by A. E. Rayne
‘Go to sleep,’ she murmured. ‘Tomorrow you will find out what your men think. Best you rest now so that your tongue will work when you’re standing before them. You want to sound like a powerful king, not just the son of a dead one.’
Raymon heard the coldness in her voice, and he closed his eyes, letting sleep wash away everything but the supportive smile on his mother’s face as she urged him on.
As they emerged from their tents the next morning, the great army of Brekka was relieved to see that it was not raining. Everything they owned was damp and stinking, and they looked to the cornflower-blue sky – cloudless as far as the eye could see – hoping it would last.
Thorgils, Karsten, and Rork were sitting outside their tent on tree stumps, sharing out their winnings. Most Iskavallans and a few Islanders had bet against Aleksander, him being only half as wide as his challenger, and the hungover trio had collected a helmet full of coins.
Jael laughed at the state of them. Not one of them appeared to be able to open both eyes at once. ‘You did well, then? Thanks to Aleksander.’
Thorgils grinned, but it hurt his head, and he quickly put both hands to it trying to make the pounding stop. ‘Well, I do remember watching him fight you, so I wasn’t going to bet against him.’
Karsten lifted an eyebrow, wishing he’d seen that.
‘I did beat him.’
‘You did. I still remember that kick.’
Jael smiled as Aleksander approached. He looked even worse than Thorgils, who suddenly put his head between his knees. ‘Had a good night, did we?’ Aleksander had a black eye and a fat lip. His nose was swollen, and there was an enormous purple bruise on his forehead where he’d been head-butted. ‘Everything still working, is it?’
He squinted at her, wishing back the gloomy sky and cold rain. The sun was burning his eyes, and it felt as though someone was squeezing his head. ‘Don’t know.’
Jael laughed. ‘Well, while you were all drinking and fighting, I was doing something useful, like securing Raymon Vandaal’s promise to go to Hest with us.’
They all looked at her.
‘So, it’s done?’ Karsten stood up, regretting it instantly as he sat back down, stars dancing in front of his eyes. ‘We have a deal?’
‘We have a deal. But now he has to sell that deal to his men,’ Jael murmured, watching Raymon walk into Rissna’s muckhole of a square with his mother and his wife, eyeing the stage Warunda had commanded the day before. ‘Though I can’t imagine it will go well. Might be best if I go and help him out.’ She saw Axl talking to Fyn and Beorn and, nodding at Aleksander who was being slapped on the back by a smiling Rork, she headed towards him.
‘You look better than everyone else,’ Jael grinned at her brother.
Axl shrugged, eyeing Fyn who was wondering how quickly he could hobble to the latrines. ‘I figured that being a king, I should have a little more self-control. Especially here. Around them.’ He eyed the Iskavallans who were gathering around the stage their king had just mounted. ‘Is he going to tell them now?’
Jael nodded. ‘He is. And then we can start planning our attack.’ She felt a lift, just thinking about leaving for Hest; finding Draguta and Jaeger and the book. Morana Gallas too. But as Jael’s mind jumped from Morana to Evaine and then to Eadmund, she felt a growing sense of dread about what state her husband would be in when she found him.
Eadmund watched Evaine walk away, unable to keep the smile off his face.
‘That’s a fine woman you have there,’ Rollo said between gulps of water. They were taking breaks every few minutes. It was a hot morning, and though they had been up training early, the heat was sapping their energy quickly. ‘But what happened to your wife?’
Eadmund turned to him, his smile gone. ‘My father arranged the marriage. When he died, I was free to be with Evaine. Jael didn’t want to be my wife any more than I wanted to be her husband.’
Rollo laughed. ‘Ha! I imagine she didn’t. A woman like that? I’ve heard what she can do with a sword, but perhaps that’s all she’s good at? Though, I’d thought she’d be like a wild cat in bed.’ He inclined his head, hoping to tease out more information. ‘She obviously knows how to handle a weapon...’
Eadmund stared at him, trying not to remember anything about Jael in bed. He walked back to the middle of the training ring. ‘Come on. Stop thinking about my wife.’
