Islands in the Fog (19 page)

"My daughter was kidnapped and still hasn't come home. You can't do this!" Ingrid snatched a mug from the table, but Hardar clamped his hand atop hers. Kjotve smiled at the whole scene.

"You will find her, Lady Ingrid. But Ulfrik and his crew have been long in tracking down. The gods granted them to me, to see justice done. So I will be taking them now."

Hardar shoved Ingrid behind him. Halla didn't matter now that her chastity had been compromised and Vermund killed. He wanted her returned as a point of pride. "Then take the lot of them, Jarl Kjotve. Well worth it for the help you've given me."

Kjotve growled in pleasure. "Wise choice. And you, Ulfrik, might recall a time when my son took you as a slave to save your life. Well, that happens once in a lifetime. I'm making you slave and plan to whip the skin off your back while you row my ships. How does that sound to you?"

Eyes wide, Ulfrik did not answer. His jaw moved in wordless shock. Hardar shuddered thinking what the monstrous Kjotve planned, though his largest regret was missing the chance to witness it.

Ulfrik's plan went awry at the first step. Everyone had come to send him off. Somber faces surrounded him. Many begged him to stay, others said nothing. He suspected a few came merely to see the spectacle of leaving his family. The throng of observers prevented him from secretly launching his family in a ship. Instead, he had to devise a ruse to cover.

Heavy clouds filled the skies, appearing as plowed fields of ash. The sea lay flat and gray, waves lapping as if the ocean had lost its strength.
Fjord Runner
and
Raven's Talon
swayed placidly at dock. At least his treasures had been loaded to
Raven's Talon
before the crowds had gathered. Now people formed a line down the slope to the ships. He noted how many were middle-aged women, their head covering flapping in the breeze. This brief, brutal conflict had created an abundance of widows. He faced the burial mounds in the field behind the hall. He gave silent thanks for the bravery of the men interred within, then started down the line.

Runa and Gunnar awaited him at the end. With every step he grew more numb. His hands grew cold and his eyes watery. He trembled with fear and sorrow. An image of Runa's face from the first time they made love came to mind. They had owned nothing, nothing more than hope. But their love had been fierce, and the years had only increased their passions. They had given so much to each other. Now, a thread of hope was all he was leaving her.

People touched him as he shambled down slope. Some thanked him, others merely nodded, some turned askance as he neared. The faces filed by in a blur. As he passed, they fell in behind and followed him to the ships. At last he arrived at the end, where Runa and Gunnar stood. They both stared at him, both keeping emotion off their faces. A weak smile trembled on his lips, realizing they were better at hiding their feelings than he was. Toki and Halla, Snorri and his family also came forward, along with the crews for each ship. He turned to address the gathered people. Rows of sullen faces spread up the slope, and hardly a sound above a lone bird call was heard.

"I will surrender to Hardar and demand the best terms for all of you. I cannot guarantee you what he will do. He could kill me and burn all of your homes. Whoever will lead you now, my advice is to stay ready. My family will accompany me as will those still sworn to my service. What happens next is for Fate to decide."

Ulfrik's words created the stir he had intended. He knew no one had thought of a replacement leader. They started to mumble. He took the moment to whisper to Toki. "You will have to follow me for a while, but then break way. The men aboard my ship, I can only hope they will be loyal once they return."

Toki gave him a sad smile. "The men on your ship have no intention of returning without you."

Ulfrik began to protest when Thorvald emerged from the crowd. He squared off with Ulfrik, jaw set and face inscrutable. Then he embraced Ulfrik. "I am sorry that it has come to this. I am your man, if ever you return."

Ulfrik pulled away and said nothing. He wondered if Thorvald was excited for the chance to lead Nye Grenner. He didn't care anymore. Instead, he approached Runa and took her hand.

"Trust in my plan. Turn the others against Hardar, then come with haste. We must endure time apart."

She tried to look away, but failed. Her eyes glittered as she groped for words. Ulfrik pressed his finger to her lips, sparing both of them the pain of good-bye. She kissed his finger, as tears pressed out of her closed eyes.

