Chapter 17
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Freyja's POV:
It turned out we had to journey no further to find Magni, for the next morning we were awoken by the sound of a loud crash.
Agnarr was on his feet, sword half out of it's scabbard before I could even untangle myself from the blankets.
Hakon stood there, an unconcious Magni lying at his feet tied in ropes. Magni had told me of him, that he was not a man to be trusted.
"What are you doing here?" Agnarr chided, obviously not appreciating being woken up from his slumber.
"I heard you went after Magni, so I went on ahead of you and caught him."
"What did you do to him?" I knelt down, feeling his head, a lump was beginning to form there.
"He simply received a slight knock on the head, he'll come around shortly." Hakon's voice was much too calm for my taste at a moment like this. There was something about him that was simply...unnerving.
"Loki! Put him on the horse, we're going back to town!"
Magni's POV:
I awoke in a cellar, my hands band in rope and lying on my side. Great, so there went my plan. I groaned and sat up quickly and regretted it. I placed a hand to my throbbing head and held still for a moment until my vision stopped swimming.
"If you didn't move it wouldn't hurt as much."
I blinked to see Agnarr sitting outside the barred cellar door, his face an unreadable mask.
"What am I doing here?" Agnarr unlocked the door, blocking any chance of escape with his large muscular frame. I had to admit he would make an imposing figure to those who didn't know him like I did.
"You know exactly why you're here." A note of ire crept into his voice.
"You stole from me Magni, I trusted you and not only did you break into my barn without permission and made off with my horse, you ran off without so much as an explanation!"
"You know as well as I do, if I had asked you wouldn't have let me go."
"Aren't you the one who always told me as a boy that you can't always have everything you want!"
"This is different!"
"Not to me it isn't and it certainly won't be to the jury!"
"Whoa wait what jury?"
"You know the law as well as I do Magni, I've been forced to call a Thing for your trial!"
"Trial?" For what? Wanting to avenge my best friend's death?!"
"No for dishonoring me and yourself! You were my closest friend Magni, the Father I never had and now you've forced me into this position!"
I only glared at Agnarr coolly.
"You're rich enough that you'll get over it soon."
Agnarr's eyes lit up with fire.
"Do not dare put this on me! Thievery is one of the worst crimes a Northmen can commit, and the worse part is that those were you're words!"
I lapsed into stunned silence, the guilt I'd been holding back rising within me.
"What happened to you Magni? When I was a child you were patient and kind, never one to run off like this."
I had to stop tears from flooding my eyes and replied angrily with all the malice I could muster "What would you know, you're nothing but a common drunk who couldn't lift himself from bed in the morning!"
Stunned silence followed and hurt and anger crawled across Agnarr's eyes all at once. I had spoken of his intermost darkest secret that no one but me knew. Agnarr replied, deadly calm:
"Better a common drunk who his honest, than a scared little man who is a thief." And with that he turned on his heel and stormed out.
Freyja's POV:
I paced inside the Great Hall, waiting for Agnarr to arrive. He's said there was no need to stay in the cellar, he would come see me once he'd spoken to Magni.
The door at the other end of the hall echoed a loud bang and Agnarr stomped in, a look of pure anger on his face.
"Agnarr is everything all right? What happened?"
"Magni has made his decision and I have made mine, his trial will be held tomorrow."
"Surely, you can see he was in grief. You yourself said it can make people do funny things."
"Well next time slap me then."
He sank into the Great Chieftain's chair, breathing deeply and rubbing his temples, obviously trying to control his temper for my sake.
"Agnarr what really happened?"
A flash of uncertainty crossed his eyes, before he folded his arms and stood, leaning against the far wall, not looking at me.
"If I tell you this, you musn't tell anyone else. You promise?"
"You have my word."
He was silent another moment before beginning.
"When I was but fifteen years I had seen enough terrible things from my Father Bjorn that I wished I could forget. I began drinking and constantly fighting. One night I met Valdis, who was the companion of another man for the night. She came from a powerful family and my Father saw it as an opportunity to make an alliance with his former rival. I was betrothed to her and three years later married her. During that time she'd deceived me into thinking that she cared for me, but in the end it was wealth and security that she really wanted. For several years we tried to have children but it never happened. I refused to take a concubine or another wife, because I had remembered the pain my Father's infidelity had caused my Mother, not to mention many of Valdis's relatives had perished on a sunken ship going back to their homeland after our wedding and she had nowhere to go, whom I'd been close to. Valdis constantly blamed me for us being childless, which only increased my drinking. Then one night, she came to me and told me she was pregnant and I thought to myself that I would never wish a child of mine to have a Father who cared more for his drink then for him. I had experienced the pain that came with an uncaring and unattentive Father and would've rather died than be like Bjorn. So I cleaned up my act, and haven't had a drink in five years."
