The Last Viking Queen

by Taylor, Janelle

  Trosdan’s tone grew louder and clearer as he instructed, “You seek the place where Yellow Death was taken from the hand of the Roman emperor, the place where Nennios died, the place where Caesar battled King Cassivelaunos and lost. You seek the enchanted sword which can defeat the might and magic of all forces when it is empowered by Odin during our final ritual. You must travel for two days to find this prize. You must not catch the eye or ear of Hengist, so travel stealthily. It is said the earth still bleeds red upon the spot where such evil took place. It is said Cassivelaunos’s wizard performed a secret ceremony and tossed the deadly sword into a deep well so it would lose its evil powers, as only water and fire can triumph over magic. It is said that Celts fear this area and curse, and never go near it.”

  Ulf asked sullenly, “How will we know this sword, Wizard? I do not wish to be tricked with a false one as I was with the shield.”

  Rolf chuckled and taunted, “You tricked yourself, Ulf, and Odin punished you instead of slaying you.”

  Ulf glared at Rolf. “I have proven I did not cheat. From this day hence, I will be wary of guile from others. Any man who seeks to darken my name will be slain,” he vowed coldly.

  Trosdan responded to Ulf’s question. “The sword bears the image of Caesar on its hilt and the sign of Odin on its blade.”

  The group dispersed. Ulf left camp to find someone who could reveal clues to him about the battle, sword, and cursed well. Trosdan rode with the redhead to make certain the man did not attract Hengist’s attention, as the well was in the land claimed by the Jute chieftain.

  Rolf went to question Enid, who supplied him with a few helpful hints. He asked where she had hidden the shield and amulet, and the smiling slave told him of her cunning. Pleased, Rolf departed.

  Rolf did not notice that one of Ulf’s most trusted friends had been left behind.

  As Alysa journeyed with Eirik, they were both silent and pensive. They traveled the same path which they had used while seeking the first prize, for the fourth one was near it, in Hengist’s territory. Alysa was amazed by Trosdan’s cunning and foresight, as he had spread out the prizes across the large kingdom of Logris to require a long recovery period which allowed their forces to prepare and train.

  Eirik watched his love from the corner of his eye. He wished he knew what was wrong between them, within her. She was tense and wary. She was distant and sad. Did she fear that Ulf was going to win the quest and somehow prevent them from being together? Was she angered because, after being tricked by Ulf twice, he had not challenged and slain the wicked man? Did she fear that he could not beat Ulf or that he was afraid of the redhead? Surely she knew he feared no man and would do anything necessary to win her!

  Eirik’s troubled mind continued to wander over his emotional domain, searching each area for answers. Perhaps she was scornful of his history and lineage. Perhaps his lack of challenge and revenge to his family’s lethal rivals dismayed her. Perhaps she did not want his evil father’s blood flowing in their children. Nay, she had not acted so.

  Eirik had to admit he possessed no wealth, land, or high rank to offer her. But he could acquire them to please her.

  Perhaps she was wary of his “wandering spirit,” as she had mentioned it many times. She had teased about him becoming “bored and restless,” about him growing weary of her and simple homelife. Did she not know he would never leave her or harm her? Did she not realize all he wanted and needed was to share a life with her, anywhere?

  Something was tormenting her deeply. If only she would explain her feelings and problems to him and let him help her solve them.

  Alysa’s mind was in turmoil. She loved and desired the man riding beside her. Yet she could not have him, not if she returned to her life as it had been before this quest began. She could not imagine giving up her loved ones, home, crown, and people; but that would be the only way she could have Eirik, to flee somewhere with him. What if, as with Gavin, she had misjudged Eirik? What if things did not work out between them? What if, as with Gavin, his love and desire for her also waned and he grew restless? What would she do then, far from home, an outcast, a traitor?

  She also had to consider Eirik’s reaction to the truth about her. She had lied to him, used him, misled him, defied his gods, abused his laws and ways. Her forces were going to slay everyone in camp, including his friends. Would hatred and revenge then replace his love and desire?

