Mark of the Hunter: An Epic Fantasy Adventure (The Lords of Alekka Book 2)

by A. E. Rayne

  ‘Better, but she won’t take much of a beating nonetheless. Those sides weren’t built high enough. One big wave and she’ll be foundering.’

  ‘Well, I hope not, but we’ll put Sigurd on her, just in case.’

  ‘Ha, not likely. I’ll be on Dagger as always. Ludo’s coming with me.’

  ‘And you?’ Bjarni yawned, eyeing Reinar. ‘Who will you take on Fury?’

  ‘You, I suppose,’ Reinar decided. ‘For who else could put up with your snoring?’

  Bjarni tried to look insulted, though, according to everyone who knew him, there was no louder snorer in Ottby.

  ‘And Ilene?’ Bolli wondered with a wink at Sigurd, who glowered at him.

  ‘Best if Ilene sails on Fury with me so I can keep an eye on her. Unless you want her with you, Brother? I’m sure she wouldn’t mind.’ It wasn’t nice to make fun of the bereaved, Reinar knew, but he wanted to see some life in Sigurd’s eyes, and poking fun at each other was something that came without much thought.

  ‘No thanks, you’re welcome to her. Besides, I’m sure Elin would enjoy the company.’

  That had Reinar frowning again, remembering their argument.

  Not really an argument, he knew, but still, he’d have to make things right before they left for Slussfall.

  ‘And you’re sure we’ll be ready?’ Bjarni asked. ‘That the fort will be ready?’ He was feeling on edge, not imagining how he could leave Agnette and Liara behind; gripped by an overwhelming need to make sure they were safe.

  ‘Gates are on now,’ Reinar said, gnawing a toothpick. ‘That’s the main thing. The walls will take longer. But I can’t think who else would want to attack us now. Our enemy’s waiting for us in Slussfall. We’ll get the place secure, don’t worry. And then we’ll go kill those Vettels.’

  Vik stood at the back of the long train of traders and farmers waiting to get into the fort. He caught a glimpse of Haegel, winding his way through the half-frozen men and women, doing his best to blend in and failing miserably. Skittish and nervous, he kept glancing around, looking like a thief.

  Rolling his eyes, and not wanting to draw any attention to himself, Vik turned and headed to the back of the line, knowing that the guards’ attention was mainly on the front, where they were questioning the traders and inspecting their goods.

  ‘You’re keen for trouble.’

  Haegel shuddered as a gust of wind blew his hood down over his face. Flustered, he pushed it back up, staring at Vik, who held his own hood low, not wanting to show his face. ‘I’m not, not at all. Ollo sent me.’ He stooped, squatting slightly, not wanting anyone to hear. ‘We’ve got a plan.’

  ‘Is that so? Ollo’s plan, is it?’

  ‘No, it’s Jonas’.’

  That had Vik alert and ready to learn more. He motioned for two young women to go ahead of them, then leaned into Haegel. ‘Tell me.’

  ‘We’re going to put the guards to sleep, then I’ll open the gates, let you in, and you’ll head for the hole. Elmar will be there. He’ll unlock the door, and you’ll take Jonas and the boy and slip out through the gates. I’ll come with you to collect the silver.’

  Vik scowled. ‘Won’t work. The other prisoners will shout out. They won’t want to be left behind. And we can’t afford to let them out too. They’ll make a noise, a fuss. I won’t be able to sneak out.’

  Haegel picked his nose.

  ‘How will you put the guards to sleep?’

  ‘Jonas told me about some herbs. Said his wife had used them once. He reckons they can knock you out for hours.’

  ‘Oh?’ Vik trusted Jonas, but he didn’t trust Haegel or Ollo to execute the plan with any competence. ‘And how will you find these herbs? Do they grow around here? In this weather?’

  Haegel shrugged. ‘I hope so. Ollo knows a woman who’s friends with Hakon’s cook. She knows the old healer too, though she’s mostly blind and deaf, so I’m not sure what help she can be.’

  The line was moving quickly now, and Vik once again hopped out of it, moving Haegel to the back. ‘Doesn’t sound very promising.’

  ‘It does. Don’t worry, it does. Be waiting here again tomorrow, and I’ll let you know if we’ve had any luck.’

  Vik sighed, feeling impatient. ‘I don’t like the idea of them being in that hole. Jonas can take it, I know, but Magnus, he’s just a boy.’

