Swain

“ I have prayed to the Old Gods for you, Swain. I think it is they who will aid us. This White Christ which Olaf Tryggvi’s son forced upon us is no god of vengeance, whatever Bishop William may say.”
Swain shrugged his shoulders.
“I have more trust in my sword than in any gods,” he said. “But we shall soon know. At any rate, I have not forgotten how my father and Valthiof died.”
“You would not, my son. Be vigilant and show no mercy.”
They kissed each other, and Swain stamped off across the ice-hummocks to enter the boat which carried him to Deathbringer’s side. ”

“ His wife, the Lady Margaret, caught up his words.
“It is no more than natural that Swain should prosper,” she remarked, “seeing that he has become the guardian of our son, and must therefore be almost as great a man as Jarl Rognvald, himself, in the islands.”
Swain laughed as he stared insolently into her ripely handsome, haughty features. Of Norse stock, she towered over her lord.
“I was wealthy before the youngling came to Orphir, and I have had no need to pouch his revenues since,” he answered. “All the world is my purse. If your Atjoklar was but richer you would see me oftener.” ”

“ Swain reminded her.
"No, Swain, I said I would not lend you men and money—at this time," denied Maddad.
"But why should I aid you at all?" pressed Swain.
Maddad shrugged his shoulders, but a sudden light glowed in the woman's eyes.
"For several reasons," she answered. "For one, because it would be just—you have seen our son; you can judge he will grow to become a creditable man; you know that Jarl Paul has no sons of his own; he refuses us only because he dislikes to divide his power. ”

“ Swain grinned.
"Your troubles might have been at an end; ours would have just begun," he answered. "Men say with reason, two jarls rule with justice; one jarl rules with fear. But it occurs to me, Lord Jarl, that you were more than anxious to have me save the lives of your men by inducing Bishop William to compose peacefully your differences with Jarl Paul."
"That is a ridiculous idea, Swain," answered Jarl Rognvald. "I consented to your plan only because you told me so often of the cost in men I must pay if I fought with Jarl Paul. ”

“ Swain laughed.
"Ask me why the whaups fly northward, mother. The viking-fever kindles in our blood. There is not a man on Gairsey does not hunger for oar rattle and the grip of a thirsty sword. No, no, the Spring planting is done; the fields lie fallow. What should we do if we bided idly at home?"
She gave him a curious glance.
"Take a maid to wife, perhaps."
Swain laughed again.
"A wife? What should I do with a wife? Women are—I'll say no more, for you are woman. But saving you I know none I'd give bower-room to." ”

“ Swain looked forward to a peaceful Winter, sitting about the hearthfire with his chiefs, talking over old times and raids and fights and listening to Erik's recitation of sagas and wise sayings. He was a very restless, domineering man, fond of his will in all things, and he liked the sensation of being ruler of his own dominions, for friendly as he was at home in the Orkneys with Jarl Rognvald there had been times when it irked him to admit the suzerainty of another. Here in Man his word was law; people did what he bade them without question or suffered the consequences. ”

“ Once more Bishop William came between them.
"Peace, peace," he urged. "Your friends will be at each other's throats. Let us compose this quietly."
"The one way to compose this is to compass Swain's death," answered the Jarl. "He is a trouble-maker, and I am finished with him."
"We shall see about that," said Swain. "Do you still intend to inlaw Frakork and Olvir and give them the lands of my family?"
"I will give them all your family's lands, if I see fit," snarled Jarl Paul. "Be careful of your conduct, Gunni Olaf's son. You are not outlawed yet, but outlawed you may be." ”

“ It is no use, Swain. I shall save you the trouble. I choose to die by my own act, if die I must. But do not think that this is the end of the tale. There is more to come, much more. I have seen Gunni dead, and Asleif dead; and at the far end of all I think you, too, will die with victory in your grasp. The riches you win and the honors you gain shall taste sour in your mouth; and all your life Olvir shall be a marsh-light dancing ahead of you to divert you from the greatness you otherwise might win. When you are dead men will say of you, ‘He was Swain Olaf’s son, who might have been a Jarl ”

