“You are nothing but a flea,” Trond snarled and let out a roar into the air.
Jumping to his feet, Klaus rammed Trond with his shoulder. Empty crates splintered as they flew into them.
Drowned by the shouts and cheers of the gathering crowd, Agnethe and Solaug’s screams went unheard. Shoved aside by others hungry for violence, the girls clung to each other. The stench of excitement swirled through the onlookers.
Both men grunted as they pounded each other with blows to the ribs, head and back. Trond doubled over and Klaus slammed his fist against his jaw. Stumbling, Trond looked ready to fall, then stood tall and turned.
A light rain started to fall, splattering into the already sloppy mud. Each man circled, waiting for an opening to strike.
Charging forward, they wrapped their arms around each other, using their free hands to shove fingers in eyes or hair to gain an advantage. Trond pushed forward and threw Klaus to the ground following down to the mud with him. On their knees they slugged, trading punches.
Agnethe screamed as she watched Klaus grab his ribs and fall forward. Another well-aimed punch to the same area made Klaus vomit. Stumbling from his own injuries and exhaustion, Trond backed away.
Determined, Klaus forced himself to stand. Both men huffed and caught their breath as they eyed each other. Klaus lurched forward, held his ribs with one hand, and struck out with his other fist, connecting to Trond’s jaw. The force of the blow snapping his head to the side and sending him flying off his feet. Landing supine on the ground, he slid to a stop as Klaus stumbled after him. Trond lay motionless. Silence fell over the raucous crowd as they waited and watched. At last, Trond moved, his fingers digging into the mire he made an effort to push himself up.
“Finish him!” A burly man shouted.
As Trond struggled to rise, Klaus paced, his fists clenched. He stepped closer. Standing over Trond, he grabbed hold of his tunic and raised his arm —
Breaking free from the crowd, Bierka shrieked and threw herself over her son. “No more! Stop. Please have mercy.”
Rain dripped off Klaus’ upheld arm, as the gathered group of onlookers held their breath, waiting to see what he would do. Mud smeared his face, but did not block the fiery intent of his eyes as his nostrils flared and chest heaved. It was his right. Everyone standing around as witnesses knew it as well. Trond had insulted him publicly more than twice and Klaus had been patient each time. Now, by law, he had the right to clear his name and claim Trond’s life.
“Please,” Bierka sobbed, lowering her face to lay against her son’s chest. Trond lay still, acknowledging that he was beat and waiting for the death blow.
“I have every right to end this now and forever, sending this cur to the underworld in a coward’s fate.” Klaus lowered his arm to his side. “Mercy is something I cannot offer, but I will make a bargain.”
“Yes, anything.” Bierka pleaded, rising to her knees.
“You will give Agnethe her family home as a dowry and your son’s life will be my bride-price to you.”
Standing, Bierka offered her hand to Klaus. “Of course, it is a bargain.”
“I’m not finished. You will also release Solaug from her marriage contract and allow her to live under my protection, as a gift, for all our trouble.”
Agnethe sucked in her breath as Solaug held onto her arm tighter, waiting to hear her aunt’s response.
Bierka’s lips tightened and her eyes narrowed at Klaus, but she could not hold his stare and lowered her eyes to the ground. “It is a bargain. I give my oath to Odin and Freya,” she said, holding out her hand to seal the deal.
Klaus took her hand and held it while he spoke to the crowd. “Who will step forward to act as witnesses to seal this contract?” Six men were needed to fulfill the law and more than that immediately separated themselves from the crowd. Klaus nodded to each of them, solidifying the deal. Releasing Bierka’s hand he looked down at Trond who still lay on the ground, but had sat up with his knees bent and his forehead leaned against them.
“Take this coward away and be sure he never comes near me or mine again.”
Trond slapped away his mother’s hand as she tried to help him to his feet, rising on shaky legs by himself, but she slipped under his arm to steady him when he wavered. As they began to walk away, the crowd parted for them in silence. Then one voice hurled out an insult, followed by another until a chorus of raucous taunts, and curses rang out around them. Their influence in Saxebi was over.
