Islands in the Fog (15 page)

"None of them knew much about the other ships," Ulfrik said, rubbing his face. "Other than they are raiders from Norway. They believe Hardar sought advantage in numbers over us."

"Raiders make bad mercenaries," Snorri said, chuckling.

Ulfrik slumped on the bench. All the tension of the day had left his limbs dead and heavy. The few hours of summer darkness had turned the formerly bright hall into brown murk. Smoke from the guttering hearth searched for the hole on the ceiling. Only a few whale oil lamps still guttered in halos of orange light. His inner circle had changed in the space of a day. With Ari's death, Ulfrik called upon Einar, Snorri's stepson. Thorvald's defection baffled Ulfrik; he normally was as solid as the iron he hammered in his forge. But with him gone, Ulfrik invited Runa to counsel. She sat between him and Toki.

"The prisoners are terrified farmers who want to return to their homes—levies. They'll remain hostages until I can free them. I don't expect trouble. Do you all agree?" Ulfrik scanned the faces for approval. Runa nodded grimly; having been a slave herself she reviled reducing freemen to slavery.

"Good, now we should all rest. But Toki, I have one final matter to discuss: you and Halla."

Toki stared at Ulfrik. He glanced around at the others, who all looked equally surprised. "What do we need to discuss?"

"Is she my hostage or is she your lover?" Ulfrik leaned his face on his palm, and watched Toki blush. He would have found the reaction humorous if it wasn't such a grim predicament. Toki dropped his gaze as everyone waited on his reply. Ulfrik yawned. "I assume your lack of an answer means she's my hostage. I'm sorry to hear that for you, though it plays out easier for me."

"This has all happened so fast. She has never seen war before; she's frightened."

Ulfrik yawned again, ready to collapse. But he needed a solid answer and knew Toki was not going to provide it. "Bring her here and let's settle this tonight."

"But she is probably sleeping."

Ulfrik straightened himself and drove Toki back with his expression alone. Toki's blush deepened. "I'm afraid we didn't leave off in a good place. Runa, would you go? I think she will respond better to a woman."

Runa smiled and stood. "I'll go. But if you think I'm going to be gentle with her, well, you don't know your own sister."

"Bring her alive, wife. Toki, go with her and grant me some peace while you're gone. Snorri and Einar, you two may stay or leave as you wish."

Toki and Runa threw on cloaks against the night chill while Snorri and Einar decided to return home. Ulfrik found his bed and lay down next to his son, who snored beneath a wolf pelt. He drifted into a light sleep, waking short time later to Runa's cold hand on his shoulder.

Ulfrik jolted up, automatically reaching for his sword. Runa squeezed his shoulder and shook him. "They're all waiting for you now. Gunnar is still asleep?"

Runa adjusted the pelt over Gunnar's small body. Ulfrik wiped his eyes, stood, and kissed Runa's head. "Get some sleep."

"I want to see this too. She has a woman's body but a girl's mind. I think she'd be a better hostage than future sister."

Together they returned to the hall. Toki was throwing branches into the hearth to keep the weak fire alive. Halla and her slave sat on a bench positioned to face the high table. She was wrapped in Toki's wool cloak so that only her head showed. Next to her sat a thin slave, shorn hair growing back in uneven lengths. Ulfrik's eyes glided over the slave and settled on Halla. She held her chin up and wore an expression of mock bravery. He could see her trembling.

"Relax, Halla Hardarsdottir. You are not in danger." Ulfrik sat at the high table and Runa joined him.

"You have summoned me in the dark. How can I think otherwise?"

"Because if I summoned you in the light there'd be a line of people eager to seize you. Your father brought us grim business today. I've got twenty-seven men to bury and many more injured. Believe me, my word is all that prevents widows and mothers from ripping your eyes out. Do you understand?"

"I understand." She studied her feet and shifted beneath her cloak. Toki, finished rekindling the hearth, sat at the bench a respectable distance from her. Neither looked at the other.

"I'll come to the point. Up until a few days ago, the two of you risked everything to be together. Now it's all in the open, and you can have what you planned in secret. But it seems you've grown cold on Toki. If you are not his woman, then you are my hostage to your father's behavior. Is this adding up for you?"

Ulfrik let his words hang. He knew the girl was bright enough to comprehend. She appeared to think, then turned to Toki. "I have not grown cold on Toki, as you say Lord Ulfrik. I have been frightened, and I've been ungrateful. Toki has a kind heart, and I enjoy his company."

