They were sitting near a campfire which was separated from the others. Yet they lacked the privacy to speak freely. Even so, Rolf’s eyes adored and caressed her, and his body ached for hers. Over and over her words and responses in the forest returned to increase his craving for her. She was right; having to wait to feed his ever-mounting hunger served to whet his appetite to a greater height. “Truly you are a warrior queen. I feel great pride and love for you. I must obtain the amulet and all other prizes to win you. The day you are mine will be a happy and glorious one.”
Alysa glanced around to see who was observing them. No one seemed to be eavesdropping, but his behavior made her nervous. Her expression warned Rolf of his rash slip. He shrugged and smiled ruefully. She asked, “Have you solved the riddle? Do you know where to look? You seem to be heading to a certain spot at a swift speed.”
A sly grin made him appear even more handsome than the reality. His hazel eyes sparkled with devilment. He whispered, “This is Enid’s land, and she told me where to search. It is good she was not slain with the other captives, for she will aid me each time. Fate is on our side, Alysa, and soon we will be together as husband and wife.”
Alysa tried to conceal her astonishment and dismay. She had forgotten that Enid was a Logris captive. If Eirik stalled his search to keep from arousing suspicion, Rolf would beat him to the location!
She quelled her panic, as it did not matter who won the false quest. Strange, but at times she forgot it was all a ruse! She would find herself caught up in the excitement and anticipation of the events. Perhaps that was good, because it aided her guileful behavior.
The second day of travel got under way early. They rode along the North Downs trackway through picturesque landscape. Rolling hills were covered with green grass. The land would soon be changing colors to announce the end of summer. But for now, the trees and grasses were still verdant, and wildflowers were abundant. To avoid contact with this land’s inhabitants, they skirted villages, hamlets, and farms.
There was a good reason not to raid in this area: the Jute Hengist who was in King Vortigern’s employ to guard his land against invasions. If they appeared a threat to either man, trouble could occur, and Trosdan had warned the Norsemen about such a rash move during the choosing of bands two days ago, as she had done earlier. All had agreed to be cautious during the quest. Alysa had made no plans to deal with the Viking warlord Hengist who was firmly established in this kingdom, as he seemed to have no interest in her or in her land. Until now, Hengist and his brother Horsa were content to beguile land and wealth from Vortigern. If the Jute brothers became too greedy or dangerous, surely King Vortigern would deal with them. Yet Alysa could not afford for Hengist to join the alleged quest and increase the Viking strength. If that happened, the Norsemen would number the same—or more—than her united forces! She had to depend on, prey on, the greed of her subjects to keep Hengist away! Too, Hengist would be a threat to her love if he arrived and exposed Eirik’s false tale.
Darkness engulfed them before they reached the River Medway, so they were forced to camp again to await daylight. They had not seen the other two bands, but assumed they were heading in this same direction. Food was quickly prepared and consumed, and the tired band unrolled their pallets for the night.
At dawn, Rolf awakened everyone, as he was anxious to finish this journey in victory. They reached the river and rode northward along its banks, searching for the three trees which came into view.
Rolf scowled when he saw a band camped near them. He galloped forward, and Alysa hurriedly followed him. Eirik greeted them with a wide grin, holding the amulet in his hand.
“How did you solve the riddle and get here so quickly?” Rolf demanded, his eyes narrowed and his tone chilly.
Eirik chuckled. “Have you forgotten, Rolf? I lived in this area with Hengist and I heard the Celts’ legends many times. It is an old and favorite tale which is related constantly. I have been to this spot before, so it was easy to find again. Come, let us return to camp so our second jour- ney can begin.”
“Where was the amulet? How did only you find its hiding spot?” Rolf asked, gazing at the envied prize in Eirik’s tight grasp.
The handsome victor led them to the riverbank. He pointed downward and explained, “When I was here before, an old peasant showed me this rock which looks like the shriveled head of a woman and claimed it was a symbol of one cut from the body of Queen Cordaella’s evil sister. The peasants say it is cursed and refuse to touch it. When the wizard gave his riddle, I remembered his words and looked beneath it. The amulet was there. It is from Odin, for it bears the image of a hanged man upon its blade. Look, the grip forms two heads, those of the unlucky and traitorous sisters.”
