Nilla-Settling of Iceland

[Nilla]

When they arrived at the regional thingsmeeting at Langanes, it was easy to spot the Pelika men among the hundreds of participants. They were many and as always, they had their camp at the best, central spot. It was now obvious that there were two groups of men from Pelika, one lead by Aurelious and one led by his brother in law Kell. Here at the thing, the number of Christians was much smaller than the Asa believers but among the Pelika participants, the Christian group was larger. The Christians had raised a large cross where they prayed when the others made the sacrifices to the Asa gods. It looked like other prominent families tried to split the Pelika people but they acted united in every matter that was discussed. In some matters, Aurelius was the spokesman, in other Kell. It looked like they´ve decided to keep their conflicts among themselves.

Casimeon was happy to see his son and hear the news about their lives and about his new grandchildren. He said that life at Pelika hadn´t improved. Many younger people saw no other option than to become Christians. He was glad that his sons had the courage to find their own way. When it came to the greed for silver from gute Ragnar, Casimeon was pretty sure that according to the law he could demand a fee but how high or to what conditions, he wasn´t quite sure. He would speak to Kell and if Delma would return to their camp with Ragnar for supper, he would take care of the matter.

Ragnar was flattered when Delma said that his father wanted to invite them to supper and when he saw Kell, the grandson of the famous lawman Ullfjot, he was even more flattered. But when Kell started to ask him how he had fulfilled his duties as gute during the first hard years of his nephews, he became silent. Kell went on telling the law: He could very well demand a fee from the people in his area according to their wealth, he could also demand their loyalty and that they came if he called for some common business but he also had the duty to help his people in need; if they were threatened by enemies or were starving. How had he helped his nephews the first hard years? Ragnar answered that in his poor neighbourhood, he couldn´t support every farmer who had hard times. There were hard times for everyone, most every year. Then Kell answered that he couldn´t demand a fee either and that it was obvious that he had misused his position in order to increase his own wealth. Now Ragnar got scared. If the powerful Pelika people decided to accuse him in public, he would have no chance. He said that he would pay Delma back his silver but Kell wasn´t satisfied. Delma had told him that Ragnar in other matters was a good and wise gute, well respected in his area and didn´t want to accuse him. But as a senior member of this thing, Kell couldn´t allow corruption. He had a suggestion: He would wait with his public accusations if Ragnar made Delma his deputy to watch that from now on, everything goes according to the law. Ragnar saw no other option than to agree.

First, Ragnar cursed his stupidity demanding that silver. But soon he changed his mind. For a long time, he had a conflict with a neighbour gute about some remote pastures. This Thorgil had brought the matter to the thing. On Delma´s initiative, the Pelika men had been on Ragnar´s side and he had won. So this arrangement with young Delma might, after all, bring more good than bad.

It had taken longer than Delma thought to return to Foresbo. He had to stay at Ragnar´s a few days to plan their future cooperation. Now, he longed for his home, he longed for his children and above all; he longed for his wife. It hasn´t always been like that. He had been quite disappointed when he first saw the girl his father had chosen for him; ugly, tall, thin, quiet and shy. The complete opposite of what he wanted by a woman. But oppose his father's arrangements? Not to think about. But things had changed. Maybe Patronity didn´t talk much but was she said was well worth listening to, she knew a lot of things and used her knowledge wisely. After the birth of her children, she wasn´t that skinny anymore and when she came towards him; smiling with little Ballace on her arm, it was the loveliest sight he could imagine.

The following years were busy and calm. They still had no surplus of anything but they didn´t starve or freeze either. The herd of sheep grew, they built sheds for making wadmal and leather and could finally replace their now quite ragged clothing. Delma took a more active part of the common interests of the area and was away for longer or shorter periods, while Westerlin found it dull and stayed home as much as he could. His son Wall was born in the spring of the year 976.

The picture shows the settlement of the year 976 (or 6 if you prefer the Banished  time) (I know, too long text and it hasn´t come to the building of the thingstead, yet but eventually we will be there, things need to develop)

[Nilla]

One day a boat arrived. It was Casimeon. Astonished everyone rushed to the river and the men were even more surprised when they saw their mother. She wanted to finally meet her new grandchildren and see with her own eyes how her sons lived. With the both new babies, she now had 6 grandchildren here. The only of them she´s ever seen was Halli. Delma had visit Pelika a few times on his way to the allting but she hadn´t seen Websterlin since they left. It was a happy reunion.

The boat had a heavy load. Yes, they had brought some grain and turnips, the harvest had been good but that was not their main load. Beneath the bags with the food, they saw wood with old paint. What was that? It looked like the old Thor idol from Pelika. It had stood at the main dock. The children had been scared by the huge, grim-looking worrier sculpture. What was it doing on their fathers' ship? They remembered that Kell had taken it to his place when Aurelius wanted it removed from that public place. Casimeon said he had bad news, Kell was dead. He would tell the whole long sad story but first, he wanted something to eat and drink.

The old priest Ston had fallen ill and died that spring. He had been well-liked by everyone, not only the Christians. Aurelious had hired a new young priest. This Dankbrand was a totally different kind of person. He hadn´t been many days at Pelika before he took an axe and smashed the old Freya idol old aunt Shanner had in front of her house. Also, many Christians had been angry and Aurelius had tried to calm the feelings and telling that the sight of such an idol was hard for a devout priest. The first command in the law of the Christians was not to have any other gods than the One and many priests saw it their holy duty to destroy images of other gods. He had got the priest to swear on the bible, not to smash any more idols. But that didn't stop the priest from the next evil deed. Since he had promised not to smash any idols, this time he used fire and he had torched the big, old, beautiful temple, everyone called Dorrit's place that Eugenery had built after the death of his father to honour his memory. Kell lived close to the temple and came out when he heard some noise. When he saw the priest, he tried to stop him. But was so hard beaten by the priest that he later died.

