He came around the table and knelt by her. Taking her hands in his, he looked down at them. “I don’t want you to wonder. Even if Wulf were to go back and tell of how it is here for you, it wouldn’t be the same. You need to see him, speak with him, feel his love. It has been a wound within you and it needs to heal. I think only his touch can do that.
“It is what will happen afterward that troubles me. You’ll be back at home, with all those you love. Vargfell will be a distant memory, an unpleasant one in many ways. There’s nothing to bring you back to me.”
“I imagine one of your ships could do that.” She tried to smile.
“Your father would burn it again. Do you think he would allow you to come back here, once he has you home again? He’ll lock you away so far within the keep that even if I brought all my ships and men, I’d never find you.”
“You seem to forget one thing, Northman. I have to return here. I still owe you a sail and I always honor my promises.”
He drew her to him and kissed her. “Forget the damned sail. You owe me nothing. But your father does. Come with me.”
He took her hand and led her out into the hall. Wulf was sitting with other men. He rose as they walked to him.
“Elfwynn has decided to return home,” Rorik said. “And I ask for no gold or silver now. I have one stipulation, though.”
“What is that?” Wulf tensed.
Rorik brought her hand to his lips and kissed it, then turned to Wulf. “Edward still owes me, but I intend to collect from him personally. Besides, I don’t trust Elfwynn’s safety with anyone else on the seas. Whenever you wish to leave for Northumbria, I’m taking you there myself.”
Chapter Seventeen
On the shore of the Humber River near Redbank
Kingdom of Northumbria
Elfwynn watched the currents in the water of the river. Eight longships were beached to her left. Once, they would have struck fear into her. Now, they gave her a small bit of comfort, for they meant Rorik was here. If anything went wrong with this meeting with her father, he’d have a way to escape. Of course, he’d planned it that way. The Norse were never far from their ships at home or in battle.
Wulf had gone on to the keep. He’d said he didn’t want her walking all that way. She shook her head. She’d spent her life on foot, traveling the roads and shoreline. It wasn’t as though she was some delicate flower who had to ride in a cart everywhere. Still, it showed his concern for her.
They’d left Vargfjell days ago with all of Magnus’s and Eirik’s ships, and eight of Rorik’s. Magnus, with Silvi, had peeled off first, at the mouth of the Sognefjorden, to head back to Thorsfjell. Then Eirik and Asa, along with Lifa, had turned for home at the Hardangerfjorden to return to Haardvik. Leif remained with them, saying things were more interesting with Rorik than with his brother. Only Rorik’s warships remained after that and they’d made the crossing with no problems.
She hadn’t spoken much to him during the daytime. He was busy with his navigation and handling the ship. But at night, though they hadn’t slept together because of Wulf’s vigilance, they had watched the stars and the light of the moon racing across the waves. There was little point in speaking of the future until she saw her father again. He still ruled her life and if he refused to allow them to be together, there wouldn’t be much she could do about it.
And Rorik had never mentioned marriage at all to her. Or love, for that matter. That made her uneasy. Could she live with him without either of them?
Rorik came up behind her and drew her back against his chest. “My watch has said a group of warriors approaches. It must be your father with Wulf.”
She turned around in his arms and rested her head on his chest. “I’m afraid, Rorik. I thought I’d be so happy to see him. And I am. But in another way, I feel this might be the last time I see you.”
He pulled back and tilted her head up with a gentle hand beneath her chin. “It won’t be. I promise you that. I have business with him, remember?”
“You said he still owes you, and yet you turned down the gold Wulf brought. What more is there?”
He smiled. “Let’s go meet him.”
She started to demand he answer her question, but he kissed her, silencing her. Then he took her hand and they walked to the clearing near the shore where Wulf had said they’d meet. His warriors followed them and when they reached the place, a group of men waited for them on horseback.
Her father was there, in the front with Wulf. He was thinner than she remembered, and his face was more lined, but it was still the face she’d loved all her life.
He rode forward, then stopped. “Elfwynn.”
