“Is the old man here?” the handsome warrior asked.
Alysa watched him push his dripping hair from his face. “Nay, he went to tend the wounded. But he will return shortly.”
“Do you fear him?” Eirik inquired, noting her look and mood.
“Nay, I have no fear of Trosdan. Why do you ask such a strange question? He is my friend and teacher, my adviser, my protector.”
“That is good, for he is a powerful man. Did he tell you to stay away from me? Is that why you have done so lately?”
“I have explained my reasons, and you agreed with them. He does not know about us, as it would hurt and disappoint him to learn of my wanton deeds,” she lied out of necessity. “You must leave me. Only two more days of separation remain.”
He lifted his hand to caress her cheek and he felt her tremble. “Afterward, will we be together for all time as you vowed?”
To calm him and to get him to leave swiftly, she confided, “Do not worry, Eirik, for you will win me and the quest. We shall marry and rule our people side by side.”
He gazed into her entreating eyes. “Did the wizard read this in the Runes and tell you?”
Alysa smiled as she wiped beads of water from his face. “I am a volva, and I saw it in my dreams. Trust me. We will be together soon.”
He pulled her into his arms and kissed her passionately. As his lips seared over hers, he held her tightly against his hard body. Alysa responded feverishly and helplessly. It felt so wonderful to be in his arms and to taste his sweet lips. But if Trosdan returned, an untimely confrontation would surely occur. Worse trouble would take place if either Rolf or Ulf came to visit. She gently pushed him away, then glanced at her wet garments and warned, “Do not be so reckless, my love. If someone came, how would I explain this? Or your presence? Be patient and cautious a while longer,” she urged.
Eirik tenderly relented to her fears. “I came to fetch something from my chest. I will get it and leave.” He went to the chest, knelt, and opened it. He noticed how the contents had been shifted about recently. He lifted several items and frowned. He removed every item and shook each one. Dread washed over his wet body. The amulet was gone.
“What do you seek?” Alysa inquired as she witnessed his reaction.
His tone was sullen and wary as he replied, “There was a sacred talisman here which I wished to wear in the final contest. It is gone. Did you borrow it?”
Alysa was glad he had not asked if she had stolen it. “Nay, I have not troubled your possessions. Someone must have taken it while we were out of camp on the quests.”
Eirik tossed his belongings back into the chest and slammed the lid. A scowl lined his handsome face. He headed for the door.
Alysa rushed after him. “You go without a farewell kiss or word? What troubles you over the talisman? You do not need it.”
“It was a gift from my mother before her death. It is old and valuable, and special to me. I wished to wear it for good luck. I will find and slay the one who stole it.”
Alysa realized how upset he was. She ventured, “Perhaps Enid took it. She is the one who cleaned and cooked for me. She is the only one who had permission to enter this dwelling while I was gone.”
Eirik turned and gazed at her. She looked so beautiful and concerned. Enid… Rolf… His green eyes narrowed in suspicion. “I will question Rolf about it,” he remarked, then left.
Alysa watched him run through the mud to Rolf’s dwelling and go inside without knocking. She closed the door, as rain was blowing into the room and her face. She did not want to become chilled. Happiness made her smile. She was eager to tell Gavin her news.
The door opened and Alysa whirled to see if Eirik had returned. It was Trosdan. She related her love’s visit to the old man.
Trosdan looked befuddled. “I gave him no talisman or such tale.”
“But he was angry and annoyed to find it gone,” she reasoned.
Both faces shone with enlightenment at the same time. Alysa ventured, “He must have hidden the amulet here where he thought no one would find it. How very clever he is.” Then panic assailed her. “You do not think both the amulet and sword were in the chest and were stolen, do you, Wise One? If so, he is out of the quest! I cannot marry either Rolf or Ulf tomorrow night. And there is no way to inform Weylin of a change in plans. What shall we do?”
“Calm yourself, my princess,” the old man coaxed. “I am sure he would not hide both treasures in the same place.”
Alysa glanced at the chest. “I should have known Enid and Rolf could not be trusted! I must know if he still has the sword. Where is my mantle? I will go and question both men.”
