“A miserable enough place to live, apart from that. We’ll not be returning until the ice thaws, if then.”
“But Orm –”
“Poor bastard,” said Safn. “All that bitter craving. All that ambition for something he’s not fitted for. The Change itself is better than any other desire. But – well – you need both, if you can. Orm could always Shift in freedom, before he got himself made a prisoner, that is, but he was always alone even then. Perhaps he’ll be better off dead, once the Lord Thoddun finishes him off.”
“Will he Shift in the battle?” Egil shivered.
Karr frowned. “There are rules, boy. This is a place of law and honour.”
“Whenever did Orm care about law, honour or rules?” demanded Safn.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Knowing nothing of council, of court, or of the Althing here, she had waited so long for company, she had almost surrendered. Something, she knew, must be happening with Orm and Mandegga but no one came to tell her of it. As if her part was played and she had no right to be concerned for any other development. The human outcast, the insignificant, and the irrelevant nuisance. The temptation had been to call on him in her mind, even to pretend that the call was spontaneous, as though she had need but did not deliberately intend to interrupt him. Then she had probably done that already without realising.
And then Thoddun came to get her. She was on the bed, watching the spangled water. Thoddun came over and sat facing her. “Troubled?”
It seemed pointless to lie when he could crawl into her head and had probably already done so. “Just a little self-pity.”
He smiled. “Justified, perhaps. It seems the court wants you present, after all. Shall I refuse them?”
She was startled, almost pleased and almost frightened. “No. I’ll come. But why?”
He took her hand, turning it over against his palm. In comparison, it seemed very small. “A multitude of reasons,” he said. “Some are complicated and I won’t intimidate you with them. But my own personal reason is simple and relevant. I like to keep the law. If I obstructed every legal right, there’d be no point in upholding the Althing. And I won’t live forever. A transanima community without law would descend immediately into bloody vendetta.”
“Mandegga wants to challenge me, doesn’t she?” said Skarga.
“You need remember only this,” Thoddun said. “I shall not allow anyone to fight you, for any reason or under any circumstances. As far as I’m concerned, you can answer the court in any way you like. If you feel like brazening it out, you can offer your own challenge. Say anything you wish. This castle is ultimately under my control, and I will not let them attack you, fight you or injure you. Is that clear?”
“Yes it is,” she said. “Very clear. You mean I’ll be threatened.”
He frowned. His hold on her hand tightened so vehemently that it hurt her. She looked up at him in surprise. “Remember this too,” he said. “Whatever I personally say to the court about you isn’t necessarily true, nor necessarily represents what I actually intend to do. Is that also absolutely clear?”
Skarga blinked in some surprise. “Yes. It’s clear. But don’t the other transanima read your thoughts, like you read mine?”
“As I’ve told you, we learn to shroud them. A fourfold, no one reads my thoughts unless I wish it. And if I wish it, those thoughts are apt to mislead. What I say to the court is also designed to mislead. But there will be sufficient truth in what I say to confuse the issue further. I am not an inexperienced liar.”
“Well,” she said, “I understand I can show off and say what I like, though I doubt if I will, and for some reason not entirely clear, you’ll protect me. And you might say something outrageous, which I expect you plan to, but it’ll only be for effect and I shouldn’t take it seriously. And I’m not afraid. I hope you know that too.”
He gazed at her a moment while his frown turned back to smile. “A nice clear scent,” he laughed, “of utter confusion, nervousness and faint bravado.”
Skarga sniffed. “Well, that’s better than being really frightened. And as for nervousness and bravado, well look at my clothes. I’ve got to face all those men and that woman too and I’m such a rag. I’ve no silk or silver to feel proud in.”
“Yes, I suppose that would matter to you.” Thoddun smiled down at her, shaking his head. “But I promise, for us it doesn’t signify. And never mind about the crutches either. I’ll carry you. It isn’t far.”
He swept her up like the fledgling he called her, and strode with her from the chamber and along the dark cold corridor outside. His hands beneath and around her cradled her in warmth and for a moment she flew almost as he could. She wished he would hold her as close and as firm far more often, and when she felt alone and lost, which was often now, and always had been since she was a child. Having learned to continue without such support, she was surprised now to discover that now she wished she didn’t have to.
