"Wealth that they stole from others?"
"Perhaps. Yes, sometimes. It does not matter where they got their riches from."
"You wanted to be wealthy? Is that why you took these things?"
The boy flattened his lips and nodded. "If we have money, enough to buy food, my mother will not need to be married. I do not want her to marry again."
Gunnar could envision no circumstances whatsoever in which he would permit Mairead to take another husband but he did not say that. Instead he picked up on the boy's last remark. "Why do you not want that?"
"I do not want another stepfather. They are mean. They make me scared and my mother cries."
"Not all men would do that." Even as he uttered the words he knew the boy would not be convinced. Why would he be? The weak and powerless took what was handed to them.
"I do not want it. If we have enough money..."
"You have a home here, and plenty of food. There will be no new husband, no stepfather."
"But, you will sell us again. When you get tired of us, or need more money, you will sell us. Then what will happen?"
Gunnar was incredulous. This he had never expected. "I will not sell you. Why would I wish to do that?"
The lad shrugged. "It is what happens, that is all. You are kind, my mother says so, but you are a Viking and..." The boy stopped, his lip quivering as though he knew he had said too much.
Gunnar leaned forward, his elbows on his knees as he peered down into the small, scared features. "I am a Viking, this is true. And I take what I want, because I can. You are right about that also, and you are right that I am strong. I will protect what is mine.Youare mine, so is your mother and your sister. I will protect all of you."
"Yes, but?—"
Gunnar picked up the amulet. "You were also right about this, about where I got it from. I make no apology for my way of life, but I do understand your resentment and your confusion. The best I can find to say to you is that it is wrong to steal from your friends, your family, your master, and those who live aboutyou. We take care of each other and find safety that way. Does this make sense? Any sense at all?"
"I... I suppose so. Will you beat me now?"
"I will not. I promised your mother that I would not harm you. I will punish you though, because it is against our laws to steal from one another and you must atone for what you have done."
The boy hung his head, silent.
"Weylin has told me you have spent a lot of time in the stables while you have been here. You enjoy working with horses?"
"Yes, Jarl."
"That is good, but for the coming sennight you will confine yourself to the longhouse and do chores in here. You will help Aigneis. I expect to see you sweeping, preparing vegetables, helping with the washing. You will do just as Aigneis says. Is that clear?"
"A whole week?"
"A week, yes. And that is not all. You will return each of these items to the person you took it from and apologise to them."
The boy grimaced, but managed a small nod. Gunnar scrutinised the amulet he still held in his hand. "I will demonstrate." He held out the piece to the boy. "I took this from your people. I apologise. Please accept it back."
The lad stepped away from him, perplexed.
"It is rightly yours," Gunnar continued. "Please take it."
"Mine? How is it mine?"
"By your own explanation. This is a valuable piece, easily valuable enough to purchase your own freedom and that of your family, should the need arise. If I do ever decide to sell you, you can buy yourself."
"You are giving this to me? To keep?"
"I am giving itbackto you. Yes, it is yours, to keep and to use as you will. You now have the wealth you sought, and therefore no further need to steal from those around you. Are we quite clear on this matter?"
