Emer's Quest (Manannan Trilogy) (11 page)

“None at all,” Freydis replied.

“It is the custom,” Arla protested.

“Did anyone tell Emer this custom?”

“No,” Freydis said.

“You would say that, you’re her friend.”

“Friend or not, it
’s the truth.” Laara came forward. “I was there and no one mentioned any rules and customs.” She turned to Emer. “That was a wonderful shot; I have never seen a woman shoot as well.”

“Arla.”Atli’s voice was stern. “You are a very good archer
, but today Emer has beaten you fairly. Perhaps on another day the outcome may be different. Now have the grace to accept defeat, as you have accepted success in the past.”

Arla’s voice was grudging as she said to Emer, “W
hat can I give you as forfeit? You never said what you wanted.”

Emer smiled and held out her hand to the girl
but Arla did not take it. Emer’s hand dropped and she said quietly, “The loan of this fine bow and a quiver of arrows, if you would be so good.”

“
Take it then.” Arla turned on her heels and flounced away.

“I will have a
bow made for you,” Atli said. “Njall can make it. He is the best fletcher in the village. Njall?”

“It will be my pleasure,” the tall blond giant who was Freydis’ lover and Kolla’s son said.
“I shall make a bow worthy of the hand that draws it.”

“So you have more than one talent,”
Atli said as they walked away together. They entered the longhouse where Drifa and some of the women were sitting spinning by the fire. They had not bothered to join the crowd outside watching the archery but a woman had brought the goose Emer shot inside. She had obviously told them the result of the contest. They were looking startled and far from pleased.

“A fine talent for a woman to have,” Drifa sniffed
, “better to mind your needle than a bow. Leave archery to the men.”

Emer
’s nerves were already on edge, from the contest and the way Arla had taken her defeat. She felt her temper rise. “Why should I?” she snarled. “I can use a needle
or
a bow and both of them better than you. Or would you like to challenge me too?”

Drifa’s face went bright red and she
had opened her mouth to answer when Kolla, who was nearby, stood between them and said smoothly,

“What need of a
contest between two such talented women? We’re lucky that we can benefit from all your skills. By your leave, Lady,” she said to Drifa, “I have need of Emer just now.”

Atli caught her meaning and nodded. “Go
with Kolla, Emer.”

Emer
went out of the hall. Kolla, in fact, had no need of her but had simply wanted to remove her from the longhouse. Emer never knew what Atli said to his wife but Drifa did not take her to task for her rudeness. She was both surprised and relieved, because she knew herself to be at fault and had no wish to make matters worse or to apologise. It was as if nothing had ever happened. Emer noticed, though, that Drifa’s eyes could shine with exactly the same look of hatred as her son, Rolf’s.

Arla
started to avoid her company. If Emer approached, she would get up and leave. When Njall brought Emer’s fine new bow and she returned Arla’s, the girl took it and did not reply to Emer’s thanks. Emer realised she had made another new enemy. She wished someone had warned her that Arla was sensitive about her ability. She knew she had been showing off a little, just because it was something she loved and could do easily. Had she known, she might have acted differently, but there was nothing she could do about it now.

11

It was
nearly two months before Rolf’s ship returned. In that time, Emer had reached an understanding with Hari and made more friends and enemies. She deliberately tried to forget her former life, for the memories caused her too much unhappiness. She was settling into her new home and she tried to be pleased about it. Atli’s other ships came and went in that time without incident, so she had almost forgotten the tensions that occurred when Rolf and his men were present.

Emer had gone riding on the day
Rolf’s ship entered the bay. The weather was fine, so she seized the excuse to explore inland in search of fresh herbs. The beast she rode had an uneven trot and she could not help but miss Vif and Thor, her father’s horses. Nevertheless, she enjoyed the exercise and seeing new places. It was good to escape for a time from the settlement and be alone. She felt good and almost happy as she roamed at will. The sun shone, the scent of the gorse was strong and the world seemed peaceful.

She
returned down the long sandy slope that led from the hills to the sea. She saw a figure sitting on a stone watching her and obviously waiting for her to ride past him. It was too far to see his face, but her heart gave a sudden thud of fear. At first she did not understand why her contentment and peace dropped away so suddenly. As she came nearer, she realised that she must have recognised some trait or characteristic of his bearing.

Rolf
stood up as she approached and walked out onto the path to meet her.

“Good day to you,
Systir.
”

“
And good day to you. Welcome back. I hope you had a successful voyage.”

“Very successful, thank you. Did you miss me while I’ve been gone?”

“Of course. I missed everyone on your ship and I am glad to see you safely back.”

