Vengeance Hammer (Viking Vengeance) (23 page)

“The noon tide is running. We must go after them at once. Godfraid and Néill are working with Niketas. They must have taken Evie,” Konáll said.

“Nay. Godfraid left on the dawn tide. The villagers confirm it,” Brökk declared.

“He could have simply moved the ships closer to Lathairn and waited for Haakon to deliver Evie to him.” Dráddør countered.

“Nay. I knew. I knew ’twas too good to be true. ’Tis all my fault,” she wailed and could no longer hold back the tears.

Dráddør hauled her into his arms and cupped her cheek. “Hush, mit sváss. ’Tis not the time for recriminations. We must act.”

“Jennie was healing, and now—” She buried her face in his tunic.

“Jennie and Lara are dead, sváss. Look to me, wife.”

“Lara too?” Xára’s knees buckled.

Dráddør tightened his hold on her. “Aye. However, Ívarr was with Evie in Jennie’s chamber, too, and we did not find his body. Ulna had gone to the kitchens to fetch food. She is hysterical and we can get no useful information from her.”

Evie would be inconsolable about Jennie. But thank the merciful lord, Ulna had been spared. Losing her nurse and companion as well as her mother would’ve devastated Evie.

“Tell me what you need me to do.” Xára swiped at her tears and squared her shoulders.

“We must go with the tide. Tighe remains behind with Egron. I have given orders none are to be admitted to the holding. Tighe will need your help to search the tunnels for Ívarr.” Dráddør caressed her cheek.

She met his gaze. “Think you Ívarr lives?”

“Nay. But the smithy will want to bury his son.”

Xára squeezed her eyes shut and bit her lip, but the tears fell anyway. “Evie will be shattered. I fear she will ne’er be the same wicked girl again. Her mother, Lara, and Ívarr.”

“The sprite has us, sváss. Look to me, wife.” He pressed a thumb to her quivering lips. “Find your rage the way you did afore. Steel yourself and keep busy. Prepare a grand welcome for Evie and Hjørdis. I leave Lathairn with mine own capable chatelaine.” He kissed her briefly.

Xára watched the three brothers leave, unable to do aught but stare at the open doorway after they vanished from sight. A few moments later, Tighe walked into the room.

“I have come to ask if you feel up to helping us search for the boy, Ívarr,” Tighe said.

Ívarr. She refused to believe the quick-witted, muscular boy dead. “Aye. Let us set out at once.”

She led Tighe to the herbarium and showed him all the entrances to the secret tunnels. Using the sand tray, Xára drew all the forks and detours she remembered.

“We will divide into two search parties. Egron will take two men with him to search the north and south tunnels. The smithy and I will ride through the one that leads to the field and Myrtle Harbor,” Tighe declared.

“I will come with you.” She desperately wanted to keep busy, to not think of Lara and Jennie lying dead above the stairs.

“Nay, Xára. I am charged with your safety and that of Nyssa, Skatha, and Jorunn’s. If you go with me, I shall have to take more men. I want our warriors within Lathairn protecting you all.”

Though she knew Tighe right in his reasoning, Xára wanted naught but to be away from the keep for a while. She would go to the lookout and see if the ships were still within distance. The stiff winds would clear her troubled mind.

“Now I will escort you to Nyssa’s chamber where you all four will remain until my return.”

“It is but a short walk. There is no need to accompany me,” she stated.

“And be denied the pleasure of your company?” He quirked a brow. “Methinks not.”

When he offered his arm, Xára had no choice but to take it. She sighed. There was no way now she could escape to the lookout.

“Tell me, what is your half-immortal talent?”

“My hearing is acute. And when I touch someone, I can see whatever memory is in their mind.” Xára bit her lip at her blurted words.

His stride faltered, then he recovered his rhythm and asked, “What memory of mine have you seen?”

Not wanting to bring up his pain, especially with all that had happened, she tried for a vague answer. “You flirt with all females.”

He halted and stared at her for a long, uncomfortable moment. “That is not what you saw. The truth or naught.”

“I know you have buried a wife and a child and that the loss is a heavy burden.”

They rest of the journey was completed in total silence.

Nyssa and Skatha greeted her with such welcome, Xára could do naught but return their smiles. They were both lying on either side of the bed whilst Jorunn crawled in the middle.

“Climb onto the bed and position yourself at the foot, Xára. Then we will have our own keep to contain this warrior-in-training of mine.” Skatha gave Jorunn a linen square. “Watch, he has learned a new game. Peek-a-boo.”

