Lord of the Mountains

by Sabrina Jarema

  Sighing, he took off his belt and walked to the table where he usually left it. A cup sat there. He set his belt aside and picked it up. Dark yellow granules sat in the bottom. He sniffed at them. Myrrh. There were other scents as well. He ran his finger around the inside and tasted it. Ginger and honey.

  She’d said she needed the myrrh for the wounds. That could also be true of the honey. But not the ginger. That could help the stomach pains. Why did she need so strong a remedy? And why hadn’t she told him? She wouldn’t use the precious myrrh unless she needed it, when they had so many other treatments.

  He set the cup down and stripped off his shirt. Between being up all night, fighting the battle, then the steam of the sauna, he wasn’t certain if he’d found her awake, he could have made love to her. That would have to wait. Again.

  Lying down, he turned on his back beside her. He tried to be still, but the mattress dipped and she rolled toward him. She roused with a frown, opening her eyes. They were glazed, as though she saw something beyond her. Then she focused on him.

  “Magnus. Gods, I must have fallen asleep. I didn’t mean to.” She started to get up, but he took her wrist and she stilled.

  “Relax. There’s nothing you need to rise for.”

  “I need to see to the wounded men. And food. No one has eaten yet today. The common room is a mess. The tables need to be scrubbed.” She pulled at her wrist.

  He tugged back and she landed on top of him. “That’s what we have servants for, and they’re very efficient. My warriors are patrolling outside. Eirik, Asa, your mother, Leif, and even Nuallen are all resting. And so should you. We’ll rise for the evening meal. Until then . . .”

  He put his arms around her and settled her against his chest. She made a small protest, but when he didn’t release her, she relaxed with a tremulous breath. He closed his eyes. This was what he’d fought for. This was what he’d spilled his blood on the mountain to protect. And she was worth it, every drop of it.

  The scent of her hair filled him and he turned his face into it. It was still up in its knot, but he was too tired to take it down. As exhausted as his body was, though, the battle turned over and over in his mind. Something wasn’t right.

  He envisioned the mountain from above, as though he were a bird flying over it. His ability to do that had often let him see strategies others didn’t. Toke’s men had come from the valley, up through the pass, as expected.

  As expected. The same thing Asa had picked up on during the winter battle. Either Toke was more of a fool than he’d thought, or something else was in the air. But what? He shifted. He needed to sleep, but not with this hanging over him. He should talk to Eirik, Leif, and Nuallen about this, but they’d be asleep by now.

  “Magnus? Can’t you sleep? Is your arm bothering you? I can get some herbs to help the pain.”

  He winced. He’d been keeping her awake. “I’m sorry. I’ll go elsewhere. I can’t sleep because of the battle. Sometimes, after we fight, I see it again in my mind, over and over.”

  She tried to sit up, but he held her tight against him. “Magnus, let me go. Turn over onto your stomach.”

  He did as she asked. “Why?”

  “Because you help me fall asleep every night. Now it’s my turn.” She ran her fingers through his hair. “This is a mess.”

  He smiled into the pillow. “I washed it, but I didn’t comb it.”

  She rose and came back with the ivory comb. He closed his eyes with a groan as she pulled it through the damp strands. So this was what it felt like. No wonder she liked it so much. His hair wasn’t nearly as long as hers, but it still hung down his back. The comb ran against his scalp and over his shoulders as she worked out the snarls.

  “There.” She set the comb aside and scooped his hair to one side. Then she smoothed her hands over his back. Her fingertips brushed his skin as he buried his face in the pillow.

  He grew hard, but was so fatigued, he couldn’t have moved if he wanted to. This was sweet torture—to have her here, touching him, and yet he was at her mercy. He had no defense against her and he wanted none.

  She placed her palms on either side of his spine and pressed them up toward his shoulder blades in small circles. “I’m not certain what to do. I’m trying to match what you’ve done to me.”

  “You’re a quick learner. I may never get up again.”

