by A. E. Rayne
‘Eddeth is just nervous,’ Alys said. ‘We... you captured us. Forced us to care for your lord, and then last night...’ She blinked rapidly, feeling just as scared as she was trying to sound. ‘I’m not sure we slept after that.’
Lief sighed, eyes moving to Falla, who dashed away from them all, hand over her mouth, wanting some privacy. ‘My wife is pregnant,’ he said by way of an explanation. ‘Perhaps you have something for that?’
And this time, Eddeth answered. ‘A tea! I can make her a tea! Though, whether I have everything I need, I don’t know.’ She scratched the tip of her nose, thinking. ‘Perhaps!’ Thinking about teas made Eddeth happy, forgetting all about trying to remain quiet. ‘There’s peppermint, of course. I remember packing peppermint, or do I?’
Alys watched her twitching, eyes bulging, and she realised that getting Eddeth away from Lief was suddenly a matter of urgency. ‘Why don’t you take Eddeth to get what she needs?’ she suggested to Njall, who glared at her, not moving.
Lief nodded. ‘Yes, do that, Njall. My wife would enjoy some relief, I’m sure, especially after last night.’
Njall remained unimpressed with the thought of accompanying Eddeth anywhere, but he turned, heading off after the healer as she scampered away.
Alys and Stina watched her go, faces tense with worry.
‘Once you’ve eaten, I’ll return you to the tent,’ Lief said, eyes on the servant, who had made two bowls and one cup of porridge, leaving them on the ground.
‘No need for that, Lief!’ Ivan called, striding towards them. He glanced at the porridge and grimaced, certain that the encounter with the vatyr had removed his appetite for life. ‘I’m heading there next to talk to Jerrick, so you can get on, see how Erlan’s men are doing. They were debating a pyre. I think we just throw them in the pit with everyone else.’
Lief stiffened, always surprised when Ivan chose to impose his authority on him. It grated, though he barely blinked. ‘I will, of course.’ And turning, he kept his head high, striding across the camp, aiming for the western corner.
Ivan couldn’t help but smile. Everything had fallen apart. Everything was worse than he’d imagined possible, but the thought of irritating the sullen beast that was Lief Gundersen still made him happy. He turned to Alys, who stood alone, Stina having sat down on a log to eat her porridge out of a cup. He glanced around. ‘Do you think my cousin is in danger? That the vatyr knew who he was? That they wanted to kill him?’ His eyes kept moving, searching the trees.
Alys was tired, and she felt worried that she too would say the wrong thing. ‘I... it’s hard to say. They certainly tried to kill us, though they killed many, didn’t they? But I don’t think they were after your cousin.’
Ivan nodded, agreeing, his attention drawn to Falla as she returned to the fire, her face pale, her eyes swollen, but still the most desirable woman he’d ever seen. Ignoring him, she headed after Lief. ‘Though perhaps that was just the beginning?’ Ivan was tired, his fears becoming more pronounced. He saw dark omens everywhere now, and trying to drag himself away from that gloomy place, he turned to Alys, who radiated like sunshine before him. ‘You must stay alert to danger, and keep my cousin safe. Rikkard is a good boy but slightly dim, as boys usually are! He won’t see everything that’s coming, every sign of trouble. And I need my cousin to stay safe, to return to me. We have plans, so many plans, and I need him. We all do.’
Alys wanted to ask Ivan what his plans were, but she didn’t need to. She could hear Ivan’s thoughts, and they were loud, screaming at her. The Vettels wanted Stornas, Stornas, only Stornas. To rule Alekka as they believed they were born to do.
She shook her head, not wanting to think about any of it, desperate to escape to find her children.
Magnus was surprisingly well rested after a disturbed sleep, interrupted by nightmares of his father and Long Beard, though he felt too anxious to eat, and he returned his trencher of cold trout and berries to Vik with a shrug.
Vik smiled. ‘I can give you something to stick in your pouch, in case you get hungry.’ Caring for Magnus was something he’d taken on naturally. He had little experience with children, apart from Alys, who was like a daughter to him, but he found himself enjoying taking care of Magnus.
Jonas was as anxious as his great-grandson, fussing around their tent as he started dismantling it.
