Page 27 of The Very Virile Viking

He looked around and saw that she was right. People were staring at them with great interest. Was it their unique attire, or the fact that he had so many children, or the sight of his gold coin?

"Listen, Magnus, I saw a small coin shop in the strip mall outside, next to Wal-Mart. Why don't you go there and see what they'll give you for your coin while I take care of things here? I'll meet you at the van."

He agreed, reluctantly, and stomped off with Njal and Hamr trailing behind him. No way was he letting those two out of his sight in this land of myriad mischief opportunities.

When they were all strapped into their respective seats in the van a half hour later and all their packages

were stowed in the back with his chests, Angela asked him, "Well, how did you do? Did they buy your coin?" There was a smirk on her face which led Magnus to believe that she had no confidence in his ability to make such a transaction.

Wench, did no one ever tell you that 'tis unwise to push a Viking too far? You will learn that there is payment to be exacted for every insult you toss a Norseman's way. "Yea, I sold my coin," he said, but he injected a miserable tone into his voice. "I suspect I was cheated. The coin merchant was too happy over our transaction. In truth, he begged me to come back with any other coins I have."

"How much?" she demanded to know.

He shrugged. "The worst part is that it's all in parchment."

"Parchment?" she inquired.

"Yea, just like yours."

She frowned. "You mean paper money. Come on, Magnus. Spill the beans. How much did the man give you?"

It was with much hesitation and even more feigned embarrassment that he pulled a pile of parchment from his belt pouch. The pile was so high he had barely been able to stuff it all into his pouch.

"Magnus!" she exclaimed. "Those are hundred dollar bills. Let me see."

She took the pile into her lap and began to count. It took her a long time to finish. When she did, she gazed at him with amazement. "There's ten thousand dollars here and a check for forty thousand more."

"Is that a great amount?"

"It is a very great amount. Do you have any more of those coins?"

Chestfuls. "A few," he lied. "How much do I owe you?"

She took one of the parchment sheets from him.

"Only one?" His eyes grew wide as he comprehended just how valuable the coin must have been.

"It must have been an antique coin."

"Antique! 'Tis no more antique than I am."

"Well, don't sell any more till I put you in touch with some reputable dealer."

"Why did you send me to this man if he was not reputable?"

"How was I supposed to know you had some authentic antique coin?"

"I am telling you, that coin was not antique. Here, look at this coin. It is just like the one I sold." He took another coin out of his pouch and showed it to her.

" Eoforwic? Where is that?" she asked, turning the coin over, examining both sides carefully.

"That is the Saxon name for Jorvik… or York. Jorvik is the Viking capital of Britain. And as far as I know, those coins were minted last year. Does it not have an imprint on it of Aethelred the Unready, the British all-king?"

She stared at him for a long time before asking in a suffocated whisper, "Who… are… you?"

Chapter Five

No rest for the weary, or confused…