  She gave a soft laugh. He surrendered himself to her hands, which was new for him. He’d always been the one in command, the one giving the pleasure. This single time, though, he could make an exception.

  She massaged farther down his back to the top of his hips, just above his pants. Maybe he would make an exception more often. She had a healer’s hands, after all. Soft, yet strong and certain. When she rubbed his shoulders, he arched his neck into her touch. No woman had ever done this for him before, but then, none of them had been Silvi.

  He turned over, pulled her onto his chest again, and kissed the top of her head. “Thank you for that.”

  “I hoped you’d fall asleep, as I do.”

  “As long as you’re in my arms, I don’t think that will be a problem now.” He pulled the furs over them both.

  She smiled against his chest and snuggled closer.

  He’d been too short with her this morning on the beach. When he’d returned from the battle and she wasn’t here, anger born of fear had twisted in him. The situation was still too uncertain for her to be away from the village, no matter who was with her. Asa and Nuallen should have known better. In the future, he’d make certain they did. But he shouldn’t have taken his concern out on her. He should have greeted her as Eirik had welcomed Asa—with joy, his arms open to receive her. Instead he’d been an idiot. That happened too often around her.

  “I’m sorry, Silvi. I shouldn’t have been upset with you this morning.”

  She only sighed, her eyes closed, her breathing steady and light. She was asleep already. No matter that she hadn’t heard him. He would make certain she knew.

  The battle still bothered him. Toke was out there somewhere, but right now, he had Silvi in his arms. He let go of everything else. His world became their chamber, their bed, and the woman he held.

  That was all he needed, in this world or any other.

  * * *

  “It’s a feeling I have in my gut.” Magnus glared at Leif as his twin propped his feet up on his table. Magnus let it go. He had other battles to fight.

  “Your gut’s always been good enough for me.” Leif yawned.

  They’d finished the second meal, which Birgitta had served early since their morning had been so disrupted. The women were seeing to the wounded, except for Asa, who sat with Eirik, Nuallen, Leif, and him.

  Nuallen was a mystery, and Magnus didn’t like mysteries. The Northumbrian was a former slave and might harbor deep-seated resentments toward Eirik for his enslavement. But Magnus couldn’t argue with his abilities, and so far, Nuallen had used those talents to help them. Nuallen was skilled, no matter who he had once been. Magnus needed all the help he could get. This mess with Toke wasn’t over yet.

  “I’ve stayed awake thinking about the battle, and something keeps knocking at me about it. There weren’t enough men to defeat us. Toke should have realized that. They came up a known pass. It was too predictable, too easy.”

  “I agree.” Eirik leaned forward, setting his elbows on his knees. “Even though Silvi warned us about the timing, we would have seen them at some point with all the men we had up there. Even if they had made it closer to Thorsfjell by the time we met them, the outcome would have been much the same.”

  “Exactly.”

  “Might he not have done it to save face?” Asa held Eirik’s hand. “He vowed to get vengeance because of his son. He made this attempt and it failed. He might figure that at least he tried and it should save him in the eyes of his men.”

  “If he has any men left,” Leif said. “He’s managed to kill off dozens of them between the winter and now. The ones left are p
robably fleeing like rats from a burning ship. It’s as though he’s trying to bring himself down.”

  “Or someone else is.” Nuallen rubbed his jaw as they all looked at him. “I’ve heard everything about the winter battle that happened here. People, including Asa, saw a rider with the attackers, yet he didn’t join the fight. He was also seen before that. If he was there again last night, we might not have noticed him in the darkness. He may be the one to tie this all together.”

  “If he has anything to do with the strategy they’re using,” Eirik said, “then he’s a poor tactician.”

  “Or perhaps, a very good one. If he’s working against Toke.” Magnus drummed his fingers on the table. “But why would he do that if he’s part of Toke’s forces?”

  “What I’m more concerned about is whether or not Toke is finished with his vendetta against you.” Leif scowled. “He might be a coward, but his anger over his son is very real. He may come up with another way, an underhanded way, to seek his revenge. He did say he would destroy whatever you loved.”

