Lord of the Mountains

by Sabrina Jarema

  “Swords.” He drained the cup.

  Leif choked out a laugh as Magnus rubbed the bridge of his nose. “I can see that. Where did you get them?”

  “From the five men up on the ridge. They were spying on us, so I slew them.” He poured more ale as Leif and the other men in the room gathered around the weapons, all talking at once.

  “Nuallen.” Magnus raised his voice over the din.

  “Is there anything left to eat?” He frowned at the empty serving platters from the morning meal. “Killing is hungry work.”

  “I’ll find you something.” Birgitta walked toward the cooking room.

  Magnus cleared his throat. “Nuallen, suppose you start at the beginning.”

  “Not much to tell.” He sat at Magnus’s table with a sigh. “I thought to go above and see the lay of the land. Your men had been through there, but I saw other signs. Even more recent. I found one of Toke’s men hiding in the bushes, looking down into the village. I killed him and figured there must be more of them. There were. Not anymore.” He smiled his thanks as Birgitta set a full plate of eggs, beef, and cheese in front of him.

  “Five? You slew five men by yourself?” He sank down at the table.

  Nuallen shrugged as he stabbed a piece of meat with his knife. “If you take them one by one, it really doesn’t matter how many there are, does it? One or a dozen. It just takes a little longer and makes you hungrier.”

  “I had a lot of men up there. What were they doing? Picking flowers?”

  “They did their jobs.” He spoke around a hunk of beef, then swallowed. “But Toke’s men timed their spying in between patrols. Quick in, quick out. They weren’t trying to attack. They wanted to find out if we were amassing more warriors. That doesn’t take long.”

  “Then we change our patterns. Stagger the patrols. Nuallen, you see things others don’t. Would you take one of the horses and make the circuit of this side of the mountain?”

  “Of course, but I’d rather go on foot. Not so obvious.”

  “However you wish. Leif, get word to the men. And find Eirik and Asa. We need to meet.”

  Leif sprinted out the door.

  “I also saw signs that they’d been closer to the village, but not so recently. Sometime in the past week, I think.”

  Magnus slammed his fist against the table. “Then we forget defense. We’ll go over the mountain and descend into their valley. Stop them before they come anywhere near here. Send them a clear message.”

  “I think five dead men is clear enough. I left them where I figure they’re coming over the peak. But still, your thoughts are good ones.”

  “I need you to show us that place. Eirik’s men should be back with his ships in a few days, and Toke will be watching the fjord and may want to move before that. It might make them reckless, but we won’t be. Nuallen, I want you to sit in on our meetings and come to the mountain with us. I can use your eyes. If we’re attacked, your first responsibility is to get back here for Lifa and Silvi. They may not want to leave, but at least guard them.”

  “My life is theirs. And it always will be.”

  He met Nuallen’s emerald gaze. An understanding passed between them. He might not be quite certain of the Northumbrian where Silvi was concerned, but he was positive Nuallen would guard her with his life. And right now, that was all that mattered.

  * * *

  “Asa, you’ll stay here with a group of my men to provide a defense in case any of Toke’s men get through. As before, we don’t know which way they’ll come from. You commanded well during the winter battle.” Magnus drummed his fingers on the table in the crowded common room. It was late, but they would be up and out well before dawn.

  She nodded. “I wish Arne were here. I miss him. He always stayed near me during a fight.”

  “I know.” Magnus gave her shoulder a quick caress. The huge bear of a man had given his life for Asa’s in the winter battle for Thorsfjell. He had died a death they all wished for, though, and now he was drinking, feasting, and fighting in Valhalla. “Leif will stay here along with half of Rorik’s warriors. Eirik and I will take the other half. That will give us enough between us.”

  “As long as it’s Kaia’s half that stays here.” Leif grinned at the somber shieldmaiden.

  Her arms crossed, she cast him a disdainful glare, then looked away. “I’d rather be closer to my ships anyhow, in case we have need of them.”

