‘These should work. They are good at stopping bleeding. When mixed with a little honey.’ She dabbed the mixture on his cheek, brushing the dirt from it. He winced as she worked. ‘The wound is clean. I don’t think there will be an infection, but you will sport a scar.’
‘You brought the right medicine, Kara—you and Rurik,’ he said, standing up. ‘I feel stronger already. I hope you don’t mind a scarred husband.’
‘I will take my husband however I can have him,’ she said, wrapping her hands about her waist. ‘But you should sit and rest. It looks as though you have lost a lot of blood.’
‘No, I need to return a sword.’ Ash knelt down on one knee. ‘A warrior always returns a weapon to its owner. It has been bloodied, Rurik. It has good balance. It is destined to be legendary. Use it wisely.’
‘Truly?’ Rurik’s face broke into a wide smile.
‘Yes, truly.’ Ash put his hand on Rurik’s shoulder. ‘Valdar chose the blade well.’
‘How is he?’
‘A scratch to my wrist and a deeper one to my shoulder,’ the warrior said, coming up. ‘Rurik, why don’t you come with me and see my men? I want to see how badly hurt they are. Your parents can spare you for a little while.’
Valdar led Rurik away, leaving Kara with Ash.
‘Are you hurt anywhere else? Your clothes are bloody.’
‘Most of the blood is other people’s, Kara,’ Ash said.
‘Can I see for myself?’ Kara asked, reaching for his tunic.
‘I’ll live.’ He turned away.
‘You’re worse than Rurik. I want to know you are fine. There is a difference. You fought without a helm or protection.’
Ash took off his shirt and she saw his skin had no fresh cuts.
‘The gods were kind,’ she murmured.
‘I have been in battles before. Other than this scratch, I will have a few bruises. My knee took a battering, but I can still walk. Valdar took a sword cut to his shoulder though. I have bound it up, but he will need to rest it and not ride a horse.’
‘If that is a scratch, I would hate to see what a real wound looked like.’ Kara clenched her fists. There were so many things she wanted to say, but Ash seemed different. More alive and at peace with himself. He enjoyed this, she realised. ‘Your father would have been proud.’
Ash’s face sobered. ‘My father was different from me. I don’t need to seek his approval. I know how to do my job.’ He laced his hand through hers and brought it to his lips. ‘I didn’t think my uncle would attack us here. Just like I didn’t think the lightning would hit the ship all those years ago. I would have insisted you stay in Jaarlshiem. I never meant to put Rurik or you in danger. Will you forgive me?’
‘If Rurik and I hadn’t come, you’d have been without a sword and I would never have forgiven myself for that.’
He tilted his head to one side, assessing her. ‘You say the most unexpected things. I hadn’t looked at it in that way.’
Her heart turned over. With great difficulty she held back the words about loving him. Despite the wound, his entire being radiated happiness and contentment. How could she ever hope to deny him if he wanted to go off and fight more battles? And how could she bear the pain of wondering what was happening to him? But equally she couldn’t bear him only living half a life. ‘It is the truth.’
His eyes assessed her for a long heartbeat. ‘And here I worried you’d be furious with me.’
‘For saving my life and Rurik’s? You must think me very hard. You are the hero of the battle.’
‘No, I am a man who made sure his family was protected. I was not about to lose either of you. You are far too precious for me.’
Kara wrapped her arms about her waist. The full impact of what had nearly happened coursed through her. Ice-cold shivers consumed her. Ash had come too close to death. The world started to turn black. ‘I nearly lost you.’
‘Breathe, Kara. Concentrate on the now, rather than what might have been. Put it from your mind. It is over. We survived.’
‘Your uncle’s men attacked.’
‘Yes.’ Ash shaded his eyes. ‘One or two may have escaped during the fighting. I regret I was otherwise occupied. I was not as good as I should be.’
‘Escaped?’ The full impact of Ash’s word hit Kara. This wasn’t the end move. This was an opening gambit. They were far from safe here. ‘You mean they are on their way to your uncle?’
