Page 106 of Shared By the Vikings

Chapter Twenty-Two

Erik’s home was ofmodest size, with a large oak bed near a long fire pit to stave off the cold on winter’s nights. The roof was low but not so much that Ingrid had to stoop unless she went to the storage area. For cooking there was another fire along with an adequate supply of pans, and a table with four sturdy chairs. There was no shortage of furs and skins and he’d made a hole in the wall, the opening propped on a stick. This gave a view of the adjacent field filled with dancing dry grass.

A long wooden desk sat by a sooty kiln. The surface of the desk was littered with tools and pieces of metal. Some had been shaped into pins, weapons, and horseshoes, alongside were pincers, a poker, and an anvil.

He had two black cats, several chickens, and a human skull that sat on a shelf beside the fire.

“Who was this?” she asked.

“The first man I killed in battle.” He drank deeply, then refilled his mug from a pail of well water.

Ingrid turned the skull over; a lightning-shaped crack ran from the crown to the base.

“On the shores of western isles,” he said. “Though he gave me this scar in return.” He rubbed at the small raised patch of skin on his left side.

Ingrid nodded and replaced the skull. She was glad Erik had been the victor in that fight.

“What will we do first?” Raud asked, setting down an empty horn he’d been drinking from.

“We will gather the hay.” Erik nodded outside. “We can take it with us to feed the goats.”

“Goats?” Raud asked.

Erik chuckled. “Gunnvar has lots of goats, we will take them with us to our new life in Ravndal.”

“I would have liked to see Gunnvar’s and Tali’s homes.” Ingrid stepped up to the window and looked up the hill.

“Tali lives with his parents,” Erik said.

“And Gunnvar?”

“Alone, up on the ridge.” Erik stood next to her and pointed to a rocky cliff edge. “He prefers it that way. He has nephews who visit him but he likes to be alone most of the time.”

“But...?” She frowned. “Gunnvar seems happy to be coming to live with us all.”

Erik rested his hand on her shoulder. “You are very good for my friend. He has finally found someone he wants to be with, and with you, it seems he’s also accepted us.” He paused. “Though don’t be surprised when he wanders off for a few days, that is just Gunnvar. His spirit needs silence and solitude from time to time. It’s as if his brain works so fast, it needs to switch off.”

“I understand.” A small wooden roof was just visible through the trees on the cliff top. “I hope he will be happy in Ravndal.”

“He will be, but fear not, Gunnvar is not one for holding back if something isn’t right in his world, as you know. He’ll tell you... us... if there is a problem.”

“Can I take this one?” Raud was holding up a dusty scythe.

“Ja.” Erik took several long paces into the dim storage area. He stooped and pulled out another scythe. “We will get to work. I wish to get this crop in and bundled before nightfall. We can dry it further when we arrive in our new home.”

Ingrid watched the men stride from the house.

---