- #18
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Ch 105 summary:
-"Living in this world is quite hard, and even so you wish for freedom?"
-The tern catches Thorfinn's attention and asks Halfdan whether he has it for a long time. Halfdan clarifies that he only got it recently from Sigurd, who thought it would make him happy catching it for him. He tells Thorfinn if he wants it he can have it, though he doesn't know how it will taste. Thorfinn clarifies he doesn't intend to eat it and if it's alright he's going to set it free. Halfdan warns him that the bird is too weak and won't be able to make it, and Thorfinn says "let's leave it up to the bird".
-When they take it out of the cage the bird ignores the food and flies away. Halfdan comments that Thorfinn is as impudent as his father. Thorfinn asks Halfdan whether he was friends with his father, and Halfdan replies don't joke around, he couldn't stand Thors, the same goes for him. Halfdan then gets down to business and asks Thorfinn about what they have back home to use as collateral. Thorfinn explains that he just came back home and can't use his mother or sister's possessions in the deal; all he has is his own life. Halfdan responds that the amount he's going to lend him will depend on the value of the collateral, and if he doesn't possess anything of value then they can't talk.
-Halfdan talks about the people that he had lent money to in the past and how man is foolish in the sense if he were given a choice between his life and pride, he will choose his pride in most cases. Those were the people he enjoyed stripping them from their possessions and pride the most. He then presents a condition: if he kissed his shoe(s), he will think about lending him money. To Halfdan's surprise, Thorfinn reacts "is that all, what foot will it be? the right? the left? or both?" And when Thorfinn gets down on his knees and about to do as he was told Halfdan draws back his foot and says he was joking.
-While playing chess with his father, Sigurd tells him they should think of a way to prevent Thorfinn from getting funds and get Leif back to their side. Halfdan tells him to let it go, there are people other than Leif who know the route to Vinland. Halfdan then recalls his talk with Thorfinn and comments both Thorfinn and his father are quite obnoxious.
-Instead of money, Halfdan gives Thorfinn 24 narwhale horns and invites him to the wedding. Leif comments that Halfdan is challenging Thorfinn and testing his resolve to go to Vinland: if they made money from the horns, he will fund them, though starting that kind of trade will be difficult.