If Aurelious and many other Christians hadn't arrived, the men would have killed Dankbrand on the spot but Aurelious saved him; saying that killing a priest was the larges sin of all. To kill him would wake the anger of God. Even if everyone including Aurelious wanted to see this evil priest dead, no one wanted to experience the anger of a powerful god. Instead, Aurelious sent the priest away, saying that if he ever heard anything from him again, he would find him, kill him and take the eternal punishment. The priest left Iceland and wasn't seen for many years.

His sister Earthusa, Kell's widow now had two idols on her property. Freya was located out by the fields and that was good but the big old Thor stands in public sight, right in front of her house. What if the next priest sees it as his duty to destroy it, comes and torched it together with her house? She had talked to Casimeon about her fears and asked him to bring the idol to a more hidden place. And he had thought that it might be useful for his sons. Here on this remote farmstead, it would be safe from evil priests. Earthusa had been pleased, both saving and getting rid of the sculpture.

They decided to put it in front of Delma and Patronities house right by the crossing to the other side of the stream, a busy place where they all passed often.

(sorry, even more text and no thingstead, I ought o be ashamed of myself.)

The picture shows the Tor idol.

[Nilla]

By the next things meeting, Delma invited Ragnar and some other men to Foresbo to see the Tor image. He had described its splendour and now they were curious. A good occasion would be before they leave for the allting. Usually, Ragnar makes sacrifices to Tor for a safe journey in good weather to that time. He was sure that this old image would be more powerful than their usual. When they saw it, everyone was impressed, none of the men had ever seen anything like it. It must be one of the most powerful god images in Iceland. It will bring them much luck to use this for sacrifices. Ragnar asked if they could move it down to his place to use by every meeting but Delma said that he had promised his father to watch over it carefully. That´s why he had put it right outside his house. It would stay there. But Ragnar was welcome any time to make his sacrifices to this image.

The weather that year had been better than usual and the allting very successful. Delma was sure the sacrifices to this image were powerful. How could he make them come here and use it every time? Could it be possible to hold the things meetings here in Foresbo? What if they built a proper thingstread like the one they had in Pelika? Maybe his neighbours would find it worth travelling a little longer for that. He discussed it with Patrinity and Websterlin. Patrinity found it a good idea as long as they didn´t need to pay for all food that was needed for the fiest. Websterlin was more hesitant. Delma thought with a thingstead here, he had no reason not to attend. Anyway; there was enough boulder lying around. To clear them away would give more grass for the sheep and a thingstead like the one at Pelika would be nice to look at and visit after a hard days work, so why not.

They used every spare time to clear the rocks and when the men came to make the sacrifices before the trip to the allting the next year, it was finished. It looked very much like the thingstead at Pelika; a stone circle with a big rock in the middle, they´ve even built benches. Only the magic runes were missing, but Delma knew that there are people at Pelika who know the runes and he would ask his father to send someone to carve. After the sacrifices, Delma led everyone to the new thingstead and said that if they weren´t scared of the long trip, they could occasionally hold the meetings here. All the men except Ragnar were enthusiastic. But after some thoughts, Ragnar agreed to let the men decide on the next meeting, if and how often, they would hold the meetings at Foresbo.

At the allting Delma again saw his father. Casimeon told that Aurelious had changed after the tragic events with the evil priest. He had told his siblings and cousins who ran Pelika farms that they could decide themselves without his interference about their farms. He still would give new land only to Christian couples but if they wanted a not Christian son to take over after them, he would accept it. Casimeon wasn´t very old and would like to run his farm himself for many more years but Delma now had one more option in the future to think about. Delma was glad that his father didn´t expect him to move back to Pelika and work at the farm as his heir. He was happy at Foresbo, was used to make his own decisions and has started to be an important man, whose word neighbours listened to.

Since his father now could decide about his property, Delma asked if he possibly had a couple of thralls to spare. The herds of sheep had grown so much that they didn´t know how to manage all work. A man and a woman would be perfect. Casimeon said that he would need them all for the harvest but in spring, Delma could come and get two of them.

Next spring Delma went to Pelika to get the thralls. He knew them both well and was very pleased with his father´s choice. It was Hezekiel, they had grown up together and Morian who was older and had been his nanny. Casiemon said that he didn´t mind losing them. Hezekiel was a bit too resourceful and wanted to do everything in a new way, maybe that would work better with Delma. And Morian was a bit old for fieldwork but was very good at spinning and weaving so she too would be more useful at Foresbo.

[Nilla]

Now when they had a surplus and wadmal to sell, they needed a proper dock, where merchants could land, load and unload. Delma had arranged with some merchants he had met that they would come as soon as the dock was built. With the new thralls, everything was easier. Hezekiel was a good builder, his many ideas didn't bother them at all. It made the work faster and more fun. Morian was skilled in weaving and sewing and knew for which coats the merchants paid the highest price.