Trosdan captured her arm and halted her. “You cannot go out in the storm! If you are seen with Rolf, Eirik will also get suspicious of you. We cannot let that problem arise.”
“He would never doubt me,” she argued. “He loves me and knows I love him. He would never believe I would aid another.”
“Remain here and I will see what I can learn. I warn you, Alysa, for the safety of all, including what you carry, remain here.”
Trosdan searched for Eirik in Aidan’s shieling, but he was not there. He hurried around the settlement and saw Eirik galloping from the corral and surmised that the warrior was going to check on or recover the sword from its hiding place. He headed for Rolf’s longhouse, but Rolf was not there. He waited around for a time, but the blond warrior did not return. No doubt Rolf was also fetching his prizes. Tomorrow, the three champions would be compelled to present their treasures before drawing lots for the final matches, as only those involved could fight. The Druid decided to make a final deceitful check on the wounded before returning to Alysa’s side. He would seek out Eirik and Rolf later.
As the old man was leaving the longhouse where most of the injured were being tended, Ulf called to Trosdan and summoned him to his dwelling. The wizard responded, and the two men went inside.
In the heavy rain, Eirik paced beneath the large tree with the sword in his grasp. Finally, he sheathed it and leaned against the trunk. He did not care if he was being drenched or sheltered from the storm, as a greater one raged within him. A flurry of thoughts plagued his mind. Was he wrong to have these tormenting doubts about his love?
In the beginning, he had mistrusted the half-blooded princess, but her surrender and vows had dispelled all doubts. She had yielded to him, seduced him, taken him, on three occasions. Yet she had known a man before, so there was no way of telling if he was the only other man in her life. She had said she saw him that day in the forest, but had she? Was Rolf the man she truly wanted? She had been with Rolf when he had made his quick and easy find of the helmet, giving the blond Viking a way to remain in the quest for her! She had whispered to Rolf at Bath. About the shield? The amulet had been in her dwelling; now Rolf had it. A coincidence? Or disarming guile?
She had vowed to him that she was duping Rolf, but was it actually him who was being duped? Once she had him enchanted by her, she had pulled away. But to protect them or herself from discovery? Or because he was no longer a problem to her?
Who had slain Aidan and Searic, and why? To keep him from having strong supporters if something went wrong? Who had drugged their cooking pots? Surely not Ulf, who had also lost his two closest friends. The powerful wizard? With or without the Briton princess’s help and knowledge? She, too, could do magic. Had she worked her enchantment upon him for a wicked reason?
What if he was being tricked and deceived? What if she was trying to help Rolf? What if they found a way to make him lose? Make Ulf lose so only Rolf remained? What better way to win his confidence and aid than by pretending to confide in him, to love him?
Another speculation filled his troubled mind. What if the wizard was behind all the tricks? What if Alysa was innocent? Being used and controlled like he and others were? Not once had she tried to entice the hiding places of his prizes from him so she could tell Rolf. He had suspected that she feared the old man, but she had denied it.
Was she afraid of the powerful wizard? Afraid for them? For him? Was that why she had pulled away from him?
Eirik turned and beat the trunk with a balled fist until his anger and tension melted. If only he knew the truth! He cautioned himself to be careful of everything he ate and drank, everything he did and said.
He could not get to Alysa again with the wizard living there. He needed to ask her questions and determine her part, if any, in this grave matter. A woman, that was what he needed! He mounted his horse to head for the closest village to abduct one.
Time passed as Alysa’s fears increased. She paced the house, wondering where Trosdan and Eirik were. At least Rolf did not have the sword. But what about Ulf? Had he or his men found a way to steal it, to eliminate Eirik from the final contest? What if Eirik was suspicious of her? After all, he had seen her dallying with Rolf. What would he do? She needed to see him and convince him of her innocence and love. But how? When? Where?
