Chapter 230: Arrival of the Viking merchants
Chapter 230: Arrival of the Viking merchants
Peder, who was sitting on a chair at the port watchtower, took out his horn with herbal liquor and took a long drink.
Moistening his throat, he picked up the telescope that Einar had built using the green glass, although he did not understand the process by which it worked.
He knew he needed two lenses to be able to function. Placing his eye over the opening of the telescope, he began to see the coast in search of possible ships.
‘It seems that the right flank is clear of boats. I suppose the boys have not started their move yet from that inhospitable place …’
Peder interrupted his thought when he saw a group of Knarr approaching from the right side. With great curiosity he observed the fleet looking for a Drakkar.
Because if there were none of them, it could only mean that it was the fleet of the southern Viking merchants.
After observing for a few minutes, he corroborated that there were only merchant ships and that the banner matched that of the Viking merchants from the Islands to the south.
So ringing a bell gave the signal that the warriors in the harbor will prepare.
Eskol, who was in charge of the harbor warriors, frowned at the sound of the bell on the watchtower.
According to the code that Einar had implemented, two sounds and rested were a sign that it was a commercial fleet, while the sound of the bell without stopping was a sign of danger.
“Everyone, prepare your crossbows and take your positions. According to Peder in the watchtower, we have a group of merchants.
But better safe than sorry, it would not be the first time they have attacked us using trade ships. “
The thirty warriors following the orders of Eskol began to place themselves behind some bags of earth which were specially placed to function as protection.
In case they were attacked with arrows, their main task would be to delay the enemy as long as they could so that the tribe would prepare its warriors.
In the tribe, the situation was a little better because since the last time, a rapid response plan was implemented, so the organization was much more fluid.
Einar and Sven, who were already wearing their armor, prepared at the gate of the wall.
“Which merchant do you think is coming, father?”
Sven stroked his beard “It could be the Viking merchant to the south of the island. If they are, they cannot enter our tribe for our safety.
Unlike Darían and Christian merchants, our people use merchants as spies, so it is always good to keep your distance from them.
In addition, there was a problem with them because one of their envoys we found him spying on the tribe for that we murdered him. Fortunately, the business relationship was not lost.
But always remember it when you do trade with them, because when the leadership of the tribe passes you formally it will be your responsibility.
Although I know that you are quite mature and know how to lead, my duty as a parent is always to remind you that all your actions have good or bad consequences. “
Placing his hand on his son’s shoulder Sven gave his son a smile “But whatever the decision you make I will always support you …”
Sven’s words were interrupted by the sound of a horn signifying that the merchants had already arrived at the port.
So Sven and Einar, accompanied by some guards, began to walk towards the port to start the commercial talks.
When they arrived, they could see a young man with a somewhat ragged appearance in clothes that seemed to be noble.
The brown-haired, blue-eyed young man looked happily at Sven and Einar.
“A pleasure to meet Jarl Sven and his son, Einar the redhead. My name is Kalevi. I am the son of the richest man in our tribe.
I come on their behalf, as the behalf of Jarl Mikkel, I hope we can conduct serious business. “
Kalevi pointed to his boats which were docking “This time we have 50 cows, 200 sheep, 30 goats, 10 horses, 5 donkeys and 100 Treve of wheat, barley and oats to sell.”
Einar was surprised to hear the word he used to refer to the seeds, so he turned his head to see his father who with crossed arms whispered “24 sacks has a Treve, it is a measure used by our people to refer to the grain.. “
Kalevi didn’t hear what Sven said, but patiently awaited the response from Jarl or his son.
“All the merchandise you told us is fine, but I would like to know how much it would cost to buy all your merchandise.”
With a smile Kalevi looked at Einar “It would be only 300 gold coins, a price that I consider fair for the two of us.
In addition, all the animals have females so in a short time they will begin to reproduce so that you can recover your investment. “
Einar, who knew that the price was a bit expensive, did not want to counteract the offer because he needed the animals and grain.
Not to mention, horses could be powerful tools to form a small group of cavalry to oversee the surrounding tribe.
“I am willing to pay the price as long as you allow me to use this as paid. I can assure you that it will not be a bad investment for either of us.”
Einar took out of his bag a small wooden salt shaker which he threw at Kalevi, who took it and looked at it curiously because he did not understand how a wooden object could compensate for gold.
“Just flip it over and allow the holes in the salt shaker to remain in your hand so you can taste the contents.”
Heeding Einar, Kalevi turned the salt shaker causing a kind of snow white powder to come out but with the consistency of sand.
Without any fear that the contents were poisoned, he tasted the white sand and realized that it was salt, but not conventional bitter salt.
Rather, its taste was quite different and delicious, so he was sure that salt was quite expensive and could rival the bitter salt that everyone in his tribe consumes.
Seeing the happy face on Kalevi’s face, Einar showed a subtle smile. “That salt you tasted is a very complex refined salt to obtain.
Each small salt shaker like the one you have in your hands can be sold for 3 gold coins. It is not only a high-quality salt but also does not harm the body.
Of course you can buy the salt without the salt shaker but each kilogram sack would cost you 20 gold coins. I think it is worth it but if that does not attract your attention.
Einar signaled, and a warrior took a delicate-looking glass bottle in his hands, walked over to Kalevi, and handed it to him.
“What you are holding is honey liquor, a drink that can only be consumed in Valhalla. Each bottle has a cost of 30 gold coins.”
All the guards wanted to laugh because they knew that liquor was expensive, but they did not think that it could be sold at such an exorbitant price.
“But it’s not just the bottle that you pay for but the content, just twist the glass and baby cap of the bottle.”
Kalevi, following Einar’s instructions, tried to turn the cap of the bottle, but when he realized that he could not open it, he looked at Einar, who indicated that he should turn to the other side.
When he opened it, the first thing that happened was that he could smell a somewhat spicy and sweet fragrance which came out of the bottle.
After deeply smelling the aroma, he took a drink and let the amber liquid flow down his throat. Without realizing it, he continued drinking until he completely used up the liquid in the bottle.
Realizing that he had no more honey liquor, Kalevi frowned “It is certainly a drink worthy of Valhalla. I am willing to exchange the debt for 15 bottles of this drink.”
Einar just smiled “I can accept that deal as long as you take an oath in front of the Godi where you stake your entry into Valhalla.
The oath is simple you will have to swear that each bottle of honey liquor is worth 30 gold coins and the kilogram of salt is worth 20 gold coins.
Of course I am not interested in what you do with them after buying them, but you must respect those two rules.
In return I will swear that whenever you have animals, food or slaves I will accept them as paid as long as their cost is that of the market.
You can trust that the Godi of our tribe will see to it that the commitment is fulfilled. Of course my warriors and your crew will be witnesses so that the oath is honored. “
Kalevi stood still for a moment as he thought, but upon hearing a murmur from the crew telling him that he had no courage to accept the oath.
He ended up giving in so he seriously looked at Einar “I agree to take the oath and that my crew and your warriors be witnesses that I am a man of my word.”
Einar nodded and asked Eskol to please bring his father-in-law, so he could take the oath.
When Asgot arrived at the port, he did so in his white Godi robes, so his first action was to gather Einar and Kalevi.
As the two of them were standing face to face, he gave them a silver dagger so that they could make a cut in his hand. In that way, his blood would be the proof of his commitment.
Einar and Kalevi then cut the palm of his hand so that the blood will begin to fall to the ground. At that moment Asgot read the commitments and each of them agreed to respect them.
At the end Asgot said a few words in a strange language that no one could understand, but once the ceremony was over, it was over.