‘Makes no sense to take the tent down!’ Vik grumbled, glancing over his shoulder. ‘What are you doing that for?’
Jonas had woken up unsettled. He didn’t feel at all comfortable sending Magnus into the fort. But, at the same time, he hadn’t been able to think of an alternative that made sense. Still, it left him worrying. He kept seeing Alys’ face, wondering what she would think. He closed his eyes, already knowing the answer. ‘Alright, calm down! I thought we’d move closer to the fort. We’re far away, and it’s hardly the best spot we could have chosen. It’s a long walk to that stream!’
Vik smiled at Magnus. ‘That’s when you know you’re old,’ he whispered. ‘When walking a few paces is an inconvenience!’ He turned around to Jonas, who was glaring at him.
Magnus ignored both of them, jiggling on the spot, just wanting to make a start. ‘How will I get out? Will they keep the gates open all day? What if I can’t get out?’
That worried Jonas too, but he smiled broadly, walking towards his panicking great-grandson. ‘They’ll shut them come dark, I imagine. It’s usually the way. We’ll find someone to go in with you, don’t worry. It may be that we can get them to take you out too, if they want to earn a few coins.’
Magnus swallowed, not really listening. His mind was on Lotta.
It didn’t matter how scared he was if he could just find his little sister.
‘Well, if you don’t want any more to eat, we may as well head to the fort. Morning is when you’ll find the traders going in. The farmers and the craftsmen too.’ Vik paused, eyes on Jonas. ‘That’s if things are still working the same with Hakon Vettel in charge.’ It was a worry, not knowing the lay of the land anymore, and having no ability to determine it for themselves. It was just too risky. If either of them got captured, Magnus would be left on his own.
‘I’m sure it is,’ Jonas said. ‘Most forts work the same. Can’t think he wouldn’t want to keep that market alive. It’ll be making him a lot of coins, which is surely what the Vettels are all about.’
Magnus was nodding without listening, eyes on Daisy, who was pawing through the snow trying to find something edible. He felt anxious about leaving her behind. ‘We should go,’ he said, shutting his fears away, trying not to feel anything at all. ‘Before it’s too late.’
Having checked on his cousin, Ivan headed back into the camp with some reluctance. Their problems were mounting at such a pace now that he was struggling to keep them all in his mind. He had the worry of what was behind them, the worry of Hakon and what would come when they reached Slussfall, and now, the worry of what was lurking in the forest. Then there was Lief, who always appeared to be biting his tongue, never saying what he really thought. And what he really thought was what Ivan wanted to know most of all.
He watched as Lief approached, sensing that the miserable man was already tying his big lips in knots.
‘How are the Hovring and Vika men?’ Ivan wondered.
‘Those who are left? Scared. They’re worried about what it meant. About what will come next.’
‘Next?’ Ivan didn’t want to imagine that. ‘You think they’ll come again?’
Lief had a full skin of water in one hand, and he took a long drink. It was another icy morning, but after a long, sleepless night, he welcomed the cold water. He offered the skin to Ivan, who shook his head. ‘I’ve no idea. Perhaps they’ve made their point? Perhaps there’s more to say?’
‘But who sent them? The gods?’
Lief was reluctant to reveal what he thought.
Ivan could tell, and he clenched a fist, trying to calm himself down. ‘We don’t help each other by keeping
our thoughts to ourselves. Not now. Not with Hakon so ill. Not with us in danger, trapped here, at Ake’s mercy. We must help each other. Surely?’
Lief sighed, glancing around. ‘I think Thenor sent the vatyr. My father told me that he especially despised oathbreakers. Men who turned against their lords, their kings. Perhaps it was a warning of his displeasure?’
Ivan forgot his irritation. ‘A warning? And what does that mean for us?’
‘I don’t know, but I don’t want to stay in this forest a moment longer than we have to.’ Lief swallowed, listening to a wail of pain in the distance. ‘We must get out of here, back to Slussfall, back to safety.’
Ivan nodded, hoping his cousin would recover quickly.
Wondering what they were going to do if he didn’t.
Saliva flooded Magnus’ mouth, and he swallowed with every blink of his sea-green eyes, too nervous to speak.
Jonas stood on one side of him, Vik on the other, and Magnus tried to focus, listening to their instructions, of which there were many.
