Chapter 2: House Magnar
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It was warm in the Great Hall thanks to the three fireplaces within. He was chewing on a rib of a boar by the long table. He drank a jar of ale, then stood up and went out. He wished to see the happenings of the market. The Lord of Kingshouse always wanted to know everything that happened in his domain. And he trusted his own eyes more, than the words of anyone else. His master-at-arms followed him. He always brought his sword with him and wore a round shield on his back, and under the shield he carried the battle axe of his Lord. The legendary battle axe was a family heir to the Magnars. The battle axe was made to look like a lobster, because of the flag of House Magnar. Its handle was the body of the lobster and the two crescent-shaped blades were the claws.
- Time to see the market – said Lord Beor Magnar. He was enormous and strong as a bear.
- Yes, m'lord – answered Donell, the master-at-arms.
They set out to the market. It was crowded with stores, stalls, merchants who tried to sell their goods and buyers who tried to spend their coin wisely. Craftsmen praised their own work, while berating other's. The whole place smelled like fish, there was a big offer of it. The warmth of the armorer's forge clashed with the chilly winds. The area was loud of haggling, laughing, sometimes brawling.
- Good morning. How are salmons today?
- Good morning to you as well. Fresh and tasty, m'lord. Thanks to the Gods.
- Glad to hear that.
- Nice axe you've made.
- Thank you very much, m'lord. Would you like to buy it for your son?
He frowned. My son. Beren. A fine axe to him, high time. Where is he, indeed?
- Not today. But one day.
Lord Beor and Donell was walking forth.
- I've never seen a tusk like this, Arnolf.
- Thank you, m'lord. Its previous owner almost escaped. I was lucky, to be honest.
- No, I don't think that. You're a good hunter. Nothing can escape you. Where is our other hunter, Ulfric, I haven't seen him yet? Do you know something about him? Everyone is here, except for him.
- He's gone mad. He went to the Dark Mountains by himself.
- Why would he do such thing?
- The dreams are still tormenting him. He seeks help. He set out to the hag.
- Ulfric, the Loony. He stayed true to his name. - said a young and tall man with a smile of disgust on his face.
- Beren, where have you been? I haven't heard your steps.
- I've been at the dock. I was checking the cargo.
- You should've come with me, son.
- Next time I will do so, father.
- So, Arnolf, did he meet the witch, did he come back? - asked Lord Magnar nervously as he scratched his braided, red beard.
- I don't know, m'lord, I apologise.
- We shall see him, if he's alright. Beren, gather some men and go to Ulfric's house. If he isn't there, than find him, follow his tracks to the mountains.
- As you command, father.
- My son, he is full of ambition and pride. But will he be a good leader?
- He is your son, m'lord - answered Donell. - He will be a fierce warrior and a wise leader, just like his father.
- I would like to believe the same, though it's hard for me to do so. He has a strong will and wants the best for Kingshouse, but he is hot-tempered and arrogant with his subordinates. The flaws of the son are the failures of his father. I might have failed as a father.
- You are being too harsh with yourself, m'lord.
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- He isn't here. Should we really go after him to the Dark Mountains?
- No, we will not do so. I'll not risk our lifes for his. - answered Beren.
- Should we wait for him here, then? It's getting colder.
- Hm. We should go back. It's quite possible that he has already become food for wolves. No need to waste our time. I'll tell my father that we didn't find him home and we couldn't track him down.
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The sun was going down. The flag of his House waved near the entrance of the Great Hall. It depicted a green lobster holding a black harpoon. He was proud to be a Magnar. He loved this land and he wanted to rule it, develop it, make it greater and better. He knew very well that he had to wait for becoming the Lord of Kingshouse, but he tried to achieve at least some of his ideas under the rule of his father.
He stepped in with his men. It was warm in the Great Hall, like always. He glanced at the sheathed sword, that was hanged on the wall over the middle fireplace. The Rockheart. A truly unique sword. Legends were saying that thousands of years ago a stranger come to Skagos, a master armorer. Only he was capable of handling the special ore of Skagos, that could be only found in the island and nowhere else in the world. The special ore was mined many years before, though noone could effectively use it. But this stranger could handle it. He used up all the amount of this ore that was gathered and crafted the brownish-bladed masterpiece. Beren had never seen the sword unsheathed. He could only imagine its color. He was happy knowing that he will inherit two legendary weapons. Although it felt a bit of a waste, that only one is being used at a time.
His father was sitting by the table. The meat before him was untouched. His father seemed to be different. His face revealed struggle.
- Have you come back so early? Have you found Ulfric?
- No, father. He wasn't back and we couldn't find him within the mountains.
- Hm, that's not good.
- Father, why do you care about him? He isn't worthy to be worried for.
- Beren, one day I will die and from that day, you will lead this land. You have to take care for everyone, if you want to be a good leader and a good servant of your people.
- I understand it, father. But Ulfric ... he isn't a good subject. I mean ...
- Yes. He could do more for the community. He has a big potential. He should become more, than he is right now.
- Exactly. He is not enough useful, he can't follow commands, he listens to noone just himself. He is too stubborn, can't be handled or tamed.
- He is smart, my son, he has a good sense for things and people. He proved to be right several times, don't forget that. We should always listen him, but we don't have to listen to him. Big difference.
- He questioned your word, in front of others. We should tolerate no insults like that. He should know his place.
- Do you mean the case of the merchant, who tried to sell us a false necklace? Our House owe him for that – he laughed. – My son, you should always listen the people, their words, their prayers, their needs, their wills, their fears. Only then you can help them, act to aid them. Your act, your responsibility. Sometimes they will say things, you will not like. And sometimes you will have to accept it. You should be aware that you can fail too, even if you are lord, you can't be always right. You should act keeping in my mind, that the result of it will be your responsibility. You should act wisely. And sometimes it means, that you have to change your first opinion and act as others advised. No shame in that.
- I want to be a man like you, father. A fierce warrior, a wise ruler, a loving husband, a good father, a loyal friend, a just man. May the Gods give me enough power, so that I can achieve it.
- Too kind words, my son. I've made many mistakes in my life, that I regret, that I'm ashamed of.