Arnulf could not believe his luck! This stop at Fjell had turned into far more than a routine trading session...he had found something worth far more than the usual goods--a wife! Now came the hardest part, winning her consent: for a viking woman had very much to say about her future, and could not just be ordered off to any who sought her hand. Arnulf allowed his smile to grow, and he felt his tension ease, he had not realized how much he hoped for this answer.

"Skallagrim...no, brother if I may call you that? I think you know what I offered your brother for Sigyn's hand, and I intend very much to keep that agreement--in fact, I will make it an even hundred gold pieces--but I require a bit of time on the three bundles of silk--I have only two at present." Arnulf held up his hand to put off any comment Skallagrim might make.

"My brother Freyr is due back from the Roman Sea within weeks, and he always has a bit of silk and other fine goods to trade. I will purchase the remaining bolt of silk from him, and gift it to your family with the rest of the bride price. As you have been so accomodating, I think I might be able to get a nice young slave girl from him as a present for your trouble, or perhaps some other item you might wish...what do you say to that?"