Arnulf sat at table with Rurik, one of the more prosperous farmers of Fjell, and stared at the scene around him. The hall was prosperous, but the fare presented was only slightly better than average. The ale was good at least, and Rurik had been pleased with the guest gift he had been given; the glass cup took pride of place on the shelf by the door to the farmer's sleeping cabinet. Talk of business had gone well, and Rurik had promised to introduce him to the other farmers and merchants of Fjell the next day.

"I am sorry that better fare wasn't available, but we weren't expecting guests--what with the feast for the ship-naming going on tonight in jarl Haakon's hall."

Arnulf Kjalarson laughed. "Fear not...the camps I've been at in Rus and Finnmark make this look like something set out by the Emperor himself! So Haakon is off a-viking?"

"To England, to join Ragnar! I am too poor to own a ship--else I'd go myself. Times are not what they once were here...too many people and not enough land! One of my younger sons has already gone off, and another is talking of going once harvest is over."

Arnulf nodded his understanding. If you could afford it, a ship was the best way to gain wealth and station--if not, then the only other option to almost certain thralldom would be to settle in new lands and try for wealth there. He had been lucky: his family had been in merchanting for generations, and Arnulf had inherited his ship upon the death of his father Kjalar Ulfsson. His family had contacts throughout the known lands, though so far Arnulf had only gone to Rus and Finnmark--he hoped in the next year or so to visit Irland and Thule beyond it. His brother Freyr had taken possession of the family's other knorr and was off trading somewhere in the lands of the Roman Sea.

After conducting more business the next morning, it was announced that a wedding feast between Haakon's half-sister Gudrun and his friend Eirik would take place that night, to be attended by all. Yet another guest-gift! And a present for the couple as well! If this kept up, he might not make as much profit in Fjell as he had hoped for. Thus he found the afternoon spent on his ship sorting through goods for suitable items to present to his host and potential in-laws. As dusk approached, he found himself entering the great hall of Haakon Larsson, followed by his slave bearing the goods he had found in his ship's cargo.

Arnulf was pleased when the girl he had seen gave him the guest cup personally. He had not expected to see the girl Sigyn so soon! He approached the high table and bowed to Haakon, and took his first gift from the arms of his slave.

"I greet you, Haakon Larsson, and tender this gift of a silver eating knife set with a ruby pommel-stone as token of friendship between us." The giant viking took the gift and examined it closely, admiring the fine workmanship. "I also bring a gift for the happy couple--blue silk from the land of the Arabs!" This he had his slave present to Eirik and Gudrun seated at Haakon's left. He noted that Sigyn had returned to her own place at the high table--and also saw her eyes shine at the fine fabric her new brother-in-law was handing over to his smiling wife.

Another man, not quite as large as Haakon, but obviously related to the chief, leaned forward at an unseen signal and spoke: "How are you called, friend?"

"My name is Arnulf Kjalarson, Skallagrim Larsson--recently come from the lands of the Kievan Rus." He found his eyes straying to the beautiful Sigyn. "And I would like to make a deal with your brother...."