A Norseman's Legend
Chapter 9
Katarina felt consumed by hatred and was more alone now than she ever was in the four years that she played the part of Katarn. She had to keep herself reserved for the entire burial ceremony of her father, for the safety of her true identity. Kell stood close by her, but, being the only one who knew it was her, had to remain rigid and unemotional.
“Katarn, we must build our armies again,” a Viking warrior said after the ceremony.
“Are we under attack?” Katarn replied.
“No, but now that the jarl is gone, we must be ready for anything, especially from those trying to gain the throne,” he answered, looking over at Kell.
“What do you mean by that?” Katarn asked, following the Viking’s stare.
“There’s been talk among the clan, sire. They say that Kell is not one of us, that he plans to take over Valhale by force.”
“I don’t believe it!” Katarn exclaimed.
“I just don’t trust him, sire,” he said, walking away.
* * * * *
“What’s wrong, Kat?” Kell asked, in her bedchamber that afternoon. Katarina sat at her vanity pinning her curls up in a bun to place under her cap.
“I’m worried, Kell,” was her reply.
“About what?”
“About my mother, about me, about you!”
“Well, no matter what you think, your mother is in good hands. My father would never lay a hand on her. As for you, you are also in good hands. I assure you, as Katarn or not, my Kat will not be harmed when I’m around,” he said, smiling at her.
“And what about you?” she questioned, eyeing him through the mirror.
“Glad you asked that question, Kat.”
“Why?” she seemed confused.
“We need to discuss a most important issue,” he smirked.
“And that would be?” she prodded.
“Your crown,” he stated. “Now don’t get alarmed when I tell you this, but there has been talk about getting rid of Katarn to gain Valhale.”
“Let them!” Katarina said. “I don’t want to be Katarn anymore! I’m sick of lowering my voice to talk like a boy! I’m sick of giving orders! I’m sick of trying to be someone I’m not!”
“Kat, you don’t have to be Katarn anymore. Just tell the clan you want someone else to lead them- someone like me,” Kell beamed.
“You?! What on earth would possess you to want to be Valhale’s jarl?” Katarina turned around to find a sly look on his face. “Kell, what’s going on? You’re keeping something from me!”
“Not at all, Kat, not at all,” he laughed.
* * * * *
“What now, Katarn? You have become our leader for so long, we naturally turn to you for help. Our jarl is gone and soon longboats will plague our shores unless we establish a leader.”
The council of warriors sat at a long table in the great hall that evening. Seated in the center was Katarn, pondering what it was they were asking of him. He could not volunteer himself for the position, for his disguise would soon be discovered. He did not know whether they trusted Kell enough either, so volunteering him was out also.
“What about Katarina, the jarl’s only heir?” Kell suggested, causing Katarn to shoot a menacing look his way.
“I’m not sure if you know,” the council leader spoke.
“Know what?” Kell tried to look perplexed.
To try to avert the question, Katarn cut into the conversation. “Gentlemen, that girl is not the issue here. What we need is to find a leader.”
“Yes, sire,” the warrior replied. “I was merely making this boy aware that his long-ago friend is no longer presiding here in Valhale.”
“I see. Well, Councilor, what we need is not an argument over the whereabouts of a jarl’s daughter but a quest to see who is worthy to be called jarl,” Katarn said.
“What kind of a quest?” the council leader asked.
“There is a maiden across the seas. Her name has not be spoken for almost fifteen years but she is an important part of the history of Valhale. Astrid was the lady of the clan to which you will seek out. The clues are there, now the quest has begun.”
“What are we to do when we find this maiden?” another warrior asked.
“Bring her back to Valhale of course,” was Katarn’s reply.
“But that would mean a war against that clan!” the warrior argued.
“That woman must be brought back to Valhale, at all costs!” Katarn shouted, his voice echoing through the hall.
“But starting a war for a quest is insane! We need more motive than that!”
“Use the jarl as a motive! Avenge his death! Unless this jarl of yours was not as an important leader as you make him out to be!” Katarn accused.
“Please, sire, with all respect, our jarl meant more to use than life itself! But to go on a quest for a maiden without a name in hopes of bringing her back to Valhale is absurd!”
Kell could see the hurt in Katarina’s eyes, and knew he had to say something. He knew that she would do anything to see her mother again, but from the look of things, her mother would remain at Niflheim forever. Katarina looked flustered as she tried painstakingly to argue her point to these men.
“Katarina is still alive!” Kell shouted over their quarrel. Katarina gave a menacing glare but she knew this time he couldn’t be stopped.
“What is this nonsense?” the council leader shouted back. “She has been gone from Valhale for nearly four years now!”
“No!” Kell shouted. “She is here, among the clan of Valhale and has been for some time!”