Agnethe rushed to Klaus, and threw her arms around him, causing him to suck in a hiss of air between his teeth. “Oh, I’m sorry. You’re hurt,” she said as she pulled back from him.
“It’s nothing,” he said between breaths.
“Of course.” Agnethe reached up to touch his face, then stopped. Looking him over for a spot that might not be in pain, she shook her head. “Let’s get you inside and cleaned up so you can rest.”
Solaug stood a few feet behind Agnethe, staring at the ground with her hands clasped over her middle. Klaus leaned down to Agnethe and whispered, “She should be happy. Have I done the wrong thing?”
Agnethe looked over her shoulder at her cousin, then turned back to Klaus with a slight smile. “No, you were perfect. I will talk with her and meet you inside.” Lowering her voice, she leaned closer to Klaus. “If you go now, maybe no one will see how you grimace each time you try to breathe. I’ll be right there to help.”
Klaus snorted, then turned toward the house and shook his head as he grunted with the movement. Agnethe watched him walk stiffly into her home. My home. She sighed and couldn’t help the smile that spread across her face. Our home.
13
Too Many Feelings
Agnethe turned toward Solaug and a wave of nausea washed over her, stronger than any before. A heaviness pushed on her heart and her vision became blurry. Wobbling on legs that felt like porridge, she reached out to find that Solaug had rushed up next to her. When her cousin took hold of her arm, Agnethe felt the pain of grief so strong tears flowed down her cheeks.
“Agnethe? What is it?” Solaug held tighter and pulled Agnethe against her side.
Agnethe didn’t understand what was happening, her heart was breaking and there didn’t seem to be any reason for it. Clutching Solaug’s arm, she sobbed against her shoulder.
“This way,” Solaug cooed, and led them both out of the street where they were drawing the stares of those still milling around.
Once inside, Solaug helped Agnethe to a seat on a bench near the fire. Klaus had his back to the door trying to stoke the flames, but not making much progress because of having to hold one arm around his ribs. With Agnethe settled, Solaug hurried to take over and ushered him to sit down as well.
“What’s this?” Klaus asked. “Did something happen?” He forced himself to twist on the bench and took a hold of Agnethe’s hand.
Immediately she felt at peace, the sadness dissipating like a spent rain cloud, drying her tears along with it. “Nothing happened. I don’t know . . . I felt sad all of a sudden . . . I can’t explain.” Her blood was no longer rushing through her ears and her vision was clear. “I feel better now though.” She smiled at Klaus before closing her eyes and feeling a calm peace return in full.
Solaug finished stoking the fire and filled the large kettle with water to heat, then crouched down in front of Agnethe. “Are you feeling better?”
“I am. Thank you for your help, I don’t know what that was.”
“Has it happened before? You were so pale and feeble.” Solaug rested her hand on Agnethe’s knee.
“You were fine when I walked away. Are you sure nothing happened you aren’t telling me?” Klaus asked, his brow furrowed.
“Both of you need to stop. No, I assure you nothing happened, but yes, this has happened before.”
“When?” Klaus and Solaug asked at the same time. They smiled at each other and a bit of the tension in the room lightened for a split second.
Agnethe too
k a deep breath and looked at Klaus. “At the Inn, before you and Trond fought the first time, I had a feeling that something bad was going to happen. There have been other times too, but not as strong as this. This time was the worst.”
“I have heard people say the gift of sight causes the seer pain,” Solaug said more to herself than to Agnethe.
Oh Mother, is this part of the secret you needed to tell me? Freya help me.
“Are there seers in your family?” Klaus asked.
“No, at least I don’t think so,” Agnethe answered while thinking back. Mother would lay down with headaches a lot.
“Oh!” Solaug exclaimed and stood up causing Klaus to groan when he tried to stand, ready if there was danger. “Sorry,” she looked at him sheepishly. “I remembered something. A few weeks ago a woman arrived in town, traveling alone and my mother said she thought she was a volva. I haven’t heard anyone else say that, but she might know what is happening to you?”
