Page 41 of A Song of Ravens and Wolves
He laughed. ‘Do you believe the islands were uninhabited before the Danes? We were here long before the Danes were.’
My childhood had been my mother’s fireside stories, talking of Picts that had been grasped and absorbed by the Danes. I had just assumed that the northern isles were no different and that they held them for themselves.
‘The Danes have been here a long time. Sigurd’s father ruled before him. A good Christian man, but Sigurd prefers the old ways and the old gods. They rule here now.’
‘Do you have to stay hidden?’ I whispered. ‘Does Jarl Sigurd know?’
‘So many questions.’ He gave a deep hearty sigh. ‘Jarl Sigurd spared us. I was the bishop of Orkney. The Jarls of Norway are eager to convert Sigurd’s Jarldom to Christianity. They want Odin and the Aesir back beneath the mounds, but Sigurd will not allow it.’
‘My apologies, Bishop Fintan.’ I did not know what else to say.
‘We are permitted to practice our faith, but not in the open. Jarl Sigurd will not risk the wrath of the old gods with failed crops and storms.’
‘Father, how have people survived without their faith to guide them?’
I was pious then. At least I thought I was. I had tried to live a good life. I tried to let God see my strength. I prayed that he would reward me. He never did.
‘We do what little we can.’
‘But surely that cannot be enough?’
‘It is all we have.’
‘Father, Ligach and I.’ I beckoned her. ‘We were about to observe the Lord’s Day service, from the little knowledge I have. Would you please say a few words, allow us a confession?’
He shook his head. ‘Jarl Sigurd has been good to us. I do not want to anger him. I do not believe he would be happy about it.’
‘Father, do this for us. Allow us to observe the Lord’s Day and I will make sure that my husband is more lenient when it comes to our faith. Surely, he cannot expect his Christian wife to denounce her religion.’
I felt the urgent tug of Ligach at my elbow. I did not know how I would make Sigurd agree, but I had no choice. We had to be allowed to observe our faith. In my young head, I could not live in a place where I was not free to follow the light of Christ.
‘To try would be madness. I would simply be punished.’
It was then that my husband’s words came back to me. I stood a little straighter and spoke with as much conviction as I could muster. ‘Jarl Sigurd is currently ailing and has agreed that I am to rule in his absence. I will decide whether I can or cannot observe my faith. Pray for us father.’
He sagged. ‘I will give you Benediction.’
We all bowed our heads.
‘May our Lord Jesus Christ be near us to defend us, within us to refresh us, around us to preserve us, before us to guide us, behind us to justify us, above us to bless us, who liveth and reigneth with the Father and the Holy Ghost, God forevermore. Amen.’
We all made the sign of the cross.
‘I am grateful for your great courage, Father.’
‘Now I must leave. I look forward to speaking with you again, Lady Olith and you too, Ligach.’
‘And I you, Father.’
We watched him disappear back the way he’d come. I could feel Ligach at my side. The silence uncomfortable between us.
‘Is that true?’ she spat on the floor. ‘It’s you who rules?’
‘Aye. It is.’
Chapter 16
A Debt is a Debt