Agnarr finally looked at me to gauge my reaction. Sympathy overwhelmed me, he'd had a horrible life and loved Bryn more than the man who sired him enough to stop and stay away from his addiction and be the Father Bryn deserved. One part still confused me though.
"But I've seen you drink, at the funeral last night."
"It wasn't alcohol, everyone only thinks it is, that's why I always have Loki bring my drink because he and Magni are the only one's who know."
"But, wouldn't seeing other's drink be too much of a temptation?"
"I cannot afford to look weak. What man would follow a leader who can't even control his desire to drink. As long as your the person everyone wants to see, everything will be fine."
He paused and glanced at me.
"Do you have any idea what that must feel like? Having to be someone else when all you want to be is yourself."
"Better than anyone." I gave him a kind smile.
"And for the record, your secret's safe with me."
He gave a one sided smile, his eyes lighting up with relief.
However his grin soon faded and he became serious once again.
"Freyja, tomorrow is the trial so I must warn you to prepare yourself for the worst. He may well be exiled."
"What?! No!"
"If it were up to me Freyja things would be different, but it is up to the people, I only question him and pronounce the sentence."
"You know what will happen to him if that happens!"
"I'm sorry Freyja." I had to stop tears from clouding my eyes.
"May I go see him?"
"Of course you can" Agnarr said gently.
"Loki will show you the way. He's just outside."
"Thank you" I mumbled, before hurrying from the Great Hall.
###
"Bring out the prisoner!" Agnarr called.
The Great Hall was now crowded with townspeople, the light of a new day and the cool autumn breeze streaming in through the open door. Agnarr sat in the Great Chieftains chair, his posture stiff and powerful, his face an unreadable mask. Yet, I knew better now, behind the tough exterior there was a man struggling to keep his true self hidden.
Magni was brought forward in manacles and dropped upon the floor in front of him, emitting a loud groan as his stomach collided roughly with the hard oak.
Agnarr's eyes flickered momentarily, as if he were trying to hold in an objection to the treatment of his friend.
When Magni had pushed himself up on his knees and now knelt in front of him Agnarr stood.
"Magni Olafurson, you stand today accused of thievery and dishonor of your Jarl, do you deny it?"
Magni was silent for a moment. My eyebrows scrunched together. Why wasn't he defending himself?
"What would be the point in denying it, everyone already knows anyway."
The crowd mumbled to each other, I looked around anxiously, hoping to glimpse at least one person who might be in his favor, but found none. Agnarr raised his hand for silence.
"Is that an admission of guilt?"
Magni remained silent.
"Are there any witnesses who will testify to this crime?"
"Jarl, if I may have permission to address the Thing" Hakon raised his hand. Agnarr sat down and gestured for him to come to the empty middle of the room, so he could be seen by the whole crowd.
"Members of this town, I myself caught this thief, when the Jarl, his best friend, had gone after him and is so doing loyally delivered him to the Jarl. If I were to do such a thing, commit a crime that is held to be one of the most heinous among our people, and to do it to my most loyal and trusted friend I would expect to be nothing less than exiled. My good people, if this man" he pointed an accusatory finger towards Magni, "would steal from someone so close to him to achieve his aims, imagine what he would do to an innocent he didn't even know, to get what he wants." He took the hand of a little girl and picked her up, balancing her on his hip.
"He could become a murderer of your children, like this little girl." I heard some people gasp.
"We're not safe until criminals like him are thrust out, never to return." He placed her back down and she ran to her mother. Murmurs of assents and nods began to present themselves among the crowd. This was not going well.
"Anyone else?" Agnarr asked. The room remained silent.
"Would anyone wish to speak on behalf of Magni for his defense?" I raised my hand.
"Jarl, if I may have permission to address the Thing this time?" Agnarr nodded. I slowly made my way to the center, my boots thumping upon the floor, my heart racing. When I stood before all their faces, my back to the Jarl, hundreds of pairs of eyes pierced me, some with curiosity and other's suspicion or irritation. I felt myself begin to panic, having no idea what I wanted to say.
Breathe.
"People of this town, you have all known grief I am sure. The loss of a child, a Father, a brother..." I paused looking over my shoulder at Magni, " and a friend." I turned back to them.