Then she remembered to snap shut her thoughts. Thoddun said nothing.
The Althing hall was alight with torches and bustling with voices. From his arms, Skarga faced the crowd with confidence but when Thoddun set her down, she felt suddenly dull and cold. He sat her on Flokki’s chair of state, now facing the benches, then stood behind her, put both hands firmly on the chair back, and fronted the court.
Every man wore his human face and no animals roamed the shadows. An organised tidiness of hierarchy told each his place. Flokki sat amongst the others having relinquished his chair, but he sat straight, proud, and central. Safn was not present and amongst the shadowed benches Skarga recognised only Karr. Thoddun remained behind her, and the torch fire behind him, so that she sat in his shadow. But she felt the warm pressure of his hands close to her shoulders and it made her skin prickle.
Orm slumped where the flames’ reflections decorated his injuries. Neither the low dancing light nor her bedraggled decrepitude suited Mandegga so well. She kept close to Orm’s side. Uninjured, only imprisonment shrank her within her torn silken grandeur. Skarga thought, predators do not sympathise with vulnerability. Then Flokki stood, facing Thoddun. “Lord, we’re ready.”
Thoddun sounded impatient. Increasingly cross. He said, “Well, ready or not, let’s have a summary, since you’ve been ruling law for years and I’ve never known such a lapse of conclusions before.”
Flokki nodded. “Does the human understand? Should I explain to her?”
“No you damn well shouldn’t,” said Thoddun. “She can’t make decisions. She shouldn’t even be here. And if I want her to understand anything, I’ll damn well explain it myself. Now get on with it.”
Orm grinned. Mandegga frowned. Flokki fiddled with the leather armlets at his shirt cuffs. “The secondary command has officially challenged you for leadership,” Flokki stated. “But he tried already through the human, and failed. We all saw him fail. So now Orm’s right to challenge you has to be suspect. Is it even legal?”
Skallagrim interrupted. “Put it this way. The claim was invalid in the first place because that female was never dominant. In spite of this Orm pressed his challenge. But the human blooded him. He got his hands on her, but no more. Then he attacked her, even after his claim failed, and we all saw he meant to kill her. Well, you couldn’t miss it. He Shifted. He’s in clear legal breach. His secondary status should be revoked, which means he can’t even challenge you. There ought to be a show of hands.”
Another elder jumped up. “There was the chanting. He had to Shift. You know Orm, he couldn’t help it, poor bugger.”
Karr stood, pushing forwards. “The chanting was out of order,” he said. “The wolves started it as usual. And we all know what Orm Shifts to, but that doesn’t excuse attack. Against a human who can’t even Shift, that was intent to kill.”
One of the lesser court studiously studied his lap. “It were them little boys as saved her,” he muttered. “Led by Safn, that is. Not their place, and took their punishment without grumbling. Fair enough.
Well, the midden needed clearing, I reckon, and better them to do it than me. But they did proper good at Yula, otherwise we’d have a mangled lady guest. Anyone would think we was common beasts.”
Everyone looked at everyone else. Eyes avoided Skarga. Thoddun grinned. Flokki clapped his hands in a rush. “That seems a fair summary,” Flokki said. He turned back to the filled benches. “Judgement against Orm. Guilty. Exile. No challenge. Who agrees?” Men flung up their hands.
Thoddun interrupted. “I’ve no objection to accepting Orm’s challenge. I’m not going to argue the niceties. It’ll shorten the proceedings if I accept, and it suits my plans. It’s the situation with the female I want resolved.”
“Ah,” said the elder, stepping backwards again. “Not so easy.”
The crowd ruffled, like capes in the wind. Mandegga inhaled, raising her gold silk breasts. “I have a right to explain my position. I have a right to make a challenge.”
“Bloody rights here, bloody rights there,” muttered Karr. “Finish the bitch off, I say, and stuff her bloody rights up her bloody arse.”
Flokki frowned him into silence. Skarga was aware of the fear of fearfulness. She was also aware of Thoddun’s hands, not touching her but resting behind her on the back of her chair. He seemed very still. His voice seemed calm. To the wolf woman he said, “Since you have no score against the human, I invite you to challenge me.”
