“No.” Deep Water shook her head. “If we attack, word of their deaths will get back to others. I’m not willing to risk a full-scale war until we know what they intend.”
“Shaman, I—” Nighthawk cleared his throat. “I have some knowledge of these people. If you would hear my opinion?”
“Yes, of course,” Deep Water replied.
“The Vikings are likely better armed than we are,” Nighthawk said. “Surprise is our only advantage.”
“Exactly,” said the war chief.
“If they have any sense at all, they’ll know we’re watching them,” Sky said. “Look how they’ve arrived. They can’t be expecting to sneak up on us.”
Nighthawk clenched his jaw. “How do you know what they expect, daughter?”
Sky flushed.
“Your concern is noted but I agree with Sky,” Deep Water said. “We wait.”
Nighthawk shook his head. He and the war chief exchanged as shrug of frustration before the war chief left to check on his men.
Sky rested her forehead against the tree trunk and focused on the Viking longboat. Voices on the ship carried on the wind but the people were hidden from view by colorful shields set over the railing. All the shields were circular save one—a rectangular shield with a painted yellow eagle.
That she recognized. It was a Roman shield.
“Sky, be ready to run back to the village if they draw their weapons,” Nighthawk said.
“I’m not leaving,” she said.
“You enjoy disobeying me, don’t you?” he asked.
“Maybe I just like your scowl,” she said.
He puffed out a laugh and she felt much better.
A large, yellow-haired man dressed in a dark blue tunic, deerskin leggings, and heavy boots jumped over the side of the ship. He wore a sword and a small axe around his waist. He was immediately followed by a small woman with dark, curly hair. She wore similar clothing though her feet were clad in moccasins rather than boots. She was armed with only a belt knife.
A bearded man with an axe and two young men joined the first pair on the beach. One of the younger men wore his hair close-cropped like Ceti and had leather chest armor and a short sword. He was definitely Roman. A relative of Ceti’s, maybe?
The second young man looked so like Sky’s youngest brother that she blinked to make sure her eyes were not imagining things.
“Father, do you—”
“I see. He looks like our clan, save for his pale skin. Our blood comes through, even after generations.”
The couple who’d left the ship first stepped forward.
The yellow-haired Viking—he must be their leader—tilted his head as the woman whispered something into his ear. He looked at the grove of trees where Sky and the rest of the war party were hiding.
I told you they would know they were being watched, Father.
“Thank you for allowing us to land,” said the blond Viking. His voice was a deep rumble that carried all the way to the grove.
“We seek our friend, Ceti, to return him home,” the Viking continued. He spoke the language of the People perfectly, without an accent. “We bring no harm to you. We wish nothing but our friend back.”
He crossed his arms over his chest. The woman stayed at his side, the other three men behind them, closer to the ship.
They all appeared willing to wait for a long time for a reply. At this distance, a well-aimed arrow or spear could kill them. They must know that and still they risked it for the chance to talk first.
“Do you know either of them?” Deep Water asked Nighthawk.
“The dragon with the knife in its teeth is the symbol of the Viking leaders in Seneca,” Nighthawk said. “I’ve seen trade goods sealed with it.”
“These are the overall leaders of Vikings?” Deep Water frowned. “Ceti must be more valuable than we anticipated.”
“Perhaps they’ll be grateful that we rescued Ceti and treated him well,” Sky said.
“I wouldn’t assume that.” Nighthawk snorted. “They’ve come armed for battle. They must have at least as many warriors on that ship as we have here. They might want to draw us into the open.”
“Then they’ve succeeded,” Sky said. “With your permission, Deep Water, I want to go speak to them while the war party stays hidden.”
“No.” Nighthawk grabbed Sky’s arm.
“Yes.” Sky pulled her arm free. “This is part of my task.”
“Peace, storyteller.” Deep Water cocked her head at Nighthawk. “Sky’s idea is sensible. Her sincerity about Ceti’s health will come through. They’ll believe her that he’s alive.” She smiled at Sky. “And you’re right. This is the start of your task.”
