"Now, my tale begins with two friends. Two men admired everywhere they go. One was an Earl, my father. The other was exiled and had nowhere to call home; both he and his son so my father took them in and treated them like family.
"His plight was that he killed a man but had only tried to defend himself. He was convinced he was wrongly accused and my father filled with brotherly affection believed him. Told others how much of a good man he was and wanted him to make a name for himself in society. He provided everything, a home, there was always food on his table, new clothes on his back-"
"What about his son?"
"Like our fathers, we were joined at the hip."
"Really? Were you able to walk in a straight line?"
"No Lufner, that means they were close."
"Oh."
Jimbjörn continued and before Lufner could ask any more questions, Sangard slapped a hand over his mouth.
"Just listen."
Namitha could not help but crack a smile which she hid ever so poorly behind a hand.
Usoff too was humoured.
That friend as we all have guessed it was Arlock. And his father though held in such high esteem by the gracious Earl grew jealous of the things the Earl had and wanted it all for himself.
So he became a usurper.
His plan would have succeeded if it wasn't for the coward who told the Earl everything. Loyal men, all of them but the ones he got on his side were sentenced to death. He on the other hand was blood-eagled. Not only was his plan to usurp but to murder the Earl and his entire family.
Jimbjörn's father had no place in his heart to forgive. The harshest of punishments was an act of mercy itself for he was a man who valued all the good things the gods provided him in life, more so his flesh and blood.
His son, Arlock was spared but was made to watch the entire execution from start to end.
Arlock did not flinch once at the sounds of his father's cries or the sight of his flowing hot blood. He just stood there and stared his father dead in the eyes till life left him and he slumped like a piece of meat on a slab.
It was only when it was done and over that he acknowledged the Earl's grip on his shoulder, tears of anger and loss battled down his hard face and soaked his peppered beard.
Arlock never spoke of his father but since that day, the Jarl took him in as his son and raised him as if he were his own. He was only 11 years old.
Only time proved how much Arlock was like his father. No matter how much the Earl tried to steer him in the direction of good, Arlock went the other way but still Jimbjörn entertained his company. Surely, friends who grew up together and lived under the same roof must remain loyal to each other till their last breath. It was so Jimbjörn told himself so many a blind eye was turned at Arlock's rebellion.
Arlock was a boy growing into a man. He no longer wanted the warmth or counsel of a father. Only his proud opinion of himself mattered once he grew tall and his muscles grew sturdy and as hair grew on his arms, chest and face. Humility was a thing of the past. Fame and the attentions of women folk were all that got him through the day.
The Earl had seen his good friend in his adopted son and it made him fear for the welfare of his own flesh and blood.
"Don't be like your father." He was told but those words were only spat back in the ageing Earl's face.
"I am not my father."
"Conduct yourself as if you were my son."
"Only the gods can stop me. For now, I do what I want."
They have been mentions of thievery, debauchery; And the list continued but no matter the warning, Arlock went about his days like a dog off its leash. And there was little the Earl could do to keep his son away from Arlock's company for he too was stubborn.
But Jimbjörn was a good and capable lad. He however was never an actual witness of his best friend's wrongdoings. Any accusation that reached his ears, he would refuse every word.
One thing they loved was hearing stories of their father's ventures on sea and exploration of distant land. Jimbjörn very much wanted to be like his father. To experience the same things but the Earl had promised him men and ships of his own when he was older. But under the condition that when the time came that he would not go with Arlock. He planned on giving him his own fleet once he too had come of age. This had troubled Jimbjörn greatly.
The desire had however grown reckless the year Jimbjörn became a man of 17. Arlock stood a year ahead of him and the Earl knew at once where the influence was coming from.
All was planned for him to set sail in the next summer he turned 18, but word came that three of his ships were stolen and upon learning that there was no sign of either of his sons, he groaned in his heart. He would not see them again for another 7 years and as time would have it, he grew old and frail, the loss of his sons and the ordeals of old age took a toll on him.
To this day, Jimbjörn regretted not speaking a word of it to his father.
For 4 years, he and Arlock went from country to country, nation to nation. Gathered like-minded comrades, and lived out their youth to its fullest potential. There was no thought of settling down. The world was not short of women. They had them to their choosing. Women of many colours, tongues and beauty. The storms they conquered, the waters they tread, the sites to see.
They were great fighters and enjoyed a good fight. Arlock called them the gods' favourites.
That was until they got captured. Some of their men died in the struggle. Some were sold. Jimbjörn and Arlock were taken to Francia. There, they were sold and branded as slaves.