‘You shouldn’t make eye contact with anyone,’ Jonas insisted, hand on his great-grandson’s shoulder.
‘Well, if you avoid everyone’s eyes, you’ll look suspicious,’ Vik argued. ‘You need to act like a child. Children are curious.’
‘What do you know about children?’ Jonas frowned, hand off Magnus’ shoulder now, peering at Vik.
‘Well, I was one, wasn’t I? I remember how to act like a child. I’m not so old that I can’t remember that!’
‘Well, Magnus,’ Jonas went on, turning back to the boy, ‘I think we’re in agreement, then.’
‘We are?’ Magnus was confused, swallowing some more.
‘Yes, you’ll just act like yourself. Be curious, if that’s your nature, which, I think it is,’ Jonas said, smiling again. ‘So, take a look around. And if anyone stops you, or wants to know what you’re doing, say you’ve lost your sister. You’re looking for your sister who ran away.’
Vik nodded. ‘It’s a big fortress, so you might struggle to get into every nook and cranny in a day. But come out anyway. You can go back in the morning if you have no luck today.’
‘And remember, if you see them, get straight out of that fort. All we need to know is if they’re in there. If not, we’re going to have to think of another plan.’ Jonas didn’t want to imagine that Lotta wouldn’t be in there. He’d hoped to have another dream, but there had been no sign of Alys in his dreams for days.
He felt worried, hoping she was safe.
Vik smiled. ‘There’ll be other children, likely some beggary types. You can pay them for information. Here.’ And he handed Magnus three silver coins.
Magnus took them with a shaking hand, shoving them into his pouch. He needed a new cloak, and he shivered, cold in his dark-grey tunic which was torn and filthy and not as warm as it needed to be.
Jonas gave him more coins. ‘And if you see a cloak, buy it. One with a hood!’ He winked at Magnus, before lifting his eyes to the train of farmers and merchants who were trekking towards the fort with carts and cattle and all number of baskets and buckets filled with their precious goods. ‘I’ll go see if I can find someone to go in with you. It’s lucky I brought so many coins with me!’ And winking at Magnus, he started walking towards the gates.
Vik put a hand on Magnus’ shoulder, holding him back. ‘Promise me you’ll come out when you spot those men. Promise me you won’t try to save Lotta.’ Magnus reminded him of Jonas, who had a stubborn streak, prone to recklessness. Jonas would do anything for Alys, he knew. For Lotta and Magnus too. But Magnus wasn’t an experienced warrior, and Vik didn’t want him making a mistake he couldn’t undo.
Magnus nodded. ‘I will. I promise, Vik, I’ll come out as soon as I see them.’
Vik hoped he was right, and seeing Jonas with his hand in the air, motioning them over, he gently pushed Magnus forward, towards Slussfall’s open gates.
Agnette had left her daughter with Rienne, who loved children and enjoyed watching the tiny baby for a few moments in between her own tasks. Gerda scowled but didn’t say a word as Agnette slipped out of the hall, wanting to see Bjarni. She had put together a tray of warm flatbreads and cheese, knowing how hungry he always was, especially when he was working in the cold. Her hood blew backwards, hair swept around by the blustery wind, boots buried beneath the snow as she made her way towards the wall, wishing she’d thought to drape a napkin over the flatbreads which were likely no longer warm at all.
‘You’ve been sent by the gods!’ Bjarni called when he saw her. One of the outer gates had been hoisted back onto its repaired hinges, and Bjarni had been wondering how much longer he could stand the blizzard before heading to a fire. Hurrying away from Reinar and Sigurd, he rubbed his hands together, wanting to help himself to the food before it was all gone.
Agnette frowned at him. ‘You can’t even see out here! Come and eat this inside!’
Bjarni shook his head as Reinar, Sigurd, and Ludo came to join them. ‘We have to secure the fort, Agnette.’ He ran a hand over his beard, wiping snowflakes out of his mouth. ‘Even if we’re frozen solid by the end of it!’ And taking the tray from her, he handed it around. ‘Next time, maybe bring some hot milk!’
Agnette grinned, her attention drifting away from the repaired gate to the field that led to the forest. She squinted, certain she could see something coming in the snow. Blinking, she tried to clear her eyes. ‘There’s someone out there. Or am I seeing things?’