  ‘Well, I...’ Haegel didn’t know what to say. ‘I... I’ll check on them, see how they’re faring. Don’t worry, I’ll see how they are.’

  Vik narrowed his eyes, peering up at the nervous man. ‘Suddenly very helpful, aren’t you, Haegel Hedvik? Is that because of Ollo? The silver? Or are you really looking to redeem yourself?’

  Haegel dropped his head. ‘All of the above, I think, Vik,’ he admitted with a sigh. ‘We’re not sure we want to stay in Slussfall anymore, if you want to know the truth. Hakon Vettel’s a miserable lord. Treats us all like dogs or slaves. Both mostly. Sirrus was a far better lord, a better man, though we can’t go back now. Can’t undo what was done. But some silver will give me another chance.’

  ‘If Ollo shares any with you.’

  ‘Well, he’ll just have to. I’ve always been loyal to him. He’ll just have to.’

  Vik sighed, not liking relying on fools and traitors, but knowing that if he wanted to get Jonas and Magnus out of that hole and find a way to free Lotta, he had little choice.

  Lotta had seen her mother in her dreams. It upset her, and she couldn’t face her breakfast, feeling worried and nauseous all at the same time.

  Ulrick tried to get her to have a bite of a flatbread, but she didn’t want anything. Sitting opposite Bergit didn’t help. The woman kept glaring at her, and Lotta could hear her angry thoughts shouting at her. She disliked children so intensely that Lotta wondered how Ulrick had ever thought that she wanted another.

  ‘I’ll take Lotta to the market, see what we can find for our journey,’ Ulrick decided, smiling at his wife, who glared at him.

  ‘You? You think you’re the best judge of what we need?’ Bergit grouched, her eyes back on Lotta, cold and unfeeling.

  ‘So you’re offering to accompany us, then?’

  Bergit tipped back a cup of watery ale, sniffing. ‘I suppose I am. Only way I can think of to stop you wasting whatever coins we have left. Hakon Vettel owes you a chest full after all you’ve done to keep him safe! Him and his father both!’

  Ulrick nodded to please his wife, biting his tongue, not wanting to remind her that Jesper Vettel had lost his head, and according to Lotta, Hakon had lost his battle to take Ottby. He’d hardly done much of a job keeping either of them safe. ‘Well, don’t worry, once we get up to Orvala, we’ll start again with Tarl Brava. He’s a man worth fighting for.’

  Bergit didn’t look so sure.

  Lotta felt terrified by the thought of travelling that far north, so far away from her family. And though the memory of her mother’s face tugged at her broken heart, and the thought of her brother and Jonas trapped in that prison hole made her sick with worry, she knew that she had to leave Slussfall before it was too late.

  28

  Jonas tried to smile for Magnus and Leonid, who were becoming increasingly morbid, though he couldn’t stop kicking himself for his foolish decision to let Magnus go into the fort on his own. He wondered what Alys thought if she saw them in her dreams. Or Eida. Gripping the frozen bars with frozen hands, he stared out into the square. Trade had slowed as the afternoon progressed, hampered by heavy snow, and there was nothing much to see, though he preferred to stare out into the snow rather than look back into the bleak, soul-crushing darkness inside the stinking hole.

  He nudged Magnus, who stood on the bucket in between him and Leonid, who was sighing painfully, stomach growling. It was hard to be so hungry and cold, Jonas thought with a yawn.

  ‘Lotta!’ Magnus cried suddenly, pointing to the familiar figure walking towards them, holding Ulrick Dyre’s hand.

  Jonas froze, staring at the little girl,
who looked so much like Alys as a child that he felt tears coming. Ulrick pulled her away, and she was quickly lost behind a huddle of cloaks. Jonas scowled, wondering how it was possible to have so much bad luck.

  How had Lotta ended up with that old warrior?

  Vicious, heartless, hard as nails Ulrick Dyre.

  ‘Lotta!’ Magnus shouted, pushing his head against the bars, hand extended. ‘Lotta!’

  Lotta could feel the pressure of Ulrick’s hand squeezing hers, and she didn’t even turn her head towards her brother’s voice. She knew he was there. She’d seen him as she walked into the square, but she couldn’t bring herself to feel anything. It wouldn’t help.

  ‘What about this?’ Ulrick suggested, inclining his head to a furry hat. ‘Looks warm!’

  ‘That’s a man’s hat,’ Bergit grumbled. ‘Hardly the right size for a scrawny child.’

