Islands in the Fog (9 page)

"I will assign men to watch for his return. We will know the truth of what he's doing. If he is visiting Halla, then he will understand and show good judgment."

Runa laughed and rolled her eyes. "You're talking about my love struck brother?"

Ulfrik bowed his head, and would have laughed if he could see things ending as he hoped. But Toki was as stubborn as Runa and less sensible. "He must understand, or we could have a larger problem than quarreling fishermen."

Ulfrik expected meeting outside the hall would make his conversation with Toki less confrontational. He was wrong.

Toki paced over the grass, hands gripping his curly hair. Ulfrik and Runa gave him space. The sky had turned indigo, the closest it would be to darkness during the summer months. A strong wind carried earthy scents and promised a storm. Scattered golden lights twinkled from Nye Grenner up the slope behind them. Toki muttered to himself as he circled.

"Toki, I appreciate your honesty," Ulfrik said, "but you can't be caught in secret meetings with Hardar's daughter."

"I haven't been caught, have I." He stopped pacing long enough to snap out the words, then resumed. Ulfrik looked a Runa, who shrugged and raised her brows.

"Hardar hasn't caught you yet. But I caught you. And Hardar will catch Halla. It's only a matter of time." Toki stopped pacing, putting his back to Ulfrik and Runa. He trembled, as if either to explode in rage or collapse in tears. Ulfrik rubbed his face then covered his mouth with his hand. Runa stepped into the pause.

"In any other circumstance, we would be happy for you. Please reconsider your actions. Hardar would deal harshly with you, and Ulfrik would have to defend you. Think of how that will affect all of Nye Grenner. Please, brother."

The wind gusted, flattening the grass and cracking their cloaks. Toki's shaking subsided, and he faced them. Ulfrik read the pain in his friend's face, and wanted to avert his eyes. But the situation required a firm stance. Toki swallowed and gritted his teeth.

"Neither of you understand. Of course I know what's at stake. It's why I have kept this secret. But Halla is not a passing distraction for me. She is beyond compare. Fate has put us together, can't you see that? Like you and Runa." Toki spread his hands to emphasize his words.

"Gods, Toki, the two situations couldn't be more different. You put yourself together with Halla, not Fate. Let's be honest."

Toki's face collapsed into a frown and Ulfrik's neck tensed. He opened his mouth to continue chiding Toki, but Runa seized his arm to stop him. "Your love is fresh," Runa said, strained patience beginning to show in her voice. "You believe Freya's hand is upon the two of you. It is a hard time to think clearly. But you must."

"We will be married," Toki said. He set his jaw and peered at Ulfrik and Runa.

Ulfrik nearly laughed; he looked so much like his wife when she hit her stubborn moods.
He glanced at Runa, her mouth agape and eyes wide.
How do you enjoy seeing yoursel
f, he thought.
Not so easy being on this side of that stubbornness
. He suppressed a smile, but Toki misread him.

"You think I'm foolish? Halla is her own woman, and she will not be a piece on her father's game board."

"Toki, she is not free to make that choice. Her father and mother will marry her to another of her station. Even if I made you jarl, Nye Grenner is not Hardar's choice."

"Listen, at first I was only after her body. But over this month, we have grown past that and have found something more. I am in love with her."

"So you are. And I forbid you from meeting her again."

Wind filled the silence. Toki's face fell slack, his posture slumped. Runa removed her hand from Ulfrik's arm and turned away. Ulfrik hated what he had said, and wished he had never been in this position. But no other choice existed.

"You are clear on my orders?" he asked as Toki stood staring at him. "You are forbidden from visiting Hardar's lands on your own. You are not to send others in your place. You will not risk getting caught sniffing around Hardar's hall."

Toki remained still but for a fluttering cape. His eyes glistened in the blue light. He swallowed again, then finally lowered his head. His voice was weak and ragged. "She is the finest woman in the circle of the world. I could never find another like her."

Ulfrik glanced at Runa, who rolled her eyes. Ulfrik felt the same way. He knew Toki would be hurt and angry. He might not speak to him for weeks. But soon memories would fade and life would return to normal. Ulfrik needed to be patient and remain firm. But Toki had also not yet committed to his demands. So Ulfrik reached to the silver armband clasped to his bicep. He had worn it especially for this. He worked it off and extended it toward Toki.

