The Eye of Odin

By James Richard Larson

Banished from his homeland in Norway for religious beliefs that ultimately resulted in murder, a Viking chieftain and his family must leave their home and travel to a new land. With the Christian king determined to stamp out the old gods, Thorvald Asvaldsson and his son Erik, who will one day be known as Erik the Red, embark on a perilous journey destined to change the world accompanied by the powerful seer Ragnar.
Once restricted to sailing near their native shores, the dawn of the longship brings Viking warriors to the unsuspecting coastal areas of Europe. The warriors descend on settlements like a plague, attacking towns at will and displaying a savagery never before seen.
At the height of the Viking expansion into Europe and the spread of the pagan religion, there is an evil in the world awaiting the travelers, an evil from the depths of hell itself.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Oct 6, 2003
• ISBN: 9780595749225

James Richard Larson

Novelist James Richard Larson, a United States Navy veteran, makes his home in southeastern Wisconsin with his wife Diane and family.

Book preview

CHAPTER 1 

In the year 922, an emissary from King Athelstan of England made a court visit to the Norwegian King Harald Harfager. King Harald was presented with a most beautiful sword, a sword fit for a king. Adorned with silver and gold and covered with jewels, the sword was a wonderful gift. As he accepted the sword and took it into his hands, the emissary stood back from King Harald and proclaimed, Now, great king, that you have accepted the sword from King Athelstan of England, you show all men here to witness that you are his subject. King Harald was enraged at this slight, but regained his composure. After conferring with his retainers, instead of ordering the deaths of the emissary and his people, he granted them safe conduct to leave his presence and to leave the country.

Some time later in London, King Athelstan was giving a festival, when an emissary arrived from King Harald. Thirty of Harald’s men were invited into the hall, swords hidden under their capes. When King Athelstan bid the ambassador to come forward, he did so, at the same time depositing a young boy on the king’s knee. The King Athelstan asked, What does this mean?

My King Harald bids you to foster the son of his serving wench, the emissary replied. Now, this was considered a gross insult, whereby a man should raise another man’s son, and the king was moved to great anger. However, he allowed the northmen their leave, as was done in his place by King Harald.

As time went by, it became clear to King Athelstan that he in fact had come to love young Hakon, and therefore treated him as his own son, but he always reminded Hakon that he was a king’s son, though not his own. Hakon was raised in the Christian faith, King Athelstan being himself a devout Christian. An image of his father, Hakon grew into a big, strong, fine young man. He was levelheaded and comported himself as one much older than his years. Like his foster-father King Athelstan, Hakon embraced the Christian faith and became a staunch believer.

It was the belief that a Norseman would attain glory and an honored place in the afterlife if he were to die in battle, but this was not to be the fate of King Harald Harfager. In the year 933, the Norwegian king died in his sickbed, leaving the kingdom to his son and heir Eirik, half brother of Hakon. When word of the king’s death reached England in 934, King Athelstan bid Hakon to return to Norway and attain his rightful place in the country of his birth. King Athelstan’s generosity knew no bounds, as he provided Hakon with ships and men and all that Hakon should need for the journey.

Hakon landed in Norway on the western coast, and immediately sent his men to inquire as to the political climate in the country. He was informed that King Eirik had made his place at the town of Viken, which was in the southeastern part of Norway. Hakon therefore sailed to Throndhjem, in the central part of the country, and was received by Sigurd, the Earl of Hlader. The earl was a noble man and one of the most powerful men in the country. Sigurd greeted Hakon with all good intentions, because he was ill disposed to King Eirik. Sigurd could see that despite being only fifteen years of age, Hakon had the ability to rule, and so allied himself to Hakon’s cause. Hakon would be king.

Politically astute, with Sigurd the Earl of Hlader as his confidant and most trusted advisor, Hakon made moves that would prove popular to the bondes, or nobles, supported by the free men, who held the true power in the country. If Hakon was to be king, he needed their support. At Throndhjem, Sigurd sent messengers to the surrounding countryside with the news that a Thing was to be held. This was a meeting where laws were given, grievances were heard, and judicial matters were resolved, determining the will of the people. A king was not a king without the support of the people, for a king could be deposed as well as elected. One of the first, and most popular moves Hakon made, was to proclaim that the bondes were now truly free men, and their land rights were restored to them. That which had been taken away from them under Harald’s reign was now returned as long as they occupied the land, with the understanding that one half of the fruits of their labors would be a tax to the kingdom. The people rejoiced at this, because before this time all belonged to the king. Hakon moved from place to place throughout the kingdom, gaining support at each Thing from all who heard his words.

To undermine Eirik, Hakon granted the southeastern lands, taken by Eirik, back to their rightful owners, which made them come to Hakon and offer him their support. Eirik, seeing that his cause was becoming hopeless and losing support each day, learned that Hakon was amassing an army to oppose him. Eirik decided to leave Norway. Therefore, Eirik gathered all who would follow him, assembled what ships and goods he could take into his exile, and sailed for the Orkney islands, to the north of Scotland.

Eirik was welcomed at Orkney, and was followed by many of the islanders, for he used Orkney as a base to go a-viking in Scotland and northern England, where there was rich plunder to be had. The savage brutality waged on these Viking raids soon came to the attention of King Athelstan, who, rather than trying to oppose Eirik, instead made an offer to him, granting the dominion of Northumberland. This, if Eirik would desist in the raiding, and if he and his people would be baptized and accept the Christian faith. Eirik felt like the wolf among the sheep, and wholeheartedly accepted this offer. It was understood, however, that Eirik would defend Northumberland from Danes and other Vikings. He kept his promise and was baptized in the Christian faith, and moved to Northumberland with his followers.