Jorunn draped the cloth on his head and gurgled.

Skatha tugged if off and said, “Boo!”

The boy laughed and laughed until he tumbled sideways onto the bed.

“Konáll and Brökk told us what happened. We both pray the brothers will find Hjørdis and Evie safe and sound.” Nyssa tossed a rag ball to Jorunn. On the third try, the boy managed to secure the ball ’tween his chubby hands.

“Tell us more of this Arab who wants two half-immortal virgins,” Skatha demanded.

Xára repeated her tale.

“Think you when Jennie spoke of a great city that she meant Miklagard?” Nyssa asked Skatha. “’Tis a great city that borders the Arab countries. All three brothers served there when they were with the Jomsvikings.”

“I have ne’er heard any other than Miklagard referred to as the great city,” Skatha mused. “We know Wazir Niketas served there too, though not with the Jomsvikings. He serves a leader whose name escapes me right now. But ’twill come to me.”

“’Tis obvious Niketas seeks the half-immortal virgins for his master. But how comes he to hear of this tale? Think you two, it might be true?” Nyssa braided a skein of fat yarn, tied the ends, and tossed the toy to Jorunn. The child did not even notice.

“Did Jennie believe it, Xára?”

Xára remembered the desperation with which Jennie had told the tale. “’Twas after she had been poisoned. She thought to meet her end and wanted me to know Néill and Magnhildur were my enemies. Aye, Skatha, Jennie believed.”

Nyssa tickled one of Jorunn’s soles. The boy chortled and kicked at her hand. She smiled.

“’Tis something that puzzles me.
Why
did the witch steal your voice?”

“When I discovered Néill intended to take me and Evie with him after our marriage, I refused to wed Néill. To that end, I told him I was no virgin and that e’en at that moment I could be carrying another’s child.”

“’Twas a clever move,” Nyssa said.

Xára wrinkled her nose. “But not clever enough. For I overheard Néill and Magnhildur planning to force me to marry him to gain Lathairn and then kill me and make my death look like an accident. At the high table that eve, Jennie went o’er the conditions of inheritance. If I failed to produce an heir within two winters of wedding, Lathairn and its lands return to the king.”

“Ah, I comprehend now. They had to keep you around, but you were too dangerous if you could speak. I hope Dráddør tears the man apart limb by limb,” Nyssa declared.

“I also. E’en that is not punishment enough for what they did to you.” Skatha shuddered. “It must have been horrid. To see all and not be able to do a thing.”

“Aye. ’Twas.”

“I am starving,” Nyssa stated and rubbed her swollen body.

A knock sounded.

“’Twould seem a tray has arrived. Enter,” Skatha raised her voice.

To their surprise, Tighe entered.

At once Xára knew something dire had happened. “What is it?”

“We have found Magnhildur’s body.”

Her mouth dropped open. Had she heard right?

“Magnhildur?” Xára repeated.

Chapter Twelve

The winds had not favored them, and they had to row against the current.

Wanting to make as much headway as possible before the sun set, Dráddør ordered his second langskip to return to Lathairn, and had Ghazi and most of his men transferred to his boat. That way they could row in two shifts and journey through the night.

“We will lose the light soon,” Ghazi stated.

“Aye.” Dráddør glanced at the mast and then to the horizon. “’Twill be our last chance to spot Godfraid’s ships. I am to the top of the mast.”

He climbed the rope ladder and scanned the horizon. In the distance, he spied three ships sailing to one of the deserted isles in the channel. His berserker battle lust surged.

The harbor the ships sailed to was a wide one with an open bay. There was no way they could mount a surprise attack. Unless they sailed around to the island’s east side. But then they would be at a disadvantage because they would have to swim to the ships. Considering the options open to them, Dráddør made his way back down to the deck.

“Any sign of them?” Ghazi asked.

“Aye. ’Tis good news, they are looking to anchor on one of the isles.”

“Which one?”

“Gjall.”

“The one named for Heimdallr’s horn.”

Dráddør jerked his gaze in the direction of the isle. He grinned.

“’Tis nigh impossible to approach the bay on Gjall without attracting attention. I see no reason for your smile, my lord.” Ghazi’s terse tone spoke of disapproval.

He decided to tell Ghazi everything. “My new wife’s sire is Heimdallr. Think you ’tis a coincidence mine enemies chose an isle named after his horn to anchor for the night?”