  “Then it’s settled.” Magnus rose. “Get some sleep, if you can, all of you. Dawn comes early this time of year. And we must be gone well before then.”

  He waited until the common room emptied, then he sank back down and poured another small measure of beer. Silvi was waiting for him, naked, in their bed. Her white hair would be up in its braids, lit by the moon’s light coming in through the ceiling and the small windows. The furs would cover her, but he had planned on seeing all of her this night. Showing her how beautiful she was.

  However, the coming battle was foremost in his thoughts. If he’d already taken her, he would sink into her this night and lose himself in her warmth, in case it might be for the last time. But he hadn’t. He needed the entire night to awaken her body to his touch, and he didn’t have the time. He drained his cup. Thoughts of strategy and battle movements must take precedence now. She was the daughter of warriors. She would understand.

  He shouldn’t go to their chamber. It wasn’t as though he would get any sleep. He couldn’t just leave her alone, though. She might be frightened. Everyone in the village knew he and his men would attack in the morning. He needed to be with her, if only for a little while.

  He went to the chamber door, opened it quietly in case she was asleep, and stepped inside. Leaning back against the closed door, he stared.

  She knelt on their bed, naked, her hair streaming down around her. Moonlight poured over her upturned face from above, making her skin gleam like a new sword’s blade. Her eyes were closed, and her hands were on her thighs, turned up as though holding the radiance bathing her.

  “Silvi?” He didn’t move toward her. Was she having a vision? She wore the same sublime expression as she had in the grove.

  “Already they gather for battle.” She remained still, but her voice was strong. “They know. Somehow, they know we’re coming. It is as I said before, the shadows are here even now.”

  He crossed the room and sat on the bed before her. “How do you know? Do you see them?”

  She opened her eyes but didn’t look at him. They sparkled a bit too much for the moonlight. “They have word we’re gearing for battle. They’ll be here before the morning.”

  “Silvi.” He touched her face, feathering his fingertips across her translucent skin.

  She focused on him and gave him a gentle smile. “I knew you were making your plans for the attack. I thought to help in my own way. Mother read the runes this night and saw it also. Sometimes, that helps me.” She dropped her gaze to her body. Her hair covered most of her, but she blushed. “I was ready for bed when I felt the vision come on me. I didn’t stop to dress.”

  “Your hair is undone.” He ran his fingers through it.

  “I know you always do that. The knots and braids can block the words of the gods. I wanted them to be as clear as possible. I wore it up the other day at the grove because it’s expected of me as a married woman. In here, it wouldn’t matter.” Her eyes widened. “Magnus, how do they know what we’re planning? Is someone here giving them information?”

  “I don’t know. If so, it must be one of the people who escaped here from Bygvik. No one who belongs here would do that. I’ll have them watched from now on. I don’t want to banish anyone who’s innocent, but I won’t risk Thorsfjell. I gave them a home. If anyone has betrayed that kindness, that person will answer to me.”

  He ran his hands down her arms. “Was there anything else? Did you see anything more detailed?”

  She shook her head. “The dark places moved over the mountain from the village under the cover of nig
ht. The moon was low, so I know it was closer to morning.” Her gaze drifted away from him as though she saw something that lay in another world. He waited.

  “There were dragons in the skies. I saw them against the stars. Then one of them screamed and flames hurtled toward it. But another dragon swept its wings and put out the fire. The dragon was unharmed.”

  What does that mean? Asa’s guardian spirit is a dragon. Could she be in danger?

  “The ships.” Silvi took his hand, pressing it. “Anytime I’ve seen dragons in my visions, they’ve meant ships. Could Toke try to destroy Rorik’s longships that are beached in the fjord?”

  “If he does, he’ll find a nasty surprise. I’ll send Leif and Kaia and some of the warriors to guard them. I have some men there already, of course. But we’ll need more.”

  She shook her head. “Rorik would rather lose an arm, I think, than one of his ships. They’re like his children, if he had any. If anyone even thinks of damaging one of them, they’ll have his entire fleet down on them before the end of summer.”