‘They could be. What my uncle does with them is another question. He hates failure.’
Kara slammed her fists together, coming to a sudden decision. ‘We need to see the king as soon as possible, preferably before your uncle learns of this. We need to keep him off-balance.’
Ash struggled to his feet. ‘I agree with you. We press on. A few hours of daylight remain and there is a moon tonight.’
‘Once my men are seen to,’ Valdar said, coming back with Rurik in tow. ‘We need to wait, Ash.’
‘I collected the fallen warriors’ brooches.’ Rurik held out a number of insignia before Ash could answer. ‘Like you told me, Far. Every warrior should do this—to know who he fought. Can I keep them?’
‘You may keep them,’ Ash confirmed.
Rurik gave a glad cry and threw his arms about Ash. Instantly he enveloped his son and spun around with him.
‘Why should we wait, Valdar?’ Kara asked, watching the pair. ‘We hold the advantage now.’
‘We need an escort. One must proceed with caution, particularly now that your uncle has made his move.’
‘Your men can look after themselves and travel at their own pace, but we need to get to Sand,’ Ash said, setting Rurik on his feet. ‘I hardly want you branded a traitor because you raised a sword against my uncle’s men. He will try to twist what happened here today.’
Valdar pursed his lips. ‘I see what you mean, but even so one must be cautious. I vote we stay here until we know we have the strength to fight. And I am the one responsible for taking you to Sand. You must yield.’
Kara ground her teeth. Even she with her limited knowledge of warfare and strategy saw that Ash was correct. Sometimes you did have to take a risk. Whatever happened, she knew she was safer with Ash than staying here with Valdar’s men.
‘Allow Kara to decide. I trust her judgement on this matter,’ Ash said. ‘Do this for me and I will say your life debt is cancelled.’
An inner glow filled her. Ash trusted her judgement. He believed in her. ‘You owe Ash a life debt, Valdar?’
‘He saved my life and received the cut to his face for his pains.’ Valdar gave a short laugh. ‘It improves his looks.’
‘What is your decision, Valdar?’ Ash cleared his throat. ‘Will you accept Lady Kara’s judgement? Or do you wish to feel her wrath?’
‘Very well. Lady Kara, what do you wish to do? Press on or wait?’
Kara glanced about her. Valdar’s men would not be in any fit state to travel for several days. Time they did not have. But travelling on also meant they were at risk if Harald Haraldson should decide to attack them again. Valdar was many things, but he was no tafl player.
‘I trust Ash’s judgement. He is the expert. We see to the worst of the wounded and then we go. Valdar must ride in the cart with his injured arm—he won’t be able to control his horse.’
‘Who will ride Valdar’s horse?’
‘I will ride alongside Ash until we see the gates. Valdar can have his horse back then. There will be fewer comments if you ride your horse in. We want to catch Harald Haraldson unaware if at all possible.’
Ash kissed her cheek, but his lips were cool. Kara’s stomach knotted. She was going to have to let him go out to sea again and she wasn’t sure her heart was ready for it but how could she not let him go? She wanted Ash, rather than someone else who was steady and always th
ere. Ash was the only man for her. ‘That’s my woman. Your head for strategy is excellent, but I will ride Valdar’s horse. My horse knows you.’
‘Then it is settled.’
Valdar bowed his head. ‘I hope you know what you are doing, Kara.’
* * *
‘Not much farther, Kara,’ Ash said from his horse. His bones ached with weariness and his facial wound pulsed, alternating with ice-cold numbness and excruciating pain. He had spent most of the night concentrating on riding Valdar’s horse. Valdar with his wound to his shoulder rode in the cart with Rurik. There was simply no way Valdar could have controlled the horse with his injured shoulder. Thankfully the warrior had seen sense.
Right now he had to hope his plan would work. All of his battlefield knowledge came down to this moment.
‘See, we have reached the outlying farms. We will be at the gates before dawn.’
‘The third farm is Auda’s. I suggest we rest there until the town gates open in the morning. Valdar is her brother-in-law. She will give us shelter.’
