Valknut

CHAPTER|8 Skipping Ahead

Still dressed in her favorite attire, tunic and breeks, Catriona charged at Kieran. Sword held high, she narrowed her eyes to slits, lips thinned into a grim line. Just before she reached him, she swung around, crouched and moved her sword in a wide downward arc, aiming for his right shin. Countering her move with his sword, Kieran attacked her left side. Nimble on her feet, Catriona rolled over and stood up her sword now resting on Kieran’s chest. 

Not one to be bested by a lass, Kieran flipped backwards, kicking her sword from her hand. It landed blade down in the soil, deeply implanting itself into earth’s warm embrace. Sir Connor walked over to the two, pleased with what he had seen. For the past ten years, he had been training Kieran, Catriona, and the other men in their new settlement in the art of sword and spear throwing, and archery. 

A lass of almost twenty winters, Catriona had bloomed just as Lady MacShane had predicted. Slim and lithe, with her red curls now tamed by a braid, Catriona was the focus of every man’s attention. Few dared approach her for her fiery spirit and her sword skills. Nevertheless, stared they still. 

Kieran had grown into a fine warrior as well. His father would have been proud. Now standing tall at a little over six feet, his dark hair was shoulder length. He wore a simple tunic with laces in the front and leggings that reached his shin. His tunic was ripped open at his right arm. Catriona certainly put up a great fight. 

The three walked over to the side of the training circle, watching as another set of men took their place and began sparring. Every morning, from before sunrise to well into mid-day, Sir Connor pushed his men to fight. Their only break was a short one, when they ended their morning fast with broth and bread slathered with butter. After their mid-day meal, hunters would assemble and Kieran and Catriona would lead them into the forest to catch whatever they could find for supper. Sometimes they caught rabbits, perhaps a deer. Early spring, they would haul home a seal or two. 

On one such hunting mission, Catriona had been led astray from the group by pitiful sounds. After hours of searching for the troublesome red-head, Kieran finally stumbled upon her at the shore. Before he could rattle off at her for worrying them, he spotted the white hairy bundle in her arms. 

“Och no, no, no, no. Mither wull be furious if ye came home wi' that... that... thing” 

Catriona simply rolled her eyes. “It's nae a thing. It's a seal 'n' from the looks of it, it’s orphaned.” 

“Ye cannae expect me to just leave it here. Ye know I will not.” She continued when he refused to share her sentiments. 

This time, it was Kieran’s turn to roll his eyes. “If ye must. But don’t come tae me when mither chides you.” 

To Kieran’s horror, Lady MacShane gushed over the seal pup just as much as Catriona had. The Chieftain had his own reasons for allowing the creature to live with them. Apparently, the Orcadians believed that seals were capable of taking on human form and as such, they were revered for their abilities. No one was going to turn away this little pup! 

Several years later, the pup had grown into this… monstrosity with its spindle-like body, round head and massive flippers. More than the ugly thing that it was, Kieran hated it simply for its smells and sounds. The seal, Kie, as named by Catriona, often reeked of dead fish and whistled every time its beady eyes came upon Kieran. And for each time that Kie rubbed herself against Kieran, his men had roared with laughter. With mischievous glints in their eyes they had teased him about this peculiar behaviors. 

“She likes ye” they claimed, wiggling their eyebrows suggestively. 

“Whens th' wedding” they hollered. 

“Th' wee Saxon is going to have his own pups” they snickered. 

Kie had been more trouble than he had imagined much to everyone’s amusement, except Kieran’s!  

************** 

The Orcadians had been quite generous to them. Unfriendly with the McDermott clan, and the Pict’s in general they had welcomed the refugees, allowed them to settle on Rognvaldsey and provided them with the material and livestock they needed for a fresh start. In return, their alliance had been cemented by marriage and a vow of vengeance. After the untimely passing of the Chieftain’s wife a year after their relocation, he sought Lady MacShane as his new wife.

Aware of his generosity, kind and caring nature and seeking greater surety in the continuance of his benevolence towards her family, Lady MacShane had agreed. After the ceremony, Lady MacShane, Connor, Kieran and Catriona had moved to the Meginland to live with the Chieftain. The remainder of their people stayed back at Rognvaldsey, running the keep under the watch of the Chieftain’s guards. Over time, people from both clans had mingled quite freely. Marriage vows had been exchanged between many families and the settlements now boasted of a healthy young population. 

At one and eight winters, Kieran had been bestowed sole ownership of Rognvaldsey. He was allowed sole decision making authority over his land although he was required to swear his allegiance to the Chieftain and his heir. Over the next two years, Kieran spent several months surveying his land, strengthening the castle by enforcing the existing building with new wings, battlements and brochs (round towers) and weems (underground houses), and ships for trade and war.

They were frequented by independent Roman and Norse traders that sought slaves, cattle, furs, and wool in return for pottery, glass, bronze and iron objects and wine. 

It was during one such trade with a Norse ship that Kieran met with Olaf Asmundsson. The red-haired Norse not only towered over Kieran, he most certainly outweighed and out muscled him, and much to Kieran’s surprise, out-skilled him in sword play. Taking an instant liking for the Norseman, Kieran had befriended him. It was during their extended friendship that Kieran learned of Olaf’s planning skills. It was only natural that he took Olaf’s advice when formulating the upkeep of his castle and its fortifications.

The two could be seen riding along the island surveying for weaknesses and strategizing better defenses. On occasion, Kieran had accompanied Olaf on his trading routes. When one such trade mission went horribly wrong, Olaf had been incapacitated by a fury of arrows that threatened to splinter his shield. Of these, a cursed arrow had clipped Olaf in the ankle, rendering him incapable of standing, let alone defending himself. Kieran had come to his rescue, and the two had been inseparable ever since.

Of course Olaf would never admit that Catriona’s fiery temper and sharp wit had more to do with his frequent visits. 

On this particular visit however, Kieran had different plans for Olaf. He intended to sail towards McDermott shores, dressed as a Norse trader. The time to enact his revenge was drawing near and he wanted to take this opportunity to survey McDermott defenses and perhaps, extract a spy or two planted years ago by Sir Connor.