“Go to him.” Rorik released her hand. She hesitated, and he urged her forward. “Go. Before I change my mind and abduct you again.”
She walked toward her father and he jumped off his horse. Then she was in his arms and he buried his face in her hair.
“Elfwynn, my child. My precious child.” His voice broke. She looked up at him. His eyes shone as he brushed back her hair. “I thought you dead. But God has been merciful and brought you home to me.”
She choked back a sob. “I thought—I thought you didn’t love me. All this time.”
“How could you doubt it? You are more dear to me than anything I have.” He kissed her forehead, then looked beyond her to Rorik. She faced him, her father’s arm around her. “During our ride here, my son told me what happened and the suspicions all of you have toward Mildburg. I cannot discount it myself. When I return to the keep, I will find out the truth.”
“I know,” Rorik said. “Because I request that I be there also, under a banner of truce.”
“This matter doesn’t involve you.”
“Doesn’t it? I am still owed recompense for the price of a ship and wergeld.”
“You refused the gold my son offered you.”
“The price has risen considerably. Elfwynn assures me you would not have behaved with such dishonor and ordered my ships burned when we were in negotiations. At first, I thought if you would refuse to pay a ransom for your daughter, you were also capable of such perfidy. But with what has come to light, I believe her. I have the right to know who did order it, though. And I think you’d want to know, as well. I have a feeling both incidents are connected.”
He studied Rorik, and Elfwynn held her breath. Rorik was up to something. Edward nodded. “I agree. You may bring ten of your men with you. No swords.”
“Seaxes then.”
“Accepted.” Edward motioned to a group of his men. “Let them have your horses. I want to get back as soon as possible. I don’t want any forewarning of this meeting to get back to my wife before I question her. Elfwynn, you’ll ride with me. I’ll not take the chance that anyone will ever separate us again.”
He glared at Rorik as he spoke. The enmity between the two men crackled like lightning, and she was caught in the middle. But she was no prize to be fought over. If they insisted on hitting her with their sparks, she would just have to strike back.
* * *
“Rowena, sit up straight when you embroider. Your stomach looks fat that way. Are you gaining weight? You look slovenly.”
“Yes, Mother.”
She wasn’t getting fat, though with the little exercise she’d had, it would be no surprise if she were. Ever since she’d overheard her mother and Wigberht plotting against Elfwynn, she’d been locked in her room. The only time she was allowed out was to come into her mother’s private chamber to sew. She’d seen no one, spoken to no one, and hadn’t been able to tell what she knew about Elfwynn. It wouldn’t do any good anyhow. Her half sister was gone forever. And if she spoke up, her mother would make good on the promise to give her to the East Anglian earl who, it was said, murdered his wives.
Her mother couldn’t keep this up forever. Eventually, she’d slip and that was all she’d need. It hurt, though, that apparently her father hadn’t even noticed she wasn’t at the meals. There was no telling what lie her mothe
r had told about her, so perhaps it wasn’t his fault.
Sitting beside the window, she’d seen her father ride out with Wulf earlier. Her brother had been gone for weeks and must have just returned. If only she had the freedom he did.
She looked up at a noise in the courtyard. They were riding in with a group of hard-looking men mounted on their horses. Hiding behind the fall of her hair to keep her mother from noticing, she tried to see who they were. Her father turned his horse as he slowed it. A woman rode behind him. She leaned forward to see better. It was Elfwynn. She was home.
A man with long black hair rode alongside them. She squinted to focus on him. He was the handsome Northman with whom her father had negotiated and who had tried to ransom Elfwynn. This was interesting. Now, perhaps, the story could be told and her mother’s plot revealed.
She said nothing, not wanting to warn her mother. But Mildburg heard the horses and raised her head from her work.
“Who is that, Rowena?”
“Just Father and Wulf returning from wherever they went earlier.”
The comings and goings of the men didn’t interest her mother, so she continued her embroidery. Rowena bit her lip. Please let them summon her. Please. But just because they called for her mother, didn’t mean she could find a way to tell them what she knew. She had to think, and be prepared to act.