At the next local thing at Ragnar's place, Delma said that he had thought again about his offer to hold some of the meetings at his place. His thingstead and idol were perfect but their houses too small for the feast. He's now about to collect building materials for a proper longhouse. When it's finished he would ask them again.

They really needed that longhouse. Their houses and huts were crowded. Next spring Casimeon asked if they could need another couple of thralls. It would only be for a loan. They belonged to Earthusa who now had split her big farm among some of her children. The smaller farms could maybe not support all of her slaves so she had asked her siblings if anyone could use some of them for a couple of years. They were all good workers and she didn't want to get rid of them for good. Delma had accepted another couple; Hestel and Yolandra.

With all this new workforce and the help of the older children, a lot of work was done. They produced a lot of wadmal and wool coats. Some merchants paid a good price for crayfish. They still caught a lot of them in the stream but no one like them anymore. So selling them was perfect. Patrinity also sold some of her herbs. Their wealth grew.

The picture shows the settlement in the year 982. Halli has reached the age of 14 and makes the work almost like a grown-up woman. Permella had got her second child. She hasn't used Patronitys herbs for years, no one wants to set out a baby anymore. To be able to catch the large salmon out in the river, they are about to build a fishing pear near the dock.

[Nilla]

A few years later, Aurelous invited Delma to his camp at the regional tings meeting. This was unusual, he usually barely greeted his pagan relatives. He told that his cousin Wallyn and his whole household were dead; burned at night in their house. Wellyn had bought a small farm in a distant area in the east. He was a capable young man who had started to get some local influence, pretty much like Delma. He had found out that in the same neighborhood some descendants from Odd lived. (If you don't remember the first part of the story: Odd's sons killed our first settler Dorrit. His son Eugenery, Delmas grandfather killed Odd and 4 of his 5 sons and after years also a grandson in a duel at the allting, Odd also had a daughter, they talk about her descendants). He can't say if it was arson or an accident, after all, houses can catch fire. He had visited a grandson from Odd and he says that he or his relatives had nothing to do with the fire.

It can be even worse, their old rivals Guddalingarna had been more aggressive after Torkel's second marriage to a very rich woman. Earlier he had been annoying but without enough resources to do them real harm. Now he had hired a big number of evil-looking hirdmen. If this was an arson arranged by him to get rid of a Pelika man with good prospects, Delma could be his next target. He wouldn't dare to attack Pelika but remote farms owned by capable young relatives would be easier.

Aurelious asked, how loyal Ragnar is. Aurelious thought that Torkel couldn't make anything without local help. Delma laughed and said; Ragnar is loyal only to himself. For some profit, he would sell his grandfather, not to mention him. Especially after last year's very successful tings meeting at Foresbo. He is no killer and wouldn't make his hands dirty but to the right price, he would show the way, or hide the killers. Aurelious said that they somehow need to raise the costs for Ragnar to betray him. Delma told him that he might have something. A year ago Ragnar had asked for his youngest son to marry Halli. Delma hadn't said yes but also not no, meaning that they were still too young to marry. With family bonds, betrayal would be harder. He wanted to give his daughter a farm at Foresbo to run with her husband. Maybe Ragnar would hesitate to help men torch the place if his son lived there.

On their way home Delma settled that young Delville would accompany him to Foresbo and if he found him a decent man, they would hold the wedding later that year. Delma also told about the death of his cousin and the rage and bloodthirst of Aurelious, saying that he had been almost scared of him. The Christians are said to be meek but that's not true, they become a holy rage if anyone does them wrong. If it's shown to be arson, Aurelious had sworn to kill all involved and all of their families: As agreed, increasing the costs for betrayal.

Aurelious had sent Lashade, an experienced warrior to Delma to watch over him and the property. He would also train them all in fighting. Casimeon had told Aurelious that they need women to process all the wool so this fighter was married. Even if he needs to pay his wife Nancis for her work, help would be welcome.

The picture shows Halli and Delville on the fishing dock in front of their house. Yes, Delville Ragnarson was shown to be a nice and diligent young man, eager to please everyone. Even if the youngsters were shy in the presence of each other, Patronity told that Halli was fond of her future husband. She had said that she didn't want to marry at all but if it was necessary, that one would be as good as any other. And that was approval from his teenage daughter. After much negotiation, Ragnar agreed to give them a flock of sheep and two working thralls. They aren't there yet but Delma will confront him on the next tings meeting.

[Nilla]

Again, I've come to a point when I need to decide in what direction this story will go next. I knew a few things; it's time for Delma to reach his goal to become the chieftain of the area. But how will he achieve this? Ragnar will not voluntarily resign to him. To let Ragnar die is also no solution, normally his oldest son would inherit this position. It could be sold or Ragnar could make some big mischief that would make his family lose this dignity. I will think of something.

I've played some more years and know that Delma has hired one more fighter. He wouldn't do that without reason. So what has happened? Was it arson that killed his cousin and is he the next target? Is this developing to open fights?

We are closing in on the year 1000 when they decided that everyone would be Christians. It would be nice to let our main characters take an active part in this event. Arelious would be a perfect figure for a winner. But he's an old man born in 925. Since I don't play his village anymore I don't know how long he lives. He has good genes from his grandmother who was healthy and charismatic to old age, so I tend to let him live. There could also be a possibility to make Delma convert but I don't think it's likely. I'll rather have him on the losing side.

