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Thorstein Camp
Thorstein Camp is north of Einar's Skerry, in Torvaldsland It is a camp of fighting men, controlling the countryside for 50 pasangs The men of the camp take tribute from the surrounding farms Thorstein, of Thorstein's Camp, is the Jarl One case interested us in particular. A young man, not more than sixteen, was preparing to defend himself against a large burly fellow, bearded and richly helmeted. "He is a famous champion," said Ivar, whispering to me, nodding to the large burly fellow. "He is Bjarni of Thorstein Camp." Thorstein Camp, well to the south, but yet north of Einar’s Skerry, was a camp of fighting men, which controlled the countryside about it, for some fifty pasangs, taking tribute from the farms. Thorstein of Thorstein’s Camp was their Jarl. Marauders The camp is built on an island in the inlet of Thorstein Camp It is made of wood and surrounded by a palisade The camp was of wood, surrounded by a palisade, built on an island in an inlet, called the inlet of Thorstein Camp, formally known as the inlet of Parsit, because of the rich fishing there. The stake in this challenge was the young man’s sister, a comely, blond lass of fourteen, with braided hair. She was dressed in the full regalia of a free woman of the north. The clothes were not rich, but they were clean, and her best. She wore two brooches; and black shoes. The knife had been removed from the sheath at her belt; she stood straight, but her head was down, her eyes closed; about her neck, knotted, was a rope, it fastened to a stake in the ground near the dueling square. She was not otherwise secured. "Forfeit the girl," said Bjarni of Thorstein Camp, addressing the boy, "and I will not kill you." "I do not care much for the making women of Torvaldsland bond," said Ivar. "It seems improper," he whispered to me. "They are of Torvaldsland!" "Where is the boy’s father?" I asked one who stood next to me. "He was slain in an avalanche," said the man. I gathered then that the boy was then owner of the farm. He had become, then, the head of his household. It was, accordingly, up to him to defend as best he could, against such a challenge. Marauders Thorstein Camp has no need for free women "Why do you challenge a baby?" asked Ivar Forkbeard. Bjarni looked upon him, not pleasantly. "I want the girl for Thorstein Camp," he said. "I have no quarrel with children." "Will she be branded there, and collared?" asked Ivar. "Thorstein Camp has no need for free women." "She is of Torvaldsland," said Ivar. "She can be taught to squirm and carry mead as well as any other wench," said Bjarni. Marauders gorean_librarian@yahoo.com 
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