Buy Arms

The dawn painted the Icelandic sky in hues of pink and gold, as Hadar and Olaf, the father-son duo of the Herut family, rose before the first light. Laden with provisions of dried meat and steaming hot water, they saddled their mounts—an agile crossbred Sharma for Hadar and a gentle old horse for Olaf—and embarked on the journey to Dagang.

In the quietude of the morning, Herut Village basked in the tranquil aura of the white hazel forest. Hadar, renowned for his equestrian prowess, had long been a revered figure in these parts. His son, Olaf, with a heart eager to learn, found himself under the patient tutelage of his father, gaining mastery of the intricate art of horse riding with every passing mile.

Olaf's steed, an old and docile horse, proved to be the ideal companion for a novice. As they set out, the horses, at first ambling leisurely, gradually transitioned into a swift trot. Hadar, ever the mentor, seized the opportunity to share his wisdom on the nuances of horse riding, imparting lessons to Olaf who, with his burgeoning strength and intelligence, quickly absorbed the teachings.

As the duo approached the southern outskirts of Dagang, the distant tolling of church bells resonated through the air, signaling the culmination of the morning Mass. Olaf, wiping the beads of sweat from his face, commented, "Has it truly been over an hour?"

Hadar, glancing at the ascending sun, cracked a reassuring smile and responded, "Not far now, let us press on."

Another hour passed, and the cobblestone streets of Reykjavík, Iceland's bustling heart, lay beneath their hooves. The duo navigated through the city's main thoroughfare, arriving at the North End cathedral—a grand edifice that stood as a testament to the island's spirituality.

The horses were tethered, and father and son made their way into the sacred halls. Sunday, a day of reverence, had just witnessed the conclusion of Mass. As the congregants filed out, Hadar and Olaf waited patiently, entering the cathedral only when the last echoes of hymns faded away.

Inside, the ambience was hushed, with two priests tidying the arcane instruments. Atop the elevated platform stood a man adorned in the white robes of an elder, issuing instructions with an air of authority.

Approaching the sacred space, Hadar, with a solemn bow and the sign of the cross, introduced himself, "Hadar, the lost lamb of Herut Village in the white hazel forest, seeking the grace of the Lord!"

The elder, acknowledging Hadar's presence, responded in kind, "The Lord forgives His children and blesses His followers! Mr. Hadar." With a stern gesture of the cross, he turned his attention to Olaf, inquiring about the nature of their relationship.

Olaf respectfully explained, "This is my father, Elder Hongrod!"

Recognition dawned in Hongrod's eyes as he warmly shook hands, "I remember, Mr. Hadar, the brother of our great Icelandic explorer, Hagrid. Tales of the Herut family's exploits have reached my ears!"

Feeling the warmth of Hongrod's reception, Hadar began to unveil the true purpose of their visit, "Elder Hongrod, I come to you today on a matter of business. As you are aware, I am the proprietor of a merchant ship. In these tumultuous times, with the Protestant Alliance clashing against the Holy Roman Empire, piracy runs rampant. I seek to safeguard my vessel and its cargo, and thus, I inquire if you might have muskets available for purchase."

Hongrod, not only a man of the cloth but also a shrewd businessman, discerned the gravity of Hadar's request. Well acquainted with the brewing feud between Hadar and Siegfors, the man who had cast ominous threats upon the Herut family, Hongrod realized that this transaction was not solely about self-defense. A subtle smile played on his lips as he responded, "In these times of war, as His Majesty Christian endeavors to secure victory, the demand for muskets and ammunition has surged. However, I must caution you; openly dealing in such goods would be deemed treasonous."

Olaf, with historical insights shaping his understanding, couldn't help but murmur about King Christian IV's recent setbacks. Yet, he keenly awaited his father's response, sensing that Hongrod's intentions extended beyond mere caution.

With an air of nonchalance, Hongrod continued, "Our allies, Britain and France, staunch supporters of Denmark, regularly furnish considerable funds and military supplies, including muskets. Should you be genuinely interested, I propose acquiring them from England, shipping to Copenhagen, and having a portion deducted for dispatch to Iceland. The cost may be higher, but it is a plausible course of action."