  “That’s Thorsfjell. He’s already tried and failed twice.” But there was also Silvi. Magnus met Leif’s eyes, ice running in his veins.

  Leif nodded. “He knows you have a new wife. Even if you didn’t love her, she’ll bear your children and that would make her valuable.”

  Magnus didn’t bother denying his feelings for her. From the grin on Leif’s face to the knowing looks they all gave him, it would be futile. “I should have made her leave here. I wanted her to go back to Haardvik, or even to stay with Rorik, to be safe. She wouldn’t go.”

  “No more than any of us would. She may not be a shieldmaiden.” Eirik drew Asa closer to him. “But she’s still one of us. She has strengths we can’t understand. Believe me, I’ve tried through the years.”

  “She’s not to leave the village. All of you will make certain of this.” Magnus looked at each of them, but fastened Asa and Nuallen in his gaze. “I’m not sitting back and waiting for Toke to make the next move. I’m sending men out to search for him. He has to be here someplace. If we kill him, the outcasts who flock to him for food and shelter will fade away.”

  “What of his people?” Asa frowned.

  He’d already thought of this. It would increase his responsibilities, but he had little choice. “Bygvik will become part of Thorsfjell, depending on what we find there. We’ve already taken in a number of the women and children, and from what I’ve heard, the people in the village will be glad of a new jarl after Toke killed the old one.”

  Leif grinned. “New ships, a new wife, and soon a new village. Your empire is expanding, Brother. I’m proud of you.”

  “It’s not my intention. I’ve only wanted what’s best for Thorsfjell, and that’s Toke’s death. If having to take on a new village is the result, then that’s what I’ll do.”

  Silvi came through the open door, her eyes sparkling. “I heard what you said, Magnus. I don’t know about the new wife or the new village, but your new ships are here. Your lookouts on the peak have seen the ships Eirik sent for, in the main fjord. They’ll be here soon.”

  Everyone rose. Magnus nodded to Eirik. “It’s barely been eight days. Your men work fast. Let’s greet them.”

  The others left to prepare, but he held Silvi back. “I want you to stay here in the longhouse. It still may not be safe out there. It’s better if you remain behind. You can see the ships another day.”

  She crossed her arms and his heart sank. Of course it wouldn’t be that easy.

  “I’m going. They’re my dowry. I have the right. You and your warriors will be with me. The men continue their patrols. Toke is likely off licking his wounds in some dank place far from here.”

  “I wouldn’t take a wager on that, and it’s not worth risking you. You’re staying.”

  “I’m going. Unless you plan to tie me up like you’ve threatened before. That’s the only way.”

  His body tightened at that picture, but he ignored it. “You’re making it sound more and more tempting.”

  She narrowed her eyes. “Then see what happens when you free me.”

  If he had his way, after he rendered her helpless, neither of them would go anywhere for the rest of the night. She would be so sated afterward, she would forget about revenge. He almost groaned. But he had ships to greet, and unless he wanted the entire longhouse to know about her defiance, he had to relent. This time.

  He raked his hand through his hair. “Fine. But stay in the midst of us.”

  “Of course. I may be stubborn, but I’m not foolish.”

  To think he had once thought of her as shy and demure. It was becoming clear that, just as there were different kinds of warriors, so there were different kinds of shieldmaidens. It wasn’t enough that his sister was one. He was married to another.

  Chapter Twelve

  They arrived at the beach in time to see the ships sail into their branch of the fjord. Three of them traveled in close formation while Eirik’s great warship followed. The sails were lowered and the oars dipped into the still waters in perfect unison. Dozens of warriors rowed while others stood ready to jump into the shallows and pull the ships onto the shore.

  Magnus’s heart swelled. They were beautiful, long and sleek, their dragon prows rising in the late-day sun. They must have started out early at the mouth of the fjord to have arrived before dark, which spoke of the strength and skill of the warriors who crewed them.

  He glanced at Silvi as she stood at his side. Her eyes were moist. These had been her father’s ships.