He took
hold of the horse’s bridle and walked beside her. “Ah, but it is a sister’s duty to miss her brother most.”

Emer wisely said nothing. Then he continued,
“I’ve been told that you’ve set people agog while I’ve been away.”

“How so?”

“Beating Arla at archery, for one thing. No woman has done that before. They say you brought down a goose with a single arrow.”

Emer nodded. “I often hunted geese and other birds at home.”

“Have you ever beaten a man?”

“I
’ve only ever shot against my father and he usually won.”

“Then we must have a contest, you and I, to see which one of us is better.”

“If my husband allows, it will be my pleasure,” Emer answered, deliberately reminding Rolf that she could no longer make all her own decisions.

He grinned but his eyes we
nt hard. “How do you like married life,
Systir
?” he asked. “I hear that you are also a good housewife.”

“Your informant has been busy,” Emer said. “Who was it? Brina?” Brina seemed more relaxed while Rolf was away but not very friendly. Although she had often been in the same room as Emer, she stayed among her own friends. They kept to themselves, a tight knot group of girls and young men, excluding outsiders.

“Amongst others. Your fame goes before you.”

Emer laughed. “I’m new, that’s all. Anyone different is interesting, until the novelty wears off.”

“Ah but you would be
remarkable, even if you had lived here for years. No one else has your dreams, no woman can shoot like you and few are such skilled seamstresses. Is that not true?”

“Stop please. You
are making me blush,” Emer protested.

“You haven’t answered my question — how do you like married life?” He looked up at her.

“I like it well,” Emer answered demurely, as she would be expected to.

“
You would like it even better if I were your husband.
Fadir
made a mistake and married you to the wrong brother.”

“I cannot agree with you.”

Rolf smiled. “If things were different,
I
would see your needs were fully satisfied.”

“Hari satisfies me.
I want no one else.”

Rolf
hooted. “That girl in man’s clothing can’t satisfy anyone, still less a spirited girl like you. Don’t lie and tell me he has.”

“I am not going to
tell you
anything
about my husband.”

“
Very proper, but we will talk of these things again.”

They reached the stables and Rolf took her reins, looping them over one of the posts. As she
lifted her leg over the horse’s back to dismount, he caught her waist and swung her to the floor.

“They shouldn’t give you this slug
to ride. He’s only fit for youngsters or the old. Have you seen my Thunderer?”

“A very fine horse.”

“Loki is almost his match. Come riding with me and I’ll show you.”

“Neither Brina nor Hari would be pleased if I did.”

“Yet you want to; I can see it in your face.” He would have caught hold of her but she expected some move from him and she twisted away.

“I love horses
and riding but I can’t and won’t upset so many people. Leave me alone, Rolf. I’m married now. What’s the point of all this?”

“Some day soon you
’ll be free to make your own choices and when that day comes, we’ll continue this conversation.”

“What do you mean?” she a
lmost shrieked but he had already turned away from her, striding out of the stables. He did not look back. She stood staring after him in dismay, her scalp prickling with uneasiness. He had not spoken idle words, she was sure. How could she be free? Unless — something happened to Hari. She leant against the rough wall shaking and feeling sick. Rolf was plotting something and Hari would be his victim.

That night, when they were alone together, she asked Hari,

“Is there anyone here who hates you enough to do you harm?”

He
propped himself up on one elbow to look at her. He laughed without mirth. “Do you want a list? I’m not popular, as you know.”

“I’m not joking or asking you a riddle.” Emer wrapped her arms around her
legs to stop herself shivering. “It’s a serious question. I’m scared.”

“What are you afraid of?”

“I met your brother when I was coming back today,” she said slowly, wondering exactly what to tell him.

“Your bad luck.
I knew he’d returned. He’s been boasting that his trading went well and he has a lot of silver to add to his hoard. When he’s in that sort of mood he’s ripe for any mischief, so I kept out of his way. I didn’t know he’d met you. Did he insult you?”

“
No, but he said something that worried me. He was trying to flirt with me and I wanted to stop him, so I told him that I was married now. Then he said that s
ome day soon I would be free to make my own choices. What would he mean by that?”

Hari laughed.
“I’m not going to divorce you, if that’s what he thinks.”

“I don’t think he meant divorce.” She looked at him with frightened eyes.

Hari grinned. “You’ve let my baby brother scare you. He’s been cultivating that air of menace for years. Everyone one who lives here ignores it, but I suppose it would be frightening to a stranger.”

“Hari,
Rolf’s not a baby any more. He’s a grown man who hates you.”

