Byzantium

"His name is Jesu," I said. "Also called the Christ, a word which means jarl in the tongue of the Greekmen."

"You speak well for this god of yours," Ragnar said; Gu

They all agreed that it was just that: a matter worthy of further consideration. And such deep cogitation required the aid of ol, to which they applied themselves forthwith. Such strenuous thought, it was then suggested, should not be undertaken without the strength provided by a full stomach; it would be folly to even contemplate such a task without proper sustenance. Thus, the talk quickly turned to who should go and fetch the meat which was soon to be coming off the spits.

In the end, Gu

22

The next morning, King Harald held court in the ring of stones. Anyone with a grievance, or anyone seeking redress, could come before him for a judgement. This custom is roughly similar to the way it is done with the Irish kings and their people. Perhaps it is the same everywhere; I ca

King Harald seemed to enjoy the proceedings, leaning forward eagerly, hands on knees, listening to the complaints, and making up his mind, often very quickly after only a few questions. I watched the faces of those who went before him, and most often the people appeared to come away satisfied with the justice they had received.

Several times, however, there were scowls and dark mutterings as the aggrieved stumped off to lick their wounds. That is also the way of it in Eire, for it is not possible, even in all fairness, to please everyone, and there is no pleasing some people ever.

As we stood waiting for our turn, I wondered whether Gu

When called at last, Gu

Lifting a hand to Gu

The king agreed that this was indeed a serious affair. "It would seem," said the king, "a matter for grave consideration." He paused long enough for those gathered around to enjoy his wit, and then said, "You call it murder, why?"

Gu

"Now that you bring it before me," Harald replied, "I seem to recall that I sent two karlar into that region and only one returned. Perhaps you can tell me how this happened."

Gu

The king was not swift to agree with Gu

"The karlar," Gu

"And who loosed the hound?" asked Harald, suggesting that he knew more about this incident than he had revealed.

"This man, my slave," said Gu

Harald Bull-Roar's eyes became hard and his features grew rigid. "Is this so?" he demanded.

I think he expected me to deny it, or to try to explain it away somehow. It took him aback when I simply replied, "It is true."

"Did you know the hound would kill my man?"

"No, lord," I answered.

"Did you think it might happen?"

"Yes."

"You thought the hound might kill a king's man," Harald's voice grew angry and loud, "and yet you loosed the dog anyway?"

"I thought it would be no bad thing if the hound stopped the karlar from killing Odd."

At this, Harald grew puzzled. I think he had made up his mind how this would be settled, but my admission had put a slightly different face on the thing and he now wondered what to do. Looking away from me, he said to Gu

"And hound," added Gu

"I will pay you for the loss of your slave and hound," Harald said, "and you will pay me for the loss of my warrior. I will tell you now, my warrior was worth twenty gold pieces. Your slave, I think, was not worth half so much."

"No lord." The colour had drained from Gu

"How much then?" demanded the king.

"Eight pieces of silver," Gu

"Five, perhaps?" wondered the king.

"Six," allowed Gu

"If we grant that twelve pieces of silver are worth two of gold, you still owe me eighteen gold pieces for the death of my warrior," said the king. "Pay me now and the matter is settled."

"Lord," said Gu

King Harald dismissed this with an impatient wave of his hand. "I care nothing for that. We have made a bargain. You must find the way to pay your part, heya?"

"Though I sell all I have, I could never raise so much wealth," Gu

Harald seemed to soften then; he lifted a hand to his chin and appeared to consider what could be done to help Gu

"Taking this into account," he concluded, "I will not demand the full blood price. The gift of your slave will suffice."

Gu

"For the loss of your slave," Harald said, pouring six silver coins into Gu

Gu