Contents
Chapter Ten: Orka
Overview
At the Althing on the shattered Oath Rock, Jarl Sigrún declares fealty to Queen Helka, warning that greater powers are rising and tribute may follow. Debate erupts over protection, taxes, and child thefts. Provoked by Virk’s public challenge of his failures, Guðvarr demands holmganga. Virk accepts and names Orka his second, binding Orka to the duel’s outcome.
Summary
Orka, Thorkel, and Breca cross to the Oath Rock for the Althing, joining villagers and craftsmen from Jarl Sigrún’s lands. At the shattered oath stone, Breca questions why it was destroyed, prompting talk of forbidden god-worship and the fear that followed the Guðfalla. Orka quietly probes Virk about missing children; he reports other thefts from Howbyr and Kergarth and condemns Guðvarr’s indifference.
Jarl Sigrún arrives with her drengrs and an unsettling warrior-thrall. She announces she has sworn blood-oath to Queen Helka, arguing that powerful jarls and Helka’s ambition make resistance futile. Virk and others protest taxes and loss of freedom; Fálki Torilsson seeks clarity. Sigrún insists alliance offers survival, citing Helka’s strength.
Orka warns that Helka will demand a hird-offering, forcing able fighters into her warband. Sigrún downplays the immediacy but frames it as protection against Jarl Störr. The crowd’s anger shifts to local justice when Virk accuses Sigrún’s forces of failing Asgrim, Idrun, and abducted Harek.
Goaded by mockery, Guðvarr challenges Virk to holmganga. Despite Sigrún’s attempt to halt it, the formal duel proceeds. Virk accepts, mindful of honor and the rules, and chooses Orka as his second to prevent his sons from breaking the law of the duel.
Who Appears
- OrkaProtagonist; attends the Althing, questions child thefts, warns of Helka’s levies, and agrees to serve as Virk’s second in holmganga.
- VirkFisherman with a warrior’s past; denounces Guðvarr’s failures, is challenged to holmganga, and names Orka his second.
- Jarl SigrúnLocal jarl; declares fealty to Queen Helka, argues alliance for survival, oversees the holmganga preparations.
- GuðvarrSigrún’s nephew and drengr; mocked for mishandling child-theft search, challenges Virk to holmganga.
- ThorkelOrka’s husband; cautious at the Althing, wary of speaking out, accepts Orka’s decision to second Virk.
- BrecaOrka’s son; attends his first Althing, speaks up for missing Harek, reacts to the shattered oath stone.
- Warrior-thrallSigrún’s silent, scarred, tattooed thrall; radiates menace, enforces respect, unsettles Orka.
- Fálki TorilssonWealthy local; questions Sigrún about taxes and benefits under Helka.
- MordVirk’s son; concerned for his father before the holmganga, steps back as Orka becomes second.
- LifVirk’s son; present at the Althing, wary as events escalate toward holmganga.