Banke recognised ignorance and stupidity, his two least favourite words. He jumped from the stool, which fell and rolled. “I know about you,” he roared. “The lady told us everything. When my Da hears what you’ve done to me, he’ll be onto you all.”
“I am hoping so,” smiled Thoddun. “Of course it will, unfortunately, be too late for you to witness.”
Banke kicked at the fallen stool but the shackles kept him lame. “You won’t dare touch me. I’m a king’s son. And your wife told us everything. I know what you are.”
Thoddun laughed. “If you know indeed, then it will save tedious explanations. But what you now have in mind is quite impossible, and I advise caution. You think that in spite of your chains, in this room you are three men against only two. But I have certain – talents – and my friend Karr and I could kill you within a heartbeat. Sit down, and don’t be a fool.”
That was another word Banke didn’t like. “You might be a fucking monster,” he spluttered, “but you’re a fucking coward. Got us hobbled. Kept in cages. The lady told us what you did to her and what a coward you are. And I’m fucking hungry.”
Thoddun continued to smile. “I may decide to feed you,” he said. “Indeed, I may feed you to my men. First I want answers.” He looked across to the others standing quietly in the long shadows. “You two know your fates,” he said. “I need neither threaten nor explain. You were once given your lives, and exiled into the snows. You’ve broken the terms of liberty. The rest of your pack is already dead, or marching to ruin. You have a choice between an easy death or a difficult one. Give me answers. I am becoming impatient.”
“I’ll answer all questions, lord,” said the first man. “But I ask the sword, not the paw, and permission to Shift.”
The other nodded, hanging his head. “Allow me death full-Shifted, lord. I’ll open my mind to all you ask.”
Thoddun strode over and kicked back the stool from where it had tumbled. Banke, intimidated, sat quietly and hugged his knees. The two wolf-weres stepped forwards. Thoddun asked his questions.
Skarga did not follow all the answers. Most were given in thought and the talk lapsed into strange silences, each man nodding and saying nothing. When they spoke, it was cautious. There was another pack, they said, of transanima wolves, led by a huge male. Mandegga’s pack, although thriving during her exile, had unknowingly trespassed on southern territory, been threatened and needed to retreat north. They originally hoped to re-join Thoddun’s community, but Mandegga had expected reintegration as dominant female, and could not accept subservience.
Thoddun was interested in the southern community. “All lupus?”
“Almost all, lord. More than half are wolves.”
“They’re southern transanima,” said the other. “Some channel creatures we know nothing about. Cats greater than the lynx, and whales greater than the orca. But the wolf holds power. It was a huge pack, far more numerous than our own.”
“The transanima are a dying race,” snapped the first. “We all know that. But it’s the werewolves will survive in the end, when the others are all gone.”
“The future,” said Thoddun, “is always more malignant than the past. But the present is eternal. So – for the present -”
Mandegga had planned three roads to power. Through Orm, which she doubted, but which would bring time and distraction. Through her personal challenge, which she believed would succeed. And through war with the humans, which she thought would consolidate her success as dominant female, leading her people to victory. Banke, who was snivelling quietly, caught the woman’s name. “Was the Lady Mandegga,” he interrupted, “that hatched and plotted. Told my Da I’d be the best one to send ahead, being clever and cunning, she said. Her very words. To come and scout and see the proof of what she’d told.”
Thoddun looked down at him and laughed. “A brave plan.”
Banke glared. “Poor lady. A fine lady. And shame on you, treating your wife so cruel. She chose me as her champion. You’ve no right to chain me. I should be well treated, and properly fed. Ask her.”
“Impossible,” said Thoddun cheerfully. “I killed her.”
Banke stared, pointing a furiously quivering finger. “It’s her you were supposed to kill. My fucking sister. Da paid you, and gave you my amulet. I only had the one. I want it back.”
“When does your father intend setting out?” Thoddun demanded. “Did he have a plan of any consequence? Give me answers, and earn your supper.”
Banke licked his lips, subsiding into sullen thought. Finally he said. “Already left. Two thousand warriors.”