At a knock on the door, Mildburg set aside her sewing and made certain her clothing was presentable. “Yes?”
Her guard opened the door. “My lady, Earl Edward has requested you attend him in the hall.”
Pressing her lips together, she rose. “Very well. Take my daughter to her room and see that she stays there.”
“Yes, my lady.”
Her mother swept out, leaving just the two of them. This might be her only chance. She stood and followed him into the corridor. “I saw Father ride in. He had people with him, but I couldn’t see who they were.”
“They are Northmen, my lady.”
“One of them was a woman, was it not?”
He nodded with a sneer. “Elfwynn. She’s come back.”
She stared at him as though she was surprised. “Elfwynn? My dear sister? But we all thought she was dead.” She put her hand to her forehead and leaned against the wall. “Elfwynn is back from the dead. Oh, this is such a shock. I feel faint.” She closed her eyes.
“My lady? Can I help you?” He came to her.
“I need my maid. Get her for me.”
“I dare not leave you, my lady. Let me help you to your room.”
She moaned and sank onto the floor. “Everything is fading. Get my maid. She’ll know what to do. I’m going to be sick.” She doubled over, near his shoes.
At that, he straightened. “I’ll bring help.”
As soon as he ran off, she stood and rushed in the other direction. There was more than one entrance into the hall and she didn’t want to risk coming across her mother so she ran a different way. As she neared the hall, she heard the voices of her father and Wulf. Another deep voice joined them, strangely accented. She darted into an alcove near the door and peeked around the corner.
They stood in the center of the large room along with ten northern warriors. The tall Northman was with them, along with Elfwynn. She was beautiful, not starved or harmed. The dress she wore was very fine, with silver brooches fastened at the shoulders.
Apparently, her father had also sent for Wigberht, for he was there, looking nervous. When he saw her, he’d have a reason to be fearful. She’d wait to see what her mother would say before she made her presence known. But she didn’t have long before the guard discovered her missing.
Mildburg swept into the room, looking impeccable as always, a serene smile on her lips. “You wished to see me, my lord?” She stopped as Elfwynn moved nearer to Edward. “Elfwynn?” Her smile wavered. “Elfwynn, dear girl. You’ve come home.”
“I called you here because I thought you might want to join in our celebration,” Edward said. “It turns out that it was all just a misunderstanding. Jarl Rorik sent a ransom demand for her, but it seems I refused to pay it. Even though I wasn’t here. Odd, that.”
“Very much so, my lord.” She looked at Elfwynn. “Welcome home, dear. I’m certain your mother was very glad to see you.”
“They haven’t seen each other yet, but Rohesia’s coming here now,” Edward said.
“Then I won’t stand in the way of their happy reunion. I have work to do.”
Edward lowered his head and tapped his front teeth, thinking. “Just one thing before you go, Mildburg. Jarl Rorik’s warrior here has identified Wigberht as the man he told of the ransom demand. You and he go back a long way and you’re together quite often. Do you know anything about this?”
She drew herself up. “I assure you, my lord, I have no interest in the affairs of men.”
Rorik fastened his gaze on Wigberht. “You have not yet answered my man’s account of the ransom demand.”
He shook, his eyes darting toward Mildburg, then Edward. “My lord, I—I don’t know what they’re talking about. The man lies. They’re nothing but barbarians. You’d take the word of a pagan over that of a righteous Christian?”
Rorik crossed the hall to Wigberht and glared down at him. “Not all Christians are righteous. We don’t cling to notions of good and evil that are created by priests who profess to have the ears of a distant god. Our gods walk among us and judge us by what they see and hear. We have only strength and honor. And that honor outlives us all in the memories of men. In my culture, if anyone slanders another, it is lawful to kill him.” He gripped his seax’s hilt. “You have slandered my warrior.”