Agnethe swallowed and wrung her hands together in her lap. An image of the hooded woman from her mother’s funeral flashed into her mind. “I don’t think it’s anything to need all that. Let’s think of this later. Besides, all this talk is keeping Klaus from cleaning up and resting.”
“Don’t worry about that. If you don’t want to talk with the woman now, I will understand. But if you feel this way again, please consider it.” Klaus squeezed Agnethe’s hand that he still held.
“I will,” she said and brushed her hand against his cheek. “But now lets get your wounds tended. There is extra cloth in the other room, I’ll go get it and be right back.”
Agnethe hurried from the room, happy to change the subject and move on to something else. Upon returning with her hands full of cloth and a pair of scissors she stopped abruptly. Klaus was still sitting on the bench, but he was holding Solaug’s hand as she stood before him.
What . . .? Agnethe flattened her lips to a thin line and clenched her teeth so hard her jaw hurt before striding forward. Solaug snatched her hand away and hid it behind her, staring at the ground.
Agnethe flung the cloth into her cousins chest. “Help cut this into strips,” she growled. She strode to the kettle over the fire and dipped a separate bit of cloth into the warming water. Droplets hissed against the hot rocks underneath in her haste and she shoved it toward Klaus at arms length. “You need to take your shirt off so we can wrap your ribs, use this to wash the cuts on your face.”
Klaus smiled as he took the soft linen. “I am going to need some help with my shirt I think.”
Agnethe felt heat flush over her cheeks. “I’m sure you’ll manage by yourself.” Spinning on her heel, she left to go look for some herbs and honey. Dropping a couple handfuls of the dried yellow, orange and white flowers into a separate pot she dipped hot water over them and set them to the side of the fire to steep. When she returned Klaus still had not removed his shirt although his face was cleaner, and he was pressing the cloth against his upper lip.
“Are you going to remove your shirt or not? Maybe Solaug can help you,” Agnethe hissed.
Solaug gasped and looked wide-eyed at her cousin. “Why would I do that?”
“I saw you two holding hands after I left the room.” Never looking at Solaug, she kept her gaze leveled at Klaus. He only smiled instead of answering. Agnethe cocked an eyebrow at him and waited for him to confess, but his smile broadened until she growled and looked away.
“Agnethe, please come sit next to me.”
“I need to soak the cloth for a poultice.”
“I am going outside,” Solaug said before hastily disappearing through the front door.
“Now look what you did. You scared the poor girl away and left only yourself to help me.”
Agnethe tried to keep the stinging at the back of her eyes from forming tears. Klaus groaned and used his free arm to push himself up to standing, startling Agnethe and she rushed to help steady him. Wrapping his arm around her, he pulled her close.
“I thought that might bring you over,” He said.
“I have a mind to push you back onto the seat if I didn’t think it would make you faint.” She didn’t look up at him, but she didn’t move away either. “And you smell like a pig.”
“Agnethe look at me.”
Rolling her eyes, she looked up at him, her lips still pursed.
“She asked why I helped her and I was explaining. That’s all. I have no love for her as I do you. Although you are very cute when you get riled, like an angry kitten with its fur on end.”
Agnethe glared at him, then raised an eyebrow. “Kittens have sharp claws.”
Klaus laughed, then winced and pressed his arm tighter to his ribs as he held his breath.
“You need to sit and be still. I’ll go and get the poultice ready.”
“Let’s settle something first,” Klaus said. “The bride price and dowry have been set. Neither of us have families here to help with a large celebration. There’s no need to wait, let’s get married. Tomorrow.”
Agnethe felt her eyes widen while her heart pounded against her ribs. She stared at Klaus; his strong stubbled jaw, his hair matted and filthy from his fight, and his deep blue eyes. Drawing in a deep breath of his cinnamon, spicy scent, she smiled. It started as a small unsure gesture, but broadened as tears pricked her eyes and she forgot about being angry. “That sounds wonderful.” Pushing up to her tiptoes, she met Klaus in a kiss.
“Ahem.” A small, forced cough sounded from behind Agnethe, which caused her to drop flat to her feet and smile into Klaus’ chest.
