Fate's Needle (38 page)
Authors: Jerry Autieri
Tags: #Dark Ages, #Norse, #adventure, #Vikings, #Viking Age, #Historical Novel, #Norway, #historical adventure
“Ari, do you still serve Jarl Kjotve?”
“I suppose I do.”
“Then I can drop you off on the island.”
“Where would you be going, then?”
“To a place where men and women are free to rule themselves. Where no greedy or vengeful hand can reach.”
Ari was silent. Ulfrik listened to the distant cheers of Harald’s men proclaiming their victory. All around ships scuttled away like roaches from a lit candle. Runa had joined her brother at the prow, and her hair bounced behind her in the wind. She looked back at Ulfrik, her eyes brimming with tears and hope.
“Do you know such a place?” Ari asked.
“No. But I will make one.”
Author’s Note
Ulfrik and his family, as well as most of his friends and traveling companions, are fictional characters, but their adventures are set against the backdrop of history. In the late ninth century, the petty kingdoms of Norway were under pressure. Harald Finehair, sometimes known as Harald Fairhair, inherited the Vestfold lands from his father, Halfdan the Black. Harald was young but had a strong guide in his uncle, Guthorm. Through conquest and political maneuvers, Harald would eventually unify Norway under his kingship.
The best accounts we have of Harald’s life come from the
Heimskringla
, a collection of sagas that chronicle the lives of Norwegian kings. They make for lively, vivid poetry, but are not exactly historical documents. The story of Harald refusing to cut his hair until he ruled all of Norway is little more than literary flourish—a great tale for the people of the day. Regardless, we know that Harald forcibly brought the coastal kingdoms of Norway under his control, however tenuous his reign may have been. This consolidation culminated in the Battle of Hafrsfjord, where Harald’s main opposition was shattered.
This story is set in the final years of Harald’s encroaching power. Grenner and the surrounding lands are all fictitious, although some names have been lifted from history. Orm and Auden, and their vainglorious neighbors Frodi and Bard, never existed; however, Kjotve the Rich and Thor Haklang were real participants in the battle of Hafrsfjord. Thor’s death is credited with being the final blow to Harald’s opposition.
While Harald’s military exploits conquered most of his territory, it is not unthinkable that he used other means to grab land. Harald gained control of the remote northwestern territory of Halogaland by marrying into its ruling family, suggesting he was also amenable to non-military ploys. As such, I have imagined that lesser men, such as Vandrad, might have been charged with securing lesser places, such as Grenner, using whatever means to achieve success.
After the battle at Hafrsfjord, men scattered in every direction. Harald assumed kingship and introduced unpopular taxes and policies that alienated many of his new subjects. His reign is credited with creating an exodus to the Orkney Islands, Shetland Islands, Faroe Islands, and eventually, Iceland. In fact, settlement of these lands had begun before Harald’s reign, but his tyrannical rule motivated many to leave.
It is said that Harald continued to harass his opponents, who fled to neighboring islands. After Hafrsfjord, Harald was uncontested on the mainland, although he certainly had many threats to his kingdom from the world beyond. The ninth century was an active time in Viking history throughout Western Europe. As such, the period lends itself to plenty more adventures for Ulfrik and his companions, and they will certainly be sailing once more in search of it.
In the writing of this book, several people deserve a heap of thanks. First, I want to thank Peter Ratcliffe for the excellent cover art. His work is incredible, and this cover blew me away the moment I saw it. Karin Cox provided a thorough and patient edit of the manuscript. Without her guidance, this story wouldn’t have been possible. Finally, I must thank my wife, Grace, for supporting me in this crazy adventure to publish a book. I couldn’t do anything at all without her.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