But Rollo didn’t turn around. His eyes were on Draguta as she approached, her dutiful Brill trailing behind her with a basket; Meena hanging further back, dripping with sweat, her red hair hanging limply around her red face.
‘There you are!’ Draguta exclaimed happily. ‘Exactly where I’d hoped.’
Eadmund strode back to Rollo, ready to hear what Draguta needed but she ignored him, smiling at Rollo instead. ‘You, Rollo Barda. I have a little job for you.’
Raymon squirmed as the silence continued.
None of his men cheered. None spoke up.
Jael felt sorry for him. And worried for them. She glanced at Axl, inclining her head for him to follow her up onto the stage. They needed the Iskavallans, and it would be much easier if they believed in the cause. If they could see that there was something in it for them. Obviously saving their kingdom and their families as well as themselves was not enough.
‘Your king has made the right choice!’ Jael called. ‘He will lead you to victory over Hest! Over those who wish us all harm! Over those who want to destroy our kingdoms and kill our families! We must fight to set ourselves free. Together! And when our victory is still ringing in our ears, and our enemy’s blood has turned Hest red, we shall take their gold and come back to our kingdoms and celebrate! Our victory will be the greatest victory Osterland has ever known! A victory for the gods themselves to admire! A victory to make you rich beyond your dreams!’
There were a few cheers, mainly from her men, but Jael saw more interest in the Iskavallans’ eyes now, and she was encouraged when a few of them clapped their hands, nodding to each other, joining in.
Karsten wasn’t. He fiddled with his eyepatch, ignoring his clanging headache, glowering at Jael who had just offered up Hest’s riches.
His riches soon.
Jael stared at him, reading his look, realising that he had a point, but still, Karsten wasn’t going to have a kingdom if they didn’t get enough men to try and reclaim it. And once they defeated Briggit Halvardar, she would see to it that Karsten’s coffers were topped up with Helsabor’s gold.
Raymon looked relieved as he turned to her and Axl. Getta had disappeared, but his mother was still there, and he could see her weaving her way through the crowd, encouraging the cheers of their men. ‘We should go and plan, then. I want to know how you think we can get to Hest without being attacked by dragons and serpents.’
He looked nervous, Jael thought, but excited too, and she smiled, eager to begin.
Edela hadn’t had any more dreams about Dara Teros or the knife, but she had woken up with a clear image of how to help Eadmund. And looking through the Book of Aurea she had quickly discovered the ritual she needed.
It was surprisingly complicated and involved, so Edela brought Biddy, Eydis, the Book of Aurea and the puppies to the square where Ayla was sitting at a table, enjoying the sunshine. The puppies soon grew bored with waiting by the table. No treats were on offer, and no crumbs had fallen their way, so they raced off, towards the wall, hoping there would be a bit of dragon left to chew on.
Ayla ran her eyes over the page, squinting in the bright sunlight. ‘Yes, I think it could work.’ She glanced at Eydis who looked as though she was holding her breath. ‘It sounds terrifying, but it could definitely work, Edela. If you think you’re strong enough to try such a thing?’
Edela was pleased to hear it, but she agreed with Ayla. Breaking the soul spell would require her to do things she had never imagined possible. ‘Well, I do hope so. With Eydis’ help, I think I should be able to do it. If it will work. Draguta did not cast the spell on Eadmund. I
t was Evaine, with Morana’s help, but this is certainly worth a try.’
‘It is,’ Ayla nodded. ‘But there is a lot to do. A lot of things we’ll need to find and prepare before tonight.’
‘Mmmm, releasing a soul appears to be harder than it was to trap it in the first place. But if we manage it, then Eadmund will be free from Evaine. Free to return to Andala.’ Edela could see Eydis sit up straighter, her face glowing as Runa walked towards them with Sigmund. Edela smiled at her as she stood and reached for Eydis’ hand. ‘Why don’t we make a start, then? The sooner we get to work, the sooner we can bring Eadmund home. We need him here with us, don’t we, Eydis? And we need to get him far, far away from Draguta as quickly as possible!’
‘But what about Eadmund?’ Rollo wondered, not pleased, but realising that he had little say in the matter. And then, of course, there was the prize on offer.
