Arnulf found himself rising, just as Skallagrim had, and held out his hand to detain the man, just as he himself turned. "Something you wish to say, Arnulf Kjalarson?"

I think he knows what I offered to Haakon...but what is this about local support? How can I counter that? Arnulf was certain that he saw his future with the lovely Sigyn growing faint, yet he was loath to give up so easily. He had never meant to disavow the offer he had made so rashly, merely to find out what Skallagrim knew, and now that things had come to the proper point, something new was thrown into the scales.

Arnulf chose his words carefully, not wishing to offend this proud man he hoped would soon be his brother-in-law. "It pains me to say this, Skallagrim, but I think your reasoning is faulty. Though times have been lean, Fjell yet remains the most powerful steading in the area, and the alliance just sealed betwixt Eirik and Gudrun makes it even more so..." he held up his hand to forestall the warrior's comment.

"You have only one more sister in Sigyn, that would bring at most a few supporters in council, and perhaps a few more should an attack be made on your lands. Once she is married off, either to me or someone else, the only choices left you are your own marriage, and that of Haakon."

Skallagrim frowned at these words, for the truth had a bitter taste...he was not yet ready for marriage, and he doubted whether his brother felt any keener on the subject! There was still much adventuring to be done, both in the field and in the bed chamber. "Say on, friend merchant..."

Arnulf swallowed, for his next words were crucial--should Skallagrim dismiss them out of hand, he was lost. He resumed his seat, and motioned for the tall viking to do the same. "You speak..." and Arnulf smiled, "as if marriage were the only way to gain support from your neighbors--but there is another way." At Skallagrim's questioning look, he went on.

"The way I speak of gives a man more choices than the number of his marriageable relatives would allow. Everyone knows that the land holder gets the support of his tenants in the Thing and in case of attack...all you need do is acquire more land. And the bride-price I offer will be of great use in that task!"

It seemed that the concept was eluding Skallagrim, so Arnulf went on with his explanation of economics. "Skallagrim, with the bride-price I give for Sigyn, you can buy the land from your neighbors, making you the land-holder! You will speak with a bigger voice than before, and are limited only by the amount of silver in your purse!"

"If I buy the land, then the only tenants I have are peasants and thralls...that doesn't help me at all! The previous owners will take their gold and settle elsewhere."

"Times are hard, Skallagrim...few can take such a risk, for things might be worse where ever they go. You must give them reason to stay, and support you. Buy their land...my friend Rurik can tell you which holders are in need of cash...and then make them such a bargain that they will want to stay on your lands."

"What bargain would any man take to work another's lands if he were free?" Skallagrim sounded skeptical.

"Perhaps this: you ask only their support in the Thing, and in case of attack--and you provide the same service. You ask for nothing else in repayment...in hard times; in good times you ask for a half-tenth portion of their crops or stock, the rest would be theirs to keep, and sell."

Skallagrim thought this over for some time. He was no fool. "And what happens when they should want their land back?"

Arnulf smiled again, somewhat wolfishly, the viking thought. "A man need not sell his land against his will--you bought it out-right, not as part of a loan agreement."

Skallagrim nodded, and rose once more. "I must think on it...we will talk again tomorrow or the next day."

As he departed, Arnulf too got to his feet, and started down the slope to the steading, calling out before catching up with the taller man. "Think of this too, Skallagrim Larson...should we reach an agreement on the bride-price--and I am willing to raise my offer--I would think it only right to give youa gift for all your troubles!"