Ulf arrived at that moment, furious. The tale was repeated and the prize was displayed before Eirik tucked it safely into his sheath.
Eyeing his two clever rivals, Ulf scoffed, “We would have been here first if this feeble old wizard had not slowed us down. Stone or no stone, he shall not ride with me again.”
Trosdan refuted, “It was not I who slowed us down, Ulf. You halted your band many times to beat clues from peasants. You even took precious time to torture and kill the slave who escaped your camp not long ago.”
Ulf sneered, “He was rousing the peasants against us. I had no choice but to make an example of him.”
Queen Alysa was distressed by that news. She scolded, “You were warned against such deeds, Ulf. You will cause trouble for all with your selfish mischief. There must be no violence here to call attention to our comings and goings. Use your wits to buy information, not your strength to obtain it at a terrible price. There are four more prizes to be won. Obey Odin’s commands, or he will rain havoc on us.”
“I have obeyed,” Ulf argued boldly and rudely.
Just as boldly, Alysa retorted, “Nay, twice you have created bad omens for us. Now you seek to refuse Odin’s command for Trosdan to ride with the man who picks the number-one stone. We do not know the reason for this requirement, but Odin has given it and we must obey. If you cannot follow Odin’s rules for this quest, you cannot be a part of it,” she threatened, her unwavering gaze drilling into Ulf’s cold one.
Ulf glared at her, but relented. “As you command, my queen.”
Alysa could not let him have the final word, especially in that condescending tone. “Nay, Ulf, not as your queen commands, but as our god commands. Yet as I am a part of this quest, one of the prizes, I will make certain it is done fairly and honestly.”
This time, Ulf did not respond, and his body shuddered as he forcefully withheld what he wanted to say and do to the bold female.
Alysa did not look at Eirik as she walked away with Rolf. They mounted and rode for their settlement. On the trip back, she remained with Trosdan to avoid all three men. She questioned him about the smithy’s death and was relieved to learn the man had not betrayed her.
They reached camp late Monday night. Alysa told the group, “We will rest until midday, then meet at the stone temple for our next riddle.” Fatigued, she hurried to her dwelling and collapsed on the bed. Within moments she was asleep.
Enid brought her meal an hour before noon, and Alysa eagerly consumed it. Afterward, she soaked in the hot bath which the captive prepared for her in the eldhus. The water was refreshing, and she remained in the tub—a gift from Eirik—a long while. Stepping from it, she dried her invigorated body and dressed. As with the first journey, she donned a short tunic over linen pants and placed around her waist her leather belt with its dagger sheath.
As she worked, Eirik filled her thoughts. Had her clues aided him, or would he have been able to solve the riddle without them? Had he made up the story about the peasant to cover his secret knowledge? Or was there truly a legend about the trees and rock? If so, when had he heard it? She wondered how familiar Gavin was with this territory, and if such memories were still intact.
She left the dwelling and headed toward the towering stones. Weaving her
way between tall monoliths and linteled trilithrons and gathering men, she made her way to the altar. Trosdan was there waiting for her. They exchanged smiles.
The wizard whispered into her ear, “Take care if Ulf wins your company this time. There is no way I can control the draw with Einar in charge. Ulf is dangerous and unpredictable. But he would be more dangerous if we aided either Eirik or Rolf and he discovered that fact. We must let this ruse take its own winding path.”
Alysa nodded. “Do not overtire yourself, Wise One. These journeys are difficult and you are unaccustomed to such rides.”
Trosdan did not reply because others joined them. Alysa stepped onto the altar and called Einar, Rolf, Ulf, and Eirik. forward. Three men approached. Alysa asked, “Where is Eirik?”
“Here, my queen,” he called out, moving through the crowd. He had waited for everyone to leave camp before sneaking into his old longhouse to hide the amulet in the least suspected place: Queen Alysa’s dwelling! No one would dare search for it there. He knew Ulf and Rolf were having him watched, but he had eluded his spies during some cunning maneuvers around camp. He was certain no one had seen him enter or leave the queen’s dwelling.