If King Athelstan thought that Eirik would be tamed after taking the Christian faith, and accepting the dominion of Northumberland, he was sorely mistaken. As soon as the next spring season arrived, Eirik was back at sea, plundering Scotland and England as before. He was supported by arrivals from Norway, as well as the islands, which saw in Eirik the chance to freeboot and pillage at will, and go a-viking as was their desire. Eirik’s force became so large that the plundering nearly became an invasion.

At this time, in the year 941, King Athelstan died, and was succeeded by King Jatmund, who, with the cries of his people ringing in his ears, sent all who were able to bear arms, to rid the country of the Vikings. Commanded by Olaf, the English suffered terrible losses, and appeared to be beaten, when more people from the surrounding countryside swelled the English ranks, and the tide of the battle turned.

And so the Vikings were beaten, and the English gave no quarter, as brutality was returned for brutality. Bold Eirik was killed in the ensuing slaughter, along with the rest of his leaders, and most of his followers. At Northumberland, Gunhild the wife of Eirik, her sons, and the remainder of the northmen, feared the wrath of the English. They made haste to flee the country taking what they could carry, and sailed for the Orkney Islands, from where they would continue their raids on Scotland and England.

Meanwhile, Hakon had united all of Norway, and was recognized as king. King Hakon left Sigurd the Earl of Hlader in charge of the central part of the country, to defend the fjord districts in the west of Norway should an attack come from the sea, and moved to the Viken area with his army. Hakon knew that the Danes were plundering the Viken district, but did not know that Eirik was dead. The Danes, hearing of an army bearing down on them that they had no hope of defeating, left Norway and sailed for Jutland.

King Hakon prepared for a war against the Danes, and pursued them into Jutland, where he made war on them, and defeated them in a great battle. Then, plundering and pillaging at will, he ravaged the Sealand districts, Denmark, western Sweden, and killed any enemies he found.

In the year 946, when King Hakon had punishied those who would dare attack Norway, he looked to the north and home. At the young age of twenty-seven, blooded, battle hardened and victorious, Hakon had earned the respect of his warriors. King Hakon was satisfied that his severe punishments would keep his enemies at bay, and so returned to Norway. There he gathered the wisest councilors around him, including Earl Sigurd and Thorleif Spake the Wise, and issued laws for his reign, which were written for the good of his people, again proving his honor.

But as honorable and beloved as King Hakon was, he considered Norway a pagan country. Raised as a Christian, and a devout believer in that religion, he practiced it in private. The English priests had taught him well, and King Hakon was zealous enough to want to spread the word of Christianity. He was able to convert those closest to him, and they were duly baptized in the faith. He sent word to England to send a bishop and priests to help plant the seeds of the new religion. When they reached Norway, King Hakon had churches built and consecrated in the More district and the surrounding areas west of Throndhjem, and made it known that he wished Christianity to be the religion of the land. This announcement was made at a Thing in Trondhjem, and the king asked the bondes to forswear the pagan faith and embrace Christianity. Knowing that a Thing was soon to be held with all of the provinces in central Norway, the people deferred any decisions until that time when the Frosta-thing would be held.

The Frosta-thing would have decisions made that would go right to the core of the people’s beliefs, so a large number of people attended, wanting to hear the voice of their King and the decisions to be made that day. It was a festive atmosphere that autumn day when King Hakon spoke, and he told the people the story of Christ, and how Christ was crucified and died so the sins of men could be forgiven. And there was only one God and that God was Christ, and to receive him was to become baptized in the Christian faith. He reasoned that in order for the people to save their immortal souls, they should embrace the savior. They would know, and would feel as he did, when they accepted Christ into their hearts and believed.

King Hakon spoke his heart, but the people were uneasy, and conferred among themselves, when one of the bondes, Asbjorn of the district of Medalhus, spoke for the people. What freedom is this, Asbjorn said, that our faith which we have observed for ages past should suddenly be cast aside? All that you ask for, the people will do, but we would rather have another rule over us than to deny our gods and our faith."

Asbjorn asked the king to resolve the issue before the Thing was concluded. It was obvious by the reaction of the people that this was what they wanted. King Hakon recessed with his advisors, and discussed what should be done, because they were at an impasse. After the meeting, Sigurd the Earl of Hlader spoke to the assembly.

Although the king would wish that our land become a Christian land, he is willing to bow to the will of the people, for to be our ruler he realizes that he must have the friendship and support of the people, and will therefore not separate himself from you.

Asbjorn then asked to speak again, and said, The people would beg our gracious king to offer sacrifice to our gods, as our kings have always done before him, that there should be peace and prosperity in our land for the coming year.

This request was met with high acclaim from the multitude. Earl Sigurd again spoke and said the king would agree to this, because it was what the people wanted, and those in power close to the king wanted King Hakon to offer sacrifice as well. And so the Thing was concluded to the great satisfaction of the people. However, in private, the king was highly displeased.

Sacrifices to the gods were offered at various times of the year, two of the most important being the Harvest Festival and the Yule Festival. It was the custom of the people to perform a blood sacrifice by the ritual slaughter of animals. An animal destined for this end was revered because it was dedicated to the gods. Throughout its life it was treated as sacred and any mistreatment of the animal would be looked at as an insult to the god for whom it was chosen. The ancient way of killing the animal was by hanging, because of the sacrifice that Odin made to himself, a spear wound in his side, hanging for nine days from the World Tree called Yggdrassil, after which the mystery of the runes was revealed to him. As an alternative, an acceptable practice was to cut the throat of the animal. The blood was then collected, and later used in the blessings and rituals.

CHAPTER 2 

In the year 950, Thorvald Asvaldsson, riding beside his friend and confidant Rag-nar, approached the town of Hlader, having left his home near Throndhjem three days before. It was a gray morning but to the south it looked like the sun might finally show itself.