Nighthawk squared his shoulders. “I understand, Shaman, but with your permission, I’d like to go with my daughter.”
“Reasonable,” Deep Water said. “Yes. Go with her.”
Sky nodded. “I’d be honored at your company, Father.” She didn’t feel honored. She felt like a small child under an adult’s command. But there was no help for it.
She and Nighthawk walked out from the trees.
“You should let me talk,” Nighthawk whispered. “The Romans and Vikings respect men, not women.”
Still think I’m not capable?
No, she needed to stop seething. Nighthawk was right. Men led the Romans. And while the leaders stood together, the male Viking had spoken to them, not the woman. Her father had experience with Seneca. It couldn’t hurt to let him speak first while she took the chance to study the Vikings.
They stopped five paces away from the Vikings. Now that they were closer, Sky decided that the young man who resembled her youngest brother, Sea Otter, was enough like him to be his twin. Only the pale skin color was different.
The Viking leader set his hand on the hilt of his sword.
“I am Gerhard. This is my wife, Dinah. We want Ceti back.”
He was not much for pleasantries, was he?
“You lead the Viking village in Seneca,” Nighthawk said.
Gerhard nodded.
“You do us honor, then.” Nighthawk bowed slightly to him, as courtesy demanded. Sky did the same.
“I’m Nighthawk of the Wolf clan. This is my daughter, Sky,” he said. “The villagers of Shorakapkok have asked us to speak for them.”
“Why?” Dinah snapped.
Sky frowned. She’d expected better of Ceti’s people than quick anger.
“I’m the storyteller to our clans. I speak with their voice,” Nighthawk snapped back.
“You’re a bard, then?” Gerhard asked.
“Bard?” Sky repeated the strange word.
“A singer and keeper of history,” Gerhard said.
“Yes, exactly,” Nighthawk said. His shoulders relaxed.
The Vikings had storytellers and keepers of history? Sky hadn’t considered that other people would do that. It made them seem less like strangers.
Her father smiled, thinly. “I can only hope today does not turn into an incident that would merit a story.”
“That would be unfortunate,” Gerhard said, smiling in much the same way.
Sky frowned. This posturing between Nighthawk and Gerhard would not lead anywhere good.
“You do us honor, of course, to come yourselves for Ceti,” Sky said. “But why would Viking leaders come for a Roman?”
“Roman or Viking, we are all of Seneca,” Dinah said. “Ceti is a good friend. I helped him launch the aquila.” She sighed. “If I’d known it would crash, I might have talked him out of it. I probably should have.”
“He would have done it anyway,” Sky said.
“You’ve met him!” Dinah smiled. It altered her face from wary and remote to charming and beautiful. “He’s well? Not hurt from the crash?”
“He is alive,” Nighthawk said, still wary.
“And unhurt?” Gerhard persisted.
“Ceti crashed the aquila into the top of a tree,” Sky said. “He is bruised and has several bad
scrapes, but is otherwise fine.”
“Ceti’s all right?” The young Roman stepped forward. “Is he happy with the flight? Does the aquila need repair?”
The young man’s worry was written all over his face. Sky inwardly relaxed further. If all they truly wanted was Ceti back, that could be arranged.
“The aquila’s wings ripped and the frame was cracked,” Sky said. “But Ceti’s certain it can be fixed.”
“Gaius.” Dinah said in a tone that dripped disapproval. She said something else in a language Sky didn’t recognize. Latin, she thought. The Roman language. Young Gaius flushed red and stepped back again.
Dinah turned back to them. “Gaius worked as Ceti’s assistant. Forgive his lack of manners; he knows we should wait until an arrangement has been made to get Ceti back to talk about other things.”
“Concern for a friend does not give offense.” Sky smiled and nodded to Gaius.
“Who are the others in your party?” Nighthawk asked.
Gerhard pointed to the bearded man. “Baldor, the dragon ship’s captain.” She indicated the other young man. “And this is Baldor’s sister son, Licinius.”