Alysa struggled to hold back a happy smile at his arrival, as even his brief absence had frightened her. “Einar, we are ready to draw stones again.” She handed the pouch to the Viking wizard and repeated the ritual from yesterday.
Einar felt a sense of power overcome him. Odin had not struck him down for duping his people. Perhaps, Einar decided, Odin knew he was doing his best to serve him and them with his meager skills and talents. Einar proudly held the bag out to the men, one at a time.
Rolf drew stone number one, so Trosdan was to go with him this time. Eirik drew number three, and Ulf pulled out number two. The first man drew from the second bag, and Rolf came up with a white stone and a look of disappointment. Ulf shoved his fingers into the bag and wiggled the two remaining stones, withdrawing one, a white one. His frown was even more intense than at the last drawing.
Einar turned the pouch up and dropped the blue stone into Eirik’s hand. Eirik gazed at it, then handed it back to Einar to return to the bag. He did not look up at Alysa, whose eyes he felt upon him. He did nothing to show he was excited or impressed by this luck—until, he finally lifted his head and engulfed her with a look of mischief.
Alysa stepped down and took her place at Eirik’s side. She hoped her trembling was not visible. They would be together for days, but not alone, she thought irritably. She must watch herself closely, as her desire for him was growing stronger each day. She could not forget the passionate night they had spent together, and she longed to repeat it. No matter what anyone said, she knew he was Gavin, so there was no harm in lying with him as lovers, even if Eirik did not understand her willingness. Although she had made love only to Gavin Crisdean, she felt that no two men could make love in the same manner. But Eirik had. Her body flamed at his nearness and she craved to be held in his arms, to feel his lips against hers. Some day soon, he would discover the truth and he would belong to her again. Trosdan and the gods had promised her. With all her heart and soul, she loved and desired only this man. She was no longer angry with him because she knew his behavior was uncontrollable. She fused her gaze on Trosdan and held it there by sheer willpower.
Trosdan was speaking. “We ride for a place where Queen Boadicea ruled in the ancient land called Iceni, two and a half days from here. There, she battled Roman conquerors, slaughtering foes as bravely and continuously as her invaders. Many claim she slew as many as seventy thousand before the Roman governor attacked her in great force. The warrior queen was beaten and tortured, and her family was brutalized and murdered. Seek the place where Boadicea took her life to end her madness and torment. Travel the Icknield Way into her once-ravished lands. Look across the North Sea to our homeland. Look where another great fleet landed their dragon-prowed ships and stepped upon this kingdom to begin a clever conquest of this isle. Look where Vortigern sought help against his rival Prince Ambrosius after slaying the prince’s father and sending his rival into exile; yet he feared his return. What you seek is the figurehead of a ship, a spirit prow. Upon the dragon’s head is an all-seeing eye for guidance upon the waters and protection from our god Njord. Find a curved gulley filled with rocks and sand and water. Claim this second prize and sail to many victories and riches.”
Ulf asked loudly, “Why can we not receive the next clues at the next sight and so forth? Why must we return to camp after each victory? It takes much time and energy.”
Trosdan cleverly explained, “There is no assurance all three bands will go to the same place, Ulf. We would waste more time and energy seeking them to join us at the right location. It is best to meet here. But there is a more important reason: Odin wishes the clues to be given here at this sacred temple.”
“But it is a pagan temple to Celtic gods!” Ulf said scornfully.
To fool everyone, Trosdan lifted his shoulders and stiffened in indignation. He stared at Ulf as if the man were mad, contemptuous. “Nay, Ulf. Question any Celt. They know naught about it, as it has been here long before their memories; they only use it. It was built by our gods long ago and has awaited our arrival and conquest. Look around. It was placed in the ve, as is our way,” he explained, referring to the open downland which surrounded Stonehenge. “The Druids and Celts worship in forests and groves or in manmade temples. Our gods dropped these stones from the heavens, marking this spot for our sacred quest. Surely you do not think any man or group of men could bring such enormous stones here and upright them, and place heavy lintels over some. This place is a Viking temple to Odin and our other gods: Thor, Frey, Njord, and Freyja. Each stone represents one of our gods. The smaller ones honor the land spirits, the following spirits, and the disir—our lady spirits. This is holy ground. Speak no further evil upon it. Be content to be among the champions.”
