Chapter 6
“He’s so late. When will he be back mother? I hope he’s brought me something.”
“Soon, before the sun sets. Come on, let’s get the bread in the oven…”
The sun hung low, a deepening pink over the swaying trees, the air silent but for the rustle of leaves and the gentle low of a cow in the pasture. Álrifr had long since tired of his game and sat cross-legged, poking the fire with a long twig, sitting cross-legged on the dusty ground. A dog suddenly ran into the enclosure barking wildly; women and children emerged from the huts or putting down their weaving stood, looking out over the river to where their men were emerging along the forest path. Gisila stood, shading her eyes, searching out her father. She saw him, talking animatedly with a tall, fair haired man, pointing towards their hut across the Unstrut. Soon they were splashing through the shallows of the river and entering the village, paused, shaking hands as the group separated, each walking wearily towards his own homestead.
“Father! You’re home at last! Tell me all about the market! I want to know everything! What have you got for me?”
“Slowly, slowly child; where’s your mother? Ah, here you are. Well, I’ve brought a guest with me, let’s make him welcome eh? Come on Konrad, let’s take a drink.”
He paused, his legs slicked with damp, highlighting the strong muscles under the blue tattoos that wrapped his thighs and calves, brushed his golden hair from his eyes and gazed around him at the village, then settled his stare on Gisila, who stood, still, before him. He smiled, then unslinging his bag from his shoulder reached out a bright red apple and held it out for her to take.
“What’s your name?”
“Gisila. You’re Konrad are you? What have you come here for?”
“Lots of questions Gisila… Here, take the apple. Your father invited me. He said it would be worthwhile and I’m already beginning to agree with him. Here, take it”
Gisila looked at him quizzically, then grasped the apple and took a crunching bite, wiping the juice from the corner of her mouth. He looked at her again, his eyes following the line of her bare legs, her thinly spun dress hanging loose over her slender body, revealing the swell of her breasts. Her mass of red curls falling heavily over her shoulders and face, her fingers pushing her hair away, showing a tantalising glimpse of lips and nose and brow. He stood still, just a little too long, then followed her father into the hut.
“Here, have a drink. I told you, didn’t I? What do you think? Do you like her?”
“She’s… she’s very pretty. But is she, I mean will she…”
“She’s old enough. Of course she will. She’ll do as she’s asked. And how could she find a better husband anyway? Come, let’s drink, let’s celebrate. Come!”
Gisila stirred the blackened pot of porridge sitting on the open fire, the early heat of the day lifting the mist that lay grey over the confluence of waters.
“So are you going to marry him then Gisila?”
“Don’t be silly Áleifr, I’ve only just met him. I don’t know anything about him.”
“You like him though, don’t you? I saw the way you looked at him.”
“Oh Áleifr, you’re just a boy, you know nothing. Anyway, it depends what father wants. It’s not up to me. But… Well, he… he is rather handsome I think. And strong.”
She heard her father talking in the hut, she heard her name mentioned and laughter. And Konrad’s voice talking about the market and the town by the ford. He called the river the Erphes, not the Gera. She hadn’t heard that name before. Then they emerged into the light, still joking, her father slapping Konrad on the back. Their eyes were red from drink and the smoke of the fire; but he looked even more like a beautiful, strong warrior than she had recalled from the night before. He seemed to glance at her repeatedly, but did not come over to talk.
“So Konrad, we’ll see you next week at the market. I’ll bring her along and we’ll have everything arranged. Alright? I’m very pleased you like her Konrad. She’s a good girl, I know you won’t regret a thing. And it will be good to have you here. I’m getting too old for all this land, you know. It will be good to have a young man to take things over. And maybe there’ll be some little ones soon eh? Well, maybe soon. So, next week and we’ll be there. Travel safe!”
Another slap on the back, and with a cheerful laugh he shouted his farewell as Konrad crossed over the stream and, with one turn and a look and a wave, walked back along the path of beaten earth and into the darkness of the woods.
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