One warrior was very skeptical of Kell’s words and answered back, “If she is here, then why does she not reveal herself? The jarl’s daughter would surely not keep herself in hiding when her clans needs her most!”
Katarina felt trapped. If Kell hadn’t said a word about her identity, she wouldn’t have to do what she knew she must. By exposing herself to these warriors, she risked losing her high rank among these men. She didn’t want to be exposed and utterly despised Kell for his outburst. But now the seeds of her fate had been laid out before her and she couldn’t back away.
Kell locked eyes with a cold Katarina and shrugged his shoulders. Katarn stood up and walked, solemnly, around to face the council’s table, as if he was on trial. Slowly, Katarina took off the cap that covered pinned auburn curls. One by one, the curls were taken out of their pins to reveal not a boy but a girl!
“Gentlemen, let me explain,” Katarina said, her voice shaking with fear.
“There is nothing to explain, Kat!” one Viking said. “You have lied to us since the day your father left this port! As leader of this council, I have no choice but to arrest you for treason!”
“No!” Kell said, jumping to her side. “Gentlemen, please, hear her out!”
“We do not wish to hear what this girl has to say!” the head of the council said sternly but was interrupted when another warrior whispered into his ear. “All right. Since you have proven yourself as an excellent warrior these past few years, you have a right to a fair trial. First you must answer a few questions before true judgement is set upon you.”
“Yes,” was all Katarina could say as she looked wearily at her “friend”.
“First, how did you come by that sword? It is not one most commonly used by Valhale warriors,” one Viking asked.
“My father gave it to me before he left Valhale,” she said defiantly.
“Ok, then where did you get your clothes?” another questioned.
“I stole them from the servants and the squires, piece by piece!” Katarina said, more aggravated than ever.
“So then where did you learn how to fight?” another asked.
“My father allowed me to practice with the squires before they became knights.”
“So, then you aren’t a true Viking warrior!” the leader of the council accused.
“No! My father knighted me on the eve of his journey to sea!” Katarina defended herself.
“We have no proof of this!” one Viking shouted.
“Yes, we do!” Kell shouted back. “I am her witness. I was there when she learned to fight!”
“But, again, there is no proof she was knighted!” the warrior argued.
Katarina was appalled by what was going on around her. She was not only being treated as an inferior to their gender, but also being treated as a common criminal. As daughter of the jarl, she still obtained her title and used it to her advantage as she held her head high and defied the council.
“I am the jarl’s daughter, his flesh and blood! I do not need to justify or prove my actions or worth to this council! Now, as stated before, I want a longboat sent back overseas to get that maiden!”
“We will do nothing of the sort, Katarina!” the council said. “You may be the jarl’s daughter, but you have no power among us! Whoever the woman is you speak of will remain where she is! We will not risk the lives of more warriors so you can be reunited with her, whoever she may be!”
Katarina couldn’t fight any longer. She would soon be forced to submit to the council, as a woman should, and she would never see her mother. She looked over at Kell and a wave of anger swept over her. He did this to her; he was the one that gave her disguise, her secret, away. He promised her she would be with her mother, yet he had now promised her a life in hell!
“Gentlemen, please, have mercy on this girl!” Kell said in her defense.
“Stay out of this, Kell! This is no longer your concern!” Katarina snapped. Kell was taken aback but clamped his mouth shut all the same. “I may be a girl by gender but everyone in this room has seen me fight in battle. I am just as capable as anyone here of wielding a sword and I know I have proven that time and again!” Katarina addressed the council.
“Katarina Valcurrie, please understand that we, the council, hold you in the highest respect because of your title. But, as the governing body of this Port, we must uphold the laws. We have never had a woman warrior and we never will!” the head of the council announced.
Katarina felt like she could cry, but she remained rigid and cold as she stood in front of the council’s table. They dismissed her from the council, stripping Katarn of his title and rank. They told her to go change into more “appropriate” clothes for a lady of her stature, and sent her on her way, Kell towing in her wake.
“I’m sorry, Kat. I thought I was helping,” Kell said sincerely.
“Do me a favor, Kell, leave me alone!” she shouted, walking away.
“Where are you going, Kat?” he stepped in front of her.
“Get out of my way Kell! If the council won’t help me get my mother, then I’ll just do it myself!” she said defiantly.
“Kat, you can’t be serious! Where would you find the longboat? Where would you find the crew? Where would you find the warriors willing to go against their council?” he argued.
“I will find all three and I won’t need yours or the council’s help to do it!” she pushed past him.
“Kat, wait!” but Kell’s words fell upon deaf ears. Katarina stormed off, heading straight for the docks and the taverns to collect her warriors and her longboat.