Emer's Quest (Manannan Trilogy) (8 page)

“What’s going on here?” Emer’s senses were swimming
, but she recognised Hari’s voice. The pressure of Rolf’s thumbs ceased and she started to cough. She slumped to the floor, looking up at the brothers through glazed eyes.

“The bitch bit me,” Rolf said and he had blood on his lips
to prove it.

“And how did she get close enough to bite your mouth
,
Brodir
?”

“She forced herself on me. Apparently you aren
’t the man she wants.”

Emer would have gasped if she had been able to do so.

“I never realised you couldn’t defend yourself against a young girl. It seems strange to me that, if Emer wanted you so badly, she would show it by making you bleed. Or did she have a reason to defend herself?”

Hari was standing with his legs apart and his hands on his hips, chin thrust out aggressively. A flash of silver appeared in Rolf’s hand. By this time, several people had come
over to see what was happening and a warning cry went up. Next thing, Atli was between his sons, his hand holding Rolf’s and forcing his dagger towards the floor.

“
Stop, both of you. Emer is Hari’s promised wife and he has every right to defend her honour.”

“Against his own brother?” Rolf was breathing hard and trying to escape
from Atli’s grip.

“Especially against his brother, if that brother
is stupid enough to molest her. You have enough women to satisfy your lusts, but one you will not have. Stay away from Hari’s bride unless you wish to earn my displeasure.”

Rolf tore his hand free, muttering something under his breath and stalked off to the other end of the ship.

“Have a care,” Atli said to Emer as he lifted her to her feet. “You have angered him and I have hurt his pride. Rolf is a bad enemy. I will speak to him when his temper has cooled, but it will be best if you keep out of his sight as much as possible. Hari, stay with her.”

Atli walked down to the mast, where he could watch both his sons and keep them apart.

Hari helped Emer into her shelter and told one of the other men to fetch her something to drink. After she had finished the brew, he made her lie down and cover her with her wraps. Then he sat in the entrance, with his arms wrapped around his knees, peering out.

“Do you fear him?” Emer asked. “They say he is a good fighter.”

“He is a very good fighter,” Hari replied. “Far better than me, if that is what you are asking. I have learned to avoid an open quarrel if I can.”

“What made you stop him then?”

“No woman should be choked to death. What did he do to you?”

“He tried to kiss me.”

“Most women would like that.”

“Not if the man forced his tongue down their throat. I thought I w
ould choke. But I am sorry I bit him, if it’s going to cause trouble.”

“If it wasn’t that it would be something else. Rolf likes
a fight.” Hari shrugged. “We’ll see what happens after
Fadir
has talked to him.”

N
othing did happen for the rest of the voyage. Rolf kept away from both Hari and Emer, although his eyes often followed their movements with an icy fury. He attended to the ship and stayed among his crew. It seemed as if everything had been forgotten but Emer knew it had not.

8

Emer
was so tired of the voyage now. It seemed to go on for ever and the seething tensions around her were almost unbearable. She had almost forgotten a time when she had been at peace and without fear. But nightmares do not last and, eventually, dark smudges were seen on the horizon. Atli pointed to them.

“The
Landnám
islands,” he said.

E
mer’s heart began to beat faster and she forgot Rolf and her promise and the uncertain future. Excitement and apprehension clutched at her throat. Would her dream come true? Was
Fadir
really there?

A small crowd of people awaited them
when they anchored in the bay, close to what was the main settlement in the islands according to Atli. Emer anxiously scanned the faces around her, as she followed the men up the strand, but her father was not among them. It was not until after the night meal that
Atli brought her news of him.

“Olaf was sold to a farmer in the western hills. I will go there tomorrow and bring him back here.”

“Is he well?” she asked, fear in her heart.

“He was when he left
here, but my informant has not seen him since.”

“May I go with you
to find him?”

“I
’ll be quicker without you. It’s a long way and a rough road. Rolf can come with me and Hari stay with you. I’ll return as soon as I can.”

Emer
tried hard to be content, but she was in a fret with anxiety. She spent the time walking up and down the beach, sometimes alone and sometimes with Hari, a silent presence at her side.

“How I loath waiting,” she sai
d to him once. “I’d much rather be doing something.”

“All women have to wait,” he replied, absently.