Thoddun’s smile widened. “I’m afraid that lying to me is singularly pointless. However, even were I unable to read your mind, I’d know you lied. Your reply is sheer nonsense. Try again.”
Banke scowled. “What’s she doing here anyway? I won’t talk in front of her. You cheated. She isn’t dead.”
Karr, who had been patiently quiet for some time, leaned forward and said, “Lord, he insults your queen. Shall I beat him?”
Skarga giggled. Thoddun waved Karr back. “No, you can have him later.” Banke had felt grand, setting out from his father’s vik in a new fur cloak, new sealskin boots and a new forged sword. It had been the first time his father had trusted him on any venture of importance, but tramping through the late winter freeze followed by attack and captivity had not been kind to him, nor to his clothes. Thoddun said, “So you believe you know who – and what – I am. Tell me.”
Banke had lapsed into sulks. Skarga’s giggle had offended him. Karr’s interruption had unnerved him. He sat, knees to chin, and glowered into his collar. “You told my Da you were cousin Grimr. You fucking lied. The real Grimr turned up later. Not that he was any better at the job. None of you did the bitch in. You’re all fucking liars.”
“I need no explanation of who you believe I am not,” Thoddun said patiently. “You are banal and rude, which is both irrelevant and unwise. Now answer my question.”
“The lady said you wasn’t human,” Banke muttered, slightly embarrassed. Facing the man, he no longer believed it. “She said you change into other things. Monsters. Beasts. And eat people.”
“Good,” smiled Thoddun. “Keep that small thought in mind. It will help the speed of future discussions. There are very few of your thoughts worth the reading but concentrating your mind on your father’s army has already given me the answer I required. Your people are unsure and unready. They scurry back to their farms. Your father waits for spring and the melt, which he thinks will ease the march. He is wrong. Farmers need to plough and sow their fields as the sun dawns, and they will openly defy him. They don’t believe in monsters and they don’t want to risk their lives for your father’s reputation and the chance of becoming a dead hero. You know very little, but some of this is obvious, even to you. You were sent out first to spy, not because you are the cleverest, but because you are the most dispensable.”
CHAPTER FOUR
Thoddun remained standing behind Skarga, his hands firm on her shoulders, imperceptibly caressing tired muscles and easing the discomfort of strain. She had remained sitting still and quiet for some time. She had no wish to speak to her brother.
Over Skarga’s head, Thoddun gazed down at Banke’s quivering and impotent fury. The shackles had rubbed through the frayed wool of his knitted stockings and a faint ooze of pink stained the edges. Thoddun said, “I can see no benefit to any of us in letting you live.” As Banke opened his mouth to roar, Thoddun raised one hand. Banke lapsed, open mouthed but silent. Thoddun continued. “I’ll listen to argument, but not temper. And if you repeatedly insult my wife, I’ll have you scourged.”
Skarga decided she could mind-read after all, watching Banke’s thoughts travel their courses across his face. He blustered and spat, and he glared at Skarga with vibrant hatred. “Asved said you were dead. You ought to be dead. And these people are all fucking lunatics. What the fuck’s going on? And well, brothers are brothers, so you should ta
ke my part. Tell them to let me go. Tell them I’m starving.”
Skarga stared at him and Banke stared back. His eyes watered from cold and temper. Thoddun’s fingers at Skarga’s neck were busily warm and reassuring, pressing deep into the knotted muscles of her exhaustion, rubbing the tension loose, easing up into her hair, behind her ears and across the shoulders. She said, “You’re not my brother anymore. I don’t care if they feed you or not. But I warn you, as my lord already has, these are people with strange powers. Father can’t help you, and nor will I.”
Banke lurched forwards from his stool, which clattered and fell. His shackles tripped him. “It’s not fair,” he squealed, fumbled and found the stool, sat again and began to sob.
Thoddun leaned down to Skarga’s ear. He spoke slowly, as if considering. “It might be wise, perhaps, for you to leave now.”
Skarga shook her head. “I don’t want to be sent away. I’ll try not to be squeamish.”