  “Then maybe we should allow them to singe them, just a little. Rorik could do all our work for us.” Perhaps some humor would comfort her. It worked when she was angry.

  She smiled. “If he happened to come here, that would be nice. But I wouldn’t count on it.”

  “Of course not. I think we can fight this battle ourselves. Toke’s men plan to attack us before we attack them. When they climb up the mountain, they’ll find us lining the peak, waiting for them. Nuallen knows where they’ve been coming over. And we’ll have the advantage of the higher ground.” He leaned forward and kissed her.

  “Thank you for helping us. It could make the difference between defeat and victory. I’m just sorry we have to postpone the lessons I had planned for you.”

  “Lessons?”

  “Yes. About how beautiful you are. How desirable. And how much I want you. Only after you learn those things can you go on to the next instructions.”

  “Oh?” She blushed again. “And what would those entail?”

  He touched his forehead to hers. “You’ll have to wait. And so, unfortunately, will I. I must wake Leif, Eirik, Asa, and the others. I told them to try to get some sleep, but there’s no time for that if we’re to be on the peak before Toke’s men.”

  He stood and she climbed off the bed as well.

  “There’s no need for you to rise,” he said as she reached for her dress. He glimpsed her breasts as her hair swung to the side. He clenched his jaw. “Someone around here may as well get some rest.”

  “Do you think I could sleep now? I have preparations to make. I have to wake Ingeborg and my mother, though she’s likely already up. There are herbs to prepare, dressings to make, and poultices to mix. I hope we won’t need them, but if we do, I want to be ready. You have your fight, Magnus, and I have mine.” She put her hair up in a simple knot at the back of her neck.

  “Then we’ll go out together and rouse the others. Find Birgitta and have food brought out. This will be a long night and perhaps an even longer day.”

  He grabbed his sword where it leaned against the wall by their bed. When he turned around, she stood before him. She put her arms around his neck, pulled his head down, and kissed him hard, harder than he thought she could. He caught her to him and took over the kiss, deepening it. When he lifted his head, she looked up at him. Her eyes were moist.

  “Please, Magnus, be careful. I know the Norns fate us to die at a certain time. Nothing can change that. But what we do in the meantime is what wins us word-fame and the gods’ goodwill. No matter your fate this night, strike true and fight bold, for that’s what matters.”

  “I’ll be well. I’d fight the gods themselves to come back here and finish what I’ve started with you. Just listen to Nuallen and stay with him when he returns here. He’ll guard you while I’m on the mountain.”

  She put her hand on his chest. “Remember, this is your mountain, Magnus. Not theirs. You are lord here. The power of Thor surrounds it, and it knows you protect it. The streams that flow on it are your blood. Its roots, so deep in the earth, are as your ancestors. The winds blowing from its heights are your breath. Trust in it, use it to your advantage. It will bring you home to me.”

  He gathered her closer to him, just holding her, his face buried in her hair. Who knew if her visions were real? But he couldn’t take the chance and ignore the warnings. During the winter, Eirik had read his runes and had said that because Magnus had a tendency to hesitate to act, someone he loved suffered. It had happened long ago to Asa, then again with their cousin Estrid. It wouldn’t happen again.

  Never again.

  Chapter Ten

  One moment, Magnus knelt alone amidst the rocks and snow on the peak of the mountain. The next, Nuallen crouched beside him. The man was an enigma, but at least he was on their side. Thank the gods.

  “Toke’s forces are most of the way up. I counted about fifty of them, but I couldn’t be certain.”

  “We have half again that number just here. That doesn’t count the warriors in Thorsfjell and those on the beach, guarding the ships. We have the element of surprise and the advantage of the higher ground.” He sat back on his heels and checked the seax hanging from his belt.

  “It doesn’t seem like enough men to mount an attack,” Nuallen said.

  “It may be all Toke could attract to him since the winter. We killed all his other followers when they attacked us. We don’t have large armies like your country. Our forces are smaller.”