More tormenting time crawled by, and someone knocked at the door. Her heart leapt with intermingled hope and dread. Rolf entered Alysa’s dwelling. He was grinning broadly, and wearing the helmet which she had helped him locate. If she had known about the stolen amulet, she would not have done so! She scolded him about such perilous behavior and warned him to leave.
As he withdrew the sacred dagger and held it up for her to view, he confessed, “Eirik knows I have his amulet and he is furious. Enid saw him hide it in your dwelling. She took it for me. When he sought it just now, he found it gone. I possess two prizes, but Eirik only has one and Ulf the other two. First, I will slay Eirik, then Ulf in the battle ring. Then you will be mine, Alysa.”
“Eirik came to fetch something from his chest,” she related pointing to it. “He was angry when he found it missing. He did not reveal it was the amulet. He questioned me, but I told him I had not bothered his possessions. He shouted, ‘Enid!’ and hurriedly left. This explains his odd behavior.”
Rolf boasted, “He guessed accurately, but it does not matter. Enid is dead by Ulf’s command; I am certain of it. It is good, for she would have been trouble for us. She was a weak and foolish slave. She loved me and desired me to choose her over you, my queen,” he stated with a devilish laugh.
Alysa chided softly, “Be kind, Rolf, for she was not responsible for her feelings or enslavement. She helped you in many ways and was very good to me. You must go quickly before others wonder why you remain here so long when we are alone. Someone might suspect I helped you win unfairly, especially Eirik, since you took his prize from my dwelling and I was with you on your victorious quest.” “I hope he does believe such things, as hatred and anger will make him careless in the battle ring.” Rolf seized her and kissed her soundly. He smiled and left. He had decided it was best not to tell Alysa that he had slyly led Eirik to believe they were in love and she had indeed aided the theft and his last victory.
It was dusk by now. Alysa was frightened. Trosdan had been gone for hours. Eirik had not returned to question her. She could not help but suspect that he doubted her. Maybe she should find him and break the spell over him to prevent trouble. She flung her mantle over her head and shoulders and opened the door, and bumped into Trosdan.
She backed up and demanded, “Where have you been, Wise One? I was so worried.” She related details of Rolf’s visit and revelation. “Where is Eirik? What did he say?”
“He left camp before I could speak with him. He has not returned yet. Surely he has gone to recover the sword. Do not fear, for neither Ulf nor Rolf have it. Ulf summoned me to question me about the contest and rituals. I slipped a potion into his ale and bewitched him. He will defeat Rolf, but he will die by Eirik’s sword.”
“Are you certain, Wise One?” she persisted worriedly.
“It will go as the Runes predicted long ago. Beneath a conqueror’s moon, you will be reunited with Prince Gavin. This I swear.”
“Are you certain I cannot summon him tonight and break his spell? I fear he doubts us and will cause trouble.”
With unwavering confidence, the wizard replied, “Yea, he mistrusts us, but all will go according to what has been planned and predicted. You shall have him tomorrow night.”
“I wish it were tonight, for I fear something is going wrong.”
He must keep one last secret from Alysa; he had ordered Ulf to take Eirik and others in the morning to gather supplies for their impending feast. By having Eirik out of camp until the matches, Alysa would not be given a chance to yield to temptation—physical or emotional. “Nay, all is as it should be,” Trosdan refuted.
Still, Alysa worried.
Rolf took a walk to exercise his body and to distract his restless mind. He wished it had not rained all day and prevented him from practicing his skills. Since the quest began, he had hardly lifted a sword except to place it in his sheath. Dulled instincts and rapidly tiring arms led to defeat.
Rolf halted in the shadows and observed the curious sight which greeted his disbelieving eyes. Eirik was pulling a lovely young woman toward Aidan’s dwelling. The captive female was gagged and her hands were bound. As she slipped and slid in the mud during her struggles, Eirik grabbed her and tossed her over his shoulder, and vanished inside with her. Rolf knew, with Aidan’s and Saeric’s deaths, that Eirik was alone with the slave. Rolf grinned. In the morning, he would take great delight in revealing Eirik’s disobedience and wanton behavior to their queen. If Alysa had any desire for his rival, this news would destroy it.