  There was no way she could halt this ruse or change it. The defeat was vital for all of Britain. She could not be selfish and think only of her desires. Yet somehow she had to save, spare, Eirik.

  There was nothing she could do except carry out the daring plan for victory. Afterward, she must return home to rule her people, to one day rule Cambria and Damnonia. She had to return to Prince Gavin Crisdean; he was her husband and joint ruler, and she was pledged to him. She must find a way to make her life with him work. In a wicked sort of way, through Gavin, she would have a man like Eirik.

  But he will not be Eirik, her mind cried out in anguish. Why must she choose between them? Why must she love two men, two men who were so alike? Why must one suffer and possibly die? Even if Eirik was allowed to escape, he would hate her; he would hunger for revenge and possibly become a future threat. Or would he? her heart argued. If he truly loved her, he would endure enormous torment over her treachery and betrayal. He would become angry, bitter, miserable, lonely. How could she hurt him so deeply?

  Their passionate night in the secluded hut returned to plague her. Eirik had said, “Sometimes I fear you cannot be real and this is only a cruel dream.” But they were both very real, and so was their problem. If only she could discuss it with him, could explain what she must do, could make him understand and agree, but she could not. It was too perilous. He had told her “soon, they would have all the time they desired.” But there would be no time for them, no future for them; there could be none.

  She wished there was some way she could sneak off to see Weylin. Soon, he would be awaiting her summons at Aquae Sulis. If only she could check with him about Gavin, learn why he left, where he had been, how he felt now… Nay, it was reckless to meet with Weylin this close to victory. It was also impossible to send a message to Weylin or Gavin, as there was only one bird left.

  Each time-they rested, Alysa was careful to avoid Eirik by always remaining with the other men. Yet she furtively watched his every move and listened to his every word. How could he be so like Gavin and not be Gavin? How was the old Druid so certain that…

  Wild suspicions flooded her mind. What, Alysa wondered, if she had been tricked by both Trosdan and Gavin to force her to play her part convincingly? What if Gavin was also secretly working with Trosdan? What if the two men had decided this ruse would work better if she was not told Eirik was Gavin, had decided it would be more persuasive if she truly believe Eirik was Eirik?

  Alysa considered the evidence in this startling conjecture. Trosdan had been preparing her for this task weeks before Gavin vanished, and then Eirik suddenly appeared. What if the old man had also been preparing Gavin to aid this ruse, but had convinced her love that it was imperative for all that she not be informed? Would that not explain Gavin’s insane behavior? Her husband had drugged her with potent herbs. Where had he gotten them and learned how to use them, if not from the wizard? If her love could trick her once, then he could do so again! Trosdan had supplied her with strange weapons and garments, so why not do the same for Gavin as Eirik? Too, Trosdan possessed the powers and skills to have effected the minor differences in the two men!

  Alysa was staggered by her speculations. She knew that the old wizard had done many things without telling her first, always claiming her responses had to appear convincing. What other secrets and surprises did the Druid have in store for her? Trosdan had known Gavin was going to vanish; he had known Eirik was going to be here. Trosdan had left Rolf’s group in time to reach Aquae Sulis to hide Gavin’s message and return! If Eirik was Gavin and those two were partnered se
cretly, Eirik could have written that message from Gavin for Trosdan to deliver. But why continue their ruse so long?

  Was Gavin disobeying Trosdan’s warnings by romancing her? Was that why the Druid was so desperate for her to believe he was not Gavin, to make her avoid “Eirik” since he refused to avoid her?

  Alysa tried to recall each of Trosdan’s words to seek clues in them. The old man was clever and daring, but how far would he go to obtain victory for them? And why would Gavin comply?

  Suddenly a horrible suspicion filled her mind. What if Gavin was truly enspelled and honestly believed he was Eirik? What if that was how Trosdan was forcing her husband to comply with her destiny? To not interfere? Yea, Trosdan possessed the power and skills to bewitch Gavin.

