By the winter of 1029 AD, the "Worthless Swamp" had been transformed into a highly efficient, fortified wooden manor. Astrid ran the hospital, keeping the 150 refugees in perfect health despite the English plagues. Sahra and Amina ran the ledgers.
The local English Lords were furious. A group of foreign refugees, led by a woman, was out-producing them.
Three English Barons complained to Emperor Cnut. They accused Runa of using witchcraft to dry the swamp and demanded heavy taxes be placed on her harvest to cripple her.
Cnut summoned Runa to his royal court in Winchester.
Runa walked into the massive throne room. She did not bow like a peasant. She stood tall, dressed in black, holding a thick, leather-bound book—The Kitab al-Amlaq (The English Book).
The English Barons sneered at her. "She is a witch, my Emperor! The land was cursed, and she grew food from poison! Seize her harvest!"
Runa opened the book. She didn't use magic. She used Accounting.
"Emperor Cnut," Runa said smoothly, speaking in perfect, highly-educated court Norse. "Under the Danelaw, tax is extracted based on the arable acreage at the time of the land grant. You granted us a swamp, valued at zero silver. We improved the land with our own labor. Furthermore, under the Royal Charter you signed with my Father three years ago, Axiomran citizens are exempt from local Baronial tolls."
She slapped a copy of the treaty Bilal had signed with Cnut onto the table.
"My Father may be dead," Runa said, staring dead into the eyes of the Emperor, "but his ink is still wet. I owe these Barons nothing. But... because Axiomra is generous, I will sell you our surplus barley at a ten percent discount, to feed your standing army."
The English Barons were dumbfounded. A 29-year-old woman had just defeated them in a court of law using compound land valuation, contract law, and a supply-chain bribe.
Emperor Cnut burst out laughing. It was a booming, terrifying sound.
"She is the Giant's daughter, indeed!" Cnut roared, slamming his fist on the armrest. He pointed at the Barons. "If any of you touch her land, I will feed you to the ravens. The tax exemption stands!"
As Runa walked out of the throne room, Prince Haakon (now a powerful man in Cnut's court) fell into step beside her.
"You look like him when you argue," Haakon whispered, a sad smile on his face.
Runa didn't smile back. She looked out toward the East.
"I am keeping the machine running, Haakon," Runa said softly, touching the cover of the English Book. "Because if I stop... I will have to remember that he is gone. And if I remember that, I will not survive the night."