Kara’s being radiated tiredness. Her determination to reach Sand surprised him. If they pulled this feat off, people would talk about it for years to come. Once the thought would have pleased him, but now he worried. Fame and glory meant nothing if he didn’t have Kara to share it.
‘You can stay there if you want. Wait for me until I get this solved. You and Rurik will be safe.’
‘I want to see this through. I want to be at your side.’
Ash gave her a sharp look. In the dim light only her proud profile shone.
‘Trust me to get this right. I will protect Rurik’s heritage. We will get back to Jaarlshiem. I can do this alone, without your help.’
‘I will find that too hard.’ Kara pulled her horse to a stop.
‘Hard or impossible?’ Ash asked softly. His heart clenched. He had to know what was in her heart. ‘Once I know you are safe from my uncle, Kara, we can talk about the future.’
She ducked her head. ‘Hard, but not for the reason you think. I want to be there, Ash. Let me be there. I might be able to help. Don’t shut me out.’
‘A tangle of my making. I should be the one to put it right.’
‘Why do you find it hard to accept help? Why do you always have to be the only hero?’ The muscles in her neck tightened. ‘There are times when I wish I could strangle your father. You don’t need to prove anything to me.’
Ash looked down at her face. He might not need to prove anything to her, but he wanted to prove something to himself. ‘I love you, Kara. I don’t want anything to happen to you. I want you to be safe.’
‘Sometimes, you have only the illusion of safety if you fail to face the things you fear. You taught me that.’ She nodded towards where the farm nestled in a hollow. ‘We face what lies ahead together. If you love me like you say you do, you will allow me to be there and plead on your behalf.’
His heart panged slightly. He wasn’t alone. He had her. She had not given way, but she had compromised. He had to show her that he could meet her halfway. Deeds, not words, were required.
* * *
The gates creaked open and the king’s guard rode out. Kara’s heart sank as she recognised the leader—a loyal follower of Ash’s uncle. They had made it thus far, only for Ash’s uncle to win.
‘We demand to be taken to the king!’ Ash shouted, jumping down from his horse.
‘Our orders say otherwise, Ash Hringson. You are under suspicion of ordering an unprovoked attack. You are to be delivered to Harald Haraldson first, for safekeeping.’
‘We were attacked on the king’s road and demand justice. Have the laws of Raumerike changed that much?’ Ash spread his hands. ‘See, Valdar the Steady is with us and you know him to be an honest man. Allow him to go to the king and then take us to my uncle.’
‘I demand to be taken to the king!’ Valdar thundered. ‘Ash Hringson was put in my charge. Where I go, he goes.’
The men looked nonplussed and hurriedly retreated to confer. After a few agonising heartbeats, their leader came forward again. ‘We will accompany you to the king’s hall. We are not at war with you, Valdar the Steady, you may retain your sword.’
Valdar nodded, but he swayed slightly. Kara gave him a hurried glance. The journey had been too much for him.
‘Valdar should rest before we see the king,’ she said. ‘He is nearly dead on his feet.’
The captain smiled. ‘He may rest. He may go anywhere he likes.’
‘Forgive me,’ Valdar murmured.
‘And the Lady Kara?’ Ash asked, ignoring her swift intake. ‘Where are they to go?’
‘They are to go straight to Harald Haraldson. He will keep them safe. They are part of his family.’
Kara clenched her fists. She should have thought about the potential to be a hostage. Instead of helping, she had played directly in Harald Haraldson’s hands.
‘Neither Hringson’s son or wife has been accused,’ Valdar said, giving a quick glance at Ash, who nodded in confirmation. ‘But they are under my protection and need to travel with me. They may reside at my house.’
‘They must stay with Valdar Nerison,’ Ash agreed.
Kara’s stomach knotted. The words and actions were very unlike Valdar. Had they come to some agreement before she had found them by the hut? She went back over Ash’s words throughout the journey. He was giving her up.