“ Deathbringer leads the way. Ravens throng the sky."
A shout rose from the crowded longships, the deep, booming voices of the Orkneymen mingling with the shriller tones of Holdbodi's people and the Manfolk.
"Lead on, Swain! We follow."
"But will Olvir stand to it?" clamored young Jarl Harald excitedly. "Will he stand to it when he sees us, Swain?"
Swain laughed shortly.
"He will stand to it, for we will carry it to him wherever he stands. Erik, get you aboard one of your dragons. I look to you to keep the Manfolk in line. Every sword counts." ”

“ Now, Rognvald laughed, too, as did several of the others at the table.
"I have heard of you," he said. "You are he who was outlawed by Jarl Paul for the slaying of Swain Briostreip."
"That is true," admitted Swain.
"You have a viking hold at Lambaborg in the south of Caithness, men say," pursued Jarl Rognvald.
"That also is true."
"And you say you have come here to aid me?"
"That must depend upon yourself," rejoined Swain. "I can not aid any man who is witless, and I do not yet know you sufficiently well to decide whether you are sensible enough to serve my purpose." ”

“ Will your men do it—or shall mine?"
"I have no thought of mercy in my mind," returned Swain almost gently, "yet I am averse to slaying Jarl Paul."
"Why?"
"Dead, he is—dead. Alive—Jarl Rognvald will never quite forget him. He will be a protection for your son."
"But a live man may return to power," exclaimed Jarl Maddad.
"Not from a monastery, after such humiliation as Paul has undergone," answered Swain.
"So you would tonsure him?" cried the Lady Margaret. ”

“ But Jarl Rognvald showed greater readiness than Swain to respect her loyalty to the husband who had cast her off.
“It is so I would wish my daughter to feel,” he said. “My men will build you a bower here by the fireside, and in the morning we will send you to Thorsa, where you can take ship for Gairsey and forget the sorrow which has come upon you.” ”

“ And I call all to witness that I charge him here with the trouble that has befallen me.”
“Not so,” denied Jarl Rognvald. “You yourself, as Jarl Harald has just told you, are your worst enemy. Swain speaks kindly of you in all things, but in justice to his men, he must have insisted upon a fair share of the spoils of your expedition, even though he was disposed to yield to you on his own account.”
Thorbiorn tossed his ax over his shoulder.
“There is at least this truth in what you say, Lord Jarl,” he answered. “Without your backing, Swain could do me little harm. ”

“ What had been an ordered battle, men fighting shield to shield in regular formation, became a scattered affair of individual and group combats. Swain, himself, gathered a dozen men who were nearest to him, and strove to carry the fight to the enemy, hewing through their ranks in an effort to come up with Olvir, who was raging across the hilltop, scattering death with his huge ax. ”

“ Jarl Harald spoke of this as the serving-men were lighting the candles with the deepening of the twilight.
“It is plainly to be seen that you have no feeling against Thorbiorn Klerk,” he remarked sadly, “and I marvel at the bitterness which he displayed against you.”
“He is not the first man to set too much store by himself,” replied Swain, “yet I should be dishonest did I deny him the merit of being a skilful warrior and always forward in the weapon showing.” ”

“ Thorbiorn ran at him without another word, and Swain’s folk, so soon as they had finished the three surviving house-carls who had been with Thorbiorn, made a shield-ring and watched the struggle, marveling at the desperation with which the outlaw warded Swain’s stoutest blows, although his intestines bulged from the spear-hole in the skirt of his mailed shirt. ”

“ The Sudreyarman was so overcome by his rage that the words spat from his lips with the hissing intonation of an angry cat.
"This is a rich reward for faithful friendship and loyal service!" he snarled. "It will make a brave tale, Swain. Men will speak enviously of you, as of one who takes all and gives nothing, who delights in appropriating for himself that which his friend desires! You may succeed now. You may take Ingrid—and much joy may you have of her, the ——! The last man who has her ear is the one she will follow. ”

“ You are Swain. And as Swain, I accept from you what I would not from other men. But let us end this bickering. When Spring comes you shall go to Jarl Maddad, and try your venture. In the meantime, we are celebrating Yule here at Orphir, and it is my desire that you and your following pass the feast with me.”
Swain shook his head.
“I thank you for the favor you would show me, Lord Jarl, but I must be about the matter of my vengeance without delay.”
“You are mad!” protested the Jarl. “At this time? In Winter? I tell you the mountain passes will be deep in snow. ”