"And all of you know, that grief makes people do funny things. You have all known Magni, and you know that he wouldn't hurt anyone. He has served the Jarl loyally and faithfully for many years. Are those the actions of a murderer or a criminal? What Magni did was not right, but I ask you to consider, who among any of us has not also made mistakes? How would any of us feel if we were in his place? Yes, wrong actions have consequences and should be condemned, but the person should not be. Therefore I ask you, consider making his punishment less harsh, though thievery is what Magni did, it is not who he is." I gave them a slight nod and scurried off the floor, glad to no longer be in the public view. There was a moment of silence and then Agnarr stood.
"If that concludes the testimony, then, my people, was is your verdict?"
A man stepped forward, obviously the spokesperson for the group.
"We appreciate the testimony of his ward and the service of Magni, but once a man is a thief he will always be a thief. We vote in favor of Hakons testimony, he should be exiled and his lands forfeited to the Jarl as reparation for the abuse of his trust and generosity."
The crowd began shouting their assent.
"Exile him! Exile him!"
"No!' I shouted but my voice was lost in the roar of the crowd.
Agnarr once again held up his hand and the room quieted.
"Magni Olafursson, you have admitted your guilt and been tried. You leave me with no choice" Agnarr's voice cracked slightly, though it seemed no one noticed but me.
"By our laws, your lands are forthwith ceded to me and I banish you from this town, never again to enter the Thing or any village or assemblage other than that of exiles."
Magni hung his head, sighing mournfully.
"Do you have any last requests before I and my men escort you to the woods?"
Magni lifted his head.
"Take care of my ward. She doesn't deserve to be punished, for my mistake.
"Of course, your ward will be under my protection. I swear this on the name of Forseti." He thumped his palm against his heart.
"Now if there be no other administrative matters..."
"If I may speak again Jarl" Hakon said.
Agnarr gestured for him to continue.
"Jarl, it is the custom of our laws to repay a deed of loyalty with reward, as is one of disobedience with punishment. As I'm sure these townspeople would agree and capturing a thief is no small matter..."
"What is it you ask Hakon?"
"Well, Jarl if it not be too great a request, it would please me well if you could return to me the land taken from my forefathers as well as the ancestral sword."
Magni looked up startled.
Agnarr's fists clenched and unclenched several times. He was trapped. If he refused Hakon's request it would dishonor him. If he granted it, Magni's land and his most treasured sword, a symbol of his forefathers triumph, would be in the hands of his most bitter enemy. Magni had told me that he would've rather drowned in his own blood than let that happen.
Agnarr finally signed.
"Very well."
Magni was hauled to his feet my two men, who escorted him towards the door, and the Thing began to clear out.
"Magni!" I called, trying to push through the crowd but failing miserably. The last thing I saw as I looked back was Hakon smiling wickedly as Magni was dragged away.
###
I trudged along beside Magni as Agnarr and Arn escorted him to the woods. Kai loped ahead in front of us happily, smelling every tree and sticking his nose in every hole. It made me smile despite the situation, dogs like him always had a way of making me smile. My grin faded however as we stopped at the border of the woods. Magni turned and sighed.
"So...I guess this is goodbye." I went over and hugged him sadly. When he released me he said to Agnarr:
"Agnarr would you permit a moment alone with Freyja, to say goodbye properly?" Agnarr nodded and he and Arn wondered a respectful distance away.
I had tears in my eyes and Magni sniffled, holding my hands in his own.
"Freyja, I will miss you..." he choked up, unable to continue.
"I will look for you often in the woods."
"Do not. The woods are dangerous."
I was about to object when he continued with tear-filled eyes "Now, go, live your life and forget me."
"Forget you? How could I forget you after everything that you have done for me." We embraced once more until Agnarr approached us.
"Magni it's time." Magni nodded, gazing at me one last time.
"Take care Freyja." I could only nod, tears streaming down my face and my words became stuck in my throat as I choked up.
Magni turned and began to step towards the edge of the woods. Kai dutifully began to follow but Magni stopped him.
"No old friend. I'm afraid this time you can't come. Freyja will take care of you from now on. Be good for her." He scratched Kai affectionately behind the ears before pushing himself up from his kneeling position and his palm up.
"Sitja (stay)" he commanded before trudging the next few steps and disappearing into the woods. Kai began to whine when he could no longer see his master.
"Shhh" I comforted him kneeling down and stroking him on the head. It began to rain, droplets pelting down on me and soaking us to the bone. I wasn't sure how long I stood there, but it was only after the very last of my tears was streaking it's way down my cheek that i was finally able to whisper:
"Goodbye."