Their slave master's name was Neptune. A sea captain. One of the best. They manned his ship and he took very good care of his slaves. Jimbjörn was his favourite. A loyal, faithful servant. He was made to be second in command. The first went to a man who died in an altercation with an enemy ship. His name was Teigur, an Icelandic slave. The seat remained empty for years. Jimbjörn knew their master had suffered a great loss the day he died. He was closest to him than anyone else.
It was a requirement for all Neptune's slaves to be baptized whether they liked it or not. He preached that accepting Jesus Christ was the only way to be saved and only wanted men of God on his ship. Those who refused were starved to death. Arlock held out for a long time. Jimbjörn too but Neptune proved to be a good man. And Jimbjörn had no plans of dying. He had a home to return to, a father who worried for him. He had to survive so he did what he had to do. Arlock shared similar sentiments and together they were baptized in the name of the son and the father and the holy spirit. Together they were made Christian.
Jimbjörn knew Arlock disliked their master. When the opportunity presented itself, he organized a mutiny unbeknownst to Jimbjörn and had Neptune killed. Jimbjörn was not pleased with his decision. Neptune was a man who had his respect but the thought of returning home ridded him of any remorse he may have had for his brother. The old gods would have called it a matter of fate.
Upon his son's return, the Earl was glad to see that he was a changed man. However, Arlock was in tow and he was very much the same.
Jimbjörn was happy to see his father but sad to see him aged and weak. Losing both sons had him in the throws of distress and it clearly showed on his solemn face. The strong man his father once was was now a sorry old goat. His bones were failing him as well as his eyes but his hearing remained just as in the days of his youth. It was Jimbjörn's voice he recognised rather than his face when he first showed himself to him. The rejoicing was too much to bear. Both men gave way to tears.
Arlock cared very little.
The Earl died 6 months later leaving Jimbjörn in his place to rule and govern his people. A task he took seriously since he was indebted to his father.
The people loved and respected him. They gave freely and listened to his laws without complaint but Arlock like his father was a jealous man. He wanted position but there was only room for one Earl.
It was only when Arlock had innocent blood on his hands that Jimbjörn's eyes became open to the kind of man his brother really was.
Arlock had taken a man's wife by force one day and upon discovery by the husband, Arlock killed him and fled the scene.
He deemed it an act of self-defence but others saw otherwise. When brought to Jimbjörn for judgement, he was still blinded by the love for his brother. Instead of death, he was exiled much to Arlock's shock. The man grew angry.
"You will regret not killing me, brother," he said.
He however wanted the whole thing to slide. To have it buried and never be brought to light. Wasn't Jimbjörn his brother? A bad word against him meant nothing so why now?
"That man did not deserve to die."
"He attacked me."
"Because you took his wife."
"... That woman invited me into her bed."
Jimbjörn growled with his back turned to him, "I do not want to hear any more of your lies."
Arlock snarled"Here I am being exiled away from the land I grew up and was raised; where I toiled and played with you, brother. And for one mistake I am to be turned away and to never be seen again... Kill me."
"I will not."
Jimbjörn hoped Arlock would have seen his judgement as an act of his love for him but Arlock instead took it as a slap to the face.
"Now go. And never return."
The peace of the land was disrupted. A murderer was in the midst of the people and they wanted him gone. Most wanted him killed but Jimbjörn loved his brother too much.
"This will not be the last you hear of me brother."
With that, he turned away and left. The men they travelled with who had come to settle took Arlock's side and left with him also leaving both wives and children. During their journey, more joined and were made to wear the same mark. It was different to the slave branding. Instead of a three spiked circle, Arlock altered it to resemble the sun. Instead of three spikes, the new mark scored 6. It symbolized his burning rage due to his terrible luck. It symbolized the beginning of vengeance not only against his brother but the gods themselves. Then came the bitter stories of killings and the greatest of evils known to man and Jimbjörn did grow to regret his decision. Even to this day.
"I was too ashamed to be called Jarl so I left my birthright and wandered the land hoping to one day meet my end. I have done a terrible thing."
Jimbjörn lowered his head, his chin dug deep in his chest and his forehead crinkled in grief. Truly what he did was a greater sin. There was no way the God in heaven would forgive him. No act of good could guarantee him a place at his table. He belonged to the fiery pits of hell.
Lufner stood, capturing Jimbjörn's attention.
"It is not your fault. Arlock was a jerk. Besides, he's dead now and cannot hurt any more people so do not worry about it. I would have probably done the same. I have a brother you see... We're not blood-related but we grew up together and care for one another deeply. If I were in your position, it would have pained me to do either. I would have done the same thing you did. Anyone would. So it is not your fault."
Jimbjörn covered his face and his shoulders shook while he fought back tears.
"We all have to live with the consequences of our actions but we have to move forward no matter what. Other opportunities will present themselves for us to do better. We just have to live to see them."