It was a lot of gold, he thought, staring at the chest Draguta had opened.
‘You needn’t worry about Eadmund,’ Draguta murmured, watching his greedy eyes widen. ‘I have a feeling Eadmund will be very busy while you’re gone. In fact, I shall see to it. He’ll be ready and waiting for your return. And you will return quickly, won’t you, Rollo dear? I would hate to think of what would happen to all this gold if you were to delay.’
Rollo’s eyes were transfixed by the gleaming contents of the chest. ‘I’ll come back as soon as it’s done.’
‘Good!’ Draguta smiled, barely able to contain herself. ‘Then go. Your ship is waiting. I have paid the merchant well. He has an experienced crew, and they are already in the cove. It has all been arranged, so hurry along, Rollo Barda, and I shall find you in your dreams.’
32
Eadmund hadn’t known what to do with himself when Rollo left with Draguta. He didn’t imagine that he would take long, so he found another training partner: a Hestian who was about half Rollo’s size, but who was so quick on his feet and adept at wielding his sword that Eadmund found himself chasing him around the ring, his newly found confidence eroding with every stumble. Panting, he held up a hand. ‘Think I need a drink,’ he croaked, turning towards the water bag, only to come face to face with Jaeger.
‘If you can’t beat Edlan there, you don’t stand much chance of beating your wife. Or me.’ And with the wave of a hand, Jaeger sent Edlan on his way and entered the ring.
‘And what makes you think I want to fight either you or Jael?’
Jaeger laughed, cracking his neck, hungry for a fight. ‘What makes you think you have a choice?’ he wondered. ‘Draguta will decide who you fight, not you.’
Eadmund knew he was right. He could feel it.
So could Jaeger.
They were both bound to her in some way. She needed them, and they wanted to please her. It was a desperation so profound they could almost taste it.
‘Draguta will decide who you fight and who you fuck.’
Eadmund stepped towards Jaeger, all thoughts of water gone. ‘What?’
‘You think you’re with Evaine because you want her?’ Jaeger’s eyes were sharp; amber slits glinting in the sun. ‘Because you love her?’
Eadmund stopped a hand’s breadth from him, jutting out his chin. ‘What do you know about me? About what I want?’ he growled.
‘About you? More than you do,’ Jaeger growled back. ‘I know Evaine put a spell on you. Forced you to love her. Took you away from your wife.’
Eadmund frowned. That was something he had heard before, and it irritated him just as much coming from Jaeger Dragos’ flapping mouth. ‘You’re making a mistake to talk to me about Evaine. Or Jael. Neither of them are anything to do with you.’
Jaeger smiled. ‘Well, Evaine and I are... friends. I’m concerned. Worried that you’ll break her heart when you wake up from your dream and realise what you’ve been doing. Run back to your wife. Leave her here, all alone... with me.’
Eadmund felt a rush of emotion, hot and demanding as it swarmed his body, building towards his fists. Then he heard Draguta’s voice like ice in his veins, and he took a deep breath. ‘It must be hard to feel so empty inside? So lonely that you feel the need to try and take what other people have? I knew someone like that once. He’s alone now too. Why not go and find your own life, Jaeger? A new wife? One who wants you, though that might take some time. I’m sure most people can see what a fucking bastard you are.’ And with one final look of disgust, Eadmund turned back to the water bag.
Jaeger lashed out, aiming a punch at the back of his head.
He missed.
Eadmund had felt him coming, and he’d spun at the last moment, dropping his head to the side, holding one fist up to protect his face, smacking the other into Jaeger’s jaw.
Jaeger felt the crack, and then the crack in his ribs as Eadmund punched him there too. Before he could get his fists in front of his face, Eadmund smacked him in the eye. Jaeger’s head snapped back, fire sparking through his body. Staggering away, he shook his head, sweat and blood flying as he straightened up and charged.
Rissna’s hall was beginning to stink like a barrel full of wet socks. The leaking roof had dampened the walls, the floor, and the furs, and despite the sunshine, the mix of damp, ale, smoke, and whatever the cooks were stirring in their cauldrons was overpowering. They all decided to take a break in the fresh air before returning to finalise their plans.
