[zygote]

FANTASY-FICTION NOVEL EXTRACT: NORDIC SAGA SUCCESSION CRISIS.

Simple Ingvar grins dumbly at the shoreline; all Jomsvikings were called to gather here this night. They enter the island’s harbour navigating the inlets thin ice. Our character Ingvar gets out of his longboat onto the ground, and he walks ahead of the other Norsemen through the castle town. Ingvar approaches the castle proper, its walls have no comparison. The entrance to the main hall is blocked by a Varangian champion. The Varangian nods - “Ah Ingvar I fought beside your kinsman with the Byzantine guard! Your uncle Sigurd was strong, he gave me this,” the Varangian man of the north holds his hammer aloft.

Inside the hall, many are already present waiting for the feast to proceed, then serving girls bring out all types of smoked meats, maize, ales and mead. As the feast ends discussion turns to the nature of the current king usurper. All Jarls argue amongst each other, shouting and thumping tables with a zealous fervor. The most prestigious warlords claim they should be king because they are stronger, while others argue they should all carve out their own realms, and let the largest prosper. As they argue, Ingvar sees an old scholar struggle to rise, Ingvar helps him get to his feet, the man appears frail but his voice dominates the room when he begins to speak

“The nature of our current king is different from our former Kings!
Listen to these histories I will reveal within the sight of all things.
In his time my Grandfather could recall King Eirik the Lawspeaker,
During his rule no want was felt, and he was not so proud that no man could not approach him either.
And in my time I can recall the Lawspeaker’s eldest son, a man of strength and truth,
King Eirik the Old, conqueror of Nyland, Karelia, Kurland, and builder of this Castle Hammershus.
And he was followed by his son, Good King Rurik, a defender of the land and sea,
Rurik the well-loved, who defended his departed father’s gains so manfully.
Then came this so-called cousin, the Accursed usurper who killed Good-Rurik at Hjorunvagar,
The Accursed usurper’s domination is well recorded both in common tale and in written saga.
And now we come to this king we have now got, the son of the Accursed,
Do not judge a man by his kin, but to find this current king’s nature you only must observe.
His actions are foolish and arrogant, in comparison, how noble were the former Kings?
This current king allows no man a moment to presume that they may talk with him.
He attacks Haralde of Trondelaag, bringing war and distress on many a man already tired,
He schemes to subjugate those lands, something no former King has ever desired.
The lands our former Rulers conquered are lost through this king’s weakness,
While tribes invade, the current king alone in darkness, plans and plots and gathers secrets.
Listen to this next thing I speak. Eirik the Old’s son King Rurik was not his only son.
Beside me stands Ingvar, who was raised by his mother’s brother Sigurd of Jom.
Our departed King Eirik the Old fathered Ingvar in his 85th year,
Ingvar’s mother was of a small mind and never spoke because of fear.
Myself and the High Priestess consulted with the Allfather at the last Blot,
When we asked if Ingvar was of Eirik’s blood, our answer approached in the form of dark smoke.
Who do you support? The son of the Accursed usurper or the forgotten son of Eirik the Old?
What resolution will you take? Support of the weak or of the new and the bold?”

The scholar rests, Ingvar knows he must speak something, he doesn’t show it but he feels unprepared. Those present are shouting “Ingvar the Bastard! Ingvar the Bastard!” as they bang their axes in the air.