And I can also reveal that in a few years, we will meet the evil priest Dankbrand again. He is a historic person, mentioned in various sources, very violent and colourful. His first visit to Iceland, appearing in this story, is not mentioned anywhere but he returns sometimes in the late 990s, sent by the Norweigan king. How would this influence our people and especially Aurelous who had sworn to kill him? (if I let him live that long).

A lot to think about. Maybe I will go to the library and see if they have some of the Iceland sagas to get some inspiration. But I´m afraid, in that case, the risk for a very bloody end of the story would increase. On the other hand, it looks like the history of Iceland indeed was very bloody at this time. I've seen historians who call this period the time of blood feuds. Many people were killed in small battels, duels or where banned from the country.

[Nilla]

I read one of the old sagas and I'm afraid; this will be bloody, too. It looks like we are getting further and further away from the peaceful Banished.

The following year was calm. Ragnar finally did send the thralls and the sheep. Delma had been hard at him in public, saying that they had agreed on working thralls, so he'll better not send any old people or children. He didn't dare to do anything but giving them a young couple about the age of Halli and Delville. The sheep were also in a good condition. Halli and Delville looked happy together, you seldom saw one of them without the other. It didn't take long before Halli was pregnant. Patronity found it strange to soon be a grandmother, especially as she too expected a new baby.

Early next spring a man and a woman arrived. Delma recognized the man as Hermain, one of the Pelika fighters. He said that he was sent there by Aurelious. Again, a cousin living on a remote farm had been killed, now they knew it was arson. Aurelious was also pretty sure that Torkel was behind this. His brother lived in the same area and had known where Prentino lived. At the first arson, he had probably used Odd's ancestors as informants. Shortly afterwards, three thralls had been killed at the outfields of Pelika. No one understood why Torkel wanted to kill them but the thralls at Pelika all had good clothes and were well fed, so maybe the killer had thought that they must be some relatives. Delma should be careful, never go anywhere alone and watch his property, also at night. That's why he was there.

Delma wanted to know why this Torkel hated them so much. Hermain wasn't sure of the details but many years ago Torkel had lost a case about some land on the thing. He blamed the Pelika people for his loss. His father and Eugenery had been friends and he had counted on their support but they had voted against him. After that, he hated everyone from Pelika and it looks like his hate grew with every year.

The spring and summer went on like always, peaceful and busy. They were preparing for the autumn things meeting and big feast when one afternoon their neighbour Cleonardo suddenly stood outside the house. He belonged to a people who called themselves sapmi. They didn't have houses but lived in tents, following their herds of reindeer. No, there are no domestic same people or reindeer in Iceland. One of the initial settlers, a rich farmer had missed hunting. He had bought a shipload of reindeer in North Norway and also hired some same people to tend to the animals. After a short time, they were treated like slaves and decided to take some reindeer and go away. Ever since then, their ancestors have lived in these mountains. The People at Foresbo used to trade with Cleonardo and had known him a long time. But this time he didn't come to trade. He had followed the tracks from some deers that had run away from the herd. Suddenly, he had seen a boat. It wasn't one of the usual merchants and the men on the boat had been heavily armed. He had watched it hidden for some time and seen how they went on land and made a camp just on the other side of the mountain. It looked suspicious to him, so he had decided to come here and warn them.

Delma thanked Cleonardo and asked him to show them the camp and they went up the mountain together with Hermain. Behind some rocks, they could look down at the camp. They saw 9 men. Among them, Delma recognized Leif Ragnarsson and one of Ragnar's fighters and Hermain identified Emund Torkelsson. So his strategy with marrying a Ragnarsson into his family hadn't worked. He had underestimated the ruthlessness of Ragnar and the price he was willing to pay to get rid of him. Instead, he had got himself trouble. It was unavoidable; they had to fight against these men. How loyal would Delville be when it comes to fighting his brother? He knew that there was no love between them, Delville had often said how happy he was getting away from Leif. But that didn't mean that he would be able to choose the opposite side when it comes to fighting for life and death.

[Nilla]

They might be watched, so Delma decided that everything needs to look normal. Nothing would happen until it gets dark, anyway. He trusted his old slaves, so the men were armed. But the new thralls were locked away in a cellar. They came from Ragnar and could very well help or warn the assaulters. Finally, he needed to make the important decision about Delville. He would need another man. The thralls were untrained, his sons and nephews too young to be of any big help. He decided to go and talk to Halli. After all, she's the one who knows him best. When he got to her house, she was preparing for the fight. He asked her what she was doing, she, the mother of a young son wouldn't fight any evil men. But she said that he knew that she was the best fighter of all the young folks, better than her brothers, her cousins and even her husband. She had beaten them all on the training field. She was so determined that he didn't say anything more to stop her. When it comes to Delville; he was totally on their side and could be trusted. He hated and feared his brother and wouldn't mind killing him himself.

Delma was sure that he and maybe Websterlin and their sons were the targets. Leif knew where they lived so he decided that Websterlin, his sons and the fighter Lashade should hide with a good sight of Websterlins house but not do anything until they got his order. He, Hermain, Delville and two of the thralls would hide at his place. Finally, he made Halli in charge of a group with her brothers Ballace and Delberto and their first thrall Fernand to watch over the harbour area. No one expected any attack there but it ought to be watched to be sure. That way, he would have his children out of danger and could keep an eye on Delville, just in case. Halli protested but followed her father's orders. Patronity lead the rest of the women and children to hide in some remote sheds. She and some of the other women were also armed to be able to protect themselves if everything else went wrong.