  “Remembering?” He took her hand.

  She nodded. “So many times I watched my father leave and then return from his travels in these ships. I can still see him there, standing in the prow, lifting his sword in greeting while we stood on the cliff above. It’s one of my earliest memories. Those ships brought him home safe, protecting us all. I was so proud of him.”

  “He was a man to be proud of. He left you a great legacy. And now that legacy has followed you here. They’re still a part of your life, and they’ll still protect you.”

  She smiled. “I hadn’t thought of that, but you’re right. I’m not losing them. They’re staying here with me.”

  “You know that, by our laws, a woman’s dowry is hers. A husband holds it in trust, but ultimately, she owns it. Those ships belong to you. I don’t suppose you’d allow me to use them once in a while.” His humor, such as it was, usually helped dispel any anger she had toward him. It was worth a try.

  Her lips quirked. “What would I do with a longship? Asa would love them. She’d be sailing over the edge of the world tomorrow. But me? I’m not planning on needing them anytime soon, so you can use them for now.” She crossed her arms and lifted her chin as she gazed out at them. “On one condition.”

  Oh gods. Here was her revenge. “What would that be?” He held his breath.

  “I want to go with you when you take them out for the first time.”

  He exhaled. When she’d first come to Thorsfjell, she’d spoken of how much she’d enjoyed the voyage. “Of course. We’ll only sail a little way down the fjord. It’s too far to go to the sea and back. Two days’ travel. But we can do a run for half a day, then return. Word will spread. Everyone along the shoreline came to the wedding and knows of your dowry. They’ll see the ships, if they haven’t already, and there’s a good chance Toke will hear about it. He’ll have his warning.”

  The ships slid onto the beach and most of the men jumped into the water. The shallow draft of the keel ensured the water would only be up to their knees at most. Magnus’s men helped them haul the vessels farther onto the shore.

  Magnus walked to one of the ships and put his hand on the forestem at the front. Not only was it carved to simulate the overlapping planking fastened to it, but ornate, interlaced patterns curved along it, testifying to the art and skill of the shipbuilders. These were vessels to be proud of.

  “Rorik’s family’s shipwrights built these years ago.” Eirik
looked up at the sails. “My father bought them when I was very young. They are just as sound and seaworthy as they were when he first brought them home.” He laid his hand on the forestem of the nearest one. “This is Raven. The next is Sea Eagle and the farthest one over is Fire Serpent. May they take you as far and keep you as safe as they did him.”

  “May Njord will it so.”

  “Speaking of which.” Eirik smiled as his own ship, the massive Wind of Njord, slid onto the beach beside the others. Eirik’s second-in-command, Kjeld, leaped off and came to them.

  “The voyage went well. Everything was nearly complete when we arrived, so it took only a few days to return.” The tall, blond-haired man looked around. “The wedding celebration was still going on when I left. Did I miss anything?”

  “Just lots of drinking, feasting, and a good battle.” Eirik clapped him on the shoulder. “Take heart. The scum causing all the trouble is still out there. There’ll likely be more fighting.”

  Kjeld grinned. “Thank the gods. I can always hope.” He walked back toward Eirik’s ship, yelling orders as some of the crew threw supplies over the sides to others on the beach.

  When Eirik followed him, Silvi caught Magnus’s arm. “Thank you for letting me come here. I wanted to see them as they sailed in from the fjord.”

  He gave her a sideways glance. “I had little choice in the matter. I don’t know that I allowed it.” As she stiffened, he touched her cheek. “But I’m glad you came. We’ll take them out in a day or so, once we sort out the supplies and the men. For now, it would be best for you to return to the longhouse. We have a lot of unloading ahead of us before dark. We’ll probably work until late. Take Asa and several of the men with you.”

  She smiled. “All right. I’ll see you when you return.”

  “If we’re too late, go to bed. Tomorrow may be busy. We have many new warriors to assimilate. And that will call for extra food and drink. A great deal of drink. I’m glad your brother is giving me gold to help support them for a while.”