Free Islands in the Fog by Jerry Autieri Page A

strayed."
    "My flocks are not so large that I'd lose track of them," said Egbert Longneck. He stood again, shaking his fist at the sky. "If Hardar's ships were nearby, then three of my flock go missing the next day, what am I to think?"
    Many murmured agreement, but others told Egbert to sit. Ulfrik waved down the excitement. "We've been through this already. No one witnessed Hardar's crews stealing your sheep, Egbert. But Darby and these others have had run-ins with Hardar's fishermen. That's something I can address."
    Egbert stomped back to his place in the ring. Ulfrik sighed, weariness straining his voice. "Before we close this meeting, is there more to discuss?" Men glanced from face to face, and no more voices were raised. Ulfrik seized his opening. "Then we are finished. What we have decided today let no man defy."
    The assembled freemen rose, dusted off their pants, and broke up. Groups drifted to every direction, many heading over the grassy horizon. As was customary, Ulfrik waited at the center of the ring for everyone to go. Snorri struggled to his feet, bracing his leg and barring his teeth.
    The sky was a sullen gray sheet, draining the green expanses of color. Snorri's red cloak was dazzling against it as he approached. "Hardar's nipping at your heels. Wants to see how tough you really are."
    Ulfrik wiped his hands on legs, and shook his head. "The sheep raiding doesn't make sense. Why only three? That's got to be coincidence. But what are his fishermen doing this far south?"
    "Already told you the answer to that one," Snorri said, putting his arm around Ulfrik's shoulder. "Let's get back to our wives and see what's left in those cooking pots. During the whole meeting I kept smelling that delicious soup."
    Snorri drew an exaggerated sniff, while Ulfrik chuckled. "You're getting hungrier with age; I thought old men ate less. What does Gerdie feed you?"
    "Anything I ask for, and more." They laughed and ambled down slope to the clustered dwellings of Nye Grenner. A lone sheep wandered between two buildings, bleating at them. He heard Thorvald clanging at this forge in the distance. A new shipment of bog iron had arrived with traders a few weeks ago; Thorvald had been ceaselessly working it into tools, mail, and weapons.
    Life in Nye Grenner had settled back to normal after the festival. It had taken several weeks to restore the daily patterns and to replenish depleted food stores. The arrival of the traders had solved most of Ulfrik's problems. After the festival, he heard complaints that men cannot eat gold and glory. Now they had salted meats, wood, iron, and traded their wool and hay. People were satisfied. Up until today.
    Ulfrik and Snorri tramped into the hall, Snorri leaving his long knife in the front room as was customary. Ulfrik, being the jarl, had no restriction. The windows and smoke hole were open and the wan light filled the main room. Gerdie and another woman tended the fat iron pot over the hearth, while Runa and two girls worked at the loom in the back. Ulfrik heard Gunnar squealing with delight but didn't see him. He was in a pile of boys who wrestled and played about the hall while the women worked.
    "Was I ever that happy?" Ulfrik asked Snorri as they entered the main room.
    "Nothing wrong with a happy kid, unless he's simple. But that boy of yours, he's got his mother's wit." Snorri slapped Ulfrik's shoulder and moved to the cooking pot, sniffing at the rising steam. "Is it ready now? Those damn assemblies make me hungry."
    Gerdie hustled him to a table, and Ulfrik picked his way back to Runa. She set aside her distaff and basket while the two other girls worked the loom. "Welcome home. How was the assembly?"
    Ulfrik embraced his wife, then moved to a bench where he lowered himself with a groan. "It went fine. I settled grazing disputes, kept Thorkel Two-Toes out of his neighbor's pasture. For the third time. Of course, there's the fishermen's troubles with Hardar." Ulfrik mumbled the last