Well, Ragnar, so we will bring good weather with us to the Harvest Festival. And the king is to be there if what we hear is true.

Oh, the king will be there, for certain, replied Ragnar. I heard the Earl speak at the Frosta-thing, and he himself said the king would offer sacrifice. But I fear the king does so not because he desires to, but because he feels he must.

He hears the words of the English priests! To think he has built churches for them, Thorvald said, and given them lands. He mimics the drivel they utter! I am going to have to see our King Hakon honor our gods with my own eyes to believe it.

Thorvald and Ragnar had been friends since they were too young to remember, growing up on the lands that Thorvald’s father and his father’s father had owned before him. Thorvald, ambitious and hard working, owned large tracts of wooded land, as well as farmland with fertile fields well maintained by his people, and possessed ships for trade and transportation. His cattle were deemed some of the finest in the Throndhjem area. The well-protected fjord bordering his lands gave a fine outlet to the sea. Thorvald was a man of respect and substance, and was quick to smile and joke, but like many of his kind, his temper was short, and when his blood was hot he was a very dangerous man. He was an extremely devout man to his gods, and a valuable man in the service of his king, answering the call when ships, men, and supplies were needed in time of crisis. He and others like him were called bondes, or nobles.

Norway in the tenth century had three classes of people. The bondes were the high class, landowners, ship owners, wealthy farmers, and advisors to the kings. The free men comprised the second class of people. The free men were farmers, sailors, soldiers, and workers, for the most part born as free men. The last class of people was the slaves, or thralls. A slave could buy his freedom if he could afford it, which was unlikely, but possible. A slave might be one prone to indebtedness, a criminal, a prisoner taken on a raid or a person unfortunate enough to be born as a thrall. Slaves were treated as property, did the heaviest work, and could be legally killed by their owners.

Ragnar was considered a holy man, or priest, but not recognized in the manner that a Christian priest was known. Ragnar communed with his gods, and they spoke through him through visions, dreams, the natural world around him, and the holy runes, the knowledge therein granted to man by Odin himself. Rag-nar had a bond with Thorvald that went back to their common families for ages past, as far as either one of them knew.

The settlement at Hlader was a good-sized town, with the Earl Sigurd’s land on the sheltered side of the fjord, bordering an inlet that led to the sea. Freemen owned land throughout the entire valley, but it was understood that they served the earl, and did so willingly. The docks were always busy with the business of commerce, and although not as highly regarded as the shipworks in the town of Gryting, Hlader was known throughout Norway for the longships and knarrs constructed there, as well as the various intercoastal boats. Thorvald and Ragnar, followed by their baggage train, looked with appreciation from the summit of the low mountain as they crossed over to Earl Sigurd’s domain.

It is as fine a town as I’ve ever seen, said Thorvald. I believe the earl could be king himself if he wanted it, but his loyalty is beyond question. It would appear that the king is here, by the look of things.

Ragnar looked down on the valley and saw the activity and work going on and saw everything in detail as the clouds finally gave way to the sun, but his look was troubled as he turned to Thorvald and said, As I told you before, Lord Thorvald, the runes say that you will go on a journey and will not return. I do not like this feeling I have, as though now is the beginning of that journey.

Ah Ragnar, Thorvald said, you yourself told me that the runes speak in riddles and can have many different meanings, so why should I worry when I have you to do the worrying for me? Hah! If it is Odin’s will, then I will go where he sends me. But for now I am ready for the generous hospitality of Earl Sigurd.

Sigurd, the Earl of Hlader, had one of the greatest temples for sacrifice built on his land, and was renowned throughout Norway for the festivals he organized and officiated, not the least reason being that he paid all of the expenses out of his own silver. Ballads were sung regaling his generosity.

The bondes brought their casks of ale for drinking, as much as was required and more, for there was a great amount of eating and drinking. Cattle, sheep, swine, and horses were brought to the festival to be slaughtered and eaten.

The temple was a huge hall, and had room for hundreds of people, with a large fire pit in the center of the building. Kettles were hung over the fire for the cooking of the sacrificial meats, where the staple soups and gravies were cooked as well.

The high seat, constructed well above the benches located along the walls and throughout the hall, was centrally located where all could see who sat in it. The high priest, who was the host of the festival, the highest-ranking bonde, or the king himself, if he was in attendance, occupied the ornately carved chair.

Other smaller halls were constructed near the main building where the king and the higher-ranking bondes could have their privacy if they wished. As Thor-vald and his group were approaching Hlader from the east, they crossed a shallow stream, and a steward from the earl met them, and pointed out where they would be housed, and accompanied them through the mass of people. Pens were available for the animals that Thorvald brought to the festival, and he ordered his steward to take care of those details, as well as storing the items from the baggage train.

Thorvald grinned and raised his arm to the calls of greetings, Lord Thorvald, welcome! from the people as the group passed by. He was well known and respected by these people, who knew of his reputation for fairness, and knew of his exploits as a fierce warrior, and they loved him.

On that sunny day in the year 950, Thorvald was as fine a specimen as could be found for a Viking chieftain. Astride his impressive horse, and dressed in all his finery, fiery red hair and beard and piercing blue eyes, he was the image of a wealthy noble. At his side, Ragnar, his dark cloak matching his shining black hair, looked about with his gray eyes, missing nothing. Immediately behind them, on another beautiful horse rode Erik, Thorvald’s fifteen-year-old son and heir, absorbed in all that he saw about him. He resembled his father with his looks and flaming red hair, and possessed his father’s quick smile and short temper as well. This was the first year he would be attending the festival of sacrifice as a man, having proven worthy by accompanying his father and his father’s men when they went a-viking the previous spring and summer. He had performed well in this ‘rite of passage’ and was well on his way to becoming a young man to be reckoned with. Young men matured quickly. King Hakon himself became king when he was only fifteen years of age, Ragnar had reminded him.

