length of time. She is an attractive girl, intelligent, and it was evident to all that something was going on between you two. When you escorted her home, it was evident that she did not want to go in and leave you. She seemed to like you a lot.” Barded replied, “That’s what I wanted you to say, I feel the same way about her. I have had other women in my time, but she seemed special. I think for the first time in my life, I am falling in love. Does that sound crazy to you?” “No! Friend, it happens to all of us sooner or later,” answered Ari.

Bardi’s mind and hear were in a swirl. “I have had lots of shipmates, but I don’t believe I have ever had a friend until I met you. You invited me to live in your house, and to eat with your family, I’m honored Ari and while I am helping you with your instruction as a Viking, I want you to help Me.!” “Help you?’ Ari questioned, “Brother, you seem to me to have your life all together!” “That’s what I mean,” said Bardi. “You make me feel that I am a brother and I like it.” “I like it too Bardi, why can’t we decide among ourselves that we are going to be brothers and let it be!” “That suits me fine little brother,” said Bardi. Both their steps seemed lighter! Then Bardi became extremely serious, “Ari, I never realized until tonight that I was lonely man. I hope that in time I can marry Asta, build a home and become a physician, have children and invite my parents to come visit me.” Nodding in affirmation, Ari said, “That’s a noble dream brother, pursue with all you have as much or as little.” Bardi dropped his head, “Ari, I haven’t been entirely honest with you!” “What do you mean Brother, do you mean you have worn my father’s clothes, slept in a barn, and took advantage of my generosity when in reality you were a wealthy man?” Ari laughed at his attempt to joke about Bardi’s situation. “Yes! You are absolutely correct!” Bardi said hanging his head. “You mean you’ve got money?” “Yes!”-said Bardi, “The Captain and I get along fine; he kind of takes care of me!” I have a strong box that the Captain keeps for me under lock and key! I have almost four thousand gold coins in it. He has been suggesting to me that I put it in a safer place. I wonder if you would help me deposit it in the same place, you keep your account. Where Asta’s father works, because I want him to know that I can support his daughter.” “That’s a wise move brother and I don’t hold it against you, tomorrow we will go into the village and deposit your money. Incidentally, Thord is an investment officer in another firm. I plan to diversify a little and put some of my interest into his firm.” “Can I do that too?” “Sure, you can! Just decide how much in each place.” “Would Asta’s father be impressed in I put three thousand coins in his firm and one thousand in Thord’s firm?” Ari assured him that would be fine! We can even find a tailor if you want one.

“You are a real brother, Ari, no wonder everyone loves you. I hope I can be as well liked as you are someday.” “You are already on your way brother!” Arriving at home, they went to bed. Ari slept as sound as a baby did. Bardi, excided, in love, turned and tossed all night.

At sun up, Bardi awakened Ari, “Brother, Can we get dressed and go to the Hammer and get my fortune from the Captain before breakfast? I want to get slicked up like I’m somebody!” Ari got out of the bed, washed his face and dressed. He then called Bardi. Bardi was wearing his Viking garb, sans helmet, sword, shield and battle-ax. Ari sad, “Brother, if you go into the financial firms dressed like that they will think you’ve come to rob them. Pick one of my father’s suits and get dressed and we will visit the Captain and get your strong box.” Whistling a sea tune, Bardi dressed and asked Ari if he looked all right. “You look like a true gentleman!” “Ari, I was raised like this, but all the raids at sea, now make me uncertain, self conscious, kind of scared!” “You, Scared? You are not scared, you are in love and it is a new emotion for you. You’ll be fine when you get your treasure stored in the firms and see Asta again.” Yeah, I’m looking forward to that!”

The sun was higher in the sky, the gulls seem to be encouraging them on their mission and shortly they reached their destination and saw their Captain standing on the deck smoking his pipe. He acknowledged them and said, “Bardi is that really you? You look sharp and you clean up well. What can I do for you lads this early in the morning?” “Sir, I wanted to pick up my treasure. I am going to deposit it with some of those financial firms in the village where Ari’s father had his. I’m going to be doing some business there and it will be handier and it will get me out of your hair.” The Captain said, “Bardi, neither you nor your stowage has ever been a problem to me. I’m glad you are taking this step because now your money will be making interest.” “Captain, I may be getting married before we sail next summer, if I do; I want you and Ari to stand up with me.” “It would be an honor, Bardi, a real honor! Your gold is in my cabin and always is under lock and key and only you have the key!” “Yes sir and I am so excited that I left it at Ari’s house! But we can pick it up when we return for breakfast.”

