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Chapters (76)
  1. Cover
  2. Praise forMATTHEW HARFFY
  3. BY MATTHEW HARFFY
  4. Title Page
  5. Copyright
  6. Dedication
  7. Maps
  8. Epigraph
  9. Contents
  10. Place Names
  11. One
  12. Two
  13. Three
  14. Four
  15. Five
  16. Six
  17. Seven
  18. Eight
  19. Nine
  20. Ten
  21. Eleven
  22. Twelve
  23. Thirteen
  24. Fourteen
  25. Fifteen
  26. Sixteen
  27. Seventeen
  28. Eighteen
  29. Nineteen
  30. Twenty
  31. Twenty-One
  32. Twenty-Two
  33. Twenty-Three
  34. Twenty-Four
  35. Twenty-Five
  36. Twenty-Six
  37. Twenty-Seven
  38. Twenty-Eight
  39. Twenty-Nine
  40. Thirty
  41. Thirty-One
  42. Thirty-Two
  43. Thirty-Three
  44. Thirty-Four
  45. Thirty-Five
  46. Thirty-Six
  47. Thirty-Seven
  48. Thirty-Eight
  49. Thirty-Nine
  50. Forty
  51. Forty-One
  52. Forty-Two
  53. Forty-Three
  54. Forty-Four
  55. Forty-Five
  56. Forty-Six
  57. Forty-Seven
  58. Forty-Eight
  59. Forty-Nine
  60. Fifty
  61. Fifty-One
  62. Fifty-Two
  63. Fifty-Three
  64. Fifty-Four
  65. Fifty-Five
  66. Fifty-Six
  67. Fifty-Seven
  68. Fifty-Eight
  69. Fifty-Nine
  70. Sixty
  71. Sixty-One
  72. Sixty-Two
  73. Author’s Note
  74. Acknowledgements
  75. About the Author
  76. An Invitation from the Publisher

“And I believed that truth was sacred to you,” I spat over the side of the ship. “I pray that your actions do not lead to any of us dying. Runolf will be counting on your sword.” Turning away, I spoke more loudly over my shoulder as I left Leofstan at the prow. “We all will.”

I spent little time with Leofstan on the voyage across Boknafjorden after that. He knelt and recited the holy offices during the lengthy days, and I would listen from a distance, mouthing the words I knew so well. But I could not bring myself to join him. He had become lessened in my young eyes. If I had seen him with the eyes of the old man I am now, I might have spoken more with him during that peaceful journey over the rippling sea between the fir-clad peaks and forested isles of Rygjafylki. I would have prayed with him for strength and guidance, for the Almighty knows I would need both soon enough.

I should have seen that Leofstan was a man struggling with his decisions, but instead, I turned my back on him, believing that our relationship could only be that of teacher and student, not understanding that no matter someone’s years, they might still reach out their hand for help. In this, Coenric is much wiser than I was at his age. I am many years older than Leofstan was, but Coenric is always quick to offer his help, both spiritual, when he joins me in prayer, and physical, when he nurses me to health and prepares my writing implements and ink, so that I may concentrate on remembering the events of many years past and scribing them onto vellum. And that is just what I must do now. My mind has been wandering again, and there is still much to tell before the tale can be done with Rygjafylki and Ljósberari.

I regret it now, but the path of a man’s life is often paved with regrets that cannot be lifted or altered. Instead of recognising Leofstan’s need, and spending time with him, I sought out the company of Gersine and the other warriors. We jested, riddled, sang tales, ate and drank all of the ale that Eldgrim had seen fit to carry aboard. In that way, taking my turn on the oars when called upon, we made our way north, and, at the end of the third day, when the sun had dipped behind the hills that now rose in the west, Grágás rowed into the settlement of Sand.

Thirty-Six

The settlement of Sand was a desultory collection of dilapidated huts and storerooms huddling on the northern bank of the mouth of the Lågen. There were numerous vessels moored to the weathered wharf, but none came close in size to Grágás.