Межзвёздный скиталец
Chapter 17
SoIshallbriefenandnomorethanhintatthebeginningsofit.
Nowallisclearandsharpsavetheverybeginning.Ineverknewmymother.IwastoldthatIwastempest-born,onabeakedshipintheNorthernSea,ofacapturedwoman,afteraseafightandasackofacoastalstronghold.Ineverheardthenameofmymother.Shediedattheheightofthetempest.ShewasoftheNorthDanes,sooldLingaardtoldme.HetoldmemuchthatIwastooyoungtoremember,yetlittlecouldhetell.Aseafightandasack,battleandplunderandtorch,aflightseawardinthelongshipstoescapedestructionupontherocks,andakillingstrainandstruggleagainstthefrosty,founderingseas—who,then,shouldknowaughtormarkastrangerwomaninherhourwithherfeetfastsetonthewayofdeath?Manydied.Menmarkedthelivingwomen,notthedead.
Sharp-bittenintomychildimaginationaretheincidentsimmediatelyaftermybirth,astoldmebyoldLingaard.Lingaard,toooldtolabouratthesweeps,hadbeensurgeon,undertaker,andmidwifeofthehuddledcaptivesintheopenmidships.SoIwasdeliveredinstorm,withthespumeofthecrestingseassaltuponme.
NotmanyhoursoldwasIwhenTostigLodbrogfirstlaideyesonme.Hiswastheleanship,andhisthesevenotherleanshipsthathadmadetheforay,fledtherapine,andwonthroughthestorm.TostigLodbrogwasalsocalledMuspell,meaning“TheBurning”;forhewaseveraflamewithwrath.