“Good luck!” said the Captain as they lifted the chest and started toward the village.

They stopped at Ari’s home long enough to retrieve the key and were off to breakfast at the Blacksmith’s shop. When they entered the shop, it was too good to be true, Asta was there helping the sisters prepare the meal. Ari knew now that Bardi and Asta felt the same way for each other!

Börg welcomed them and Ari asked his father-in-law if there was a safe secure place to put the chest while they ate. Certainly, said Börg, not knowing what was in the chest, “Put it under the table and keep you feet on it!” It was not a bad idea and so they did. At the table, all were merry and engaged in conversation. Finally, Jorunn and Kadlin came to the table and Ari and Bardi both jumped at the opportunity to pull their chairs out and seat them. Both women were pleased at the attention shown them. Jorunn looked at her husband then at her son-in-laws and said, “I like the way Bardi and Ari reacted when Kadlin and I came to the table. From now on, the men in this family will do the same, that is, if they want to eat.” All nodded affirmatively! “That’s the way it should be and I believe that in the future it will become common courtesy and table manners!”

Bardi addressed Thord and informed him that he would be coming in today to do some business with his firm. He also looked at Asta and said, “I will also visit your father for the same purpose.” All grew silent, and then Edgaar half jokingly asked, “Do you have so much silver and gold that you need two firms?” “No,” Said Bardi, “I have only gold!” Börg pushed his chair back and asked seriously, “Is that what the chest is all about Bardi?” “Yes sir,” said Bardi as though he did this kind of business every day!” Thord showing a new interest, remarked, “I can understand why you are using Asta’s father’s business, but, do you mind telling me why you also picked our firm as you could as well placed it all with Asta’s father?” Every eye fastened on Bardi, “Because I like you and I trust you and your Ingrid introduced me to Asta!” There, he has announced his interest in Asta to all his friends, including Asta, herself! By the way, Thord, I expect Edgaar to receive some sort of commission as well. “That admirable, Bardi, but the financial firms do not give commissions for accounts and deposits under a hundred golden coins” “Wonderful! Then both of you should receive generous commissions.” “That much?” stuttered Edgaar. “I have no secrets from any of you as you have welcomed me and treated me as family. I just wanted to reciprocate in a small fashion. Actually, the deposit should be slightly over a thousand gold coins” Both Thord and Edgaar rocked back in their chairs. However, Edgaar said, “I am not trying to ask about something that is none of my business, but will your deposit with us be more or less than with Asta’s father.” “As I said in the beginning, I have no secrets from anyone here.

To answer your question; the deposit with your office will be a third of that deposited with Asta’s father because some day I’m going to marry Asta, if she will have me and if her parents approve.! It’s that simple.” Börg said, “Son, keep both feet on that chest and Ari, Thord and Edgaar, you accompany Bardi to do his business, especially at your firm and to the door as well, at the other.

Finishing breakfast the parade began! First, they went to Thord’s firm and into his office. Requesting the presence of the firm’s director, they waited until he arrived. Finally, he arrived and acknowledged the new account; that he presumed was at the solicitation of Thord and Edgaar. They opened the chest, the coins counted and weighed, receipts signed, the business consummated and all walked together to the second firm, which Ari and Bardi entered alone. As they entered, Asta’s father looked up, and recognizing the two walked over to greet them. “Ari, Bardi, I did not expect to see you again so soon.” Directing them to his cubical for privacy and seeing that they were comfortable, asked how he might assist them.

First, Bardi stood and remarked, “Sir, I am gratified and flattered that you remembered my name.” The older man smiled and said, After hearing it over a hundred times last night, I have to admit that I had little difficulty remembering your name as well as many facts about your life along with the fact that you have a university education as a physician and at the moment you are living the life of a Viking.” Bardi said, “Yes sir, all of that is true and someday I hope to abandon life on the seas, settle down, get married and raise a family. I want to establish the fact that at this moment, I am extremely fond of your daughter, Asta and my fondness borders on love. I request your permission to court her with intentions of marriage, if she will have an old sea dog like me. I am twenty-seven years of age, have all my own teeth; and have property in the land of Scotland where I hope someday to live.” Asta’s father said, “Let me say, that Asta’s well being is our concern as well and it appears that she feels much as do you.” He made a point to mention that Asta was a few years older than many of her married friends but that she was not desperate, yet. He laughed nervously, hoping that he had not said the wrong thing. “Sir, I’m very much aware of that. I would not say that she is older; I would say that she is more mature and sensible, waiting for the right person, as have I. At this very moment, I feel that she hung the moon!” “You are kind to say so! Thank you!”