“ If she bleats—as I do not think she will—we'll drown her cries with the shield-rattling. But married she shall be before the sun sets tonight."
Ingrid leaped lithely from her seat and stretched out her arms toward Swain.
"This is the mating a woman craves, Swain!" she cried. "To be seized by a strong man, whether she wills it or not. To be torn from one man by a stronger! Ah, my viking, Ingrid of Man will be worthy of you!" ”

“ What would you have of me?”
“One longship, and eighty men,” replied Swain promptly. “I can raise at least as many more.”
“Are you sure it will be enough?”
“I take two men for each of Frakork’s.”
“A mad scheme,” fussed the Jarl. “You stay out in Deathbringer until all have thought you shattered by ice, and next you must be off in mid-Winter to traverse Scotland to slay enemies who may not be there. You will do well to escape with your life. Who would care to accompany you of his own free will?” ”

“ And since you refused to share your viking spoils with him he will not hear your name spoken without raging that you are the evilest of all his people. Men say—" he hesitated, and crossed himself—"Frakork is a witch and has spelled him against you."
"I know her spells," roared Swain with a mighty laugh. "They are not proof against the sword."
"You will require all your men at your back," insisted Maddad.
"I will go to him alone."
"The man is mad!" cried the Lady Margaret.
"You will not stand a chance for your life," exclaimed Jarl Maddad. "An outlaw! Why, any may slay you." ”

“ The man with Jarl Harald was a bandy-legged fellow, very swarthy in the face,and he had a cast in one eye; but his clothing and armor proclaimed him a chief. He bowed low to Jarl Rognvald, and addressed himself to Swain, although it was difficult always to be sure which way he was looking, on account of his cast eye.
"I see that my luck has changed," he said, "for I have found Swain Olaf's son easier than I expected to."
"All men do not count themselves lucky to meet Swain Olaf's son," returned Swain, frowning. "Who are you?" ”

“ The swine! Yes, Jarl Rognvald was right. Beware of the Sudreyarmen. If they are not treacherous, they think only of themselves."
V SWAIN was met on the beach at Stikleborg by Thorar and Leif. Erik was with them, and all the surviving Orkneymen, a considerable number.
"It is to be seen that you had ill luck, Swain," said Erik.
"I have been out of favor with the gods in recent days," returned Swain. "But ill luck some day must become good luck." ”

“ Swain cut him short.
"So will we," Gunni affirmed after him.
"Yes, yes," muttered the other chiefs.
"Enough of talking," said Swain. "Loose your swords, and we will climb to the skalli. Erik, you guide us, and my spear splits your neck if there is sign of treachery."
"It is you who waste words," snapped Erik. "Do I look like one who would invite a spear in my back?"
So they climbed the foreshore to the upland, and came to Stikleborg, which had been the strong place of Ingrid's husband and in which she now dwelt. It was a steading richer even than Jarl Rognvald's at Orphir. ”

“ He may have need of them at home."
"That may be true of Thorar and Leif and their men," clamored Jarl Harald; "but there is no reason why I should not remain with you, Swain. Jarl Rognvald gives me no share in governing the islands, and here I can learn far more with you."
Swain smiled, for he had much love for the boy.
"No, no," he said. "I can not take on myself the responsibility of guarding your head as well as my own. Man will be no place for young jarls to learn war-making and statecraft while I am here. You go home with Thorar and Leif." ”

“ Erik granted him a reluctant glance of admiration as she scuttled away into the shadows.
"Ho, you are no boaster, Swain. But mark me, marriage she will have, so you may as well single out him of your company you like least or best, eh?"
"A man might do worse than wed with such a fair woman," pressed Holdbodi. "Here are broad lands and——"
"You have said that before," snarled Swain. "I will not have it! Do you see? I will not have it. Tomorrow we sail hence after Olvir. Then battle. After battle— Let the ravens croak their answer!"
"The ravens will answer," agreed Gunni. ”