  Ulrick kept smiling, ignoring his wife’s snarl. She was already coming around, he knew. The fact that she was there, walking the market with them told him as much. And soon they’d be on Asger’s ship, sailing far away from Slussfall, and that bracing sea breeze would clear her mind. She would feel differently once they were away from the old fort.

  ‘Lotta!’

  Lotta ducked her head, staring down at her snow-covered boots. The snow had been cleared earlier, but her tiny boots were already buried up to her ankles.

  ‘Who’s that screaming boy?’ Bergit grumbled. ‘How does he know the girl?’

  Ulrick didn’t want to say. He shrugged. ‘Lotta’s a common name. Probably calling for his mother.’

  Bergit wasn’t a fool. ‘I’ve never heard that name before. And certainly not in Slussfall. Seems to me there’s more to this story, Husband, and if you want me on that ship with you tomorrow, you’d better tell me all of it.’

  Ulrick let go of Lotta’s hand, watching as she approached the fur trader, who held the hat out to her. It was far too big, but she wanted to pull it over her frozen ears, so taking it, Lotta dropped her hood, slipping it over her head. She instantly felt warmer. The afternoon breeze was intensifying, her cloak fluttering around her legs, and the wind had her ears aching, but suddenly, with the thick hat on her head, she couldn’t hear the wind at all. She couldn’t hear Bergit and Ulrick arguing beside her.

  But she could still hear her brother calling for her.

  Magnus sighed, giving up. ‘She won’t even look my way. She can hear me, I know she can!’

  Jonas frowned. Lotta didn’t appear under any duress. She stood alone, trying on hats as though she was with her mother and father. Not two strangers, one of whom had kidnapped her.

  It didn’t make any sense.

  ‘Silver Tooth said his wife was a witch.’

  ‘What? A witch?’

  ‘That’s what he said. Maybe she’s done something to Lotta? Bewitched her!’

  Jonas shivered, brow furrowed. ‘I don’t think that can be true, Magnus.’ Though there was doubt in his voice, and his memories were stirring, shaking off decades of dust. ‘I don’t think that can be true...’

  Reinar grabbed Gerda, pulling her out of the way as Bjarni’s two old hounds chased Winter across the square. He was on his way to find Elin and make everything right, but the sight of that white cat had him doubting himself once more. ‘You should watch where you’re going, Mother!’

  Gerda was surprised by the anger in his voice. ‘And you should get some more sleep, my son!’ And readjusting her cloak, she strode away from him, on her way to find where Martyn had taken Stellan.

  Reinar sighed, though it did not relieve any tension in his body as he headed for Elin and Agnette, who were walking across the square.

  ‘Perhaps you should be in the training ring?’ Agnette grinned at Elin. She was exhausted, convinced that her daughter had her day and night upside down, for she was sound asleep in her arms once again, looking for all the world as though nothing was going to wake her up. ‘You might need to know how to use a sword soon.’

  Elin glanced over to where Sigurd was fighting Berger Eivin, who was mud-covered and growling, with a thick lip where Sigurd had punched him. Ilene leaned over the rails watching them, cheering Sigurd on, though he didn’t look enthused about it. ‘Reinar showed me how to use a sword a few times, but I was mostly useless. You must remember that?’

  ‘I do. And a bow. You were useless with that too.’

  Elin laughed. ‘So I think I’ll be the bandage wrapper and the wound stitcher.’

  Agnette looked worried. ‘I hope there won’t be many of those.’

  ‘Many of what?’ Reinar wondered, stopping before them.

  ‘Wounds,’ Agnette said, staring at her cousin, who was staring at Elin as though something was wrong. ‘Well, I think it’s time for this one to have another feed. If I can wake her up!’ No one said anything, or even looked her way, so Agnette disappeared, leaving Reinar and Elin alone.

  Reinar sighed. ‘I don’t want to fight. There’s too much to do and no point to it anyway.’ He reached out for Elin’s hands.

  She gave them to him reluctantly, looking up at her towering husband. ‘Is that what we’re doing? Fighting?’

  ‘Depends, doesn’t it? I hope not. I just want things to go back to the way they were. To before you left.’

  ‘Well, I’m not sure that’s possible, Reinar. Things change. People change. Time makes it so.’

