Catla and the Vikings (12 page)

“When it arrives,” Catla said, “the commander is to have first choice from all the people in our villages for the slave market.”

Another buzz of voices erupted. “Slave market! As we thought.”

“I've heard of Helgi too, Hugh,” Matthew said.

“When is he coming?” Hindley asked. “Where's his ship now? Is it already there?”

Voices merged into each other.

“Quiet! Quiet!” Hugh snapped. Catla jumped a bit. Folks farther away turned to listen.

“What's going on? What is it?” People crowded closer.

“We've learned something new,” Hugh said. “Well done, my girl!” Hugh ruffled her hair and gave her shoulders a short hug.

Edith entered the circle and moved toward them.

“Gather here, everyone,” Hugh called. After Edith had slipped in beside Catla, he continued. “One of the prisoners spoke to Catla. We must think about this carefully. The prisoner Ragnar claims to have information about Covehithe.”

As Hugh spoke, Catla saw the prisoners arrive. They sat well outside the circle of stones. The guards stooped, moving from man to man, checking their bindings.

Hugh repeated what Catla had told him. A few people said, “Helgi,” as if they knew of him. Hugh said, “This night's fight will be more dangerous than we thought if Helgi's ship is there.” Turning to Catla, he said, “Tell them about the slaving.” He pushed her into standing.

“Ragnar told me they were after slaves,” she said. Her eyes sought Sven's, whose head jerked up. He looked her fully in the face for a moment. “Maybe they won't kill anyone if they want them all for slaves.”

“That's good news!” Edith reached for Catla's hand.

Catla felt comforted to know Edith's concern for the people of Covehithe almost matched her own.

“Don't be too hasty to make a leap in that direction,” Hindley said. “Some of these men consider it a sport to kill the ones they think won't bring a good price. Saves having to feed them.”

Catla's legs suddenly gave out and she sat with a thump.

“Hindley!” Edith's tone was sharp and full of reprimand. She put a protective arm around Catla's shoulders. “Think who you're talking to. Catla and Sven don't need any more dire warnings than what they already carry in their own heads.”

The people around Hindley poked him and frowned. He looked chastened and said, “Sorry, Catla and Sven. My mouth runs away sometimes.”

“Did he say when the ship would come?” Matthew asked, bringing the talk back to Helgi.

“No.” Catla gulped. She blinked in shock over Hindley's words, and she felt sick again. “Let me think. No, he just said it is coming.”

All eyes shifted back to Hugh, who patted Catla's knee. “Helgi is a fearless warrior and he's trained his men to be the same. Let's hope we arrive at Covehithe first. I may know more after I speak to Ragnar.”

“What if the ship's already in Covehithe, Hugh?” Edith asked.

“That will prove difficult,” Hugh said.

Catla had wanted to ask the same question, but she'd dared not inside this circle. Catla had learned many myths from Old Ingrid, who believed ancient gods had been worshipped in stone circles. Catla wasn't convinced. But Old Ingrid had impressed on her that the gods were mischief-makers, interfering in peoples' lives just for the impish fun of it. Now, Catla hoped they weren't listening. No one needed more vexing. The gods were best left undisturbed.

“Should we change our plan, Hugh?” Hindley asked.

“No. We've considered everything. Catla's path is best, no matter how many Norsemen are in the village. The group using Sven's path will block that way, and they'll watch the council fire but won't move until they see our group advancing. Rest now until Theodore arrives from the hill fort. We're in for a much bigger fight if Helgi's ship is there before us.”

A bigger fight
. The words were ominous. Catla's hands were clenched into tight fists. Slowly, she released the tension and flexed her fingers.

“We're basing a lot on the word of an enemy,” Matthew said. “How can we trust him? What if he lies?”

“Let's not take a chance. Let's tie him up and leave him here,” Hindley said. “When the attack's over, we'll come back and get him if the wolves haven't got him first.”

Catla shuddered at the gruesome thought.

“We could do that, Hindley,” Hugh said. “Whatever we agree, I am going to talk to him. He could have kept quiet. We'd never have known about Helgi. What purpose does it serve him to have spoken? If he wanted to work against us, he'd have said nothing.” Then he said, “Catla, let's find Ragnar.”