“Very well,” Thoddun said and looked again at Banke. “One woman and several men came to your father’s vik. They were strangers but no doubt they seemed educated and plausible and your people believed their story. They told you they’d been cruelly treated at some northern court, a castle ruled by cannibals or giants or some form of fearsome ogre. They promised great treasures, hidden in the castle vaults. Your father was excited at the thought of conquering monsters and winning riches.”
Banke looked down at his knees. “She was a nice lady. Said she was your wife. I liked her.”
“You must try hard to follow my voice,” Thoddun sighed. “These repetitious negatives are tiresome. I am not Grimr. I lied. I had no intention of assassinating your sister. I lied again. The woman who came to your father was not my wife. She lied too.”
Banke hung his head, deflated of air and pride. “Lying bitch.”
“Indeed,” said Thoddun. “The woman and her jarls returned to my castle with destruction and treachery intended. They were imprisoned and judged by the Althing. We carried out the sentences immediately. And I assure you, I am not lying now.” Behind Banke, the two wolf men stood very still and said nothing. This delay in their sentencing was unexpected, but unlikely, they knew, to be greatly extended. Thoddun was still speaking. He said, “I am the king of those you call monsters, and I have taken your sister as my consort.”
Mindful of orders, Banke muttered, “I hear. I’m listening. I remember the men. And I liked the lady. I don’t like my sister.”
“The woman died first,” smiled Thoddun. “I killed her myself. She had attacked your sister.” His fingers continued to massage Skarga’s neck and shoulders. “I was – otherwise occupied at the time - therefore the precise method escapes me. I probably slit her throat. But no doubt I used my teeth, not a knife.” Banke shivered. Thoddun continued. “The court having passed judgement, we executed Ragnar first. He had originally been a leader of our Althing which made his treachery more heinous. But I’d liked the man once. I therefore gave him permission to Shift. I won’t explain that to you. You have very little intelligence, even for a human, but perhaps you can work it out. The man Shifted to his wolf self, but he was crippled, without paws, and could not stand. That is the standard punishment for his crime, the amputation of both hands and one foot. Finally castration. Four of my own people, already Shifted, then ripped apart what remained of the wolf.”
Banke was rocking backwards and forwards on his stool, muttering to himself. “Wolves,” he mumbled. “Shifting. You’re all mad.”
Thoddun’s fingers, restraining Skarga, remained firm as they stroked. “The other executions were quicker,” he continued. “A sea bear’s paw may take a man’s head from its neck with one effortless swipe. It leaves a deal of blood and there are neater methods. But then, as I said, some of us find control harder once we – Change. At least there are no burials to arrange. With a bear’s teeth to the muzzle and another at the rump, the creature in the middle will not keep its skin for long.
“The lesser jarls were sentenced to whipping and exile. Scourging with rod and rope is traditional among our people, takes fewer strokes, and is specifically controllable. Whip a man as your people do, and you flay his back. Too many strokes and he’ll faint. It’s wasted effort. He escapes the pain and it probably kills him, whether intended or otherwise. Our method is different. Using two men, one from the left with the rod, one from the right with the rope, it can be light, short and sharp and the punishment is usually over in five strokes. The rod cuts. The rope bruises. It’s quickly finished and the prisoner walks free. For a more severe crime, longer handled tools are used. Then the rod cuts to the bone, the rope breaks the same bone. It’s a system we use efficiently.
“My people do not share the human desire to inflict pain. For us pain serves a purpose, or it does not. But we have other weaknesses. We have a certain predilection for blood. There are those among us who become – unnerved. You should be aware of that.”
Banke, obediently recognising his cue, nodded unblinking.
“After the floggings,” Thoddun’s fingers still busy, “those wolf-jarls were given food and released. Two of them now stand behind you. They will not be released again. In return for the information they have given me, they will be permitted to die by the sword, instead of the paw. They have also asked permission to Shift before death, which I shall allow. They will be executed as wolves. You will be required to watch.