They saw quietly how the men arrived, how they blocked the doors of the houses and when they started to make fire at Delma's house, he shouted the order to attack. The assaulters were totally unprepared and killed instantly. Delma went over to Websterlin's place. They too had killed their enemies fast. But now they heard noise from the other side of the stream. A quick look also showed that they've only killed 6 men. The others must be by the dock where Halli and the boys were. Now, Delma was terrified. Again he had misjudged the situation and underestimated the ruthlessness of his enemies. They weren't only after him, they were after everyone and the whole property. They ran over the crossing with drawn swords as fast as they could. The noise had stopped and he feared for the worse. But soon he saw Halli and his sons. Ballace had a wound on his hand but otherwise, they were unharmed. Two men were dead. The third lay on the ground, properly tied up. Halli said that maybe he wants to question that one, so she hadn't killed him, yet.

Delma cursed his own stupidity. In his anger and fear, he had killed all the men without thinking. Luckily, his daughter had been wiser. Of course, they needed one to question. He guessed that also Aurelious would like to talk to that man. Delville had also done well, now he stood there happily embracing his wife. Delma went over and said, if he could find a way to deal with Ragnar right and honourable, without killing him, he would do it for him. But Delville said that he had no father anymore. Leif wouldn't have done anything without Ragnar's approval, also letting his son and grandson be killed. From now on his name is Delville Gunhildson, he could do what he finds right with Ragnar.

The slaves were released from the cellar, instead, their prisoner was locked in there. Treen said that they wouldn´t have had to lock them up, they would never have warned Ragnar´s men. Since she came here she hadn´t been beaten or raped once, something that happened frequently at Ragnars´. They tried to talk to the prisoner, saying that he could save his life by telling them all they wanted to know. He was a polite young man, named Skapte who said that they may as well kill him now. He was a dead man anyway. If he told them anything, not only he would be killed. Torkel knew his parents and his sister, they wouldn´t live long if he suspected him to talk. They couldn´t get anything out of their prisoner so they decided to take him to Pelika. After Aurelious had got his parents and sister safe to Pelika, Skapte had told all he knew about Torkel´s plans. As long as his family was safe, he also promised to tell it at the next thing. If Torkel was convicted, they could maybe all live in peace in the future. He was a poet and seemed to be very impressed by his capturer. He wrote a poem that became popular all over Iceland. It tells about the great female warrior; about her courage, beauty and fighting skills, describing how she fought, killed or captured the 9 worriers who came to torch her father's place, almost by herself. When Halli first heard it, she was embarrassed. It didn´t describe the truth at all. But in the end, she was proud and it helped to increase the reputation of them all.

The day after the fight they went to Ragnars'. One of his two fighters had accompanied Leif, the other was easily overpowered. First Ragnar said that he didn't know anything about his son, then he said that Torkil had forced them to help but Delma got tired of his excuses and killed him. At the next thing, Delma was confirmed as gute of the area. There were no opponents.

I haven't shown any picture for a while. This shows the nice harbour area. I find Delma a bit stupid not realizing that his enemies would want to destroy it. To have room for all the boats that come for tings meetings and sacrifices, they have expanded the docks.  Halli and Delville have put a Freja idol outside their house. You can see the numerous sheep and I can tell that not long after the fight, Hally, Patronity and several other women became pregnant. So no Christian can come here and say that the old gods aren't powerful!

[Nilla]

At the next regional ting at Langanes, Torkil was charged with arson and murder. He blamed everything on his son and said that if it was proven that his dead son Emund had killed Wallyn, Prentino and their families, he would pay the fine, as the law says. He had known nothing and didn't think his son had anything to do with these fires either. He looked grim when Skapte told about the deeds and his involvement. Torkel said, no one should believe the word of a poet, they are known to be liars. This one was especially untrustworthy.

Torkel had many men at the meeting and many others were connected to or dependant on him. But so had the Pelika people. The result of the voting was uncertain. When it started to look bad for Torkel, he began to dispute the legitimacy of the men who should decide in the case. He even questioned that this thing had the right to tell a verdict since the erst arson had been in another district. After a friend had told Aurelious that he had seen how Torkel had given something that looked like a bag of silver to one of the oaths men, he too questioned the legitimacy and requested both Torkel and that man to be banned. The alligations were many and the discussions took long.

In the end, it was those without loyalties to one of the involved families who made the difference. Arson was a despised crime, only used by cowards. It should be punished. So Torkil was declared an outlaw for three years, which means that everyone could kill him and anyone who helped or tried to hide him, without punishment. To survive, he had to flee the country. Aurelious had wanted him banned for life but with the big fine, Torkel had to pay the relatives of the dead families, he realized, it was the best they could get. He had also heard that Torkel's new wife had threatened to divorce him and take back all her property if he lost this case. That would mean that Torkel would be a poor man when he returned after three years and could hardly do much harm. After the verdict, Aurelious made peace with Torkels brother Ulf. They made arrangements about changing hostages; children that should be fostered in the other's house.

Opposite to the case against Torkel, Delma's legalization of the killing of Ragnar and his claim to be gute was fast, without problems. Despite his nervousness, speaking in front of all these men, Delville did well, telling about the bad deeds of his father and brother and also saying that he had no claims against Delma for their death or to be chieftain of the area. If it was his heretage, he resigns to Delma.