Still brooding, Ragnar met Thorvald’s gaze. Well Ragnar, if this is to be the journey then at the very least it has begun well!

So it has, Lord Thorvald, so it has, said Ragnar. Perhaps my uneasiness is unfounded after all.

The earl’s steward brought them to the long house where they would be staying for the festival, and they dismounted and went inside. Other bondes and their groups were already occupying places in the long house, among them Kar of Gryting, an old and dear friend of Thorvald and his family. Erik was most pleased to see this, because Kar’s daughter Thjodhild would be there and Erik had loved her since they were children. Thjodhild would be his wife one day; he was as sure of it as the sound of Thor’s thunder after a lightning flash.

Thorvald’s party was taken to a longhouse directly alongside the main temple hall. It was rectangular in shape and its length was at least one hundred feet. Even at this size, the earl’s main temple dwarfed it. Led by the steward, they entered the longhouse and were shown their quarters, where to sleep and stow their things, at an honored place along the wall. Most of the places in the longhouse were already taken, so the hall was nearly full of people. There was a long fire pit in the center of the hall, always burning, which was the custom. Usually two meals were cooked each day, one in the morning and one in the late afternoon. Women were cooking soups, and the savory aroma made Erik’s stomach growl, for they had a light breakfast only, and had ridden most of the day. Pieces of meat were roasting over the fire, skewered on sticks, and at the far end of the fire pit unleavened barley bread was baking on the flat stones. Various vegetables cooked in some of the smaller kettles, well tended by a sharp tongued old woman with a constant frown on her face. On one end of the building sat a weaving loom, and along the walls, weapons and tools of all sorts were hung. It was rather dark inside, the fire being the only illumination, except for a small oil lamp here and there. There were window openings on each side to let light and air in, but were shuttered to keep in the warmth, and there were large doors at either end of the hall, big enough for a wagon to fit through. The floor was covered with reeds, for aroma and freshness, and the ever-present slaves changed the reeds regularly. Thorvald’s finely carved headboards were put at the place on the wall where his sleeping place would be. Curtains could be drawn about the sleeping areas for privacy, and large wooden locked chests held the extra clothing and bedding brought with the baggage train. Astrid, the wife of Thorvald, held the keys to the chests hung on a belt around her waist, as was the way of Viking women, symbolic of her authority over household matters.

When the accommodations were arranged, and Thorvald and his people were settled in, Kar of Gryting, with a grin on his face, approached Thorvald and said, Thorvald Asvaldsson, you old sea serpent! Finally you decide to grace us with your presence! It does my heart good to see you again! All is well with you, I hope? And the family? I see everyone is here.

Kar, old friend, it’s good to see you too, Thorvald said. The family is well and my stomach is empty. And when we have taken care of that, we must talk, for there is much to discuss.

And Ragnar, said Kar, still smiling. You are looking well. The gods will favor this festival, I presume?

If all men here believe such as you, my good friend, the gods will indeed accept our sacrifices, Ragnar replied with a smile.

Kar then bowed to Astrid and said, Astrid, wife of Thorvald, lovely as ever, Gudrun will be pleased to see you again.

At that point Kar espied Erik and boomed, So, Erik, what is it you are looking for? Have you lost something? Everyone chuckled as Kar said, If it is Thjo-dhild you seek, she is down by the ships with her mother.

Erik looked to Thorvald who nodded, and Erik raced out of the longhouse.

Look at him go, said Thorvald, still snickering. How fast a young man forgets his stomach when the girl is on his mind!

So, Thorvald said to Kar, alongside Ragnar at the feasting table, having sated himself with roasted meats, soups, bread, and vegetables, and now enjoying a horn of ale, what is the news here at Hlader?

King Hakon is here, Kar said, but shows himself sparingly. He remains in that far house, west of the temple. Instead of circulating among his bondes to gain their support, he turns his back on our gods and consorts instead with his Christian priest! Kar looked about, making sure there were no listeners, lowered his voice so that only Thorvald and Ragnar could hear, and said, The fool orders that this priest be left alone and unmolested, under penalty of death. Hakon has his followers here, those that claim to believe in the Christian god only to gain Hakon’s favor. With Haldor Halvorsson as the worst among them.

Halvorsson is always one seeking favor, said Thorvald, especially if there is a backside to kiss.

And what of Sigurd, the Earl? asked Thorvald.

Kar thought for a while, and said, Earl Sigurd keeps the peace. We know he is a man of the people, and he has already informed the bondes that he will be the high priest for the festival. This he has firmly stated. It will not be the king, though the people would have it that way, as it has been in the past. Without the intercession of the earl keeping the peace between the bondes and the king on more than one occasion, there would probably be open rebellion by now.

The people seemed to be in a festive mood when we arrived, said Thorvald.

Oh, have no doubt about that, Thorvald, the people love the festival, but you will detect that they are uneasy as well, Kar said. "Why the king cannot observe his faith without wanting to force it on the whole of Norway is a question I cannot answer.

What are your thoughts, Ragnar? Kar asked.

I think that all will be clear to us after the festival begins tomorrow, Ragnar said. We will have our harvest sacrifice, regardless of the events. There is a higher power here than the dictates of men, as you are well aware. Our gods demand and will receive our offerings, because that is the way of our people. The runes must be blessed because it is through them that Odin reveals his will to us.

As Ragnar looked from Kar to Thorvald, the loud cawing of crows could suddenly be heard from outside the building; the sacred birds of Odin.