Reinar and Sigurd turned around. Ludo was too busy helping himself to the last flatbread, much to Bjarni’s annoyance.
There was definitely someone coming.
‘You watching up there?’ Reinar called to Torfinn, who was supervising the repair of the low wall. ‘Who is it?’
Torfinn leaned over the ramparts, calling down to him. ‘No idea! Just the one rider!’
Reinar left them behind, rubbing his eyes, trying to see, blinking as the rider fell off the horse, into the snow. ‘Come on!’ Reinar called. And leaving Bjarni and Sigurd behind, he ran into the descending blizzard, Ludo loping after him.
Agnette gripped Bjarni’s arm, watching as Reinar and Ludo reached the fallen rider. And leaving Ludo to grab the horse, Reinar turned the cloaked figure over, mouth falling open in surprise, unable to speak.
Ludo peered over Reinar’s shoulder, his own mouth dropping open. ‘Elin?’ He shook his head, not believing what he was seeing, but there was no denying that familiar face. ‘Elin?’
9
Jonas and Vik stayed watching Magnus as he shuffled along with the men and women heading into Slussfall’s fortress. It had a popular market, where farmers and traders from the neighbouring villages, and from Orbo in the North came in droves to sell their goods. Those few lucky enough to have coins to spare in these perilous times of endless rain and illness, came along to spend them, hoping to find warm furs, candles, wool, and food for the coming winter.
Magnus turned as he neared the gates, resisting the urge to wave to Jonas and Vik, who had retreated back to the forest, not wanting to draw anyone’s attention to their presence.
Armoured men flanked the entrance, running their eyes, and sometimes their hands over the men and women entering the fort. There were few children, though Jonas had paid a young silversmith to take Magnus in as his assistant. Magnus peered up at the slight man who limped awkwardly beside him, muttering beneath his breath. He had big green eyes and a nervous manner, cleanly-shaven with short blonde hair and a raggedy woollen cloak. Jonas hadn’t been convinced that he was the best choice, though he seemed eager to help, and even more eager for the two silver coins Jonas had paid him.
‘What are you selling?’ one of the guards growled, peering at Magnus, then seeing Leonid, he rolled his eyes. ‘You again? The best silversmith in all of Alekka, isn’t that right?’
‘Indeed, it is! I have silver of the highest quality!’ Leonid declared boldly, opening the flap of the weighty satchel slung across his body.
‘As you can see!’ And reaching into the satchel, he pulled out a coiled arm ring, a brooch, and a buckle.
The guard ignored Leonid and his silverware, turning his attention to Magnus. ‘And you, boy?’ He nudged Magnus, who had Leonid’s smaller satchel slung over his back. ‘You’re with him?’
‘Oh, yes!’ Leonid puffed up his chest, eager to feel heroic, though butterflies flittered around his belly as he stared up at the guard’s calculating eyes. ‘I’ve taken on an assistant. That’s how popular my work is becoming. I’d get in quickly if I were you!’ And one arm around Magnus’ back, he ushered the boy into the fort.
Magnus tripped, slightly unbalanced by Leonid’s satchel, but he hurried along, eager not to lose the man, who had charged away from him suddenly, desperate to get a good table.
‘We must hurry now! Hurry!’ Leonid urged, calling over his shoulder. ‘That one, there!’ And he ran towards a long table nearest the hall. A rosy-cheeked weaver had spied it too, and there was a tussle for a moment, before her husband called her away, deciding that he would rather set up closer to the gates.
Magnus’ mouth dropped open as he stared around the busy square, ringed by a high stone wall that reached up to a sky of dull-grey clouds. The square was long and deep, with stalls draped in colourful cloth awnings, and tables full of things he had never seen before. The smell was overpowering, both good and bad, and Magnus struggled to get his bearings, unable to decide what he wanted to do first.
Lifting his eyes, he could see the enormous stone hall in the distance, and the ramparts which led to guard towers, where warriors came and went, some talking as they trained their attention on the forest in the distance. Others remained quiet, eyes on the square.
Magnus had never seen anything so impressive in his life, so big and loud and busy. Leonid nudged him, and he spun around.