[Nilla]

The celebration on the last day of the meeting had been heavy. Delma and his men had got up late the day of the journey back home. He also spoke with a man about marrying their children so it was almost noon until they finally were on their way. He had his boat at Pelika and normally they all travelled together that far. This time, many of the Pelika men were far ahead, some younger cousins were in his group. But everyone knew where they use to set camp for the night and that they would catch up with the slower, elder men before dark. They were right, it was still some daylight as they saw the Pelika men down in the valley. But to his horror, Delma also saw a big group of men hiding behind a small hill. They just mounted their horses. It looked like an ambush. Hadn't Torkel left the country, after all, or did some of his relatives and friends continue his deeds? The Pelika group had many fighters but they were busy setting camp and totally unprepared for the assault. Delma and the other men tried to scream a warning but they were too far away and the wind blew in their direction so no one heard it. They tried to get to the camp as fast as possible. When they got there, the fight was raging, many Pelika men were dead or wounded. But Delmas group with many young men prepared to fight, made a difference. The battle came soon to its end.

It was indeed Torkel. He was wounded but alive. Miraculously, Aurelious was unharmed. The old man didn't have a single wound although he must have been their main target. Holy Mother Mary's protection, he claimed and everyone believed him. This White Christ was really a powerful god. Aurelious went over to Torkel and said, that since it looks like he prefers death over exile, he will do him one last service. Torkel was the only of their prisoners that were killed. There had been enough bloodshed. 8 Pelika men were dead and some more so severely injured that they didn't know if they would survive. 12 of Torkils men were also dead, the rest were brought to Pelika as hostages to be used in peace negotiations with Torkel's relatives.

Delma only had one smaller wound and Delville was unharmed but Casimeon was badly hurt. Delma sent Delville home with a message to Patrinity that he would stay at Pelika until he knows if his father survives. Casimeon did survive but never fully recovered, he couldn't walk without crutches anymore. He wanted Delma to stay and take over his farm but Delma had no intentions to leave Foresbo. Instead, he suggested that his eldest son Ballace would be Casimeons heir and run the farm. He's a capable young man that would bring him much joy.

As gute and with his and his daughters' reputation as fighters, he was now seen as an important member of his family. He also needed to stay because Aurelious wanted him to take part in the peace negotiations with Torkel's relatives.  Delma and Torkils brother Ulf were able to negotiate peace with Torkils relatives that everyone could accept. Ulf hadn't known anything about the ambush and was very keen on stopping the bloodshed.  As a part of this treaty, Ballace married Gudrun, Ulf's oldest daughter and they moved to Pelika with a big dowry.

Now we have the "problem" that there's still a Ballace at Foresbo even when Ballace Delmason has moved to Pelika. It's the husband of Websterlins daughter Flossom. She married Ballace Torsson the son of one of the richest farmer in the area and they got a house close to her parents. That weird name Ballace seemed to have been popular in that generation. Opposite to the marriage of Halli and Delville, this is not a happy marriage. They seem to disagree on almost everything.

You can see the house of Flossom and Ballace in the middle. Everyone is waiting desperately for a merchant to bring food, They are out of barley, beans and bread. But as soon as one arrive, they can buy a lot, the stores of vadmal and wool coats are full.

[Nilla]

There hadn't been a real wedding between Ballace and Gudrun. Both he and Ulf had found it a much too big risk. Weddings between wealthy families like theirs were usually huge: Several days, a lot of people. And it wasn't unusual that big fights started, just at weddings; also between families that had been friends for generations. Even if both men trusted each other, none of them trusted all of their relatives. Instead, Delma, Ballance and a large number of fighters had gone to Ulf's place and fetched the bride. It was obvious to see, that she wasn't happy about this marriage. What Ballace thought about marrying this girl and move to his grandfather wasn't possible to see and no one came of the idea to ask. He simply had to do what his father and other leading family members meant was best for them all. And how these children felt who were brought to the homes of people they've never seen before to be fostered, far away from their families, no one will ever know either.

But now Delma was finally at home. It's been much too long. The first day he just walked around on the property, looking at everything with fresh eyes. They had achieved a lot in the 20 years they had lived here. Everything looked neat and prosperous. He went over to the dock area and spotted Delville on the fishing dock, emptying some nets. And as always, Hally wasn't far away. She sat on a close bench with her distaff, little Merto playing at her feet with some wool and wooden sticks, a beautiful, peaceful sight. He was happy to see them there, he thought that maybe they had moved down to Ragnar's. That farm now belonged to Delville. He asked Hally about it and she said it was Delville's decision. She would agree on whatever he finds right. Delma looked at his daughter with astonishment; she, who always had strong opinions about everything, big or small, asked or not, now she didn't have a meaning of her own in something really important? She saw his astonishment and said that Delville was brought up to be a younger son, every decision was so far made for him. Now things have changed but to be a great man, he needs to learn to make his own decisions. This is the perfect opportunity to start; the choice between two good things. They have a good life here but Ragnar's place is good, too; bigger with farmland. They would tell him as soon as he had made up his mind. The wisdom of his daughter never stopped to surprise him.

[Nilla]

A few days later Halli and Delville came to Delma and Patronity to talk. Delville said that he had decided that they would stay, at least for now. His mother was well capable to run the farm. He thought that they might be of better use here. He looked at Hally who nodded so he continued; Delma was now an important man, in the region and in his family. He would need to stay away for longer periods. But to be a man of real great importance, he must increase his wealth. And for that, they need to develop the estate and earn more by trading various goods for silver and gold. Websterlin and his sons are good workers. They would keep everything going the way it's always been when Delma is away. But would they manage to build something new? He didn't think so, Ballace was at Pelika and Delberto too young. Maybe Patronity would be able to manage these changes but he wasn't sure that she wanted to.