"You will swear your oath to break contact with Halla. Put your hand upon the ring and swear before the gods."

"Really, Ulfrik, is this needed?" Runa wheeled to him, a frown creasing her face.

"It is. An oath sworn to the gods is beyond question." Ulfrik saw Toki's expression morph from surprise to horror. The ring flashed white as he held it forward. "Make your oath, Toki, then we will put this matter out of mind."

Toki regarded the ring as if it were an adder foisted on him. But Ulfrik kept it out, and smiled. He had no intention of wearing it again without Toki's oath. The air thickened between them. Toki stepped forward and reached toward the ring. His fingers hovered over it. He licked his lips. Ulfrik pushed it at his hand, encouraging him to grasp it.

At last he snatched the ring from Ulfrik, and held it over his bowed head. "I give my oath to break contact with Halla."

He lowered the ring and raised his head. His face was contorted in pain. Ulfrik had hoped for a stronger oath, but Toki had done all that could be expected. Ulfrik accepted the ring and embraced Toki. "Your sacrifice will not be forgotten, my friend."

When they parted, Runa stepped in and kissed her brother's cheek and cupped his face in her hands. "You have done well. You have put others before yourself, the mark of a great man."

Toki nodded, wiped his nose with the back of his hand, then turned to stride up the slope. Ulfrik stared after him, putting his arm around Runa. "Do you think he will be mad for long?"

"I don't know. But my brother is stubborn, and rarely surrenders his desires. This may not be over."

"But he swore to the gods." Ulfrik looked down at Runa, but she merely bit her lip and watched Toki disappearing into the gloom of the short-lived night.

CHAPTER SEVEN

Halla stood below the high table, watching her father squatting in his prized foreign chair. The air was thick enough to choke her. Though a typically balmy summer evening, she was cold. The night sun filtered through the high windows and broke the hall into dusty columns of straw-colored light. Her father bounced his leg beneath the table, all the while smiling at her. He kept glancing at her mother, who seemed to disappear next to him. She kept her head lowered and folded her hands on her lap.

The final hirdmen had left the room. The door thudded shut at the far end of the hall. Only Dag the Sword-Bender remained, a wispy visage in the shadows behind Hardar.

"Now that we have our privacy," Hardar began, "we can talk."

Halla raised her chin and crossed her arms. But her stomach clenched and a hundred different disasters flooded her mind. She felt abandoned before her father. Even Dana had been dismissed. She only had her mother for support, and she would not look at her.

"I will be direct with you, daughter. You are nineteen years old, well past the age to be married."

An ember dropped into her gut. She started to tremble and her throat dried out. Hardar said a few more things before he paused. Instead of listening to him, she predicted his next words.
Now he forces Vermund on me
.
That wretched man, that murderer.

"Jarl Vermund is my old friend, a wealthy and important man. He has expressed an interest in courting you, and I've approved."

Halla's head swam. She was being given away to an old man, no doubt to be his prized possession along with his favorite ring and sword. For a moment the room sounded as if it were filled with a cloud of flies. She touched her head, hoping to clear her mind.

"You're very reserved," Hardar said, one brow cocked. He glanced at Ingrid, who still refused to look up. "Nothing at all like the last time. I suppose you've matured. Good!" He slapped the table as if matters were settled.

"What if I don't find Jarl Vermund suitable?" She had found her voice, weak and thin and disgustingly timid.

Hardar fell back in his chair, face stuck in a half-smile. "Your thoughts don't matter. As long as Vermund is pleased, then you shall be his wife. I wonder where you get this notion of independence?" Hardar frowned at Ingrid. "Your role in this family is to increase its status by marrying well. That's been the whole purpose of feeding you all these years. Do you understand? Produce grandchildren, boys, and you will have done the work Fate has set for you."

Balling her fists, she infused as much iron into her voice as she could summon. "Then I will see to it that Vermund be displeased. I will not be wed to a monster."