  That would explain everything: Gavin’s strange behavior, Eirik’s presence, her attraction to the “Viking” foe, and Trosdan’s vow that they would be reunited and their bond would be stronger than ever. If Gavin recalled everything that had happened while he was living as Eirik, he would be convinced of her prowess, wits, and success. Her husband would never doubt her again, or leave her again! He would have the honor of having assisted in this daring ruse which he had opposed.

  If her conclusions were right, that explained why Trosdan was always defending her “traitorous” husband! It also explained why the Druid had bewitched Gavin to force him to aid them and their cause! Once the spell was broken, how could Gavin be angry at his victory? The people would praise them for their joint success. Yea, it was a cunning and daring ruse for Trosdan to include the reluctant Gavin!

  When she returned to camp, she would force the old wizard to tell her the truth! Trosdan had tormented her into avoiding Eirik when it was unnecessary. Alysa’s spinning mind shouted, Nay.

  Nay, she agreed, it had been necessary. If she did not avoid Eirik, she could expose all of them! If she had been told the truth, would she have obeyed those cautions? Nay, she decided shamefully.

  Trosdan had been right to keep the truth from them. Gavin had to live, breathe, act, think, and feel as Eirik. She had to treat him as Eirik. If they had known the truth, they would have made a slip, because Gavin would have behaved differently with her and with the Norsemen, and because she would have done the same. Yea, their private quarrel and feelings would have exposed them and their ruse.

  Alysa’s heart surged with joy and pride. Her love was working with her. She would not have to slay Eirik or betray him. She would not have to give up anything or anyone. She could have both men.

  She glanced at Eirik who was tending his unfamilar horse. Her body trembled with happiness and desire. He was her love, her husband; he must be! There was no reason to feel guilty over her passionate actions; she had bedded her husband. There was no reason to suffer, as “Eirik” would not be slain or hurt or lost.

  Unless someone guessed their secrets… Alysa realized Trosdan had been desperate to keep them apart, to protect their safety and ensure victory. Hard as it would be, she had to keep her distance until Gavin was disenchanted. Yet she did not have to be so hard and cold with her love. Surely “Eirik” was confused over her curious behavior.

  A cold chill swept over Alysa. How could she explain to Gavin her behavior with Eirik when she had not known he was her enspelled husband? Somehow she must convince Trosdan and Gavin that she had known the truth all along. In her heart, she had, had she not?

  Eirik walked over to where she was sitting and resting. He asked, “How do you fare today, m’love?”

  Alysa gazed into his troubled eyes. “I am fine, Eirik. I beg you, keep your distance from me until we decide how and when to be together for all time. We must not yield to our passions again until after the quest when it is safe. Do this for me, for us.”

  Eirik’s expression registered surprise, then joy. He admitted, “I feared you no longer loved and desired me.”

  Perhaps it was rash, but she told him softly, “I love you and desire you with all my heart, my beloved. But until the quest and rituals are over, we cannot be together again. It is too dangerous. Trust me for I have seen our future to gether in my dreams.”

  Eirik smiled and replied, “It will be as you say, m’love.”

  When they halted for the night, Alysa used the pallet which she had brought along and placed it near a small fire where Aidan and Saeric were camping. She dared not risk a more secluded spot where Gavin might be tempted to approach her. Now that she understood. Trosdan’s cautions, she agreed with them and would follow them.

  In the Viking camp, Enid was being tortured by Sigurd, Ulf’s friend, for information. When the ravished and battered slave could endure no more brutality, she told Sigurd where the shield was hidden, but did not reveal news or the location of the amulet. None knew Rolf possessed it, and he might need it for survival and victory.

  To prevent the Logris captive from aiding Rolf further, Ulf had ordered her death, and Sigurd obeyed. Sigurd sneaked the body from camp and buried it, after making sure the slave had told the truth about the shield’s hiding place. As Ulf surmised, Rolf would be led to believe the woman had fled in terror of the blond warrior’s wrath after leading Sigurd to the shield’s hiding place.

  They slept only a few hours before Eirik aroused them to continue their journey under the cover of darkness. They traveled for hours, resting and napping as needed, before pushing farther into Hengist’s territory with stealthful movements. On the third day from camp, they reached the-area which Eirik said was the Jute chieftain’s location. No other band was in sight yet, nor were any of the Jute’s forces.