“How much property do you have in Scotland?” “I own slightly over 450 English acres. I have papers and deeds to the land, which I personally purchased.” “Bardi, may I call you Bardi?” “Yes sir, you may!” “What brings you to this establishment?” Again, standing, Bardi replied, “Sir, I desire to open an account with your firm.” Pulling parchment, stored on a shelf over his desk, he prepared to record the necessary data, he asked, “How much do you desire to deposit?”

“It should be counted and weighed, and should be in access of three-thousand- two-hundred and fifty gold coins.” The older man dropped his pen into the ink holder, “Did I hear you correctly?” “Yes sir, you did!” This time the older man called Bardi, Sir. “Sir, you are quite wealthy! Do you have other holdings?” This time Ari replied, “Yes, he has just deposited well over a thousand golden coins in the firm down the street.”  “Is that so?” “Yes!”, Further, Bardi informed the older man that there were stipulations connected to his account. First, the land in Scotland is to be divided, one part to me and the other half to Ari, my brother. When his time comes to die, his property shall be divided equally among his children and his wife shall be the executor giving the land to her children as she wishes. The older man who had handled the account of Ari’s father for many years remarked, “I did not know that Ari had a brother,” Bardi smiled and said, “We were born brothers, the day before yesterday.” “Oh, then you are actually close friends?” Bardi was adamant, “No! Sir, we are brothers as I said.  In addition, should I die without wife or heirs, my estate goes to him without probate! If I have heirs then things apply as this:

Secondly, the same proviso shall be in effect for my wife, should she expire before the children, if I have any, then Thord, from your competitor’s office down the street shall be the executor and divide all assets equally. At my death, Asta, I am sorry sir that I was presumptuous; you can see were my heart lies, I should say that at my death, my wife should have full ownership and control over my estate. I know it will take time to record and copy this information. When it is complete, please notify me and I will sign the papers, will, and deeds. You have been very kind sir.

After sharing best wishes and tying up loose ends, Bardi and Ari returned home. Bardi confessed that business of this sort they had spent the morning dealing with had the tendency to make his mind itch. He asked Ari if he was ready to do some running, saying, “Physical exercise has a way of cleansing, heart, mind, and soul. And I need to do some cleansing right now!” Ari agreed and the two comrades changed clothes; donned their Viking togs with all weapons on their belts and a shield in their hands and commenced to run eastwardly over the hill where several hundred years later, mobile homes would temporarily house social scientists digging into the heart, mind, and soul of the Viking village. They trotted several hundred yards beyond the hill when Bardi made a long curve and headed west. Ari was a few yards behind him yet Bardi was oblivious to his presence, he was so mesmerized in his cleansing process that he was literally not thinking at all simply responding to the distance before him. Finally, Ari spoke to him, “Brother, are you well?” In a moment, Bardi slowed and came to a dead stop, turned to Ari and said, “Brother, I’m scared.” “Scared? Bardi, you’ve never been afraid of anything in your life!” “Yes I have, Ari, I have been afraid of responsibility all my life. That’s why I left home in the first place!”

“Aah, you are just nervous over the fact that you are making a commitment to a woman. However, when you marry Asta, then all that will be far behind and you will be the happiest man in the village, or Scotland, or wherever. By the way, brother, I have not thanked you for that land in Scotland. Is it as beautiful as people say?” “Ari, the beauty of that fair land is beyond explanation. Hills and vales, rivers and meadows, streams that produce salmon and trout of several varieties, pheasant. Ari you will have to see it to believe it. The land which we share there is a bit of paradise. We have hills and lakes where you can sit or stand and watch the mist roll in across the highlands giving it a magical quality. On the west coast, where our property is located, there are hundreds of small rivers teaming with fish. The climate is perfect for raising cattle and sheep. A warm current flows like a river in the ocean that is considerably warmer than the surrounding seas that influence the land. I have seen palm trees that grow only in areas far to the south actually growing and producing fruit. Ari, it is paradise! Rarely do you experience the snow and frigid weather we experience in our homeland to the north. Perhaps the Captain will sail close enough to our property for us to see some of it. We may want to add to our holdings there. Just think, Ari, we will be kings of our own domain!