Wigberht broke out in a sweat and licked his lips. Rorik pulled his blade from its sheath by a finger’s width. The small man cowered. “She told me to do it. I overheard you talking about taking one of the earl’s daughters and I told her of it, thinking to alert the keep. The Lady Mildburg told me to be quiet about it and to make certain the Northmen found Elfwynn.”
Mildburg paled. “You never told me this, you little worm. You took it upon yourself to do this.”
Rorik never looked at her. Instead, he caressed the hilt of his seax. “And?”
“And then, she said I was to intercept the ransom demand so that they would kill the girl.”
Edward crossed his arms. “Did this happen as planned?”
Wigberht nodded, keeping his eyes on Rorik’s blade. “I did this, my lord. What choice did I have? She’s my lady.”
“But why would you have gone to her to begin with?” Edward stood beside Rorik. “You should have gone to the man I left in charge of the keep’s defense. Because you neglected to tell him, he would not have had time to prepare had the Northmen attacked.”
“And we would have,” Rorik said to Edward. “I was making preparations for war, but Elfwynn sacrificed herself for all of you. She offered to stay with me if I did not attack you. She asked that, instead, I take her to a church that would pay the money for her, and I agreed. The recompense for the burning of my ship wouldn’t have come from you, but I would have had it. She alone saved your keep, Earl.”
Edward looked at Elfwynn. She blushed, lowering her head.
Rorik pinned the little man with his gaze. “Who ordered the destruction of my ship when I was here earlier in the summer?”
“Lady Mildburg ordered the ships burned.” Wigberht pointed at her. “She hates the Northmen for invading her lands when she was young. She wanted their ships destroyed so they’d have no escape. Then, Earl Edward could slay them.”
Edward curled his lip in distaste. “What you did was treason. It only remains to be seen how far that treason extends.”
“I am innocent in all this, my husband.” Mildburg went to him and put her hands on his arm, clinging to him. “Why would I have endangered this keep and all in it, including myself?”
“It is not true, my lord.” Wigberht knelt on the floor. “I swear it.”
“There is a truth here.”
Edward said. “But with each blaming the other, I cannot say what it is.”
Rowena stepped out from the alcove where she had hidden. Before she could move into the hall, a man grabbed her from behind and a hand came over her mouth.
“There you are. You got away from me once, but not again.” The guard pulled her back, away from the door.
She tried to shake her head, but he was too strong and he pressed even harder so her teeth sliced into her lip. Using that pressure, she threw her head back and slammed it into his face. He yelled and she broke away from him. Blood streamed from his nose as he lunged for her again. His hand closed around her arm and she screamed.
“What is this?” Edward stormed into the hallway, Rorik behind him.
“I know what happened, Father.” She jerked her arm away from the guard. “He’s trying to stop me, to lock me in my room again. Mother had me imprisoned ever since I saw her and Wigberht plotting this. They didn’t want me saying anything to you.”
“It was the Lady Mildburg, my lord. She—”
Edward struck the guard with his fist, adding to the blood on his face. “Get out. Leave this keep and my lands and never show yourself here. I won’t have you killed if you followed her orders, but get from my sight before I change my mind.”
As the guard hurried away, her father turned to her. “Rowena, you saw your mother and Wigberht planning this?” At her nod, he gently took her hand. “Come with me.”
They went into the hall. Both Rorik’s warriors and Edward’s guards had circled the two conspirators to ensure they didn’t escape.
Mildburg’s eyes grew large as she saw her daughter. “My lord, she’ll lie. She’s angry with me because I punished her for being disobedient. I—”
“Be silent. Rowena, tell me.”
She repeated what she had heard them say about the ransom. “They meant for the Northman to find Elfwynn. And then, when the two guards left her on purpose, Wigberht killed them so they wouldn’t talk. The Northmen didn’t do it.” She met her mother’s glare. “And then she was going to reward him with herself. She’s kept me locked in my room all this time so I couldn’t say anything. She threatened me with marriage to the earl who murders his wives, so I was afraid.” Her eyes filled. “None of you even noticed I was gone, but I speak the truth.”
Lord of the Seas Page 27