Mandegga sneered. “I challenge the woman who deprives me of my place and of my right to claim my place. I demand wergild in blood.”
“Her existence did not cause your deprivation. I did. Had the human never come here, I would still have deprived you of position,” said Thoddun, very quietly. “I refused you a place in my bed. I refused to acknowledge you as dominant female. I denied you myself. I did these things because I wished to, and not because of the human. So challenge me.”
Mandegga’s laugh seemed slightly hysterical. “Me fight you? Twice my size and a Fourfold Shifter. How absurd, my lord. Am I crazy then?”
“Undoubtedly,” smiled Thoddun. “But that’s not my concern. I’ll offer terms. I’ll bargain conditions. If you take up the challenge, I’m prepared to lose all advantage. For instance, I’ll allow you Shifting rights at all stages.”
The hall had become so quiet that the spit of the fire was the only other sound. Mandegga spoke cautiously. “I can fight fully channelled, even from the beginning?”
Thoddun nodded. “Naturally I’ll hold myself to the usual rules. I’ll not Shift at any time.”
Flokki was perturbed. “Man to wolf?” he interrupted “And what purpose will that serve? It’s not acceptable in law. We’re here to discuss the human female.”
“We are,” said Thoddun. “Which includes discussing the she-wolf’s challenge. There’s no other complication. I’ll accept the challenge.”
Mandegga licked her lips. She was excited. She was also nervous. “I haven’t made one yet. But it’s – tempting. Attractive.”
“Attractive?” Thoddun had still not moved. “I have a less attractive warning. I’m offering to bind myself both physically and by oath to balance all imbalanced advantages. To disadvantage myself. But if you fight me, I will kill you.” Thoddun’s index finger slipped imperceptibly from chair back to skin, tracing the nape of Skarga’s neck, tickling, and very warm. His voice continued without interruption. “You think our past relationship will weigh with me and weaken me. It will not. I retain no sentimental memories of you. I am perfectly prepared to kill.”
The Althing had become irrelevant. Mandegga said, “I accept.”
“I read your mind.” Thoddun shook his head. “In excitement, as always, you hide it badly. As wolf against man, you think you might win. Against me? Absurd. You would not. I have killed many full grown wolves and could slaughter a female one handed. Then you believe if you lose, at the moment of my victory I’d remember the past. You in my bed. You in my arms. That I’d remember sex play and gentleness. That I’d smell blood and desire you.” He grinned. Every man in the court sat in silent arousal. “But think on this,” said Thoddun. “If you Shift, as I’ve sworn to allow, it’s a wolf’s neck I’d have under my hands, not a woman’s breasts. And it’s the wolf I’ll kill. So – play on sentiment and give up the right I’ve given you to Shift? But as woman alone, your strength can’t stand against mine. I’d snap your neck before I had a chance to regret it.”
She couldn’t resist, and whispered, “Would you regret it?”
“No,” said Thoddun.
“Words. Only words. I know differently.” Mandegga was breathing heavily, arms tight folded. “I remember the bear lust, greater than any I’ve known amongst the pack. I remember the sweat and the heat in your chamber when you coupled with me. You remember too. Try to deny it.”
Thoddun’s finger caressing Skarga’s neck slipped invisibly warm into the collar of her shift, rubbing gently down the ridge of her spine. “I remember your deceit and your stupidity. I remember whipping you, and ordering your exile. I invite you to fight me, but I warn you, woman or wolf, you’ll be dead within ten breaths.”
“Then I cannot challenge you,” she said. She sighed. The court momentarily relaxed. “So I challenge the female.” The court sat up again.
“Absurd,” said Thoddun. “And of course, if you do so, you must expect to meet me in her place.”
Mandegga glared. “You’ve explained the circumstances. I can’t fight you.”
“But you see,” said Thoddun with patient emphasis, “if you challenge the human, then it is exactly the same as challenging me. She is my guest and under my protection. I am therefore responsible for her, and am obliged by the law of hospitality and choice both, to stand for her in all matters. There is no valid wergild claim by you against the human and the Althing will never judge on it, as you know perfectly well. You attacked her, when she was simply an outsider and a guest. Her claim against you could be more lawfully upheld. As the only dominant leader of this community, I’ll not allow further disruption, just to satisfy your greed and spite.” His second hand crept, warm and very assured, from the back of the chair to Skarga’s shoulder. He bent his head to her. “Do you claim wergild against the she-wolf?” he asked her softly.
