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But the long amber-blond hair was shorter now-roughly hacked off below the ears, a man?s style among the Bjornings. And she was wearing a belted tunic and breeks and boots, not the gown and long apron; all her clothing was in black or dark blue. These folk didn?t make as much of the differences between men?s dress and women?s as Mathilda?s did but from what he?d seen they were more particular about it than Mackenzies, especially on formal occasions like this.
The clothes had some significance here, something that he wasn?t quite grasping. Bjarni?s mouth had closed in a grim line, and Harberga was frowning. An older man and woman seemed caught between anger and tears; probably her parents.
The tall young woman walked down and crossed to the Oath-Swine; as she did the lamplight glittered on a pendant she wore, a valknut, a set of three interlaced equal-sided triangles with the points upright.
Now that I know. It is Odin?s mark. I think She laid her hand on the ring and spoke:?This I swear and promise: that I will have vengeance for my betrothed, Sigurd Jeansson; I will be a shield-maid until I have taken a wergild of lives tenfold for his, taken them by my own hand-?
The thul stood, and more quickly than before.?Asgerd Karlsdottir! To speak these words in sumbel is to link our fates to yours in the well of Wyrd! If you fail, all of us bear the ill luck that falls on the foresworn. What sith, what recompense, can you pay if fulfilling this oath is beyond your might??
The ravaged face lifted.?If it is beyond my might, it is not beyond my main, my soul strength. If I fail in this oath, the price I offer is this: my life. I will fulfill my oath, or I will die with my face to the foe.?
Rudi hissed slightly between his teeth. If ever I saw someone in most desperate earnest, this is she, he thought. ?This is a dreadful oath,? the thul said.?By it you deprive your kindred of strength, not only yours but that of your children who might be.?
Proudly, she replied:?I am a free woman of Norrheim, and of the Bjorning folk, and of age. I have said what sith I will pay to support my oath. May I swear, or not?? ?All men are born fey. All women, too,? Ranulf said heavily.?You may swear; your oath is accepted.? ?So I swear, by Victory-Father. Drink hail!?
She did more than take a draught; she drank steadily, until the horn shed only a drop when she held it upside down. The Wassail was ragged; when it died down, Asgerd turned and looked Rudi in the eye. The mead had put red in her cheeks, but her voice was still cold: ?Since the High One commanded us to aid Rudi Mikesson of the Mackenzies, and his foes are those who slew my man, I will fulfill my oath in his service if he will have me. I am trained to arms, I can use sword and spear, and I am better than most with the bow. I?ve hunted and trapped and know the ways of land and water. There are deer and wolves who could testify to it, if they lived! But if he will not, I will follow nonetheless.?
Hmmm. That I didn?t expect either, he thought, a little dismayed.
Then his gaze turned professional. She was tall for a woman-a hair less than his half sisters, perhaps the slightest touch taller than Mathilda-and looked fit.
She moves well. And there?s nothing wrong with her nerve, I?d judge. Apart from that He looked over to Ranulf; he?d gathered that the brother of the Bjorning founder was an arms master and one of his nephew?s right-hand men. ?All our folk are trained to weapons play,? Ranulf said.
It was a little grudging, but with the air of a man who wouldn?t bend the truth about the trade he loved. The same judicious appraisal went through the rest. ?Though women usually put it aside when they wed, and few ever fight except at greatest need, when their home garths are attacked. Asgerd isn?t as strong as a man with her inches, of course, but she?s strong for her weight, and quick, and more skilled than most girls her age. Sigurd Jeansson was a fine fighting man, often in viking, and he sparred with her much. Nor have I seen her flinch from a blow on the practice field, even the hardest.?
Asgerd nodded.?My Sigurd said he would have no coward, no weakling, to be mother of his sons or to guard his steading when he was away.?
Unexpectedly, Edain spoke as well.?I saw her shooting at the range earlier,? he said.?She?s got a good eye. The archer?s eye. Not the heaviest bow, but she?s sure, and fast; she?d pass trial for the First Levy at home. Though there?s room for improvement, of course.?
She shot him a look of startled gratitude; there was even the hint of a smile in it. Rudi nodded; that settled the question of her skill with the bow. Archery was something an Aylward took very seriously. ?I will accept your service, Asgerd Karlsdottir,? he said.?But I will tolerate nothing reckless or heedless. So, before we leave Eriksgarth you must swear to me by my own people?s oath. I give you fair warning: that oath will bind you tightly. My war band has but one will, and that one is mine.? ?I will swear that oath.?
Asgerd walked slowly back to her seat and sat; Rudi judged her stu
That brought a clamor of young Bjornings wanting to enlist with the questers. Rudi picked carefully, just enough to replace the Southsiders killed or too badly wounded to continue, six men and another woman.
Looking for adventure, I think, he decided. Or for a trip away from troubles; or perhaps for gain, rising with a King newcome to power and willing to risk all for it. Or such reasons mixed together. Not a bad start. I?ve been questing for the Sword; but once I have it, I must build a host. ?And that is all for now,? he said firmly; he thought Bjarni looked a little relieved.?When I return with the Sword, we shall see what we shall see. I fear that my blood brother will need all the strong sword arms he can muster before then, and need them here.?
There were pleased nods from the yeoman landholders at that. Several heads of household rose and pledged to take in their wounded or horses; others swore to provide gear or goods to those who?d joined him, even costly items like mail shirts. Which was welcome; they hadn?t brought along all the gear of their fallen, there being no space in the sleds to spare. Bjarni caught Rudi?s eye and nodded.
Rudi stood. Ogma of the honey-tongue, be with me now, he thought, then pitched his voice to carry: ?Folk of Eriksgarth, of the Bjornings, of Norrheim, by now you know somewhat of my story. Hear also what my mother said when she held me over the altar in our nemed, our sacred wood, when she gave me my name and made prophecy: ?Sad winter?s child, in this leafless shaw Yet be Son, and Lover, and Horned Lord!
Guardian of my sacred Wood, and Law His people?s strength-and the Lady?s sword! ?This was the fate laid upon me at my birth; Orlog, you say. Here I swear to take up this destiny, and the Sword. I will defeat the black evil of Corwin, and free those it holds in thrall. I will be Ard Ri in Montival; I will be High King. To my own people I will be land father and give good lordship and fair judgment; in my lands each shall hold his own, and each folk shall follow their own customs and Gods and laws, subject only to the common good. To foreign friends-such as yourselves-I will offer the open hand of welcome and alliance, and see that none trouble any who come to trade or visit. Only to the reiver, the evildoer, the oppressor and the invader shall I show the edge of the Sword, but to them it shall be a sword of fire indeed. So I swear, by the Gods of my people, by the Maker of Stars, by the Lady of the Ravens who has held me under Her wings; and also I swear by great Odin, Victory-Father, who has given me of his strength and wisdom here and elsewhere.?
He took the oath-ring in his hand.?So I swear; so shall I do. And if there comes a day when the King must die for the people, then I will go consenting, with open eyes. Drink hail!? ?Wassail!?