‘Kara,’ Ash said. ‘Forgive me, but I have to know you are safe. Valdar will look after you should anything happen to me. I will go to meet the king alone. Once you are settled, then Valdar will come to the king’s hall.’
His uncle’s man nodded. ‘I can agree to that. Valdar Nerison is not wanted for questioning. He only needed to bring you.’
‘I want to share your fate,’ Kara said in an undertone before they led Ash away. ‘Let me come with you.’
‘You have to think about our son. He needs one parent to look after him if things don’t go as I planned. Valdar knows what to do.’
Kara bit her lip. ‘I thought it was decided. I want to be with you.’
‘I thought it was understood.’ He raised her hand to his lips. ‘Do as I ask for once. Please.’
‘I do trust you, but you need to know I am there to support you in spirit.’
‘I don’t want my uncle to use you.’ His brow creased. ‘Valdar and I made the plan in case of this happening. He will look after you...should the worst happen.’
‘And you were the one who always said that when things looked blackest, you did your best work. Remember the tafl game? You can do this.’
‘Hold on to that thought.’
Kara’s heart sank. Despite his earlier bravado, Ash was less certain about the outcome than he pretended. ‘Nothing will happen to you. I won’t allow it.’
‘It is right. Valdar has given me protection through this journey. He will provide it now. He is what you need, Kara. Someone steady.’
She shook her head. ‘No, you are wrong. I need you. Never forget that.’
‘I will do my best to remember it.’
* * *
Ash strode into the hall. Alone. His entire body ached with pain, but Kara was safe. His uncle’s men had beaten him and then taken him to the king.
In the centre of the room, his uncle stood next to the king, wearing a triumphant smile. The king appeared older than when he had left Sand, more careworn. Ash struggled to remember that this man had once been one of the greatest warriors that any of the North lands had seen.
‘You have returned, Ash Hringson,’ the king said. ‘Your uncle feared you might be reluctant.’
‘And far from willing by the look of him,’ his uncle sneered. ‘His cloak is torn and his face bruised. And where is the man who was sent to fetch you? Lying in some ditch?’
Ash inclined his head. ‘Valdar Nerison proved an adequate escort. However, he was injured in the fighting and rests. He gives his apologies.’
‘How did he come by the injuries?’ the king asked.
‘Be careful, my liege. My nephew was once a sell-sword. The lies spring readily to his lips,’ his uncle said.
‘We were attacked on the road from Jaarlshiem,’ Ash said evenly. His stomach clenched. He knew his uncle’s line of attack—how he could fight back.
‘Attacked in Raumerike?’ His uncle laughed. ‘Since when does that happen? Who attacked you?’
‘Your men,’ Ash answered.
‘Do you have proof?’ his uncle asked.
‘Do you have proof that my ship attacked yours, Uncle?’ Ash retorted, struggling to keep his temper.
‘I have my captain’s word. A man who has never sold his sword to the highest bidder. He is loyal to me because of my birth, not because of the amount of gold I pay him.’
‘Where is this captain?’ Ash demanded. ‘I would like to speak with him and learn more.’
‘Bring him here, Harald,’ the king said. ‘A man should face his accuser. We agreed on this. Ash is Hring the Bold’s son. I owe his late father that much.’
‘It can be arranged.’ His uncle snapped his fingers and the captain of the guard came closer. ‘This is my man and you all know him to speak the truth.’
‘Where is my oarsman?’
‘You needn’t worry. You two will share the same fate.’ The king inclined his head. ‘First I wish to hear more about this attack. Was Valdar Nerison there?’
‘Valdar is in love with my nephew’s wife. Perhaps there is another reason for his absence. Or perhaps she has addled his wits. Kara Olofdottar is very beguiling.’
Ash clenched his teeth. His uncle was better than he’d anticipated. He should have insisted on Valdar being there. One more mistake. Perhaps a fatal one. ‘When he arrives, he will vouch for my word.’
‘We will need physical proof.’
‘I have proof of whom my father fought.’
Return of the Viking Warrior Page 23