"I think you're the only one willing to say that these days." Ulfrik meant it in jest, but Toki snapped his head up and Runa elbowed his arm with a frown. "Sorry, I am tired. I'm glad to hear you say so, as I guess Toki is. But you came here seeking refuge from a man you feared. Did you know Vermund is now dead?"

Halla's eyes widened and her cloak unfolded as her hand raised to her mouth. "Dead? What happened?"

"I killed him in battle," Ulfrik said, shooting Toki a silencing look. Runa patted his leg beneath the table, and Ulfrik let a small smile grow. "That is what happens in battle. Men die, and Vermund was one. This time. Now here's another thing to ponder. Your father has taken arms against me. If you are promised to Toki, I can be lenient with him. But his pride is amazing, and he may yet return to fight again. If we meet on the battlefield, only one of us will survive. And I'm certain it will be me. Does this change your heart?"

Halla shrank beneath her cloak, her eyes widening and face growing pale. Ulfrik did not relent in his stare, silently demanding an answer. Panic, confusion, fear, all played out on her face. She seemed unprepared to make a decision, and Ulfrik's fist balled at her wavering. He inhaled to prompt her again, then she spoke.

"I don't want my father to die. But he makes his own choices, and if those lead to death, then I must accept it. That is Fate, which cannot be denied." She glanced around at everyone, including her slave. "I have chosen Toki and he has chosen me, also the work of Fate. All of this loss saddens me, and it cannot be for nothing. If Toki will have me, then I will be his."

Toki slid across the bench to Halla's side, eyes flashing and mouth quivering. Ulfrik shook his head and rolled his eyes at Runa, who simply smiled. Toki took Halla's hands into his own. "Of course, I will have you."

"By the gods it's late," Ulfrik said as he stood. "The last thing I need is to sit through this. So hear my words, both of you. I'm your jarl and you are sworn to obey me in all things. I am sworn to protect you and your property. Let neither side forget the duty to the other. Halla, you are no longer my hostage but part of my home. I cannot guarantee your father's life. But I demand your loyalty."

Halla's eyes brimmed with tears, not joyful ones, Ulfrik suspected. Her voice quavered as she answered. "Yes, Lord Ulfrik. My loyalty is with you now. But I beg you, be kind to my mother. If the worst happens, please allow her to join me here. She needs me."

"I make no guarantees. I will treat her fairly, on that you have my word. Now all of you leave and let me sleep."

When they had all left, Ulfrik offered his hand to Runa and helped her from the bench. "You don't agree with this, do you?"

"Where there are wolf ears wolf teeth are close."

"You think she will betray us?"

"I think she doesn't know what she wants, no matter what she just said. That can be dangerous to us."

"But Toki will keep her in line."

Runa laughed and hooked Ulfrik's arm to guide him to their bed. "Toki looks at her and sees only sunshine. I will keep her in line, you can count on that."

Ulfrik laughed, then paused to stretch. "Maybe I should give you command of a ship. I'm always looking for a strong leader."

They laughed again, and once beneath the covers of their bed, Ulfrik fell into a sleep as deep as death.

Hardar's hall finally emptied of crying wives and weeping children. Except the moaning of injured hirdmen laid out on the floor, the place was quiet. He slouched on his chair, fire in every joint and pain at every movement. A thick gash flamed on his inner calf where a spear had narrowly missed his thigh. His eyes throbbed and whenever he closed them he saw a bloody slope of crumpled bodies and raining arrows.

He was ruined. His best men spent their lives on a wild gambit that was doomed from the first. Kjotve had counseled against a head-on attack, cursing it as foolish and weak. Hardar slid further down his chair, shaking his head at how he and Vermund had expected numbers to overwhelm Ulfrik. He had never seen so many arrows. If he had not guided his few bows to counter-fire, they would have all died without striking a blow. The thought made him twitch with a chill.

With the bitter business of paying weregild to the families of the dead finished, Kjotve emerged into the low light of the hall. His massive shape lumbered to Hardar in his chair, pausing beside him before pulling up a bench. "It was ill luck, Jarl Hardar. Your men say you didn't offer anything to the gods before setting out. Now that's another misstep, right there."