  Eirik gazed across the landscape and grinned, delighted that he knew this land so well. He pointed to where the ground was covered with countless bloodred wildflowers. “See there, the earth still bleeds where evil took place. This is where Caesar and Cassivelaunos first battled and Nennois died. The Celtic king was a fool to discard the magical sword. Look,” he remarked, indicating a circle of rocks in the midst of the flowers. “It is the well where the Briton king threw the sword of death. Come, we will fetch it.”

  Eirik was lowered by rope into the deep and dark well. Aidan and Saeric eagerly aided their friend. Time passed and Alysa grew worried. What if her love had drowned? What if the lethal sword had nicked him and he had died? What if there was no sword here?

  Eirik called out that he was ready to be withdrawn. Aidan and Saeric backed the horse and Eirik appeared. He climbed out and held up a sword. The hilt bore the image of the Roman conqueror and upon the blade was etched the hanged man, symbol of Odin. The band cheered their second success and clever leader.

  Eirik called out, “Let us leave this place before we are discovered by Hengist’s forces.” The men agreed. Eirik placed his sword, Yellow Death, inside a large blanket to prevent anyone from being nicked by its lethal edges. They mounted and galloped from the site.

  They camped at the edge of the Jute chieftain’s domain. It was nearing midnight when the other two bands joined them. When Ulf and Rolf discovered that Eirik had already claimed the fourth prize and was on his way back to camp, they were displeased.

  Ulf asked details of the victory, and Eirik’s men cheerfully related their tale. Ulf remarked peevishly, “Eirik lived here with Hengist a long time and has an unfair advantage over us.”

  Eirik scoffed, “If I truly had an advantage, Ulf, I would be in possession of all the prizes. Then, I would not have to battle you and Rolf for the others after the quest is completed.”

  Ulf warned, “It does not matter how many you and Rolf find, as I will take them from you both in the battle ring. No man can defeat me.”

  “We shall see,” Rolf and Eirik replied almost simultaneously.

  A large camp was set up and food was prepared. Ulf was in a terrible mood, even though he knew he was in control of the second and third prizes and knew Rolf’s Logris slave had been slain by now and could aid his rival no more. Rolf, though he thought he had the first and third treasures safely hidden, was depressed by his rival’s success. Eir
ik, believing he possessed two of the four prizes, was elated, as were his men.

  Alysa did not question Trosdan about his duplicity; she planned to discuss the serious matter with him when they were back in camp and had total privacy. Until then, she would observe him closely.

  When the united bands awoke the next morning, Eirik was missing. They searched for him in the area, but none could find him.

  Alysa-wondered where he had gone and what he was doing. She was glad he was safely out of Hengist’s territory, as the Jute could unmask him. The Druid had taken a big risk with Gavin’s life by providing him with that particular story! Surely Trosdan had no way of knowing if any of Hengist’s men or Isobail’s past raiders had joined this group and would know Eirik was lying. Yet, it had worked out perfectly so far. When she talked with the wizard later, she would ask him what precautions he was taking to protect Gavin while he lived as Eirik.

  Trosdan accurately surmised that Eirik had gone to hide the sword near the Viking settlement. The Runes had warned him of Rolf and Ulf’s mischiefs, but he was here to guard Alysa’s love. Finally, the bands were compelled to head for camp without him.

  Two days later, the bands reached the Viking settlement to make several unexpected and shocking discoveries.

  Rolf learned that Enid was missing, as was the shield. Quickly he checked the hiding place of the amulet, to find it still safe.

  Ulf smugly displayed the shield as he told everyone that Sigurd had seen Rolf’s slave hide it and that his friend had remained behind to steal it, fairly and by the rules. He ventured aloud that the careless slave must have fled in fear of the blond warrior’s wrath.

  Neither Eirik nor Rolf believed that Enid had been careless or was still alive. Both cautioned themselves to be more wary of Ulf.