  Nuallen’s voice was harsh. “You don’t need larger numbers to be victorious. All men fear you as it is.”

  Eirik knelt on Magnus’s left. “No foreign army has ever attacked us in our own lands, not even the Christian emperor Charlemagne, though he thought of it. He forcibly baptized and then slaughtered thousands of people of the northern tribes in a single day. We began raiding foreign lands to show him what he’d be up against if they tried that here. They’ve never invaded us.”

  “And with good reason.” Nuallen stilled. “Stay here. I’ll take a look. I thought I heard something.”

  He rose, took a step, and melted into the darkness. Even his weapons didn’t make a sound. Magnus sighed. He’d have to find out how he did that. He passed the word along to be ready. His order flowed along their lines and the men unsheathed their weapons in a wave. They waited, as silent as the shadows around them.

  Magnus’s breath steamed into the cold night. He hadn’t felt right leaving Silvi, but Asa was there along with his best men. They were guarding so many fronts that they’d had no choice but to split up. It would be the height of hypocrisy to pray to the gods now, when he had all but ignored them before. But if it came to Silvi’s welfare, he had no pride.

  Please Odin, Thor, let her be safe. And grant me the strength and skill to keep her that way.

  Nothing. But then, that was how it had always been. What had he expected? A thunderbolt from the clear, star-filled sky?

  Eirik narrowed his eyes. “The land doesn’t feel right. They’re there. On the path beneath us.”

  Magnus cared nothing for himself. His fate was sealed. For the sake of Thorsfjell, however, he was afraid. If anything happened to him, Leif would take over. In spite of what his brother said, he would be a good jarl. But Leif could also be killed. Then who would care for Thorsfjell? And Silvi. What would she do?

  Magnus had never worried before. Was this what love did? Bring weakness like this? He drew a sharp breath, hardening his resolve. Or it could bring strength to fight for something more than his word-fame—his wife, his village, his mountain.

  He knelt forward, listening. The chill air carried the sound of distant running water to him. The falls. What had Silvi said? That the mountain was his. To use it to his advantage.

  Had the mountain spoken to him and he had finally learned to listen? “There are falls that run out of the peak from the melting snows this time of year.” He pointed down to their right and Eirik nodded. “
They’re quite wide and rapid now. When Toke’s men get here, we’ll block off any path of retreat for them except in that direction. It will herd them right into the falls and they’ll have no place else to go. Pass the word.”

  Eirik moved off to the nearest group of warriors while Magnus gave the orders to the men on his left to descend off to the side.

  When they were in position, Nuallen stepped up beside him. “They’re not far behind me and they travel in a group. Fools. It should be easy enough to surround and slay them.”

  “I’m sending men down now. They’ll come up beneath them like a hook, and we’ll catch them like struggling fish. We’ll trap them between us and the falls, so they’ll have no chance to retreat. But we have to time it just right.”

  “You’ll be able to see them easily down below. With the moonlight and the light covering of snow, they’ll stand out. If they look up, there’s only darkness behind you. They won’t see you against the sky until it’s too late.”

  “My thoughts exactly. I’ve been on this mountain all my life, and even as boys Leif and I hid that way. Our parents would look for us at night when we were above them. They never saw us.”

  Nuallen chuckled softly. “Then I’ll leave you to your games. I’ll go down to the village. May your gods bless you.”

  “And may your Christ watch over you.” Being a Northumbrian, Nuallen would be a Christian. “I trust you more than any gods or god to protect Silvi and Lifa.”

  He nodded. “With my life.” And he was gone.

  “We’ll hear them when they find the bodies Nuallen left on the path.” Eirik hefted his sword. “It should confuse them long enough for us to attack.”

  “I’m using the archers first. Don’t give the signal to advance until after that. We’ll shoot from above. Even if Toke has his own archers, they’re aiming uphill. When we move, I’ll be in the center. All the men will gauge their positions by how far they are from me, keeping the same distance. In that way, we’ll maintain our lines.” They waited.

  Eirik tensed, then held up his hand. “Listen now.”