Hardar pushed himself straight in his chair, his meaty hands loosening his collar. His eyes drew to slits as he peered down at her. "You are too old to play this game. Vermund is my choice for you, and a fine one. You can make it difficult on yourself if you'd like. It won't change my mind."

"He's a murderer! How can you send me to him? He strangled his wife and threw his only son into the ocean. What will happen to me?" Halla leapt forward, ferocity replacing the timidity. Tears flowed over her cheeks. "I am your daughter. You should protect me."

Shooting up from his chair, Hardar knocked the table forward and set the mugs tumbling to the floor. Both Ingrid and Halla jumped as he roared. "I'll not tolerate vile slander spoken in my hall. How can you even think this? Vermund had differences with his wife, but he did not kill her. He is a victim of Fate's weaving. Where did you hear this filth?"

Halla fell silent, not wanting to name a man who had tried to help her. Hardar stood glowering at her. When he realized she would not reply, he supplied his own guess. "Was it from your mother? We've already discussed this matter and she agrees with me. It wasn't from her, then, was it?"

Ingrid looked up and Halla covered her mouth in shock. Her mother's face was red and swollen, and her left eye hid behind puffy and blackened flesh. Both eyes glittered with tears. Halla immediately understood the so-called discussion she had with her father. Whenever his mother had defied him, he ended the disagreement with his fists. Halla winced with a sympathetic pang, but also felt emboldened. Her mother had stood up for her. She could do the same for herself.

"It only matters that I've heard it, and I believe it. You cannot force me to love a man like Vermund."

Hardar clapped his hands and fell back laughing. He toppled into his seat, his belly rippling with his laughter. Halla felt her face redden. At last Hardar wiped a tear from the corner of his eye. "I will have to remember that one. I'll never force you to love him. May Freya strike me blind if I ever do."

"You are blind already." She wanted to say more, yet even in her anger she had more sense.

"Mind your words, girl! There is no more to discuss. I've arranged for you to meet Vermund here in two days. Get yourself together and prepare to charm him. The future glory of my name depends on a good marriage. Now leave me."

Halla shook, her mind running over a hundred things to say. But she bit back her anger. Instead she gave him a sharp bow and strode out of the hall. She did not look back.

Outside the air hung still and muggy. She stalked away, going nowhere. Dana appeared from a shadow, asking if she was all right. Halla waved her hand to show she wanted to be alone. She followed the slope down to the where grass gave way to rocks and the sea. Waves purred on the beach as she stood looking out to the blue gray waters.

She thought of Toki. He could protect her from Vermund. Despite enjoying the constant sex and attention he paid her, she had not decided on what part he played in her future. The thrill of secret love-making with a handsome and confident man had been enough for her. But now she began to consider him more than a romantic diversion. He could save her from the trap her father had laid. Her father would not dare seek her in Ulfrik's lands, not with all of Ulfrik's warriors to oppose him. Eventually, her father would have to accept defeat and allow her freedom to choose her own husband.

A smile came to her lips. Toki was due to meet her the next day. She would ask Dana to prepare them to leave. Toki also would have to rescue Dana. She did not doubt he would take them both; he had talked often enough about it. Her only regret would be leaving her mother. But Halla had to be practical, or else she would end up worse than her mother. Brushing a strand of hair from her face, her smile broadened. By tomorrow, she would be away with Toki and have left her old life for freedom.

Toki and Bork rowed the choppy waves north. Neither had spoken much, but both grunted with the hard work. Bork complained when Toki shortened their rest breaks. Toki did not tell him what he planned. He barely understood it himself, following his instincts to meet Halla a final time.

The skies had threatened foul weather. Toki quailed at the winds gusting off the water. He feared the gods would drown him for breaking his oath. Clusters of gray clouds traveled above them, and both he and Bork stole glances skyward the whole trip.

Now they glided into the secret landing in the crevice. The water sloshed their ship back and forth. Toki's feet were sopping with seawater washed over the low sides of their boat. They angled for a series of flat rocks to make their landing, but an urgent voice called his name from the darkness. Both he and Bork pulled in their oars and searched for the source. Toki spotted Dana's slender form waving from an outcrop. "Lord Toki, please listen. Come closer."