Ghazi’s jaw dropped. “Lady Xára is the daughter of a god?”

“You are well aware that my brothers’ wives are half-immortals. ’Twould seem mine is as well.” Dráddør’s grin threatened to split his face in two. “Methinks Heimdallr craves vengeance for the lady Jennie.”

“Aye. The men are outraged. That two women of their own were murdered on their watch.” Ghazi snorted. “They are spoiling for revenge.”

“I suspect Haakon had the doing of that. There is no other way they could’ve breached our defenses and reached the tunnels without someone who knew all. But he must have had help. He alone could not have overpowered the two guards and dragged them into an alcove. Methinks, he has not the strength to lift large warriors.”

“But he was the steward and used to working with pulleys. Kill a man on a carpet and drag the carpet wherever you want.” Ghazi shrugged.

“While we are away Earl Tighe and Egron are questioning all who live in the castle. Have no fear, I will not tolerate any whose loyalty I distrust.” Dráddør had decided on that afore leaving Lathairn. Tighe had free reign to toss out any he suspected.

“Feel you that?” Ghazi sniffed. “The wind has picked up and the air chills. A squall is on the way. Mayhap we do have the gods on our side.”

“They will have to anchor close to shore to escape the wrath of the storm,” Dráddør declared.

“Aye. There is something else that may aid us—I spoke oft with one of Earl Godfraid’s men. The earl has ne’er been to the king’s court, because he cannot stomach more than a day or two at sea.”

“By Odin, ’tis good fortune Heimdallr brings us. Godfraid will go ashore. If I recall correctly, he will order a tent pitched against the rocks on the right of the bay. ’Tis the only place on the cove sheltered from the winds.” Dráddør scraped his jaw.

“Aye, and if we come down upon them from the low cliffs above—”

“We will have the advantage of both surprise and the height.” Dráddør finished. He clapped Ghazi on the back.

“Egron and I studied Godfraid’s men when they practiced their swordplay. Most are green. Only a half-dozen have seen battle.”

“Do the men know which those are?”

“Aye. We made sure to identify them to all and sundry. They were the ones we guarded most closely. How do we approach the battle?”

“You and I will find Evie and Hjørdis. You will take the girls to the langskip whilst I wreak my vengeance on them all.” Dráddør knew the sweetness of this revenge had somehow become tied to his father’s murder. For so long he had harbored a deep-seated anger and, to be cert, it had begun to eat away at him. He wanted naught more than to free the fury and let it rage until completely spent.

At dusk he ordered the sail hoisted. While other Vikings showcased their wealth and status with colorful sails, Dráddør kept his canvas dyed black.

He fingered the handle of his hammer and traced the runes. Soon Godfraid, Néill, and Magnhildur would feel the power of his weapon.

When the winking lights of men walking with torches along the wide bay came into view, Dráddør signaled the sail winched. They drifted on the sea in nigh total silence save for the slapping of the waves on the hull.

He and Ghazi peered at the bay.

“Earl Godfraid is having the tent pitched where you predicted he would,” Ghazi murmured.

“Aye. ’Tis only two canvases being raised. The smaller one, we inspect first.”

“Think you, he holds the girls separately there?”

“Unless he has them drugged, methinks he will be sick of Hjørdis’s constant scolding. She ne’er shuts up when she feels wronged.”

“’Twould be ideal if they are separate from Godfraid and his cronies.” Ghazi grinned. “More help from Heimdallr, think you?”

Dráddør smiled. “Aye. And we will take whatever advantage he sees fit to give us. Look to the left—I count three rowboats going back and forth. See you any others?”

“Nay. They are building a fire in the lee of the cliffs.” Ghazi licked a finger and tested the wind. “’Twill not last long.”

“You are right. Let us make haste to the east side of Gjall. Hug the coastline once we have rounded the point.”

The squall broke just as they beached the langskip.

Dráddør and Ghazi led the men to the cliffs.

Fierce gusts whipped in one direction, died for a mere breath, and then belted in the opposite direction. ’Twas as if the winds flogged the base of the cliffs where Godfraid had pitched his tent.

Battle fever engulfed Dráddør. Though the icy rain hammered his flesh, he felt naught but the scalding heat of his hammer’s handle. The runes glowed beneath his bare hands. ’Twas always thus before he waged war. Magik surged from the forged weapon into his hands.