Erik arrived at the waterfront where the ships were tied up, but did not see Gudrun and Thjodhild anywhere about. There was a huge marketplace nearby, and because of the festival there were many people buying and selling, and even though the hour was late, there was still brisk trade going on.

After admiring the ships that were tied up, and looking closely at the longship and the knarr under construction, Erik decided to see if he could find the women in the marketplace.

The marketplace at the harvest festival had many goods available, as Erik could see as he walked through it. There was a metal craft worker who had swords, knives, farm implements, scythes, and many other assorted items. The woodworker had shields, wooden sickles, carvings, bowls, and eating utensils. If a person wanted furs, the skins of deer, bear, and rabbit were displayed. There was clothing such as hats, gloves, mittens, shirts, and trousers. For food, there were various types including fresh, as well as salted fish, grains such as barley, oats, and ryes, cabbages, hops for ale, and berries including elderberries, blueberries, and blackberries. There were different types of nuts, garlic, and leeks. And there were ducks, grouse, and sheep, goats, and cattle for sale.

Up ahead, Erik spotted Thjodhild looking at a jewelry display, and as quietly as he could, walked up behind her. There was amber jewelry, necklaces, rings, brooches, and bracelets, all items beautifully crafted, displayed on the tables in front of her.

Gudrun looked to her side and saw Erik just as he said to Thjodhild, None of these is as beautiful as you.

Startled, Thjodhild turned around and realized it was Erik’s voice that she heard, and shrieked, Erik! and threw her arms around him, kissing his cheek. Erik held Thjodhild close, and kissed her cheek in return.

Gudrun’s smile was reserved as she cleared her throat and said, Erik, I am pleased to see you again, and as you can see, Thjodhild is as well.

Thjodhild blushed and moved back to her mother’s side as Gudrun continued, And your mother and father; they are well?

Yes, Lady Gudrun, we are staying in the same longhouse as your family and my mother looks forward to seeing you again, Erik said. And my father is well. He was speaking to Lord Kar as I left.

Then by all means, let us return there, shall we? said Gudrun.

They returned to the longhouse and Gudrun entered, but Erik and Thjodhild lingered outside. Gudrun looked back at them as if waiting for them, then shrugged her shoulders and went inside to find Astrid. She saw the men sitting at the table and nodded to them, then saw Astrid coming towards her.

Gudrun, Astrid said. How I’ve missed you! And Thojdhild, where is she? Did Erik find you?

Oh, yes, he found us. They are outside where they can be alone. I still think of them as children. They grow up so fast; sometimes I forget that I was Thjo-dhild’s age when I was wedded to Kar. I can see the way they look at each other. It will be a good match, I think, but they seem so young.

Astrid said, If our men would look at us in that manner a little more often, we would both feel as young. But they seem to have other matters on their minds these days.

Gudrun gave a rare smile and said, From the looks of it they will be well into their drinking horns, telling outrageous lies and boasting of their bravery, before this night is through.

As Gudrun and Astrid talked, outside the longhouse Erik held Thjodhild close and kissed her with all of his passion, and she clung to him. Oh Erik, if only I could be with you now. Waiting until the midsummer will seem a lifetime. I think of you constantly, and I want to be with you!

And I want to be with you too, Erik said. But the only way that can happen is if you come back with us to my father’s settlement, and we both know that will not be allowed.

Erik thought for a while, with a distant look in his eyes, and said Unless…

Unless what? said Thjodhild.

Unless maybe, just maybe, your father will allow me to come to your settlement and work for him. My father keeps telling me that a sailor must know how his ship is built, and your father employs master shipwrights, and is known for his fine vessels. I could begin to learn that craft. My father can spare me; he has plenty of help at home. We are to be married anyway next midsummer, so why would he say no? It’s worth a try. If your parents agree, I’m sure mine will.

But what of my mother? Thjodhild said. I don’t think she will say yes.

But maybe she will, Erik said as he kissed her again. We can ask them when they are all together, that way it will be harder for them to say no. But I think we should wait until after the festival is over; I think the time will be right then.

Oh Erik, I hope they say yes! I cannot bear to be without you anymore. I love you Erik, I love you so much.

I love you too, my beautiful Thjodhild, I love you too.

The following morning, the day of the festival, Erik woke early, as did Thjodhild, and they went walking. There was already much activity about Hlader, and much work to do for the festival preparations. They made their way down to the marketplace, and surprisingly many of the vendors were open for business at that early hour, including the seller of jewelry.

When Thjodhild stopped to admire the display again, Erik said, Do you see something that you like here?

Thjodhild replied, There are many things here that I like. All of the rings, bracelets, and especially the necklaces are very nice, don’t you agree?

Oh, there are many wonderful things here indeed, Erik said, as he looked at her and smiled. How do you like the silver necklace with the amber pendant?

The vendor’s eyes shined as he said, I can see that you have an eye for beauty, young man. A rare piece this necklace is, and one of my most well crafted possessions. It is made with the finest silver, and the amber is such a lovely addition to this piece. I would hate to part with it, to tell you the truth, but sell it I must. Would you like to have the young lady try it on and see how she likes it?

I couldn’t, Erik, said Thjodhild. It must be too expensive.

One would never have been able to guess that this vendor had such a treasure of jewelry by looking at his other possessions, which were rather plain, Erik thought. His horses and wagon were tidy and well taken care of however, and his personal attire did not reveal that he might be as wealthy as he was. Erik took notice of the vendor’s helper, a huge giant of a man with hands like shovels, sitting alongside the wagon on a stool, patiently watching the transaction. At closer inspection of the giant, Erik could see the battle scars on his arms and face, and realized that this vendor was no fool, to have a man such as this watch his back.

I’d like you to try it on, Thjodhild, Erik said. He turned to the vendor and said, May I?