Catla's shift and apron felt heavy. It was hard to lift her knees against them as she hurried after Hugh toward the prisoners. Some burrs of seedpods were stuck to the tan wool of her shift and they rubbed at her ankles. Her legs were tired and stiff and she knew she limped, but she was curious. She believed Ragnar had told the truth. She sensed no harm toward her in him. He said he'd drunk her mother's beer. But that hardly seemed enough to earn her trust.
Don't be a gull, my girl,
she told herself. She smiled as she echoed the words her mother had said to her at the fair in York.

As they neared the prisoners, some of them shouted rough-sounding words while others sat with their heads down. “Water, they're asking for water,” Hugh said. “Rufus, go and ask if anyone has extra water or beer. Even if it's a mouthful. Tell them to bring it here. Be careful giving it to them.”

“There he is, Hugh. There's Ragnar.” Catla pointed out the man, and Hugh moved closer to him. Some of the prisoners shot evil looks at their comrade, but Hugh snapped out a few Norse words and they turned their eyes away. They could do nothing. Hugh untied the rope around Ragnar's neck, retied it to the next prisoner in line and led Ragnar from the group.

When Hugh gestured, Catla spoke. “Ragnar, this is Hugh, the headman of Aigber. I told him what you said.”

Ragnar was shorter than Hugh. His hair was lighter than Catla's but also red. Like most of the village men, he wore it tied back.

He looked at Hugh and said, “I wish you no harm. I would like to help.”

“You're in a difficult position here,” Hugh said with a glance at the prisoners. “Still, I'm surprised you want to help us.” Then he turned to Catla and said, “I'll see how far this change of heart goes. He's tied and shackled. I'll talk with him but keep my knife close to hand.”

Ragnar glanced at Hugh but stayed silent. Catla wondered what he'd say to help Hugh make up his mind.

“Catla, ask Matthew and Hindley to come. We'll talk to this fellow together. You need to find a place to lie down and sleep. You're tired. I promised Edith I'd keep my eye on you.”

“All right, Hugh.” She found Hindley and Matthew and delivered Hugh's message. The prisoners had been gagged by the time she passed them again. She glanced back at Hugh and Ragnar. Hugh nodded once or twice. Ragnar was doing most of the talking. She was curious, but her legs needed rest, especially her sore one.

The same spot where she'd slept last night by Odin's stone was sunny. She settled in and felt herself relax. Last night Sven had found her here. Now, all of Aigber was on the march. They were midway home. They'd arrive tonight. Dread and anticipation swirled in her head.

As she settled down, Theodore, Brida and the girls arrived from the hill fort, and Catla listened to a wave of talk and questions. She was envious as she watched them greet their fathers. Her arms longed for her family. She turned aside to hide her yearning.

Sven walked across the circle and threw his long body down beside hers. He nudged a bit closer and put his hand on her arm. He said, “Don't be impatient, Red.”

“Red!”

“I call you that when I think of you.”

“But my hair isn't…You think of me?”

“Do you mind?”

“Well.” She hesitated. The little boys called her Red when she shooed the foxes away from their traps.
Red, Red, the fox's guard. Sticks her head in the midden yard.
But she was intrigued with the idea of Sven thinking about her. “I don't hate it when you say it, but…”

“Leave it for now,” Sven said. “Besides, since you're betrothed, I shouldn't even be talking to you. I'll move if you want.”

Catla answered, “No, I don't want you to move. And anyway, I'm not betrothed, not quite. Aren't we friends?”

“I guess, for now.”

“For now?” Catla asked.

“What about Olav? I don't like him. I don't think you should marry him. He won't make you happy. And then there's the way you were flirting with Anson earlier.
Oh, Anson, what a beautiful knife
. It was sickening.”

“It was?” Catla's heart bumped hard against her ribs. “You don't like Olav, you don't like Anson and, apparently, you don't like me! Why are you here then? To upset me?”

“Oh, by the raven's bill, I've done it again,” Sven said. “I've put both of my feet into my mouth at the same time.”