“
And you think he means to kill me?
Rolf’s always disliked me, ever since we were children. He was robust and I was sickly. Twice in our childhood I had fever and wasn’t expected to live, but Rolf never ailed. Because I was the oldest, I did more things than him, but not things he respected. He’s always preferred rough and tumble, fighting and raiding. If we fought, Rolf won. My father would watch and praise him for his victories. I’m not a warrior; I prefer peaceful things which bore Rolf. He scoffs at me, which is why I avoid him. Rolf’s got a terrible temper and he’s done me mischief in the past. I don’t doubt he’ll try to again, if he gets the chance, but it will be small and petty. He’s always coveted anything that was mine, which is why he tries to flirt with you. If you responded, he would tell the world about it, shaming us both. I’m very glad you didn’t.” He smiled and took her hand. “Thank you.”

“I wouldn’t have Rolf if he was the last man on earth,” Emer said violently. “He makes me sick.”

“Me too. He’s a bastard but even Rolf would not consider kin-slaying, remember that. He’s not a fool and he knows the law. For all I hate him and he hates me, we are brothers.”

“You are also Atli’s heir; his eldest son. Hari,
be careful. There was a reason behind Rolf’s words, I’m sure of it.”

“
Thank you for your warning, but I’m in no more danger now than I’ve been all my life. Rolf is
full of piss and wind but I’ll have a word with him for frightening my wife.”

“Don’t do that, please. I’m sorry I told you.”

“I want you to tell me things.”

“
Then,
please
don’t speak to Rolf. He doesn’t realise how much we talk together and he’s better kept in ignorance. One day it might be important for both of us. Hari — promise me?”

“I think you’re wrong but if it means that much to you, I promise.”

Emer breathed a sigh of relief. She must be more careful about what she told him in future. Hari was unpredictable and used to being left alone. Despite the fact that he had more knowledge than she would ever have, he was not observant of the people around him. Things were changing; she could sense it even if he did not. He was not yet in danger but he would be, if Atli died. Rolf and Drifa would see to that. Neither had any love for Hari or for her. She shuddered at the thought. Atli had shown her kindness and respect. He had freed her father and the price she had paid did not seem as difficult now as it had been at the time. She would miss Atli and she hoped fervently that her dream would not come true. She wondered if there was any way she could save him from the death she had foreseen so vividly.

It was shortly after that conversation that Emer began to
be sick in the mornings. At first it was slight and the second time it happened others were sick too. They put the cause down to some meat that tasted off. Emer thought no more about it, until Halla came up to her and asked,

“How are you?”

“I’m fine, thank you,” Emer said, surprised that the woman would ask, although she had just been sick again.

“You don’t look
well. You’re as white as snow.” There was a challenge in the woman’s voice and Emer stiffened.

“What’s it to you if I’m well or not
?”

“It’s my lady’s business and my lord’s if you are carrying Hari’s child.”

“If I become pregnant, my husband will be the one to tell his parents and they will find out before anyone else.”

With a curt nod, Emer walked past the woman and
back into the longhouse. She was trembling with anger and a tinge of fear. She tried to go back to the spinning she was working on, before she had to hurry out to the privy again. She picked up the spindle but her hands shook so much, she put the work aside.

She had little knowledge of the signs of pregnancy. Her mother had never quickened
during her lifetime. Mappy was well past her childbearing years and she was the only other woman who lived near her home. Emer had not stayed in the larger settlements long enough to witness a human birth. Animals she had seen in plenty, but that was different. She was too embarrassed to speak to Kolla or Blin or any of the older women. Perhaps Freydis would be able to tell her. Freydis was her friend and she knew how to keep a secret.

“I have something to ask you,” she said
when she found Freydis hanging out clothes in front of the fire.

“I have to get these hung up
to dry, they’re wanted. Help me and we can chat while we work.”

Emer picked up a tunic,
hung it over the line and said, “What do you know about childbearing?”

“Pregnant are you?”

“I don’t know. I might be. How can you tell if you are?”

“You’d be better to ask Blin or Vokki. They
assist with all the births.”

“They
might talk and I’m not sure if I am. That Vokki has such a mouth on her. I don’t want everyone gossiping until I know. Do you have any idea at all?”

“I heard you
were being sick. That’s one of the signs. The others are missing your courses, tingling breasts and not liking some foods any more. Do you have any of those?”

Emer cupped her breasts, but they seemed the way they had always been.

“I
have
been sick a few times…”

“What about your
monthly bleeding?”

“
It’s late.”

“Food?
My mother used to gag at the scent of mint.”