But of course, smiled the vendor, as he handed the necklace to Erik.

Erik did the clasp at the back of Thjodhild’s neck, and she turned around to face him. Stunned by her beauty, Erik said, You must have it.

Erik turned to the vendor and said, What is your asking price?

I couldn’t take any less than ten pieces of silver for it, replied the vendor.

Ten! Erik said. I would give you five for it!

Look at the quality, young man. The silver weight by itself is not much less than five, and the amber is worth at least five by itself. I offer you a bargain at ten because my sales have not been as good as I expected. He paused for a second and said. However, because of that very fact, I will let it go for nine, and not a bit less!

By this time several people had stopped to listen to the bartering, seeing what the outcome would be.

Then I will offer seven, and no more, Erik said.

You would deprive this lovely young lady a beautiful necklace for the difference of only two pieces of silver? The vendor looked to the sky and said, Thor should strike me with his hammer for offering you this for eight, for that I am taking a loss, eight is what it cost me! But because of this day, and because of my weakness for trying to make young people happy, I will depart with my most treasured possession for eight!

Looking at Thjodhild with the necklace on, and not wanting her to have to give it back, but knowing somehow that he was probably paying more than the piece was worth, Erik said, Eight it is then.

When he saw Thjodhild’s eyes, he realized that he had done the right thing, regardless of the cost, so Erik reached into his purse at his side and counted out eight pieces of silver and paid the vendor, who quickly put them into his own purse.

The vendor and the giant could not help looking with envy as the young lady embraced Erik and kissed him, saying, Oh Erik, I don’t know how I can ever thank you, I will always cherish this wonderful gift.

As the couple thanked him and went on their way, the vendor thought how he was not the only one who had made a profit that day. Quickly sizing up the people that had stopped to witness the sale, intent on making another, the vendor turned to another couple and said, You sir, do you see something the lady likes?

Erik and Thjodhild returned back to the longhouse and Thjodhild immediately went to her mother to show her the necklace.

Look, mother, what Erik has given me, said Thjodhild. Isn’t it beautiful?

Gudrun, seated next to Astrid, gave Erik an appraising look. And was it a hint of respect Erik saw in her eyes? If there was one thing Gudrun knew about, it was the value of silver. Astrid gave Erik a knowing smile, proud of him for his generosity, and aware that the way into Gudrun’s heart was by massaging her notorious greed.

It is indeed, Gudrun said. Here, let me look at it a little closer. Looking at it, Astrid had to admit it was a valuable necklace, worth as much as any that she owned herself. Viking women loved to display their jewelry, as a way to show their wealth and status, and both Astrid and Gudrun, being of the bonde class, were not lacking in these treasures.

As the women talked, Erik noticed that the men were not there, and was told they were at the bathhouse. The bathhouse stood some distance away from the longhouse. Wood fires heated the bathhouses, and if possible, were built where there was a creek or stream for fresh water nearby. The heat was directed into the bathhouse by way of a stone entry, so that the smoke stayed outside and the heat came inside the wooden room, where benches were built and one could sit or lie down. Red-hot stones were brought inside with wooden holders, and then set upon other stones, where water could be sprinkled on them to create steam. In this way one could get clean, and rinse in the stream with cold, fresh water. The Earl of Hlader had many such bathhouses, and the people put them to good use.

Erik took his leave of the women after getting his clothing to wear for the festival and headed for the bathhouse. He entered, spotted his father Thorvald and Ragnar, and went to sit with them. The heat coming into the room was almost unbearable, but the men did not seem to notice, as they ladled more water onto the hot steaming stones.

After adjusting to the heat, Erik looked to Ragnar, who said to him, Well, what did you get for her?

How did you know? Erik asked.

When I saw you leave with your young woman this morning, I didn’t think you would return without a gift for her, and it does not require a reading of the sacred runes to see something this obvious, Ragnar replied.

Thorvald laughed and said, So, you’re learning how to please the women already, are you? Well, I would expect no less from my son. So, tell us, what gift did you bestow upon the daughter of Gudrun?

Erik told them about the gift, and the trip to the marketplace, and by that time he was beginning to sweat profusely, and felt the need to cool off. "I don’t

know how you can stay in here for so long, but I have to go!" Erik said, as he grabbed his linen.

Thorvald said, Off with you then. And thank the gods you didn’t drink the ale that Ragnar and I did last night.

Erik headed for the stream to rinse off. There were others at the water, laughing and splashing, everyone being in a festive mood. The water was ice cold and invigorating, and it felt good to be clean.

After dressing at the bathhouse, Erik walked over where the sacrificial animals were penned up. Nine sacrifices would be made to the gods, the animals being prime examples of their kinds. In honor of Odin, they would be hanged. There were other animals in different pens as well, for there were a great number of people who would need to be fed.

When Thorvald and Ragnar returned to the longhouse after their bath, the earl’s steward met them as they entered. A small group of people had gathered around the steward, because he said he had an important announcement to make; he would not tell them what it was, and they had waited for some time and were becoming impatient.

The steward, enjoying their discomfort, and feeling himself of some great importance, slowly walked to where he stood before Ragnar, waited a few moments, and finally said, My lord Sigurd the Earl of Hlader asks that Ragnar, seer and holy man from the settlement owned by Lord Thorvald at the town of Jaerden, be his assistant on this day, for the festival of sacrifice to our gods, and the blessing of our people.

The people murmured among themselves as Ragnar, visibly pleased, replied, Odin honors me this day. Please thank the Earl and say that I accept this honor, and will attend him.

Although Sigurd the Earl of Hlader was to officiate at the festival as high priest, Ragnar was chosen to assist the earl, which was a considerable honor.