Licinius nodded. He looked Lenape, identified himself as the sister son of a Viking, but had a Roman name. How strange. Deep Water’s words from last night echoed in Sky’s head. You would have us become one people, then?
Gerhard cleared his throat. “We have established that Ceti is alive and you have him. Good. Bring him to us before we get him ourselves.”
“And if we do not give your friend back?” Nighthawk asked.
Sky opened her mouth to take control of the conversation again, but Gerhard drew his sword so quickly that Sky didn’t realize what had happened until the sun reflected off the metal.
Involuntarily, she stepped back.
“Threats will get you nowhere,” Nighthawk said. The sword point was only a handspan from his chest. He did not give ground.
“It’s not a threat, it’s a promise,” Gerhard said. And he sheathed his sword as quickly as he’d drawn it.
“Threat or promise, violence won’t get you Ceti back,” Sky said. She clenched her teeth, ashamed how she’d flinched from the sword. All her clever words to Deep Water yesterday about how peace could be made with the Romans seemed ill-considered in the face of this hostility. How could you make peace with people who drew swords during negotiation?
Of course, her father hadn’t helped. He’d seemed to invite the confrontation.
“If you want a fight, we’ll give you one,” Sky said with a weary voice. “But I’d hoped for better from Ceti’s friends.”
Dinah said something in that singsong language to Gerhard. She tapped the hilt of his sword. He nodded.
“Forgive my husband’s ill-timed temper,” Dinah said. “We’ve all been anxious about Ceti’s fate.”
Dinah looked at her husband. Gerhard shrugged. Sky had the distinct feeling that, for some reason, he was laughing inside. Was this belligerence a pose?
“I understand his anxiety, but drawing swords won’t bring Ceti back,” Sky said.
“And what will?” Dinah asked.
“Negotiations in good faith,” Sky said. She looked at her father, to make sure he was also holding his temper in check.
Dinah nodded. “There is a Viking custom. Gold is exchanged for use of the land of another tribe. Ceti traveled to your village without permission. If we owe for any damage or offense Ceti’s caused, we can pay you.”
“With what?” Nighthawk said. “We’ve no use for metal coins.”
Not completely true, Sky thought. Some of those who made metal jewelry liked trading with the Romans. Nighthawk knew that. He certainly wasn’t using his patience or his experience today.
“My mother sent some our best seeds from Seneca for trade,” Licinius stepped forward and spoke for the first time. “We have corn, squash, and even several berry seedlings.”
“Your mother?” Sky asked.
“My mother’s name is Sif,” Licinius said. “She is the daughter of the daughter of Bright Wolf, of the wolf clan.”
“Bright Wolf?” Sky asked. “Bright Wolf, daughter of Red Moon?”
Licinius nodded. “You know of her?”
“Not Bright Wolf, but I know Red Moon, who was one of our clan leaders,” Sky said. No wonder Licinius looked like her brother. They were closely related.
Licinius smiled again. “Then we are kin, Sky of the Wolf Clan. I’m honored to meet you.”
Nighthawk winced. The boy had just claimed kinship and thus, guests-rights. Even with the curse put on the Vikings, the kinship still existed. Now this wasn’t a negotiation with a possibly hostile enemy.
It was a matter between clans.
Sky glanced at the Viking leaders. Why hadn’t they started with this overture instead of with threats?
They were either inherently hostile or they’d simply been too cautious to trust in a peace offer at the start.
Her people mistrusted the Vikings. They mistrusted back in the same amount. Deep Water was right. Creating a lasting peace might just be a lifetime’s work.
And while she’d been initially willing to simply hand Ceti over to them, now Sky wondered if Dinah and Gerhard would see that as a sign of weakness and attack once Ceti was freed.
She wanted Ceti to go home. But she didn’t want it to be at the expense of an entire village.
If she could get these people to Ceti, he would tell her if they were dangerous or not.
“If you bring Ceti here, we will give you all we brought with us,” Dinah said.
“Not possible.” Sky shook her head, trying hard to keep her face blank. She didn’t want her frustration to show. “You must come to the village and present your offer to the elders. Only when they approve will Ceti be freed.”