“Yes.” Skarga paused. “I claim her exile.” It was human law, but she heard Thoddun smile.
The Althing court erupted, thumping of fists on knees, boots stamping. Flokki exhaled the breath he’d been holding for some time. “Orm’s challenge to the king, even though we doubt its legality, has been accepted,” he announced. “The she-wolf’s claim for wergild blood against the human is hereby denied and I object to the Althing’s time held in ransom by the she-wolf. The human’s claim for the she-wolf’s exile is justifiable, and can be discussed after the main challenge is decided.” He nodded somewhat apologetically to Thoddun. “The lord can’t very well offer to take the human’s place when there’s the official possibility Orm might kill him beforehand.”
Karr jumped on his bench and the man next to him fell off. “Orm could never kill a bear.”
From his other side, a fat man grabbed his knees. “Sit down you idiot. We all know Flokki just has to say the proper things.”
The shadows swayed. Skallagrim coughed and raised his voice. “Remember the formalities, gentlemen, please.”
Flokki glared. “This is out of order. I pronounce the court disbanded.”
Mandegga flounced into the small cold space facing the court benches and turned her back on Thoddun. “You can’t leave yet. Exile me? Who says? I won’t accept any random ruling from the human bitch. She has no rights at all, and if she’s simply a guest, her claim against me won’t stand.”
“Turn around and look at me,” snapped Thoddun. Mandegga whirled, as though pulled by chains. “Let me state my case very clearly,” he said with patronising clarity, “and save the Althing’s time and beard scratching. I shall act within the law, but remember the law is also subject to my rule. I intend being rid of you. You will go i
nto exile, or I will kill you. Offer me justification or otherwise, it will end the same way. I presume you understand.”
One of the lesser court guffawed into his sleeve. Mandegga growled, a woman’s meek acceptance, wolf temper. “I understand.” She looked around at the court, smiled wide at Orm, then stared back at Thoddun. “And do you understand every werewolf in this community and beyond is already rising against you? Do you know, old bear, what I’ve begun?”
The Althing murmurs belched into nervous pandemonium. Thoddun held up one hand. The noise obediently subsided. Thoddun sighed. “I know exactly what mischief you’ve created.” He spoke directly to the werewoman. “It’s many days I’ve followed you out on the ice, and you not even aware of me. You have insufficient insight to recognise either bear or bird. Even the walrus eluded you. I also know you overestimate the loyalty of the wolf pack, and even more, the intelligence of the humans you’ve rallied. I know precisely what you’ve done. I know you’ll fail.”
Flokki stomped forwards. “Half the Althing know nothing of this, my lord. You forbade me to tell them. Do you wish to discuss it now?”
“Since the damned bitch brought it up –,” said Thoddun crossly. Both hands were now firmly resting on Skarga’s shoulders. “I’ve had enough of this piss-pillicock court and the fucking law and anyone else’s personal idea of justice. I’ve a simple statement to make and you can all just damn well listen.”
There was the hurried scuffling for new positions as each man sat down in silence, while Orm smiled at Mandegga, and then at Thoddun. “Go on man,” he said softly. “Let’s hear what you’ve in mind. Just as long as you don’t deny my challenge at the end of it.”
Thoddun ignored him. He ignored Mandegga. He spoke to the court. “Firstly, all claims, challenges, arguments and disagreements are at an end from this damn moment. I’ll tell you what your vote is. You’ve ruled Orm a blithering idiot, but his challenge to me sufficiently legal, and I’ve accepted it.” He glared at the men gazing back at him from the benches. Flokki nodded. “Secondly,” Thoddun continued, “you’ve ruled the wolf bitch out of order, out of claims, and out of her fucking mind. She won’t fight me, she won’t fight my human guest, and she won’t open her mouth again if she’s got any fucking sense left.”
Stars and a Wind- The Complete Trilogy Page 45