Thorvald, as the steward left the longhouse, said to Ragnar, So Ragnar, it is not only I who value your skill. You have acquired a reputation, and it is well deserved my friend, well deserved indeed!

Now that Ragnar was going to be assisting during the sacrifice, there were things to prepare. He went to his large leather strapped box where he kept his possessions, and looked to make sure that all was in order. First, he took out the deer skinned sack, opened the drawstrings, and laid out his runes on the inside cover of the box. There were twenty-four of them in all, and as he gazed at them, they seemed to radiate energy, each one having its own symbol carved into it, and each having its own meaning, known only to those who knew how to read them.

Thus would they reveal their secrets. They were rectangular in shape, made from the wood of the oak tree, each one about two inches long, one and a half inches wide, and a half inch thick. The deep carvings were red in color, from the blood of many sacrifices.

Ragnar remembered when he was a boy, and the time he saw his father’s runes for the first time. His father had reached into a bag, brought out three items and cast them onto the table after saying words that made no sense to Ragnar.

"What are those things, father? Can I see them?

His father looked at him closely and said, Well then, come here to the table and I will show you.

Ragnar sat alongside his father and looked on the table and saw three pieces of wood with markings on them.

They look like they are made of wood, Ragnar said.

They are made of wood, and are blessed by our god Odin himself. In the time before man, Odin was, and Odin was wise, but he wanted even more wisdom. He wanted the wisdom of the mystical knowledge and power that he knew he lacked. In order to achieve this, he must offer sacrifice, so he hung himself from the eternal world tree for nine days. At the end of the nine days, wounded in the side by a spear, without food, without water, and at the cost of one of his eyes, he fell from the tree screaming. And as he fell, the magic of the runes was suddenly revealed to him. And Odin gave this knowledge to men. So that men would remember him always, Odin put his eye where all men could see it.

Can I see it, father? Can I too see the eye of Odin? Ragnar asked.

Tomorrow I promise you that you will see the eye of Odin, his father said.

Ragnar looked on the table at the three runes lying there.

Are they really magic, father? Do they speak?

His father said, They speak to those who know their meaning. They speak to me, and they will speak to you when the time comes, as they spoke to your grandfather before he left this world. It is in your heart that you will hear them speak.

Ragnar looked at the runes and stared at them, looking at how the red lines crossed and made different symbols, how they seemed to move when you looked from one to the other, and said, You made them, father, didn’t you? You made them yourself!

His father said, Yes, I made them, just as you will make your own someday.

Can I make them now, father? Can you show me how to make them?

Oh, you will learn to make them in time, but first you must grow a tree, said his father, smiling.

I must grow a tree? Ragnar asked. But growing a tree is going to take a very long time!

And that is the point of growing the tree. You will plant a tree, and take care of it, and watch it grow year after year, until the tree tells you that it is ready to take the rune branch from it. As the tree grows, you will grow as well, and will learn many things, one of the most important being patience. But now it is getting late, and you must go to sleep, because tomorrow will be an important day for you. To bed now, my son. Good night.

I will plant my tree tomorrow! Ragnar said. Good night, father.

Sleep did not come easy for Ragnar that night, with so many new things to think about, and he thought he would lie awake all night, because he could hear his father again saying the strange words, and could hear the rune pieces landing on the table.

However, when his father’s work was completed, he looked in on his son, and saw that Ragnar was fast asleep.

The following day, before the light of dawn, Ragnar’s father woke him, and said, Today you will know the Eye of Odin. They left the house, and Ragnar followed his father as he walked, and they walked in the woods for some time, until they came to a grove of oak trees with a clearing facing east, with low mountains far in the background. By now it was light enough to see, and the mist was in the air, and it was very quiet. There was a man-made bench of sorts there, and his father bade Ragnar to sit beside him, and they waited.

Now look Ragnar, at the space between where the mountains come together. It will take a little time, but soon that is where Odin will reveal his eye to you. Watch and wait.

As the morning got brighter, and the violet in the sky turned to blue, then green, orange, then yellow, right where the mountains came together the sun broke over the horizon, with a flash of green. The sky was clear and unclouded, and within minutes the sun was too brilliant to look at. Ragnar watched the sun climb higher and higher over the horizon. Then a look of realization came over him.

Father, said Ragnar. The sun is the Eye of Odin! Yes! It is the sun!

For a time they sat quietly and watched the sun as it slowly rose above the mountains.

So now, my son, you have seen for yourself, that the sun is the Eye of Odin. Remember, Ragnar, when you look to the sun, of the sacrifice of our god, who suffered so that he would gain the sacred knowledge. This knowledge was revealed to him in the form of runes, which he gave to men. And remember not to gaze too long at Odin’s eye, for it is too bright for men to look upon, for to do so will surely take your sight away. But it is also the giver of life, because without the Eye of Odin, life would not exist. This is the greatest gift that Odin gave to us, and that is why we worship him.

That seems so long ago, Ragnar thought as he sat looking into his box of possessions. He looked again at his runes in the cover of the box. He had painstakingly carved each one, and they were identical in size, and each one was carved with one of the stick-like characters of the runic writing. Next, he took out a large heavy cup, made of copper and silver, which was called a hlaut, or blood cup. Then he took out his hlaut stave, which was used in the rituals. This was a wooden device that resembled a long stirring spoon, with what looked like a hair comb with long tines on the end, and a handle similar to a hammer. He set this aside and unwrapped from an oiled leather holder his short sword and knife. They were clean, unblemished, and flint edge sharp. He put his sword in its scabbard, which he hung from a leather strap suspended over his right shoulder, and was attached to his belt. He then put his knife in its holder and threaded his belt through it. He unrolled a larger deerskin bag, gathered up his cup, stave, and rune bag, and put them in it, then departed for the temple to confer with the Earl.