Ulfrik knelt down to Gunnar. He met his son's flinty eyes. As much as he resembled his mother, the resolve he saw in Gunnar's face resembled Ulfrik's father. His chest filled with pride. "I will be gone a while. You must obey your mother. Time for play is over. Now you are on an adventure, and must be brave. Can you do that for me?"

Gunnar nodded. Ulfrik smiled and ruffled his son's hair. He wanted to say more, but had to stand before tears overwhelmed him. Breaking down before Gunnar would not help anyone. He unhitched his sword and offered it to Runa. "Keep it for Gunnar. It's not the best I've ever owned, but it's a good weapon."

"I don't plan to give it to him." She hesitated a moment, then snatched it from him. She unpinned her cloak, and held out the antler pin on her palm. "It's poor enough that even Hardar won't want it. I've owned it since we met. Take it."

Accepting it, he pushed it into his own cloak. There was nothing left but to leave. Snorri stepped forward and guided him down the dock to
Fjord Runner
. "Get aboard and let's get this started."

Ulfrik turned to watch Runa and Gunnar board their ship on the opposite side. Toki assisted Halla aboard. Einar and Gerdie waited for Snorri. Once Ulfrik was aboard, a crew of twelve men joined him. Some were young and others old, but all had followed him from Norway, the last of his original crew. Ulfrik's tears flowed anew at their loyalty.

The ship lurched as it pushed away. The crowd gathered at the end of the dock were as still as lichen-covered standing stones. The dismal sky and thin fog painted the world gray. Ulfrik watched Snorri kiss Gerdie and hug Einar before helping them aboard
Raven's Talon
. Then his gray-haired friend made a running leap onto the deck of
Fjord Runner
as it was about to leave the dock.

"Damn you, Snorri! You're to be on the other ship!" Ulfrik felt his head grow hot. "Who is going to lead them?"

"Your wife," he said as he regained his balance. "Toki and Einar, plus the other men with them will do her fighting. But she'll be in charge, no doubt."

Ulfrik's ship lurched away as men dipped their oars into the thick water. He looked past Snorri to see Gunnar watching over the rails, Runa standing behind him. "I cannot allow you to do this." Ulfrik cast around to all of his men. "You all should turn back once I'm ashore. Hardar's battle is with me alone."

Snorri shook his head, a smile tugging his grizzled beard. "We serve our lord to the end, as honor dictates."

"What about Gerdie and Einar?" Ulfrik flung his hands up in exasperation. "They've already lost their family once."

"Gerdie is a strong woman, and Einar is a man now. They know I must keep you alive long enough for this plan to work."

The two men stared at each other for long moments. A bird screamed above, providing Ulfrik an excuse to look away. He went to the tiller and grabbed it. "I'm sorry to admit, but I'm glad you will be with me."

Snorri laughed. "I serve until the end, Ulfrik. May that end be long in coming."

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Toki gazed after
Fjord Runner
as it shrank and vanished over the horizon. He swallowed, then noticed Runa leaned against the rails, watching the same spot. Her cloak pulled tight and her hair flew in the wind. Her stony silence was louder than the slashing of the waves breaking across the hull.

The sail snapped full above his head and two men adjusted the rigging. Totally the ship held ten people, with only four fighting men. Not many had been willing to sail with Toki the Cursed. Since hitting the open sea, no one had interacted much, each one wrapped in their own thoughts.

Halla and Dana shared a seat on Toki's sea chest. Dana spoke quietly while Halla merely nodded. Despite her proclamations, Toki had not experienced a deeper connection to her. The frantic planning for Ulfrik's surrender had not allowed time for them to strengthen their bond. Being at sea and traveling to other lands, he doubted their relationship would improve.

"The wind favors us." Einar approached, wiping his hands on his legs. "We will make good time and can sleep on dry land tonight. How far to Ragnvald?"

"We will arrive tomorrow morning, if he will have us. Did you pack provisions like I asked?"

"My father and I loaded what we were able to on short notice. Some mead too, in case we can't make landfall for a day or two."

Toki dropped his head when he recalled Einar's father, Snorri. Toki would miss him, especially his experience and wisdom. "I'm sorry for your father, Einar. This is all my fault."

"We've talked about that," Einar placed his hand on Toki's shoulder. "My father made his choice and was not sad for it. So neither am I, and neither should you be."

"Does your mother feel that way?"