Hardar's eye twitched, then he exploded from his chair. He rounded on Kjotve, seizing his furs in both hands and hauling him off his seat. "You fucking arrogant turd! You could've turned everything. Ulfrik was on his knees even when we broke. You have a hundred men. A hundred fucking men! And you sailed off! Why?"

He shoved wide-eyed Kjotve back to the bench, bending over him, heaving like he had just lifted an anvil overhead. Kjotve's shock twisted to a wry smile. "Did you see his archers reforming? You were too busy running to notice, eh? I want Ulfrik, but not badly enough to charge into an arrow storm."

"But we had you covered. They chased us to the water and killed us boarding the ships. You were three spear-lengths away; you could've done more than abandon us."

Kjotve rose like a glacier emerging from the frigid sea. He stared down at Hardar, whose anger cooled in the shadow of the great jarl. Kjotve's voice was low but rich with potent ire. "You call me an arrogant turd, when I gave you every warning of your own stupidity. You and that fool Vermund were so full of yourselves, so sure I'd be willing to die for your whore daughter. You wouldn't listen to me. What could a foreigner know that you kings of grass and sheep don't? Well, you sailed past as fucking beacon. Do you remember what I told you?"

Hardar recoiled as Kjotve bore down on him. He nodded, recalling Kjotve's plea to turn around and find a way to strike with surprise.

"Good you recall. Ulfrik had hours to ready himself, and he did. Look what it earned you. I told you I would not charge upslope into waiting spears backed by arrows. That you managed to inflict the damage you did is a gift of the gods. Now you are a broken man. Ulfrik will sail into your fjord, burn your homes, rape your women, plunder your treasures, and put your head on top of a pole. All because you wouldn't listen to me."

Kjotve's words pushed him back into his chair, where he collapsed with his hands covering his face. He dragged them down his cheeks, pulling his bottom eyelids. The cool air touched the exposed eyes and drew water. Everyone left in the hall hung their heads or stared into the dark corners. Hardar sensed the air of desolation gripping the hall, but then inspiration flashed.

"I'm not defeated." Hardar sat up in his chair, looked into Kjotve's shadow-painted face. "Jarl Vermund has fallen, and his body not even recovered. He has family and allies throughout these islands. They will seek revenge for him. I have kin in the north yet to unite with me. But Ulfrik stands alone, and I have struck him a heavy blow."

Kjotve nodded appreciatively. "You better hasten to send word to your allies. It may be as you say, but I wonder if you will be alive to see it. Ulfrik is only hours away while your allies will need days to assemble, if not more."

"Have you no sense?" Hardar hissed under his breath. "These men cannot hear that. They need hope."

"They need a plan," Kjotve said, without adjusting his voice. "Let me deal with Ulfrik the way I suggested. It may be easier for me, now that you've reduced his numbers."

"A nighttime attack," Hardar said flatly. "Haven't you been in these lands long enough to know that even the darkest hour is never truly dark? It's not like your battles in Norway."

"But men sleep here, in whatever passes for night. It is enough. I do not need to strike him dead. I just need to cut off his legs. He will be watching for me, as he surely counted the sails that invaded his lands. But we can move with speed he cannot match. I have done this more times than I can count. I have touchwood to start a flame, something you lack here. Fire will spread, panic will greet it, and my men will do their work and be gone. You will then have the time to assemble your allies and finish matters for yourselves. Your name and glory will be preserved."

Kjotve's smile flashed from the blackness of his face. Hardar caught himself leaning in to hear the plan. Other men had wandered close, while Kjotve's veterans smirked at their leader's words. Suddenly Ingrid broke in from behind.

"But you risk Halla's life with raging fires. Ulfrik might even kill her!" Ingrid's voice rose to a shriek and vibrated with terror. Hardar spun on his chair, his hand itching to belt her, though she was too distant. She huddled at the edge of the hearth light, hands clasped at her chest.

"Lady Ingrid, I will rescue your daughter if I can. I give you my word." Kjotve's face brightened and his voice smoothed. He stepped toward her. "I have a plan for my fires that will bring no risk to Halla. I know Ulfrik won't harm your daughter. He is smart enough to make the threats, but not ruthless enough to carry them out. Trust me."

"Don't worry about what she thinks." Hardar stood up sharply and flipped a lock of hair off of his face. "Yes, try your best with Halla. But tell me more about your plans for Ulfrik."