Haakon glanced at Thorir Thorolfson. Sigyn was knocked senseless, and Thorir looked at her with concern in his eyes. Then he looked at Haakon. "I didn't mean to hit her quite so hard. Still, she breathes, and there doesn't appear to be any damage. She fell softly." Thorir looked back down at the girl who was like a sister to him. Then he looked back at Haakon. "Well, my friend, let's get on with it, shall we?"

Haakon grinned at his best friend. "Yes, it is time." Walking to Sigyn, he checked her breathing and finding it normal, motioned to some servants. "Take her inside, and take good care of her. If she wakes up again in the next few minutes, give her a broth to drink, laced with a sleeping draught. She doesn't need to watch what is going to happen." The servants nodded their assent and took Sigyn away. Gudrun made as if to follow, concern written on her face for young Sigyn.

"Gudrun," Haakon spoke quietly, and his tone made Gudrun turn to him. Haakon's eyes were flinty. "I take no pleasure in sacrificing you. You have been a boon to Sigyn, and I thank you for that. Your words and actions just now prove that you have a Danish heart, if nothing else. Nevertheless, something must be done to restore my family's prosperity. I must accompany Ragnar, and I must go in a manner befitting my . . . our family's history. To do that, I must have a proper ship and the blessings of the gods. This will accomplish that."

Gudrun looked steadily back at Haakon. "I understand your reasons Haakon, even if I don't agree with them. Let's get this over with. I am ready." With that, Gudrun turned and walked towards the fine warship waiting in the harbor. Haakon looked admiringly at her for a moment before he and Thorir followed along.

Haakon looked about the steading as they moved towards the harbor. It still functioned efficiently, and his people were good and strong. His younger brother, Skallagrim, would run the steading well. Off in the distance, Haakon noticed the approach of his neighbor and close ally, Eirik. Eirik would be joining him a Viking along with Thorir and others. But the party accompanying Eirik seemed overly large. And he brought a fine pair of horses with him. Haakon was curious, and he ordered Gudrun to stop. There they waited for Eirik to arrive.

Shortly, he reached them. Stepping up to Haakon, Eirik grasped his arm in greeting. "Haakon, I bring provisions for our trip, along with some men who are willing to accompnay us." Eirik gestured back to the accompanying train. Still, Haakon believed the crowd too large for just this.

"You and your men are welcome. They can quarter here until we depart of course. And your provisions are welcome also. Still, your party seems overly large. What else brings you?" Ever blunt, Haakon looked his neighbor in the eye, challenging him to be forthright. He was not disappointed. Ever up to a challenge, Eirik spoke straight.

"I want Gudrun." A look of pure surprise and momentary confusion crossed Haakon's face. "I know this is sudden, but I have been watching her for some time now, my friend. She is a comely wench, and a good housekeeper. Her cooking is among the best I have tasted. She would make me a good wife, and it would draw our two families closer together. What say you?"

Haakon looked closely at Eirik. The man was in earnest. Surprised his friend was willing to marry an outsider and a Christian, Haakon had other problems. It left Haakon in a quandary. What to do for the sacrifice. "I am sorry, my friend. I have already promised that she will be the blood sacrifice for the naming and launching of my ship. Without her, I have nothing important enough to offer."

Eirik smiled. "I can help with that. The gods surely do not require such as her. Instead, I have brought these two matched white horses for you. They are the prize of my father's herd. I offer them in exchange for Gudrun. Use them for your sacrifice."

Haakon considered the offer for several moments. He looked at Thorir whose eyes twinkled in merriment. Ever finding humor, Thorir was no use currently. Haakon looked back at Eirik. "It is a deal. I never really wanted to kill her anyway. Gudrun! It is your lucky day. Eirik here has consented to marry you and offers these two horses as my sacrifice. I have accepted. You will marry Eirik. Go to your new husband."

With that, Haakon grabbed the reins of the horses, and led them down to the ship. Thorir followed closely behind, as did many of the people of the steading. The sacrifice and naming of a ship were not to be missed. Behind the crowd, Gudrun and Eirik stood; Eirik with a smile on his face, Gudrun with a look of bewilderment at her sudden turn of luck.