Delma was curious about what changes he had thought. First, the obvious; expand the number of sheep. There is still a lot of ground on the property. They didn't even have a bridge to the other side of the river, yet. He would put sheep everywhere, except in the small forest areas between the pastures. The problem would be to find people to process the wool. It needs skill, so it wasn't only to buy a few more thralls and be sure that they would be able to spin and weave the high-quality products, the merchants paid well for. Of course, they should try to find some skilled women or young girls to teach but here in this area, every poor farmer's wife and daughters could spin and weave. To pay them, the same way he pays the wives of the fighters for their work would be a win for all. They could get the wool and work at home.

Both Delma and Patronity found this an excellent idea. Hally nodded again and Delville continued. More sheep would also give more meat. But the merchant didn't pay very well for fresh or dried meat and to smoke it, they didn't have firewood enough. They had talked to some of the merchants and they would pay much better for salted meat and fish. It would well compensate the costs of the expensive salt they need to buy. Again Delma and Patronity were astonished. Why hadn't anyone thought of this before? Is that all, Delma asked. Now Hally couldn't be silent anymore and she said, not quite. A few merchants had offered flax. To make linen from it would bring a large win but they hadn't bought any because no one here knew how to process it. But the thrall Morian from Pelika had said that the women from Aurelious family knew. His wife Selindsay had brought that craft to Pelika. She was now dead but her daughters were as good as she had been. What if they went to Pelika to learn how to make linen? Maybe they could also borrow a skilled thrall to teach them all here at Foresbo.

Delma thought that Aurelious would be unwilling to send one of his thralls to this pagan place. Now Hally nodded to Delville again and he continued; maybe Aurelious wouldn't be that reluctant, after all. They had thought of one more change and hoped that he wouldn't be too angry or disappointed: Delville had seen the power of the Christian God at the fight against Torkel's men, how he had protected Aurelious. His prayers may help in big things, also for them, like sending Cleonardy to warn them for the arson but in small everyday matters, they could need the blessings of the Christian God, so they had thought about becoming Christians. They would like to go to Pelika and learn more and maybe letting the priest baptise them. They would also like to visit Ballace and meet his wife.

Delma wasn't angry or disappointed, not at all. He too had spoken with Patronity about the power of the Christian God. But he wouldn't be Christian. He made the sacrifices to the old gods and didn't want to abandon them. He was sure that they still were more powerful than Christ in this area. But if they wanted to be Christians and get his blessings for the property, it would benefit them all.

It was decided that Halli and Delville went to Pelika to visit Ballace, to learn how to make linen and to learn more about the Christian God.

[Nilla]

When they returned, they had a lot to tell. Ballace was fine but his marriage hadn't been fine at all. Not that they argued and fought all the time like Flossom and the other Ballace. They didn't talk at all. But Hally thought that it will improve after their visit. They had talked a lot with both of them and also persuaded the grandfather to let them build a house of their own. When they left, Ballace and Gudrun had eagerly planned the new house together and that's at least a start.

Yes, they had been educated in the Christian religion and finally baptised. From now on they would try to follow the Christian law. Some things would be easy; common sense and old habits; like honouring their parents, not stealing or killing their neighbour and wanting his property or wife but in some aspects, the law was strange and not to understand. They were not supposed to work on Sundays. Instead, they should go to the church. But the closest church is at Pelika and that's 2 days journey away. Not even their thralls were supposed to work on Sundays. Aurelious had said that at Pelika they don't do hard fieldwork on Sundays but there's always enough other work to be done, more quiet and peaceful and the women are encouraged to sing hymns by spinning and weaving instead of their usual indecent songs. They would find their way to honour God in a special way on Sundays, too, he was sure of that. Another strange thing is that God has an interest in what you eat. You shouldn't eat any meat on Fridays and you were not supposed to eat horse meat at all. She had asked the priest what to do when a horse gets severely injured and need to be slaughtered. Does God like horsemeat so much that he wants it all sacrificed to him? Why else spoil that good meat. But the priest had been mad and even given her a slap, saying God hates blood sacrifices but he hadn't explained why they weren't supposed to eat it. Delma was grateful that their gods had better things to do than interfere in such things.

With learning how to make linen, they hadn't been very successful. It was much more difficult than Hally had thought. She had learned the many steps of processing before you have fibres to spin but after that, she had practised until her fingers bled. Although she had been spinning wool since her childhood, she hadn't been able to spin the thin, even linen threads that would be needed. Her father's cousin Edmonika had been very patient with her, saying that she was doing very well for a beginner. It takes years to be as good as they were. As a baptism gift, she had given Hally a young slave girl, saying that she would train her in linen spinning and weaving herself. She would send her as soon as she was good enough but it would probably take a couple of years.

The difficult linen had been a small setback in their plans. The next problem was to get enough salt for all their surplus meat. Merchants who had salt arrived seldom and mostly it looked like they've already sold most of it when they finally came their way. The rest of their plans had worked better. It had been a bad, cold year. Many people in the neighbourhood had been starving. Delma's offering at the next autumn things meeting to let the women spin his wool and get paid was well received. Everyone at the thing also promised to tell their poorer neighbours who didn't attend the meetings about this possibility to earn some silver. Many women had come to Foresbo to get wool and to be instructed in how they wanted the threads to be spun.