His face—downcast eyes and cheeks flaming red— looked comical. Catla was tempted to laugh, but she wanted more answers, so she said, “Why don't you like Olav?”

“All he ever talks about is himself,” Sven said. “Haven't you noticed? No matter what other people are talking about, he manages to turn it around to his travels and how well he is doing as a peddler.”

“Maybe you're jealous.” As she said the words, Catla was surprised at her boldness and waited to hear what he'd say.

“No, I'm not. Well, maybe I am, a little, because I don't think he'll be right for you. What I say is true. Haven't you noticed that?”

“Yes, yes, I have,” she said. “I tried not to pay attention to it, because Mother says I have to respect older people. But he never listens to anything I say. I thought he was nervous and ignoring me made him feel important.”

“I suppose. But he does it no matter who's there. Even with people like your father, who already thinks Olav's a fine fellow.”

“My father does like him, doesn't he? He doesn't usually like that kind of person.”

“In any case, will people talk if I lie here?”

“I don't know, maybe. Do you care? Will you think less of me if I agree to let you lie beside me?”

“Why, no, that is, no…”

“Then why did you say it?” Catla was cross now and pushed him away. She turned her back to him and closed her eyes. She would try to sleep. That would fix him! But try as she might, she could not slip into sleep. Sven's last words played in her ears, but she felt too cross to talk. All around them people chattered and laughed. Soon Sven's easy breathing told her he slept and that made her even more cross.

Hugh came back and brought Ragnar into the circle. He held his arms high, signaling for quiet. “Ragnar thinks Helgi expects his other ship to need time in Aigber to capture us and loot the village. They'd likely wait for the next outgoing tide, and you can be sure they'll know the tides. They won't feel in any hurry and so won't navigate against that current at night when the ship's fully loaded with villagers. He will expect them to be back on the morrow. He'll likely come then too.”

His news was greeted by a buzz of talk, but it seemed to Catla that most people had figured this out already.

“Rest for a little while before we start out.” Hugh continued to speak. “We have about the same distance to walk as we've covered. We'll start out with some light.”

When Hugh said “start out,” Catla wanted to shout,
Hurry up!
She knew it was unreasonable, but she sat up and shifted her legs as if getting ready to go again.

Sven stirred and whispered, “Be patient, Catla. We need their help. It's better if everyone rests. You need rest too. We have time.”

People lay on the ground or sat propped against the stones. Catla knew Sven was right. She released the lip she'd bitten to stop from arguing. She let herself sink back down to the sandy earth, and she fell into a light sleep. She awakened to Sven's hand rubbing her arm gently. “It's time, Catla. We're getting ready.”

“Catla and Sven, you lead,” Hugh said. “Everyone— keep your voices low. We won't be heard from here, but we'll be used to speaking softly. We'll rest again, when it's closer to sunup. Then we'll move into Covehithe with the predawn light.”

It was evening now and the light was fading. The last part of the journey would be tricky in the dark. Catla's legs felt less tired. A pleasant jolt of excitement tingled under her ribs.

Hugh raised his voice. “Get used to walking silently. We make a lot of noise when we move. It will be a still night and noise travels far. We must not alert our enemy.”

Catla walked with Sven, followed by Brida and Theodore's group. Hugh walked beside Ragnar, and a group of men followed right behind them, their hands on the hilts of their knives. The prisoners shuffled along without protest. New energy surged in the air. Catla lifted her gaze. Stars were beginning to show in the northeastern sky, in the direction they were heading. She looked for a bright one to wish on. Besides thinking of her family's safety, she was mulling about Sven. He was jealous of Olav. She smiled.

Twilight lingered long during the harvest part of the year. It remained after the sun disappeared below the earth's rim. Bright fingers of light pierced upward into the blue-gray clouds. The colors darkened into peach and mauve and purple as the light died. Catla looked back toward Aigber. The stones stood dark against the magnificent sky. Ahead, the heavens darkened.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

In the Dark

With the evening light, the path was clearly visible. Catla was surprised, since it had been hard to see last evening when she was alone. After a while, a fainter path veered off to the right. Was this the one to follow? “Have you been on this path, Sven?” she asked as she slowed.