At the appointed hour, the people began to gather at the temple both inside and out. The bondes and their families were always given the privilege of attending the festival in the temple itself. If there was enough room inside, then freemen were also allowed to attend. In this case, the nobles and their families and relatives would nearly fill the entire large hall. Outside of the main double doors, tables were set up for the butchering of animals, the meat cutters standing to one side, ready to do their work.

Inside the main temple hall, the centerline contained the ever-burning fire with the cooking pots in the middle, suspended by iron chains. The high seat for the king sat on one end, and a wooden framework was erected on the opposite end for the ritual hanging of animals, also on a raised platform. There were tables and benches throughout the entire hall, and the people were bringing in kegs of ale, along with various foodstuffs.

As Thorvald Asvaldsson arrived with his company, the hall was half full and the clamor of people laughing, shouting, greeting each other and trying to talk louder than the next created a buzz like the sound of a bee’s nest. The king had not yet arrived, but Erik spotted Ragnar and the earl conversing, seated on benches atop the sacrificial dais.

The hall continued to fill up with people, and Thorvald’s people found their place at tables near the end where Ragnar sat on the raised platform. Kar of Gryt-ing came alongside Thorvald, and motioned to the high seat.

It would seem that the king keeps away. Normally he would be among his people. He should be here, Kar said.

There is no more joyous time for our people than the harvest festival, said Thorvald. I would hope the Lord Sigurd will not begin the rituals without the King Hakon present. As I have said repeatedly, it is the king himself who should offer sacrifice.

King or no king present, the hall was full, and a light tap tapping could be heard. It gradually became louder, and as Erik, with Thjodhild by his side, looked about them, they saw that some of the Vikings were tapping their swords against their shields. People seated at the tables began tapping their cups, or clapping their hands together, or stamping their feet on the ground, and the sound became louder still. Soon everyone in the hall was joining in, and the noise became thunderous. Sigurd the Earl of Hlader stood, followed by Ragnar, and the earl raised his arms into the air. Cries of Odin, Odin could be heard. Sigurd let this go on for some time, until the crowd was banging and screaming, the people working themselves into a frenzy.

Sigurd turned slowly in a circle, so all could see him, arms still raised, absorbing the charged atmosphere. Ragnar, eyes shining, smiling, did the same, the sacrificial knife held high above his head. The people called out to their gods to witness their assembly.

Finally, the Earl lowered his arms and stood facing the fire, and waited. This was the sign for the crowd to quiet down and listen to his words. Slowly the sound ebbed, until the room became eerily quiet.

In the name of King Hakon, I, Sigurd of Hlader, welcome you to our holy festival. We are here to honor our gods for our prosperity, in thanks for our bountiful harvest, and beseech them to continue their blessings for the coming year. By the blood of our sacrifice, this hallowed blood will attain communion with our gods and our people, and thus we will be joined with our gods in the mystical union that is granted to us by our sacrifice.

We honor our god Odin on this day, our most high god, for his wisdom, Sigurd said. We honor Thor for courage, honor, and strength in battle, we honor Njord for calm seas and fair winds, we honor Frey for our fertile harvests and our prosperity, and we honor Freya for our homes and our families, and putting love in our hearts. Today we honor all of our gods, named and unnamed, and would have them look upon us with their favor, for the good of our people.

The earl paused, and looked about him, and the tumultuous voice of the crowd was heard again, with the sounds of swords hammering against shields. At a signal from Ragnar, the double doors were opened, and a magnificent horse was brought forth. It was a beautiful black stallion, and would be the first blood sacrifice to Odin.

The horse was led up the ramp to the platform, and its neck was tied securely with woven hemp ropes over the wooden beam above it. That part of the platform had a hinged stand, and the greased dowels holding the stand could be pulled out, releasing the stand, allowing it to swing vertical. The hall became deathly quiet.

It was Ragnar’s turn to speak. In his clear resounding voice, Ragnar said, Odin, accept this sacrifice from your people. Accept this sacrifice from those whose faith in you remains unshaken. Grant us your blessing, that we may behold your glory and majesty. Reveal your wisdom to us, that we may better worship you. Look upon us with your divine will, and give us strength. We now offer this unblemished animal’s life blood to you.

It was Asbjorn of Medalhus who suddenly cried, Hold. Do not proceed!

All eyes looked in Asbjorn’s direction; the murmuring of the crowd could be heard, as from the platform the earl said, The Lord Asbjorn speaks. What is the meaning of this?

Asbjorn said, The sacrifice is not proper without the presence of our king. The high seat remains empty. Where is King Hakon?

Thorvald, Kar, and others loudly exclaimed, Yes, where is the king? The people desire the king!

More people joined in and the earl looked most uncomfortable with this turn of events, the din becoming louder as the moments passed. He held up his arms in a placating manner, as the noise slowly died down.

It is the king’s wish that the sacrifice be held without him, the earl said.

This statement created even more of an uproar, and if it continued it would be impossible for the earl to maintain order. Again, he raised his arms, and this time it took considerably longer before the hall was quiet.

If it is the wish of the people that the king be present, then the king will attend. I will see to it, said the earl. The earl retained his composure, although he did not relish the task before him, as he descended from the platform and walked through the hall to go to the house where King Hakon sat with his Christian followers.

It was Thorvald who spoke first to Asbjorn as he said, That was well timed and well said, Lord Asbjorn. We could not let it go on without the king. This is one duty he cannot abandon. You have my respect for your actions.

And mine as well, said Kar. You have voiced the feelings of all of us here, and you have our thanks.

Asbjorn said, "At the Frosta-thing, it was the king himself who said he would attend and observe the sacrifice, and this promise was made to the earl and heard by many of those present. He cannot go back on his