"Well, she's not happy. But she's strong, like me."

Einar smiled, a young and naive smile that Toki wore not long ago. Bright and innocent, Toki could not help but match it. Yet the smile died when he caught Runa's eye. She glared at him as she wrapped her cloak around Gunnar. Toki felt the cold penetrate his core.

"Man the tiller for me, Einar." He approached Runa.
Raven's Talon
was not a large ship, and afforded little space for people to speak privately. But he had to try.

They both studied the sea gliding past them. Gunnar stood on his toes to peer over the rails, sticking his hand out to catch spray. Runa did not acknowledge Toki, though he noted her knuckles were white from gripping the railing.

"Do you blame me for this?" Toki knew no other way to get through to his sister besides a direct assault. She remained as if she had not heard him. "Do you think this is punishment for breaking my oath?"

Sighing, she shifted her weight but did not answer. Toki stole a glance over his shoulder. Both Halla and Dana looked on. Gerdie sat alone while everyone else appeared not to hear. So Toki leaned on the rail and kept quiet for as long as he was able, which was not long. "I feel responsible for all this. It would ..."

"Toki, not now," Runa snapped. "We are not one hour gone from home. I'm not ready to talk about this."

"I'm sorry. I just feel ..."

"Are you not listening?" She faced him, her brows drawn tight. "This is not a time for feeling. What are you, a woman? There are enough women on this ship. My husband is trusting his life to you. Do you feel bad? Then focus on what we must do to help him. That will make you feel better and be more useful as well."

Toki stood back, shocked at the power of Runa's words. She continued to stare out to sea, and Gunnar withdrew beneath her cloak. She started to blink, then tears began to run. "I will sail to every island, I swear, and I will make them see Hardar's threat. I'll do anything to get help. I will not rest until I'm sailing back with a fleet of my own. So that's what you must help me with, Toki. Stop worrying about how you feel and lead this mission."

"You're right," he admitted, returning to lean on the rails. "My mind has been full of trifles. Ulfrik is still my lord. He spared my life when he shouldn't have, you know. He gave me a family again. I promise you, I will dedicate myself to freeing him."

Toki imbued his words with emotion, but Runa simply nodded and brushed tears from her eyes. He reached to place a consoling arm on her but she recoiled. "Why don't you go make things right with your woman. She thinks I can't hear her complaints, but she may as well shout in my ear. If she carries on, I'm going to stave in her head with an oar."

Halla's head snapped away as Toki faced her. She and Dana both fell still and silent. "I hadn't realized they were upsetting you. I'll speak with her."

The few steps to Halla was like traveling miles uphill. A sudden wave lurched the ship and Toki and others stumbled. Dana tumbled off the chest and Halla toppled as well. But Toki caught her, and gently set her upright. She gave a light laugh, and thanked him. But her smile was short and false, and she paid more attention to helping Dana back to her seat.

"We should talk," Toki said, trying to keep his tone neutral. Halla shrugged and fixed her skirts. Toki clasped his hands behind his back, glancing about the small deck. "I'd prefer to talk alone."

"Well, then, let's take a walk." She flashed a sharp smile. Before Toki responded, Dana stood and stumbled away toward Gerdie in the bow. Toki let his breath draw out, grateful Dana understood what he wanted. He sat in her place.

"Runa says you've been complaining. Is it true?"

"Why would I be complaining? I'm just sailing away into nowhere, hoping to find someone to kill my parents. It's really nothing to complain about, right?"

"We're not trying to kill your parents." Toki spit the words out so harshly that he did not even believe them. He would take as much pleasure in gutting Hardar as he did in gutting Vermund. But admitting it would only worsen Halla's disposition. She looked at him, tears standing in her eyes.

"There's more than one smart woman on this decrepit old boat. So let's not pretend. Your mission, as you're calling it now, is to raise an army against my father."

"Simply to force him to free Ulfrik and the others and swear an oath of peace."

"Men go to war with murder in their hearts, not for something stupid like oaths of peace." Halla grunted a laugh and flipped a strand of hair out of her face. "You will promise them glory and gold, and they will dream of battle. Once their swords are drawn, they will not put them away until their thirst for war is quenched with blood. Tell me I'm not right."