Only when Jimbjörn's crying echoed in the cave did the lot of them realize the storm had ended.
Comforting him was near impossible. Lufner's words rocked his entire being. Life and purpose returned to him. And all it took were the simple words of a perfect stranger. How he prayed for deliverance from his taunting but God wouldn't send a heathen, would he?
With admiration came attachment and one thing the late Earl taught Jimbjörn was no matter what, all debts must be paid.
He bowed low and thanked the boy and seeing his smile and hearing his laughter filled Jimbjörn with hope. A smile formed on his face much to his surprise for he thought he would never be made to smile again.
That night was also the first night in months he had ever slept without mares. For the first time in his life, he had met an angel.
"Why do you not sleep?"
Lufner turned and woke to find his wife wide awake. Namitha was on her side, turned away from him but was too stiff to be sleeping.
"I am keeping watch."
"No one asked you to. No animal would be out venturing after last night's storm. We are safe, so sleep."
"Zollo is here."
"Zollo?"
"You saw how eager he was to kill Jimbe. He may end up killing him in his sleep. I won't let that happen. He'd have to kill m-"
Lufner pulled her by the shoulder and had her flat on her back. He hovered over her, tilted her chin upwards with a firm hand and kissed her lips.
"No one is killing anyone."
"But..." Namitha's words were drowned by another one of Lufner's kisses and she yielded like a tamed horse. Her eyes were his just as he liked it.
"Do you mean to make your husband jealous?"
"No- I..."
Again he went close and Nami seized all talking to invite another but it never came. She opened her shut eyes to his and squeezed them again when the warm air of his breath came in contact with her neck.
"Sleep."
"I cannot. I worry for him. He has been through so much. If anything happens to him I will no longer be able to live with myself."
"What if I have you right here and now in front of everyone?" Namitha's eyes went wide. "You would like that wouldn't you?"
Lufner smirked and Namitha pulled the covers around her and turned from him.
"Will you sleep now?"
"You have given me no choice."
Proud of himself, Lufner drew his wife closer. A hand around her waist and his nose buried in her neck. She tried elbowing him away but to no avail.
To her relief, he did not go further. Her reddened cheeks proved otherwise. She turned in his arms.
"You will not kill him, will you?"
"Nah."
"And I can trust you?"
Lufner cracked an eye open, a frown on his face.
"Should not a wife trust her husband? Have my actions thus far given you reason to doubt?"
"Never."
"Then that is your answer."
"But one day you are sure to disappoint me."
Lufner resorted to rub along his wife's back.
"I wouldn't dream of it."
He presented a small dagger and held it between them. A shiny, simple thing. Silver was its blade and wood was the handle. Curves like waves engraved it. Namitha thought it beautiful.
"If the day comes that I ever do such a thing, kill me. You have my permission."
"With this?"
Lufner chuckled at her lack of hesitation and watched in wonder and amazement as she took the weapon from him as if it were fine treasure.
"With this. Stab me right between the eyes or right in the heart. I rather be dead than disappoint you."
Namitha pocketed the knife and threw arms around her husband. She allowed him a kiss on her cheek.
"Ask him to join us in the spring. He could be our helmsman."
Lufner had already decided that in his heart but he listened anyway.
"Perhaps seeing the world will change his point of view, give him meaning. He's been through so much, Luffy..."
"I know."
"And you are forgetting something else we will need for the voyage. Something crucial."
"A skald*?"
"A healer."
Namitha frowned and tugged at her dimwitted husband's cheek. He snickered at the thought. What use did they have of old stories, songs and drums?
"Neither of us could have patched up Jimbjörn well enough. He might end up needing stitches."
A thought settled in Lufner's mind. A thought he kept to himself.
"Do you understand, Lufner?"
"I understand," he said. Eyes no longer in need of slumber.
"Now go to sleep. I'll keep an eye on him so you don't have to. Okay?"
Dawn was upon them and while Namitha's soft steady breathing filled Lufner's ears, he smiled and grinned for the exciting adventure ahead. Could not wait. Had wished the gods would speed up time. He, however, was not prepared for what awaited him back home.
To be continued...
* A skald is also known as a musician. Viking skalds told of sagas in the form of song. They entertained not only the common man but kings and Earls alike.
Author's Note
So sorry this took a century and a day to update. Forgive me. Life has been crazy demanding lately and has naturally taken a toll on my mental health, but I'm hanging in there. If you are struggling too no matter how little or great, just know that you're not alone. We're all in this together.
Thanks a million for reading. Like the chapter or excited for whatever is to come next? Please leave a review.
This fic has potential to being my longest fanfic yet. 30 chapters alone cannot hold all I have in store so please stick around till the end. Till next time~!
-Awsme Grl