Chapter 3
Magni's POV
"Wait a moment" a voice from the darkness said. I knew that voice, and as the figure stepped out from the shadows I cringed. Hakon, his blue eyes as calculating as ever. His family had hated mine ever since my great-grandfather, Alfarr, exposed the plan of his great-grandfather, Dagr, to murder the chieftain and receive the title for himself. As a gesture of gratitude the chieftain had stripped Hakon's ancestors of their land, basically leaving them destitute through the generations, and given it to Alfarr, who before had been a landless tenant. Yet, the greatest humiliation came when Dagr's ancestral sword, the weapon passed down from father to son through generations and an immensely sacred object to those who could afford it, and given it to Alfarr. I still carried it around to this day. It had never failed me.
"By Odin did everyone follow me out here" Agnarr mumbled.
Hakon looked directly past me, without even the courtesy to acknowledge my presence with a nod, and addressed Agnarr.
"Jarl I heard you say that you had already met all the eligible ladies, but I am certain that I can produce a wife for you ten times greater than any orphan cast off."
My blood boiled slightly at his insinuation against Freyja.
"You have only ten sons Hakon. From whence comes this woman?"
"My niece, Asa, has recently taken a few months to visit us. I'm sure she will make a charming wife."
"Yet charm can also be deceptive" I added. Just like you.
Hakon was fooling me with his intentions. If he could get a member of his family at the Jarls side, he would be the influence behind the throne. Not a good prospect for Freyja or me.
"What are you two proposing then, a competition?" Agnarr asked.
"Since Magni insists on bringing his little cast off into this then yes, I suppose you could call it that."
"Watch your tongue Hakon" I finally snapped.
"Enough both of you!"
"I will meet each girl, but to be able to make the best choice for the honor of my family and the safety of the people I must be allowed to get to know them each"
"You are asking permission to court?"
"Yes, Magni and I want you each to swear an unbreakable oath to me in blood that you will not take blood vengeance for my choice of one over the other and that you will not inform anyone of what I am doing. Or would you rather see my downfall, Hakon."
The Jarl scowled at Hakon. He knew well his family's reputation, and he also knew that if Hakon was even suspected of such a thing, the Jarl would likely cut his head off right then and there, for he was an incredibly skilled warrior.
"No of course not Jarl."
"Good." Agnarr pulled out a dagger and coming to me first he took my hand and swiped a thin clean line across, the blood dripping slowly as I responded "In the name of Forseti, the god of truth, justice and peace, I, Magni, solemnly proclaim upon unbreakable oath that I will remain silent of the secrets proclaimed this night and take them to my grave."
Agnarr nodded and then moved on to Hakon, repeating the same process.
"Very well. Hakon I will come to your home in one weeks time under the pretense of visiting you, where you will introduce me to your niece. Magni, I will give you further instructions once I have done this." I nodded.
"Now both of you get back to the Mead Hall before more men start to wonder where we've gone."