Many stared at Ulf in displeasure, as he was becoming more and more quarrelsome and disrespectful of their queen, wizard, and gods alike. They did not care to see a man of his rank and prowess acting as a bad child or a foolish woman. Those who traveled with him were disgruntled and longed to be members of either of the other two bands.
Ulf noticed this perilous reaction to his behavior and he cautioned himself to control himself to get his way. There was something about their new queen which caused him to act rashly. He could think of nothing more pleasurable than taming her by force. When she was in his possession, he would do just that, he vowed sardonically.
He grinned and held silent. He did have a stroke of luck this time; he knew where Hengist’s great fleet had landed. While his rivals were gathering clues, he would be riding there as swiftly as a thunderbolt traveled. One good thing, he surmised, Alysa had not aided Rolf, and had better not aid Eirik! From appearances, she seemed to favor Rolf as a man. So, if she knew the riddles’ answers, Rolf would have found the amulet. The amulet … If Eirik had not tricked his men, the sacred dagger would be his by now. Since it was not in Eirik’s sheath, that meant he had hidden it somewhere between the site and the camp. But where? It had to be close by as Eirik would have to produce it that last day to show he still had it.
As the group was dismissed, Ulf quickly called his men together and left camp at a swift pace. Without the nosy wizard along, he could make some clever plans to slow down his rivals.
Rolf did not know where Hengist, the Jute chieftain and paid warrior for Vortigern, had landed on this isle. He suspected that Eirik knew and would rush there, so he had the man watched. He hurried to his dwelling to question Enid. All the enslaved woman knew was the general area, and that lack of aid angered Rolf against her. There was nothing he could do except ride to the shore, skirt it, and look for a clue to the hidden gulley. He gathered his band and Trosdan and departed, noticing that Eirik was still in camp.
Eirik escorted Alysa to the corral. She tied her small bundle to her saddle, mounted Calliope, and they joined his band. The men, foll
owing their victory, were in high spirits. Unaware that Ulf knew the location, Eirik did not rush Alysa. The handsome warrior knew where Hengist had landed with his fleet of hired men. In a little over two days, he decided confidently, he would have the second prize. Soon, he would win the best prize of all—the woman at his side. But for now, he was satisfied to spend time with her.
They rode for hours, with Alysa between Eirik and Aidan. As they traveled northeastward, they encountered yellowing grasses and trees. Alysa was reminded again that winter was only months away. She would be glad to get this ruse completed and return home with her husband. She envisioned them snuggled beneath furry covers, making love and exchanging thoughts about this exciting event in their lives. How wonderful it would be to have peace again, in her land and with her beloved.
She glanced at Eirik, and he looked at her. She smiled, and he returned it. Their pace was steady, but not swift. Even so, she did not try to converse with him, as the band was behind them. From the corner of her eye, she studied his virile body and handsome profile. He was lean and hard, and golden-skinned. His short-sleeved tunic exposed his muscled arms, and she imagined them holding her. His legs, clad in long trousers, were long and agile. She pictured herself lying between them, and quivered. Her gaze roamed to his hands, hands which could be strong or gentle. How she yearned for them to caress her. As he moistened his sensual lips, she did the same, thinking of how passionately he kissed and how his mouth could drive her wild with pleasure as it roved her body. She was glad he did not look her way, as she always became lost in those green eyes. It was a face and body she knew well. Yea, she concluded happily, this man was her lost love, had to be Gavin. Gods above, how she loved him and needed him!
Eirik was aware of her intense study of him and it stirred him from head to foot. His heart yearned to win her. His loins burned to possess her. His soul thirsted to make her happy. Never had he dreamed of making a woman his, totally his. Yet this woman, this rare creature, gave him longings he had never experienced before. She had enchanted him, possessed him, enthralled him. She filled his mind during wakeful hours and consumed his dreams at night. His life seemed centered around winning her and making her his. Yet he wanted more than passionate nights with her; he wanted the happy days, each minute of them, with her. He wanted to share her laughter, her tears, her victories, her defeats, her dreams, her destiny. For the first time in his life, marriage was agreeable, very agreeable.
The Last Viking Queen Page 25