‘We’ll leave first thing tomorrow,’ Jael said, turning to Gant as they wandered away from the hall towards the small training ring where a few Iskavallans were working up a sweat. ‘I want to get back to Andala.’
‘Have you had a dream?’ Gant looked worried, eager to head back himself.
‘No, but the sooner we return, the sooner we can prepare for Hest. I have a feeling Draguta won’t sit on her hands much longer. Not after we destroyed her dragur. She’ll come up with something new soon.’
‘Mmmm, well I think we’ve made a good start on how things could go. And Raymon seems like he’s got a clever head on his shoulders, young though it may be. I see a king in there.’
Jael wasn’t so sure, but she didn’t say so. ‘Well, I only hope he can hold that head when he gets on the battlefield. His men will be watching. They’re barely with him now. Let’s just hope he’s not as cowardly as his father was.’
Gant raised an eyebrow. ‘I’m not sure Hugo was cowardly as much as stupid. He had little sense of how to plan a battle. He was always more focused on the glory than the actual act of fighting. Lucky for him he had a neighbour like Ranuf to get him out of trouble. Which he did, countless times. He really was a wet fart of a king. No wonder he was murdered.’
‘I don’t envy Raymon. He’s sitting in a pit of snakes, waiting for one to lash out and bite him. And if he’s not careful, they will.’
Gant watched as she strode towards Ravenna who was cradling her grandson. ‘I’ll see you back at the hall.’
Jael nodded but didn’t turn around. She had been looking to speak to Ravenna since they’d arrived, but she wasn’t sure why.
‘Jael.’ Ravenna smiled at her, handing the baby to Getta’s servant. ‘I never thought you’d emerge from the hall. Is it going well?’
Jael opened her mouth to speak, but images burst into view, and then she couldn’t speak at all as they whirled around her head, confusing her, upsetting her.
She stared at Ravenna, grabbing her arm. ‘We need to talk. Now.’
Jaeger couldn’t breathe. His lungs were burning as he spun, blocking Eadmund’s clenched fist. Eadmund was a different man than the one who’d been at Hest in the spring. He had a punch on him that would have felled a weaker man, Jaeger was sure. But Jaeger was not a weak man, and he shifted his feet, jabbing with his right hand, slipping through Eadmund’s guard, catching him on the chin.
Eadmund stumbled backwards, grunting, scuffing up the dust which tickled his throat and irritated his eyes. Shaking his head, he threw himself forward, hammering blows into Jaeger’s stomach; ducking, swaying, punching him again. Har
der. Feeling the power in his arm, the ease with which he could move, block, strike, defend.
Jaeger fell back, winded, teeth gritted, slipping out of Eadmund’s path, panting. Angry. He ducked one fist, trying to use his longer reach to hit Eadmund in the face again. But Eadmund came at him quickly, visions of Jael flashing before his eyes, remembering how she fought. Fast. Dropping, sliding. Grappling. And grabbing Jaeger’s arms, he curled his leg around the back of Jaeger’s, working to bring him down. Jaeger fought back, trying to free his arms and keep to his feet, but Eadmund had unbalanced him, and he fell to the dirt with a bang.
Eadmund was quickly over him, smashing his bleeding fist into Jaeger’s face.
‘Eadmund! What are you doing?’ Draguta barked, Evaine at her side. She glared at him as he backed away, fist in the air, staring up at Draguta in surprise. ‘How will it help any of us if you kill each other? How will it help me?’
Jaeger rolled away, coughing.
Eadmund tried to open his one closed eye as he made his way towards Evaine, who blinked at him with a mixture of worry and irritation.
Draguta tapped her foot as Jaeger approached, trying to catch his breath. ‘Surely you have things to do that don’t involve beating each other to a pulp?’ she growled. ‘I need both of you. And I would prefer it if you had all of your parts working, including your brains!’ And spinning on her heels, she left Eadmund and Jaeger glaring at each other, and headed towards the winding gardens to see how Meena was coming along.
Getta had let Ravenna take her son so she could go for a walk, wanting a moment to think. But even in the quiet of her own company, she couldn’t think at all.
Raymon was going to get them all killed, and she didn’t know what to do.