Solaug stood in the doorway. “I hate to interrupt, but there is someone here who wants to speak to you Agnethe.”
Klaus pulled his free arm tighter around her and asked, “Who?”
“Sit, let me help you with your shirt so we can care for your bruises, then I will go find out.”
“Who is out there, Solaug?” Klaus asked again, but complied with Agnethe’s command.
“It is the woman I spoke of before. I didn’t go get her, I swear, while I was standing outside, she approached me.”
Klaus and Agnethe looked at each other in silence for a few seconds. “Let me get the poultice on Klaus’ ribs and then I will go out,” she said without looking at Solaug.
“I can help with that, if you’ll allow me.”
Agnethe spun toward the unfamiliar voice, as Solaug squeaked in surprise and Klaus tried unsuccessfully to stand, hissing and settling back to the bench. The hooded woman stood inside her home. A cascade of golden hair spilled out from the hood of her cloak as she pulled it back. There was an ethereal glow to her features—skin like fresh cream, lips as red as an apple and eyes so light they looked made of ice.
Agnethe swallowed hard, and could barely use her voice. “Who are you?”
“I’m someone who can help.” She gave a slight nod toward Klaus, but held Agnethe’s stare and she knew the woman meant more than the injuries. “May I?”
Agnethe nodded. “I have herbs steeping for a poultice, and strips of cloth to hold it in place.”
The woman smiled and turned to Solaug, “Will you go prepare the poultice dear and bring it to me when it’s ready.” It was not a question, but the sound of her voice held a sense of peace like a warm summer day that no one would refuse. She stepped closer to Klaus and placed her hand on Agnethe’s shoulder. Tingles shot through Agnethe, making it hard for her to breathe. In one instant she felt connected to this woman in a way that was stronger than she’d felt even for her own mother. Somehow she knew the key to everything she needed to know stood before her.
14
A Hint Of Knowledge
The strange woman worked silently next to Agnethe as they tended to Klaus. With his eyes closed, his breathing was shallow and his knuckles white as they bandaged his ribs with the calendula poultice. An occasional hiss sang through his teeth when they touched particularly tender spots. When they finished, they helped him into Maks’ bedroom and laid him on the bed. Agnethe handed h
im a cloth soaked in the steeped herbs to lay against his face and placed another on his shoulder.
“Drink this, it will help you sleep.” She handed him a cup filled with a warm tincture.
“What is it?”
“Warm mead with some herbs and honey.”
Klaus wrinkled his nose and sniffed the cup. “It doesn’t smell that bad. Kind of sweet.”
“Just drink it.” She quirked up her lips and shook her head. So strong and yet a little boy.
Holding out the empty cup to her, Klaus brought the soothing cloth to his face again.
Setting the cup to the side, she tucked the thick fur cover around his shoulders. “That wasn’t so bad was it?”
“No. I guess you weren’t trying to poison me after all.” He smiled and gave her a wink.
“Rest and I will check on you in a bit,” she said, then lowered her voice and added, “to see if the poison has worked.”
“Ha!” Wiggling an arm free, he took one of Agnethe’s hands and brought it to his swollen lips, pressing a kiss against her knuckles. “Thank you.”
Her hand tingled and a jolt shot through her insides making her feel wobbly, and it was an effort to swallow past the thickness in her throat. You are so wonderful. She smiled and brushed her other hand along his exposed arm. “Sleep now.”
“I will dream of you.”
Agnethe felt the heat of her cheeks while her stomach fluttered before she stood straight and turned to go.
“Agnethe,” Klaus said.
Twisting toward him she raised her eyebrows in question.
“Please don’t go anywhere with that woman. Listen to what she has to say, but don’t leave.”
“I’ll be here.” A smile spread across her face when he gazed at her. “Always.”
“Promise?”
“Yes,” she said without a second’s hesitation. “Now sleep and don’t worry.”
Klaus nodded and closed his eyes.
Agnethe felt as if her feet only skimmed the floor when she returned to the main hall. Holding her hands tight against her middle she almost forgot the other two women were waiting for her.
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