Hardar grumbled in his chest, folded his arms and returned to scanning the crowds. He had this final day to endure before he returned home. He spotted Ulfrik, now changed out of his robes. He stood at the center of a large group, apparently entertaining them with some wild, made-up story. Hardar felt his eye throbbing, as if just looking upon him injured it again.
"Vermund, this trip has given me much to consider. When this festival is done, I need to know who my friends are. Look at this upstart, taking this festival that I allowed him to host as an opportunity to build alliances. For what? He has the largest fleet, the most warriors, the greatest fucking people in the whole fucking circle of the world!"
Hardar stopped, realizing he had started yelling. Nearby people glanced in his direction. Vermund remained silent, squinting as the sun poked from behind a cloud. Hardar nervously smoothed his beard and smiled again. "This place is getting to me."
Vermund nodded and started to walk off. Hardar followed, hands clasped behind his back. They headed nowhere, just to leave the scene of Hardar's outburst. Once out of sight from others, he renewed their conversation.
"If Ulfrik is smart in building his alliances, he could cause me trouble. Ragnvald is nearly in bed with Ulfrik, if you can't see that yourself."
"I see it. You haven't said a thing I've not thought of myself. I don't like the whelp either, or his rat-eyed companions. The one called Toki is a spoiled child. As far as I'm concerned, you have my support if it comes to removing Ulfrik. All these weapons and men so close can't be any good for us. A true danger, it is."
"Good to count you as a friend. With all this foolishness," Hardar swiped a hand across backdrop of Nye Grenner, "I can't know who has been duped."
They walked further, headed toward the rocks of the shore where the visiting ships were beached. He gazed out along the sparkling water. Gray green cliffs across the fjord spread like a stripe on the horizon. North beyond those cliffs his home awaited. He started to think on his own hall, so dark and empty compared to Ulfrik's. But before his mood could blacken further, Vermund broke into his thoughts.
"Hardar, I have a matter to discuss with you. I've been meaning to ask since arriving here. There hasn't been a moment until now."
Hardar felt a smile growing on his face, and his mood lifted. "Go on, old friend. I believe I know your question. But I'll hear it from you."
He turned and regarded Vermund. He stood lean and proud, a strong jarl of the old families of the islands. His hairline had crawled back, and his eyes were now ringed with dark circles. Time's wretched hand clawed all men. But Hardar could still see the strong war leader of decades ago. Vermund straightened himself, a faint smile on his wide mouth.
"I have long been alone since the terrible events that left me as an heirless widower. This past winter was cold and lonely. I took a woman to my bed, but she is nothing to me. Not a woman for starting a new life. Your daughter is unwed, a lucky thing for me. I would ask your permission to court her."
Vermund asked with all the confidence of a man who already knew the answer. He smiled, and Hardar mirrored it. He could hardly consider a better match, tying his family ever closer to the old families with their connections across the islands. Vermund was also wealthy, and maintained a core of fighting men. Hardar's smile continued to stretch across his face.
"I would grant that permission, and wish you much luck."
"Thank you, old friend. She is a charming woman, as beautiful as her mother."
"But more spirited. Be warned there."
Vermund chuckled. "I know it well. I remember when you tried to marry her to Erp."
"I thought she would kill me, and she was only twelve! Now she's a woman and twice as headstrong. But you will be a good match for her, Vermund."
Both men laughed and turned back toward the celebration. Hardar only had to endure one more feast before escaping Nye Grenner and start plotting its downfall.
The jarls, their families, and their men assembled along the rocks at the shore, standing in dark clumps before their ships. Their murmuring voices mingled with the gentle rumble of the waves and the call of seabirds. The sun hung fat and yellow in the west, throwing half their bodies into the sharp shadow of the ridgeline. Ulfrik stood up the slope from them, his own shadow a deep triangular blot that stretched before him.
"Have you prepared everything?" he asked Toki as he scanned the assembled guests once more.
"Listen to my answer this time. Yes, I've seen to everything you've said."
Ulfrik shot Toki a scowl. "Have care with your words in public. And I was speaking to the men and the gifts."
"Aye, I was speaking to the same. Just relax, Ulfrik. You're a better man when you're not pretending to be lord of the world."
Ulfrik flinched at the truth of the words. He turned and gave a sheepish look to Runa, who stood silently at his side. She smiled, holding Gunnar who was falling asleep on her shoulder. "Am I that bad?"
"Listen to my brother. He's right for once."
The departure of the guests was as important as their arrival. Ulfrik knew their final impressions would carry long after the event. As such, he arranged for a send-off unlike anything he had ever seen Hardar do. Ulfrik knew he was deliberately outdoing Hardar, and that it was unnecessary. But after Hardar's outburst, Ulfrik wanted to ensure his rival felt humbled.
Ulfrik thought on Runa and Toki's advice, and nodded to himself. "I hate it when Toki is right. Let's see off our guests and return to our lives, eh?"
"Never better words spoken," Toki agreed. Runa nudged Gunnar, who fussed and tried to get comfortable.
Ulfrik called the jarls together, which was also Snorri's signal to march out the men and parting gifts. Ulfrik turned to watch his men, dressed in mail and helmets scoured to a bright finish, file out from behind the hall and down the slope. Snorri led them, two men behind carrying a chest of gifts to bestow upon his fellow jarls.
Surprise rippled through the ranks of the guests. The jarls of the islands had all given gifts upon their arrival, as was customary. But it was unheard of for the host of the summer festival to bestow gifts of his own. The sacrifices and costs of the celebrations were considered enough.
Ulfrik moved down slope, gesturing for Runa and Toki to follow. Gunnar now stood on the grass, staring at the massing of the armored warriors. The jarls were also impressed and left their ships to draw together. Ulfrik saw Hardar and his family hover at the back. His swollen face was pulled into a frown.
"Friends, your company has been most enjoyable. The people of Nye Grenner will ever remember these days. I've prepared some small items for each of you. Tokens to commemorate this year's festival. But also as thanks for the support we have seen from all of you. Many of us are strangers here. You have welcomed us to the lands, and helped us flourish."
Appreciative nods circled around, many men agreeing with the honor shown them. All men seek honor, even if not truly earned. Ulfrik knew he stretched the truth; many of the jarls had never offered help. Some had even ignored him. But those men now smiled and waited to extend their hands for whatever Ulfrik would place in them.
His men formed a semicircle behind him, three ranks deep. He had eighty fighting men, twice the number of any other jarl. They stood with arms clasped behind their backs. Ulfrik wanted a show of force but not one too intimidating. Snorri and his son, Einar, placed the chest beside Ulfrik. He gave an appreciative look to all the gathered jarls, then opened the chest. Some of the less refined men craned to see what had been revealed. Ulfrik smiled and began to call forward each jarl to receive his gift.
Most of the jarls were appreciative. Some lacked fine words, caught by surprise. The gifts were not trifles, Ulfrik having selected pieces from his personal horde. Snorri had warned him not to show too much wealth, fearing it would draw trouble. But Ulfrik felt the eighty men in mail coats counterbalanced it.