[Nilla]

The following years had been peaceful and successful, their wealth had increased. The merchants finally brought a steady amount of logs, salt, grain, beans and many other useful things. Halli seemed to have inherited her great-great-grandmother Amiracle's sense for business, so she mostly made the deals. Yes, Halli and Delville were still at Foresbo. The main reason was that Halli and Gunhild, Delville's mother didn't get along very well. Among men at things meetings and feasts, Delville wasn't shy anymore but telling his mother what to do, was a different matter. In the year 998, they had two sons and a daughter. Ballace and Gudrun had two daughters and also Delmas and Patronitys second son Delberto was married. So now only their two youngest children, Esse and Flintony still lived at home. Before every larger things meeting, Delma went a few days ahead to Pelika and sometimes he stayed a while afterwards. There were always family matters to discuss with Aurelious and other leading men of the family.

This time, one of Aurelious' fighters met him at the dock, telling him that his uncle wanted to speak to him as once. Normally Delma first visited his mother and his son (Casimeon had died a few years earlier) but now he went to Aurelious' house instead. After he got something to eat and drink, Aurelious told him that Dankbrand was back in Iceland. First Delma didn't know of whom he spoke but then he remembered the priest who had killed his uncle Kell and burned the temple. Aurelious said that he had heard that Dankbrand was sent to Iceland by the Norwegian king Olav Tryggvardsson as punishment for killing and robbing people in Norway who didn't want to be Christians. So it didn't look as if he had changed, since his last visit. He had also heard that he already had baptised some important people in the south of Iceland.

Aurelious had promised to kill Dankbrand if he ever returns to Iceland but he was now an old man. Delma said, that it would hardly be a problem; Kell had 4 sons, 2 sons-in-law and many adult grandsons and if needed, he and many other of his cousins would help to kill that priest. Aurelious answered, that exactly was the problem. The end of the world will come soon. Some wise monks had calculated that Christ will return in the year 1000 to judge the living and the dead. The righteous will follow him to heaven, the others go to hell. Aurelious now severely looked at Delma, saying that he didn't have much time to desert his false gods. Then he continued; first in line on the road to heaven would be the martyrs, those who had been killed for their faith. They would sit at God's own table at the big fiests and be the superiours of the rest of them. Aurelious meant that he would go to heaven but what would happen there when he, with the regained strength of his youth saw Dankbrand in such a high position? Start a fight in heaven? Not to think about! To kill Dankbrand would be to give him the best gift he could get and himself eternal agony. He couldn't let that happen.

He, as well as his son Audio, had tried to talk to Dall and his brothers but they didn't seem to understand. They still planned the killing of their father's killer, saying that they didn't care about that Christan nonsense. Delma was the wisest, not Christian person he knew, he begged him to talk to his cousins and try to stop them from giving Dankbrand that reward. Delma asked what he wanted to do with Dankbrand instead and he said that he will accuse him of the killing and destruction of the temple at the thing and try to get him banned from Iceland. It might not be easy if Dankbrand had friends like Hall Thorsteinson, Hjalte Skeggjason and Njal Thorgeirson but at least worth a try. Delma said that he would do him the favour and talk to Dall but didn't know how he would be able to persuade him, not to revenge his father.

[Nilla]

This was a difficult task, talking someone out of revenging his father. Only cowards without honour didn't try to kill the murder of a family member. Dall and his brothers were nighter cowards nor men without honour. Delma was sorry that Patronity or Halli wasn't there. They could always advise him in difficult matters. He realized that this was more than just the killing of an evil priest. It could be the spark that split the unity of the family. There had been many conflicts, mostly because of religion but they had always somehow been solved and Pelika had always acted as one to the outside. That had made them strong and influential. Was Dall aware of the consequences of acting against his uncle's will and that this could weaken the whole family?

It cost a lot of effort but finally, Delma could persuade his cousin not to act and to realize that the unity of the family was more important than his and his brothers' honour. And Delma could also wake a small doubt; who knows, Aurelious might be right and killing Dankbrand would be like giving him the greatest eternal reward. To be killed by them was maybe exactly what he wanted and the reason he had returned. And that would be the worst thing of all.

The case against Dankbrand at the allting that summer didn't work very well for the Pelika people. He had made a large number of friends with a big influence. He was convicted to pay a large fine for the killing and the burning of the temple but wasn't banned. He didn't have much money himself so his rich friends paid the fine for him, so the whole thing didn't hurt him at all. Everyone from Pelika was unsatisfied and Dall considered killing him, after all.

But luckily he didn't realize his plans. Soon Dankbrand started to show his real nature: He murdered two poets who had made ironic poems about him, he also killed some other people who didn't want to abandon the old gods. After he and his helpers had robbed the old farmer Kol and killed one of his relatives, his former friends abandoned him and at next years allting, he was officially banned from Iceland forever.

After the case against Dankbrand, Hall Thorsteinson came to Aurelious, saying that he was sorry that they hadn't listened to him last year. A lot of suffering could have been avoided if they had banned that priest a year ago. Many relatives of the people he and his helpers had killed or in other ways done wrong, wanted revenge and were now killing innocent Christians. Also, some people who had been willing to convert had changed their minds after meeting such a violent priest. He only hoped that things would calm down when that priest was gone, once and for all.