by Lisa Plumley
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 there. 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.’
Ash looked around and saw Rurik standing in the doorway with Kara. His uncle’s men blocked her path. Valdar was nowhere to be seen, but Kara appeared furious. She shrugged off the restraining arm as Rurik darted forward. Ash saw with a smile that Rurik wore his sword.
‘And who are you?’ the king asked, nonplussed.
‘I am Rurik Ashson and I have brought the brooches of the men my father fought. A warrior should always have proof of whom he fought. My mother agreed with me when I reminded her. It is why we have come.’ Rurik placed them on the floor in front of the king. ‘My grandfather said that you were a fair man and would listen to me if I ever had a boon to ask. He said you would grant it because of the pledge you gave my grandfather at the battle where you won your crown. But it could only be one request. He said I could ask to be a warrior, but I have a different request. Listen to my father.’
‘I will listen to him...for your grandfather’s sake,’ the king said.
Ash peered at the insignia. He had told Kara that he didn’t need anyone, but she had come anyway. That alone gave him hope. His hand closed around his uncle’s captain’s brooch and held it up high.
‘Here is your proof, Uncle. Or do you deny the evidence of your own eyes? Your captain attacked me and my family. The same captain who attacked my ship. I can remember his crest from years ago. My father used to make me recite the crests as punishment. A snake curled about a raven.’
His uncle’s eyes darted about the room. ‘I fear I may have been mistaken. My captain acted without my orders.’
‘I thought your men always obeyed your orders.’
‘I...I...’
The king lifted his hand and motioned to the guards. ‘Seize Harald Haraldson.’
For a telling pause, none of them moved. Then one of them grabbed his uncle and pinned his arms behind his back. ‘My loyalty is to the king!’
Ash bowed his head. It was over. His uncle had lost.
* * *
Kara waited outside the king’s hall for Ash. Auda had come into town and had taken Rurik away to play with her sons so that Kara could be alone with Ash. However, the king had requested a private audience, which had gone on and on.
Ash’s uncle vanquished, Ash triumphant. Everything that Ash once wanted was coming true. He looked to be every inch the warrior hero, a man other men could admire.
She should be happy for him, but it meant she was going to lose him. She wanted to go back to the ease they’d had in the woods when it had been just the two of them, before any of this had started. She wanted someone with her, sharing her life, but how could she deny him his dreams
?
She had been wrong earlier. She had not safeguarded her heart. There was nothing left to safeguard. She had given it to Ash years ago. She wanted to beat her fists against his chest and cry that she wanted him to stay.
Kara hugged her arms about her waist. She couldn’t do that to him seven years ago and she couldn’t do it to him now. But she could let him know she would welcome him back and she would wait. For ever if necessary. She could take a risk with her heart.
‘Kara!’ Ash came out of the hall and enfolded her in his arms.
‘You must tell me everything.’
He rapidly explained that his uncle had confessed everything, including his plot to overthrow the king. Kara listened with mounting horror as she realised how close they had come to disaster.
‘But all that doesn’t matter. You waited for me,’ Ash said, smoothing the hair from her forehead. ‘I wanted to apologise. Your quick thinking and Rurik’s saved me. I said earlier that I didn’t need you but I was wrong. I do. I need my family.’
‘I will always wait.’
He laid his cheek on the top of her head. ‘It is good to know.’
She inhaled, breathing in his spicy scent, savouring the moment. ‘You’re going away again. You need not be gentle with me.’
He loosened his arms and peered down at her. ‘Do you want me to go? Will you let me go without a fight?’
‘If it is what the king commands, who am I to say no? But you will have a fight on your hands if you don’t come home. I will go and search you out.’ She squared her shoulders. She had to take the risk and say the words. If she didn’t say the words and he went again, he’d never know. ‘I love you, Ash the person, not Ash the hero or Ash the warrior or even Ash the farmer if you wish to be that, but they are part of you. They make you into the man I love. And I’d rather have you to love than a thousand other men.’
‘But you want me to go. You will find it easier if I’m not underfoot, making changes to your well-ordered life.’
She shook her head, smiling. ‘I prefer your chaos to my order. I would like you to stay and be a farmer, but I don’t think you would enjoy it.’