Dragon Bride

Chapter 5 The Long Ship

April ten years later

Bjorn Svenson stood at the bow of his half brother Olaf (Svenson) Fairhair's ship as it sailed into Skellfjord. "What are we here for?" Bjorn asked.

"A show of force," Olaf replied. "Our father hopes to unite all the clan chiefs and the petty kings under a single king of Norway, Denmark and the new faith. You will stay behind as an emissary."

"Why me? I'm not a heir or even a legitimate son of King Sven Haraldsson of Denmark."

"I'm not a heir either, my older brother is. Our father trusts you and has acknowledged you and so do I. What are your plans when this task is completed?"

"I own considerable property in Greenland thanks to our father," Bjorn said, "I only lack for a good woman to complete my desires."

"Good luck finding one willing to run off to the frontier with you."

"I'm ever hopeful. I'm having a home built as we speak.

"You are a hopeless romantic!" Olaf teased, "I wish you well in both of your quests brother." Olaf lightly punched his arm and laughed.

They were approached by a small long boat and a local pilot was taken on board and paid. The fjord was deep and wide but the Holm was guarded by a string of islands and hidden submerged rocks and shoals that made entry into the harbor dangerous for large boats. The pilot pointed to and named the the string of barrier islands. "Those three standing huge rocks over there on the shore are called the sister rocks," the pilot said, "they were trolls that were tricked into coming out and the sun changed them to rocks."

"I've heard the story," Bjorn said, "and they do resemble trolls."

The entry to the village's harbor was tricky and they dropped the sail and began to row in. They slowly passed numerous large rocks just below the surface of the water. Then in the distance a voice was heard singing. The song echoed off the cliff faces. Bjorn was entrance by the song. "That's so beautiful," Bjorn said, "Is that a sirens call, a huldra?"

"No, that's a woman's voice," the pilot said. "It's called a kulning song. It's just Karlie Jamesdottor calling her cattle in for the night. You'll get used to it."

"Used to it," Bjorn whispered to himself, "never. I've got to meet this girl."

"Everyone kind of shuns her," the pilot said. "She's pretty enough but doesn't know her place. Father Pete likes her so everyone puts up with her. She can be a real scold. She would be good catch as she has a considerable dowry thanks to her uncle. Some folk claim she's a huldra, born with a tale. I don't believe that. She's not got the voluptuous beauty or fair hair of a huldra, to skinny and short."

Bjorn was not really listening to the pilot. He did catch the singers name but simply concentrated on her voice as she sang her kulning song. The ship tied up at the dock about an hour later and they disembarked and walked toward the village's mead house. They made several stops along the way with Olaf introducing Bjorn to several of the village elders. They met Eric Hendryson gutting the days catch and salting it at the fish drying racks. He was pointed out a good source to find room and board by the pilot. Bjorn arranged for room and board at Eric's long house.

"I'll get my stuff from the boat later," Bjorn said. "Every thing seems to be moving smoothly.

"We'll have dinner there," Olaf said, pointing to the village mead hall.

"I am looking forward to a hot meal," Bjorn said smiling.

"Eric Hendryson is the chief of the Jutes clan and vassal to our father," Olaf said, "His wife Gretchen takes in boarders. It was good we ran into him so soon as they are a Christian family. He has a young son and a daughter. I've met him before."