SWNOVELS Chapter 5
Sunset was yet two hours away, but the Englishmen began making ready for their move to safer quarters. John communicated this to Olaf, but the Norsemen refused to leave Harald’s body on the beach untended and properly honored. While John informed the English officer in charge, the men began to prepare a burial for their friend. Realizing the beach was their only option, they used their shields to scoop away pebbles, creating a depression that would eventually be a grave for their friend. Before long, they were joined by English soldiers, assisting with long handled shovels they brought from their wagons, including the young man whose weapon had halted Harald’s charge.
With the grave dug, they then laid their brother in the ground, again arranging rocks around the body in the outline of a ship. His sword and shield were laid with him, placed in the same positions as before. Ebbn began to sing the funeral dirge one final time, after which Olaf once more recited the psalm and said parting words in honor of Harald’s life. As Ebbn scooped earth onto his shield to begin the process of burying his brother’s remains, the young soldier hurried to the graveside with the offending weapon. He lie down on the ground, hanging over the edge of the hole, and gently lay his weapon at Harald’s side. Ebbn laid aside his shield and leapt into the grave. For a moment, Olaf feared he may need to intervene, but almost immediately, his friend climbed back out of the grave holding Harald’s scramasax or fighting knife by the blade. Ebbn knelt beside the young man who now looked ready to flee. With two hands, the Norseman held the knife out to the soldier.
“My brother, Harald, would have appreciated your noble gift. Please accept his scramasax in return. Know that I do not hold vengeful thoughts toward you. I recognize my brother’s fault was equal to your own.”
The young man shook his head, not understanding what Ebbn was saying to him. Quickly, John interpreted; urging the soldier to reach out and receive the offering. The man followed John’s instruction timidly speaking as he did so.
“He gives you his thanks,” translated John. “He also expresses great sorrow and regret over the loss of this man’s life.”
Ebbn nodded, thrusting his arm out to the young man, his palm open. John spoke a few gentle words of explanation in his own language. In response, the young man grasped Ebbn’s arm at the elbow with his hand. The large, Norseman pulled the soldier toward himself, embracing him vigorously, releasing him, and then standing. He picked up his shield, using it to throw the earth upon Harald’s corpse. The young man stood, picked up one of the shovel, and joined him. Together the two men finished committing Harald the Black, mighty warrior, to his final rest and in the process formed a bond that would not easily be broken.