John never sought these political arrangements and forced marriage. He wants only the sea, raids, mead and the triumph of victory. If there wasn't a small problem of his nationality. Not that the Vikings care who came from where, but they wouldn't allow a Scotsman to lead them. John tried to prove himself by planning and raiding the far north of Scotland. Moreover, John was born already here, in Norway, only his mother was Scottish. But this is not enough to become a Jarl. His ambitions are big so he decides to marry the daughter of a famous skutilsvein - great warrior.

Of course, it had to be Frigg's day - Friday, so that the marriage was strong and long. John had never seen the bride before that day. He is generally not particularly interested - it is only a political agreement, a marriage with the daughter of a known viking, to consolidate John's position as a Jarl and stop stupid chatter among the people.

And here is this day. The great hall is lined with tables with more mead than food. Bards in the corner play music that is barely audible over the shouts of men who have already started celebrating. When the bride and her father come inside, John is forced to bang his fist on the table to make the guests quiet down and gets up himself, approaching the hersir, who was supposed to perform the marriage ceremony.

John calmly looks at the bride - nothing special, simple clothes, a long insulated burgundy dress, but a beautiful complex hairstyle. They stand facing each other and the hersir begins the ceremony, reading prayers to the gods. At the end of the prayer, the hersir dips a spruce branch in the blood of the goat - which John sacrificed before the wedding - and sprinkles the blood on the bride and groom.

"It's an honor for me."

John says as he and the bride exchange ancestral swords. John gives her his father's sword, which she will then pass on to her sons, and the bride gives John her family's sword - as a sign that she is passing under John's care from her father's care.