“I have not yet decided whether your own death will immediately follow theirs, but it will not be by the sword. I have now explained something of our practises and the rudiments of our justice system, so you will understand what is to be done to you. My jarl Karr will Shift, becoming the sea-bear, and he will take your life by teeth and paw.”
Banke spoke indistinctly, his tongue thick. “Fucking threats. Crazy threats. It’s fucking bluff. None of it’s true.”
“Oh, try us,” said Thoddun. “Test us indeed, we shall be delighted to oblige. I can have you dragged into the main hall and prove it to you in the time it takes you to fart once more.” He smiled. “But I have not yet decided.” He turned back to Karr. “Have the three of them bound together and set in a separate cage. I’ll deal with them tonight.” Banke squealed as they dragged him from the stool and out of the room. His demands for food and wails of misery echoed from the passage. Thoddun bent his head to Skarga and said softly, “Ready, little fledgling?”
The smell of roasting meat rose in a sweating cloud. Without thatches for the leakage of smoke, all scent and vapour remained within the cave. Three carcasses turned on the spits. There were many men to feed, and no one had Shifted. Thoddun took Skarga to the furs piled close to the hearth. He remained standing, looking down at her in silence. “It is, of course, all true,” he said at last. “That is what we are. That is what I am.”
She gazed at her lap. “Yes,” she said, a little dully. “But you made it sound worse. To intimidate Banke.”
He reached forward and tilted up her chin, two forceful fingers reattaching her gaze to his. “No,” he said. “I made it sound better. Because you were there listening.”
She bit her lip. “What will you do with him?”
He knelt, taking her hand, and spoke softly. “I’ve not decided,” he said. “I may kill him or I may keep him alive.”
Skarga said, “I may not read minds but I can guess when you avoid telling me the truth.”
Thoddun grinned. “Oh yes, I’ll kill him eventually, but he might be useful to me first. I’m going to march on your home town if they won’t come to me. Otherwise, at some time in the future, someone will remember there are monsters up in the northern snows, and come to investigate. I won’t leave that possibility open.”
“You don’t believe my father’s really coming?”
Thoddun shrugged, then sank down beside her. “When you told me about your brothers, and none of them married or even coupled, it was quite obvious to me that your father’s people don’t respect him. He styles himself chief, he blusters and
threatens, but he doesn’t rule outright and few farmers will follow him into danger. So we’ll march south, and drag your father out.” He kissed her answer away. Bundled abruptly into his arms, Skarga was aware of the men moving around the hall. They were busy and none watched her while turning the spit, stirring the cauldrons, sharpening swords and mending boots and belts by lamplight. But as the only female, she knew herself their focus. Each time Thoddun’s hand brushed across her breasts, a concerted sigh reverberated around the cave. Thoddun read her thoughts and laughed. “They all wish they were me. And they all read you, since your mind’s as open as a filleted herring. But the transanima aren’t as coy about coupling as humans. Do you mind?”
She did. She said, “I love you holding me. I love you touching me. But you make me feel like some – some random bear on heat. Just to be used. Not only by you, but all the men watching and listening. Part of the entertainment. I suppose you don’t know what I mean.”
Thoddun nodded. He moved his hands from her body, instead twisting his fingers up into her curls. “I know exactly,” he smiled. “So this can wait, since there’s other matters can take precedence. Food. Rest. And I need to talk to Karr. Then back to the prisoners. It’ll be a long night, but in the end – well - I’m prepared to do some things your way, little one, when it suits me. But others will stay my way.”
Skarga banished her thoughts. “Perhaps I’m slow to adjust. But remember I’d never been further from home than the next market town before you abducted me.”
He bent again and kissed the tip of her nose. “I’ve told you before. You’re a brave little cub. You’ve done very well. And I won’t make things more difficult for you than necessary. It’s better, for instance, when I go back to the prisoners tonight, if I go alone. You should stay here.”
She didn’t want to stay amongst strangers and be stared at. “I’m not frightened. And I’m not weak. I’ve seen men punished.” She sniffed. “I’ve been whipped myself. I suppose you know that.”
Stars and a Wind- The Complete Trilogy Page 60