As the wizard had said, the sun came out the next morning. It beamed down on the land and joined the earth in sucking up the abundant rain. The final contests were scheduled for midafternoon.
Eirik took the sullen captive to one of the trusted slaves and said, “Guard her and train her while I am gone. I abducted her to serve our queen, as the other woman is gone and our queen has no servant to tend her. Until her strong will is broken and she will obey, she cannot be gifted to our ruler. See that she learns her place and duties. If she remains stubborn, punish her.”
Eirik had wanted to use the gift as a means to see Alysa this morning, but the captive was too troublesome at this time to burden his love. With luck and persistence, the woman would be ready to serve them after their marriage. He joined Ulf and others at the corral. “Where is Rolf? Are we not all to ride together to fetch supplies?”
The redhead informed him he could not find Rolf. “Perhaps he has gone to retrieve his prize. We have no time to wait for him. We must gather food for our feast. Do you fear to leave camp with me?” Ulf taunted, eyeing the sheathed sword at Eirik’s side.
“Nay, I fear nothing and no one, save Odin and the gods.”
The band mounted and rode off at a swift gallop.
Alysa prepared herself carefully, wondering why Eirik had not come to see her. In a few hours, he would face an awesome challenge: Ulf. She longed to speak with him, to make certain he trusted her.
Rolf arrived, and Alysa frowned at him. “Why do you continue to ignore the peril of such actions?” she scolded him.
Undaunted, Rolf suggested, “We will stand here in sight while we talk. There is something I must tell you. Eirik has disobeyed your command. Last night, he returned to camp with a female captive. I saw him drag her into his dwelling, bound and gagged. He is unworthy of you, queen of my heart. If he desired you as I do, he would need and want no other female to sate his hungers. I swear it is true, for I witnessed the wicked deed myself. She is still there now.”
The blond warrior’s revelation struck Alysa hard and deep, for she knew Rolf would not lie about something which could be checked easily. She could not prevent shock from showing on her face. Last night, Eirik—nay, Gavin—had betrayed her with another woman, a helpless captive! “Why would Eirik do such a thing against my command?” she asked to stall for time to recover and to think.
“He has been here many weeks and has taken no woman that I know of. Perhaps he had need of one last night to dispel his tension and anger. Men cannot go very long
without… having a woman.”
“But I forbade the taking of any more captives until the quest was over,” she stated angrily.
“The quest is over, my queen,” Rolf reminded her.
“I meant, until the matches and rituals were completed!”
“Perhaps Eirik did not understand your meaning, or wish to do so. Perhaps he thinks he will win and this was his last chance to have another woman. The law forbids a king to have but one wife, the queen.”
“It does not forbid him from taking concubines and slaves, if his lusts are greater than his wife can sate!” she scoffed too boldly.
“I will have need of no other—”
Alysa interrupted before the conversation became lewd and immodest, “Nay, we must not speak of such private things. I am vexed with Eirik for disobeying me and not thinking clearly. This is a bad omen, Rolf. Send him here to be scolded.”
“That is impossible. He has gone araiding with Ulf for supplies for the feast—our wedding feast,” he asserted confidently.
“Gone with Ulf? Alone?” she inquired anxiously. “Is that not unwise and dangerous? What if Ulf plots another accident as with Enid?”
“Then I will have one less rival to battle for you.”
“Your jest is not amusing, Rolf. If the contest is won unfairly, great havoc will occur. If Eirik is not here to battle Ulf, that means you must do so. Have you forgotten how wickedly he fights? These matches are to the death, as we can have but one champion left.”
“Do not worry, my lovely enchantress. I will not be harmed. I will use this sacred dagger to slay my rivals with,” he said, holding it up and kissing its shiny blade. “I must leave you for now. I wish to practice while they are gone. Then I will have the advantage.”
“Where is this female slave which Eirik took?” she queried.
Convinced she wanted him, Rolf did not suspect Alysa’s feelings. “He placed her in another’s care while he is gone.”
“Why did you not go with them this morning?”
The Last Viking Queen Page 33