The Oath of Atalaq from Od's Hala

## The Oath of Atalaq

This is the Oath-Poem which a Stormcrow of Atalaq gave to create peace between two fighting halas of Semersuaq and Skarsind. When much later did the Thule wipe out the Hala of Od then the children of this hala were taken in by that of Athan in remembrance of this oath.

===Recorded by Liissá Sigeing (formerly of Od's Hala)

There has been strife between Od of Semersuaq and Athan of Skarsind;

But now peace has been made between them,

  and amends made

  as the stormcrows seemed

  and the judges judged

  and the thanes thought.

  Hath the offer been taken

  as even-handed,

  with full fees

  and forth-paid thrones,

  to them handseled

  who are as family.

Ye shall henceforth be brothers

  at peace and pledged

  at ale and eating,

  at Anvil, at folk-moot,

  at coming and going

  and in thane’s hala;

and wherever men gather together, there shall ye be so agreed as though this matter had never come between you. Ye shall share

  both steel and steaks

both fostering and family

both coin and company

  and all the things

  that are betwixt you,

  like friends and not like foes.

And if, later, strife arise between you twain and things be not in good case, then shall it

  be settled by fees,

  but no swords reddened.

But that one of you

  who is traitor to this truce

  and goes against word given,

he shall be

  as ill outlaw

  hunted and hated,

  so far as men ever

  an outlaw hunt,

  as dying folk

  visit the Labyrinth,

  as all good folk

  have hallowed shrines,

  as fire doth flame

  and earth is green,—

  as babe calleth mother,

  and mother suckles child,

  as folks kindle fire,

  as ships sail the sea,

  and shields are borne,

  as the sun shineth,

  snow drifteth,

  Suaq glideth,

  fir-tree groweth,

  as falcon flie’th

  on a fair summer-day

  with a brisk-blowing breeze

  under both his wings,

  as the sky arches

  and earth is tilled,

  wind doth howl,

  waters flow seaward,

  and seed is sown.

  He shall shun

crows and dedicated ones,

  Eternal house and men’s homes—

  every abode

  but those of the frayed.

Now hold ye both this book on which lies also the money which Semersuaq’s Od offers as redress for himself and his heir.

  born or unborn,

  begotten or unbegotten,

  named or unnamed.

Skarsind’s Athan accepts this composition, and Od of Sermersuaq swears an everlasting peace. It is to hold

  the while earth lasteth,

  and live on it men.

Now, then, are Athan of Skarsind and Od of Semersuaq

  agreed and at one,

  where’er they may meet—

  on shore or on water,

  on ship or on snow-shoe,

  on high sea or on horseback,

  to share in the rowing

  or in baling out,

  on bench or on deck,

  if need there be,

  at one with each other

  as is father with son

  or son with father,

  in all their dealings.

Now Od of Semersuaq and Athan of Skarsind shall clasp hands: hold ye well this truce, to the liking of the Way and of all the men who have now heard this oath of peace.

  May he have Virtue

  who holds this truce,

  but his wrath, who rives

  rightful truce—

  his grace, he who holds it!

Be ye now happy and at peace!

  Witnesses be we

  who about you stand!