The day for the double weddings finally arrived. With much conversation earlier, regarding moving, the date to an earlier time as posed by Kadlin, all involved agreed to set the date, firmly, for the Summer Solstice. On later calendars this date would be, June 22, the longest day of the year, in the northern hemisphere. The summer and winter solstices were special days for pagans all over the world. Today was the date set for the two weddings. Two other goals were accomplished; that for Ari‘s training was completed, as was Kadlin’s training. She took to the kitchen like the preverbal duck to water. She became a whiz in the kitchen and found that she enjoyed preparing meals for her family. She also mastered plucking the down from the geese and making pillows and a new mattress for she and Ari even though the ones in Ari house were more than adequate. She now knew the process; and would never weep again because she was ignorant of the chores of married woman. She mastered sewing and weaving in record time. She was ready to be Ari’s wife, and counted the hours!

        The time for the wedding was set for noon and the place was in a grove on the hillside, near where the pageant took place. It was the place where couples from this village had pledged their love, their devotion, their chastity and loyalty to each other for over five hundred years! It was now two hours until time for the wedding.

There were no rules of conduct for a wedding in those days, but there were practices that had been around for over a thousand years. For years, there was “The Thing,” not as we know in the English word, thing, but reference to a practice that prevailed for centuries. The Thing was a demonstration of a woman’s ability to do what a married woman, and later a mother should know. Cooking, weaving. Sewing, etc. are demonstrated at the Thing!

Then there was discussion about the “Bride’s Price,” the after morning gift,” and all that. The minimum bride price, set by the king, was eight to twelve ounces of silver. The Morning gift was optional, it could be money, jewelry, land, and the largest morning gift in history was from a king who gave his bride, the country of Norway! An hour before the wedding and the processionals began. The Bride or Brides and their families proceeded to the place of the ceremony very slowly. Following the bride’s family, the groom or grooms also walking behind the bride’s procession, they and their families proceeded to the place, the grove.

The ceremony for the grooms was very simple; they wore the best they owned... The brides had more latitude to wear what they pleased. Asta and Kadlin had decided to dress alike in the filmy white material that Börg had bartered from a Viking, who had liberated it from France. The white dresses were simple as Viking weddings, as a rule, were. The dress had no sleeves, and tied at the waist with braided vines of summer flowers; they were bare footed with a white flower of choice worn around their left wrist. Finally, on their heads they wore a short veil down to their shoulders covering the back of their neck, held in place by a band of plaited flowers around the forehead.

The wedding ritual began with words they had chosen and memorized.  It was short and to the point: Ari and Bardi began, “We are here today to declare before our gods and these witnesses that we have chosen-(Ari said Kadlin, at the same moment, Bardi said Asta) to be our wives. We will love them; cherish them in good as well as foul times.” They paused and placed a ring on their love’s thumb, “We will comfort them in sickness as well as in health”, they paused the second time and placed a second gold ring on their hand, “We will love them, desire them above all others,” they paused again and placed the third golden ring on their  hand. “We will forsake all others,” the fourth ring was placed on their hand and, “we will protect them with our lives if need be. The fifth ring was now safely on their fingers. Then, the women said, “we will forsake all others and cling to our husbands as long as we have breath; his will, shall be our will, and his joy, our joy, so may it be.” The ceremony ended with this pledge to each other. While it was a brief service, it made a profound difference in their young lives. The felt the intensity of the vows they had just made and again in the quietness of their hearts, amidst the celebratory spirit of their reception, they again pledged themselves to each other.

The fathers of Kadlin and Asta invited all to their homes for a continuation of the daughter’s wedding celebration. Their homes were adjacent to each other and as their guests arrived, each guest received a hearty welcome to the festive sight. A canopy decorated the distance between the two homes. Light thatch covered the canopy, only enough to provide shade, thus a covered canopy reached from one home to the other. Blooms of summer flowers decorated the canopy with garlands of plaited flowers reaching from pole to pole covering the ropes and wound around the poles. Not only was it a beautiful sight, the aroma was equally impressive. Under the shade of the canopy was a long table covered with various types of bread and cheeses, meats and sweets of all descriptions, cut into small portions for easy consumption! On the opposite end of the table were kegs of Viking beer and wine liberated from France and Italy. It was a gala affair with the parents of both brides walking around under the canopy greeting guests and receiving congratulations from their many acquaintances’. At one time during the festivities, Börg and his neighbor suggested that it would be nice to erect the canopy once a year for a neighborhood shindig. History of the village does not suggest that anything came of it.

The children who sang at the pageant provided the music and the same songs sung at the pageant were repeated. Their repertoire was limited; nevertheless, they enjoyed the compliments given by all present!

The happy brides and grooms walked around under the canopy as well but they were oblivious to all but their new spouses. Thus, the wedding day ended.

Ari and Kadlin were finally alone! They were bone weary from a day that began before sunrise and continued until the sun set on the longest day of the year. They consummated their marriage and later again!