“We will only come if I can bring my warriors,” Gerhard said.
“No,” Nighthawk said. “Only a small party of negotiators will be allowed in the village. It would be foolish to bring a Viking army into Shorakapkok.”
Sky didn’t like her father’s tone, but she agreed with his words.
Dinah and Gerhard bent their heads together and whispered for a moment.
“And if we don’t go to your village?” Dinah asked.
“Ceti stays where he is. If your people move to rescue him by force, we’ll respond in kind,” Sky said.
“And you must come with us unarmed,” Nighthawk said. Not a request. A statement of fact.
“Never,” Dinah said. “My husband and I along with Licinius and Gaius will come to your village. But we won’t give up our weapons.”
“You can’t—”
“It’s not an unreasonable request, Father,” Sky cut him off. “We’re asking them to walk into unknown and hostile territory. We outnumber them. Let them keep their weapons.”
Dinah made eye contact. Sky had the distinct feeling that she was being judged. It felt much like the long stares that Lake Wolf often used when deciding whether Sky had done the right thing or not.
Dinah quirked her lips. “So long as my husband and the others can keep their weapons, we’d be honored to visit Shorakapkok.” She glanced over at Nighthawk. “I do not wish this matter to end in violence. I expect you feel the same.”
Sky heard the unspoken reprimand in that and hid a smile. Dinah, she suspected, was as formidable among the Vikings as Deep Water was among the Turtle clan. ”It’s decided, then,” Sky said. “Wait here while an escort is arranged.”
As Sky turned and walked back to Deep Water, she could feel the stare of the Vikings. Despite Dinah’s words, the hostility still felt almost palpable.
Sky understood now why Ceti spent so much time with his aquila. It was difficult, grueling work. But it was an object.
It couldn’t argue back or bury itself in stubbornness, like people.
Chapter Nine
It took all Ceti’s self-control to stay contained in the longhouse. His guard let him pace before the fire, at least, bu
t that did little to relieve his anxiety.
He knew a ship had been spotted. He’d heard the warriors gathering. He knew Sky had gone with them.
Since they left, there had been silence.
What is going on?
Likely, someone had come for him. This situation could easily erupt in battle. It had to be handled with subtlety. Please let Gaius not be in charge. Gaius was earnest and a fine assistant, but his impatience often got the better of him. Better if it was Dinah. But if the imperial fleet had arrived, she might not have been able to leave Manhatos.
Worse, maybe the ship the Lenape had spotted was an imperial navy ship come to raid Shorakapkok.
I should be there to protect you, Sky.
Ceti stomped to the front door of the longhouse and raised a hand to push away the thick bearskin that covered the entrance. The guard grabbed Ceti’s wrist and pulled him back before he could get more than a glimpse of the empty square.
Ceti snarled but stepped back. The guard released his wrist.
Outside, several people shouted. The guard pushed aside the skin and looked out for himself. Ceti let out a deep breath and controlled the impulse to shoulder the guard aside. He’d been complaining about Gaius’s lack of patience. He should look to his own.
“What is happening?” he asked.
The guard looked at him, eyes narrowed. “Our war party is back, unharmed, with others I don’t know.”
“Could I—”
The guard raised his spear. “No. Likely they will call for you when needed.”
The shouts outside died down.
“I want to look, at least,” Ceti said.
The guard didn’t get a chance to consider this request. Nighthawk pushed aside the bearskin and stepped into the longhouse. His mouth was set in a thin line.
“Roman, come with me,” Nighthawk said. “You’re summoned.”
About time. Ceti wanted to shoulder past Nighthawk. Instead, he controlled his excitement. He should act like Dinah and pretend that he felt nothing. If he showed no emotion, he could give nothing away.
He stepped out in the morning light. Dinah, Gerhard, Gaius, and young Licinius were in the village square.
He tried hard not to grin, but he suspected part of a smile escaped. Dinah rushed over and flung herself at him. Ceti had no choice but to grab her and half-lift her off her feet to prevent being barreled over.
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