Harald did not like these words. He looked shaken by what had occurred, by the strength of his anger. Ragnvald glanced around for Guthorm. He would help Harald see reason. Guthorm stood near Hakon, tensed as though he would bodily restrain their most important ally himself, if it came to that.
“Everyone return to your halls,” Ragnvald yelled. It was not his place, but no one else seemed likely to take command now. “No one has leave to depart. Any violence will be punished severely.” He caught Guthorm’s eye. Guthorm nodded slowly. Thorbrand had been as a son to him, but Guthorm was older and wiser than Harald. He would see that tempers cooled before any decisions were made.
“This is our command,” said Guthorm. “Do not depart. Do not make ships ready. This will be settled peacefully. There has already been enough bloodshed today.”
Harald’s men followed the order and took Heming toward Harald’s hall. Hakon pulled his remaining sons to him, including Oddi, and made for the lesser hall his men occupied.
Ragnvald waited until all had departed the dueling ground—common soldiers, guards, even servants. He was Hakon’s man by law, and Harald’s by fate and in his heart, and he knew that Harald must abide by the rule he had already set. He would never be king if he made an enemy of Hakon now. Even if Solvi had not formed the rumored alliances, he would certainly be able to take advantage of Hakon and Harald being at odds. And Ragnvald would never be able to win Svanhild back from him. Ragnvald squared his shoulders and walked toward Hakon’s hall.
“You,” said Hakon venomously, as soon as Ragnvald had emerged from the shadows near the door. “You are not welcome here, Harald’s man.”
“I want to make him see reason,” said Ragnvald.
“You are a spy here.”
“Do you plan something here that Harald must not know?” Ragnvald asked angrily. He stopped. Anger would not help him here. “Would you accept outlawry for Heming? Harald has always made it clear that is the punishment for unsanctioned dueling.”
“I will accept nothing but my son returned to me,” said Hakon. “He will pay this captain’s wergild, and I will send him away from Harald’s court.” His eyes narrowed. “Harald needs me more than I need him.”
Ragnvald was not at all sure that was true, but he would not convince Hakon tonight. “I will tell Harald that, if I have your leave to go.”
“You never had my leave to be here in the first place,” Hakon responded. “Do not return.”
*
Guthorm judged that tempers should cool over the course of a week. He and Ragnvald worked together to make Harald swear not to harm Heming in that time. Ragnvald feared that speaking with Heming would undermine his standing in Harald’s eyes, but he kept watch over him whenever possible to prevent any of Harald’s men from doing him harm. From time to time he caught Heming’s eye and saw a desperate and frightened look there, like no expression he had ever seen on Heming’s face before.
Harald and Guthorm held a funeral for Thorbrand and buried him. Erindis haunted Harald’s hall, unspeaking, deep blue shadows around her eyes. It would be better if Guthorm could get her out of the way, send her to a nearby retainer—Harald’s anger might cool without always having her as a reminder—but the weather had turned cold again, a soggy spring blizzard making travel impossible.
After the week was over, Guthorm brought Hakon with a large contingent of guards, as well as his sons, into Harald’s hall to speak about Heming’s fate. Harald had not been willing to consider anything other than killing Heming. Ragnvald and Guthorm’s patience had grown thin.
“It was a mistake,” said Hakon as soon as he came in, as though the words could wait no longer. He made for the space at the head of the hall where Harald trod back and forth, waiting for him.
“That doesn’t matter,” said Harald, his voice pitched high. “They should not have been fighting.”
“You want to make a kingdom of men without honor,” said Hakon. “Not a kingdom for me or my sons.”
They stood toe to toe again, and Ragnvald thought they might come to blows themselves. Guthorm interposed himself between them and pressed them both apart. “You come here today to determine Heming’s fate,” he said formally. “This must be settled.” He turned to Harald. “Men must be able to settle their differences. Harald does not want to outlaw duels, only put requirements on them so they do not lead to blood feuds. And he did not want to see two of his dear captains injured or killed.” Harald sneered at the inclusion of Heming in that description, but did not speak further.
“Now that you are both here, is there any way we can make peace?” Ragnvald asked. “We have a common enemy in Solvi Hunthiofsson and his allies.”
“You,” said Harald angrily. “You and my uncle have kept me from taking my revenge these seven days. Thorbrand’s spirit will not rest until he has it.”
Guthorm turned to Hakon, ignoring both Harald and Ragnvald. “Heming fomented this conflict. At every turn, Thorbrand would have been willing to see it end. And Heming killed a man in a duel to first blood. He could have taken blood much more easily.”
“Anything can happen in a duel,” said Hakon. “I will pay this captain’s price. You will not like to pay my price if you hurt my son.”
“You threaten me?” Harald asked, stepping in close to him again.
“Enough,” Guthorm roared. “We will come to an agreement.”
Hakon sneered. “With you to broker it? I can see how you will want this to come out.”
“Who would you have?” Guthorm asked. “No man here stands above this fray.”
That might be Hakon’s purpose in raising the issue. He could refuse to abide by any agreement, if he did not like how it came about.
“Ragnvald Eysteinsson,” said Hakon after a moment. Ragnvald did not even recognize that Hakon had spoken his name at first, so unlikely did this choice seem. He looked at Hakon. “Yes, Ragnvald,” Hakon continued. “I have always found him fair.”
“He is sworn to you,” said Harald. “His judgment is suspect.”
“Ragnvald is a man of honor,” said Hakon. “And all know he wishes to be your captain more than mine.”
“I am sworn to King Hakon,” said Ragnvald. “I cannot judge.”
Guthorm beckoned Harald over, and they consulted quietly for a moment. Harald turned back toward Ragnvald and Hakon, still looking stormy, but less wild.
“You must,” said Harald. “Hakon could choose no other man whose word I would also abide.”
Ragnvald looked to Guthorm, hoping he would speak to end this. If he could thread a path between these two giants without being crushed between them, he would need the silver tongue of Loki.
“As you judge this dispute, so may the gods judge you,” said Guthorm.
Ragnvald bowed his head. “I owe both of you duty. I will do my best to broker a fair agreement.”