  It wasn’t going as he’d hoped, and hearing a scream of pain from his brother behind him, Reinar felt the urge to get moving, though it was going to be impossible to focus on anything while Elin was mad at him. ‘I agree. Time changes us, but why not think about it in a good way? That time apart showed us both what we had? What we missed?’

  Elin could hear impatience in his voice, but gentleness too, and she squeezed his hands. ‘I hope that’s true. I missed this place. I missed you too.’

  Reinar smiled as she stepped closer, tilting her chin in that way that invited him to kiss her, and leaning forward, he did.

  They were getting closer to Slussfall, and Hakon felt a lift, despite the heavy snow slowing them down.

  He’d sent Ivan to ride further back, ignoring the rest of his men, inviting only Alys’ company. ‘Tell me what you dreamed of last night. And today. Have you had any visions today?’

  Alys was starting to feel like a chicken, required to lay eggs daily. The pressure was becoming intense, but she nodded. ‘The Vilanders are coming to attack you. At Slussfall.’ She saw Reinar’s face and blinked it away.

  Hakon shivered. ‘Coming? You mean following us?’

  Alys shook her head. ‘No. They were down at the harbour, preparing their ships.’

  Hakon ran a gloved hand over his face. ‘And how many do they have?’

  ‘Perhaps twenty? Or thirty? I’m not sure, but there were more than I remember seeing before. And more men. Ake’s men.’ Alys couldn’t lie because she had to keep herself safe. She had to get to Slussfall and save Jonas and the children.

  Hakon looked worried and pleased and irritated all at once. He welcomed an attack on Slussfall. It would be a chance to rewrite his story. A victory over the Vilanders would change everything. Thenor couldn’t fail to be impressed by a crushing defeat of Ake Bluefinn’s men. He felt his chest burning, and reminded of what was at stake, he pressed Alys further. ‘And what do you see of our chances?’

  The weather was disintegrating, her ears aching with cold, and Alys wanted to disappear under her hood. ‘I only saw Ottby. I haven’t seen anything of the battle yet.’

  ‘But you will, won’t you, Alys? You will think on it and dream on it, and tell me everything you see because I need to know. I need to know every way I can defend us from our enemy. Every way I can defeat them!’ Hakon was frozen to the bone, and despite the heat of his mark, he shook as the snow pounded them both. He could just make out Alys’ eyes beneath her billowing hood and her blowing hair, and he felt a lift, convinced that the gods were trying to help him.

  They’d sent hi
m a healer, who had saved his life, and a dreamer, who would keep him one step ahead of the Vilanders.

  And smiling, he nudged his horse on.

  Ivan watched them, trying to keep the snow out of his mouth.

  Eddeth rode beside him, eyes alert, barely bothered by the weather.

  ‘Do you think the gods sent the vatyr and The Hunter?’ Ivan wondered. ‘To kill us?’

  Eddeth laughed. ‘Of course! Of course they did! You think they just wanted to play? To have a little fun? No, they were evil spirits, trying to take our lives! Did you not see all the bodies, Ivan Vettel? The heads?’

  Ivan peered at her. Eddeth looked almost cheerful. Her hair blew about like a grey bush on top of her head, though she’d felt no need to put up her hood. Her old horse appeared far more miserable in the conditions than his rider, almost curling over as he pushed on through the wind-swept trees. ‘But you’re not a dreamer?’

  Eddeth grinned, showing her teeth. ‘Well, I’m beginning to wonder, aren’t you? Though I think your cousin seems to prefer having Alys for company.’ She laughed, then frowned, worried for the dreamer. Hakon Vettel appeared to be unravelling, and she feared what he would do next. ‘Your cousin is in danger, and because you’re his blood, so are you.’

  ‘Danger?’

  ‘From the Vilanders, the gods, their creatures! You must be watchful, Ivan. Your cousin will keep Alys by his side, wanting her to help him, but you?’ Hood flapping against the back of her head, cloak rising all around her, Eddeth appeared nonplussed, nudging Wilf closer to Ivan’s horse. ‘He wants to live, and he’ll do anything to save himself, but would he care to save you?’ Eddeth looked away, squinting into the snow.

  Ivan sneezed, shivering so intensely that he wasn’t sure he could stop.

  Ulrick had bumped into his helmsman friend outside the tavern, and the two men now stood drinking around a brazier with a group of old warriors they all appeared to know. There wasn’t enough room inside, though the taverner was happy to supply more ale to his customers, so he’d brought out a few braziers and empty barrels to use as tables, and despite the blizzard, business was booming.