Valknut

CHAPTER|25 Funerals

The following day, Olaf and Kieran had every person – man, woman, and child – busy. While the men fished, hunted, chopped down tress, gathered the dead and cleaned up the mess made by the Dark Knight and his men, women and children scrubbed down the floors, tended to the sick, occupied themselves in the kitchens and rummaged for fruits, berries and nuts. Kieran, Olaf, and Sir Brian’s family toiled alongside their people. 

By nightfall, the castle and its surrounding areas were more or less back to the way they used to be. Since no damage had been done to the building or its surrounding walls, repairs went along faster. Kieran and Olaf both thanked Odin and Thor for battles without siege weapons! Physical reminders of the recent battles and lost lives had been cleared or hidden, and the stench had been more or less driven out. The longhall was functional again. Tables were overflowing with food and ale and floors were bathed in a mixtures of fragrant herbs – providing much needed relief to the tired and grieving citizens. No person, regardless of his or her standing, was turned away empty stomach. 

The day ended with people camped out in the hall and the castle while Kieran and Olaf retired to the study after a long dinner with Catriona. 

“Tomorrow we begin the funerals.” Olaf muttered. He wasn’t happy about the prospect of having to conduct this business. Unfortunately they had no Angel of Death. (Norse women that carry out funeral proceedings). Seeing that it had already been a week, Kieran and Olaf had decided against sending a ship to Olaf’s home to bring a person with such experience to Rognvaldsey. 

“For most, we will hold a typical ceremony. For yer mother and Sir Connor, we will hold a special one.” 

Kieran nodded. He was curious about the so called ceremonies. And more than once, he was tempted to ask Olaf. However, given Olaf’s hesitation to substitute for the Angel of Death, he figured he’d wait to find out the next day. 

On that note, they retired. 

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The following morning, Olaf took over instructing the men. At the furthest end of the island, they built several large towers made of wood. Each tower rested neatly between large rocks laid out in the shape of a ship. They also dug mass graves where the men of the Dark Knight would be buried. At a safe enough distance, several tables were placed. Since it had been a week since the passing of all these people, according to Norse tradition, this would be the day that the living would celebrate with a feast and ritual drinking of ale. 

“Such a ritual would allow the living to finally be able to claim their inheritance” Olaf explained to Kieran as torches were stuck into the ground, chairs and benches were arranged, and the area around the tables was dressed with flowers and herbs in preparation for the feast. 

Olaf then instructed the women to visit the homes of the dead and collect their belongings. For women, jewelry or items used in household activities would suffice. For children, they were to collect toys, and clothes. Warriors would be burnt with their weapons, perhaps even their horses as sacrifice. Skilled workers, such as blacksmiths, weavers, and farmers would be cremated with the tools of their trade. Personal belongings along with food, ale, animal sacrifices, tools, and in the case of high ranked people such as his Mother and Sir Connor, human sacrifices would also be required. 

Kieran cringed. 

Olaf grunted in amusement. “By burning them in extremely high towers, we help them rise quickly into the afterlife.” 

“Are the additional deaths necessary?” Kieran mumbled. 

“We believe that transport is needed for souls to travel into the afterlife. Animals and ships form the ideal transport don’t you think?”