She whirled round and faced him. “Do you really believe that?”

He looked startled for a moment and then a sheepish grin spread over his face.

“Perhaps I should have said — most women.”

All the next day
they waited. It was not until evening that Atli returned, bringing with him a tall shambling figure. The man was stooped and dirty. He slouched rather than walked freely. Emer hardly recognised him. Then, in a sudden joy, she ran forwards and threw her arms around his neck.

“
Fadir
!”

His arms tightened around her
, but he gave her no greeting. She drew a little away so she could search his face. He smiled.

“
Fadir
, don’t you recognise me? I’m Emer, your daughter.”

“He can
’t speak,” Atli said behind her. “He has not said a word since they found him on
Colonsey,
but it is obvious that you mean something to him. Take him and care for him now, so that he may be ready for the journey home.”

Emer
went to the cooking place and brought her father a bowl of broth, some oat-bread and a beaker of ale. He ate and drank as if he was starving. Then she took him to the bathhouse and eased him out of his caked and threadbare clothing. When she saw his naked body she gasped. He had been beaten, for the scars of old weals criss-crossed his back. She cried over them, but they were not the only thing that had changed. He was missing a toe on one of his feet, which explained the way he now walked.

“
It has been frozen off,” said Edda, the woman who was helping her, “and he was lucky not to lose more, I’m thinking.”

“The storm. He was out in an open boat.”

“That would do it. Poor man.”

Olaf
climbed into the steaming water with a great sign of relief. His eyes closed and he sank below the surface. Suddenly Emer noticed that his long hair had become flecked with grey.

Together she and
Edda washed him. Emer was afraid she would hurt him when she touched his back, but he made no sound.

“They’re healed,”
Edda said. “Rub hard and get the dirt out of his skin.  Then he can sit in the steam room for a bit and ease himself.”

Emer
dried Olaf and supported him to the room where heated stones made the air smoke when water was poured upon them. Olaf lay down on one of the benches and his eyes closed. When she returned to the bathhouse, Edda said,

“Leave him now and go to Atli. He
’s been asking for you. I’ll stay here and watch your father. Let him rest. I don’t think he has had much chance to do so for a long while. I’ll call you when he wakes.”

“How is he?” Atli asked her
, when Emer returned to the hall.

“He
’s been beaten and he’s lost three of his toes and some of his fingers,” Emer replied.

“Has he
said anything to you?”

“No.”

“When someone has been through a time of great danger, they sometimes lose their speech.”

“Do they ever regain it again?”

“Some do, some don’t.”

“I see.”

“It’s my intention now to return your father to his home. After that we will return to
Skuy.
I have spoken again to Rolf on the journey to the farm and he now understands that as Hari’s wife, he must treat you with respect. He has pledged me his word that he will not approach you again without permission.”

Emer nodded
but she could not help wondering if Rolf’s pledge was a thing to be trusted. Whenever he looked at her, it was as if she became suddenly naked to his eyes. This had not changed.

“
Thank you, for rescuing my father and protecting me,” she said. “I’ll keep my side of the bargain as soon as I can.”

The following day, they set sail from the
Landnám
islands. Their ship was piled high with tubs of salted fish, the main produce of the place. Even weeks later, Emer found it hard to get rid of the rank smell from her hair and garments. She spent the voyage with her father, looking after him and talking to him about home and the things that had happened in her childhood. He understood her, for he often smiled and nodded. Once, at a funny story, he even laughed, a harsh hollow sound, so unlike his normal chuckle and it almost broke her heart to hear him. Still he did not speak, to her or to anyone else.

The days passed and they sighted
land in the east, but they did not stop. Eventually a channel appeared, with green hills on both sides of the ship.

“
Iraland
,” Atli said, standing by the prow and pointing to the right, “and the island of
Íl
.” He pointed to the left. Tomorrow we will reach your home.”

In the end they did not
need to do so.

“Longship!”
Sigarr called from the bows. Immediately everyone dropped what they were doing and took up their weapons. The approaching ship might be an enemy or a friend. Everyone was cautious and it was sensible to be prepared for trouble.

“
Not you, you’re still sick. You cannot fight.” Emer said to Olaf, but he stood up, pushed her aside and picked up an axe.

“Hide yourself,” Atli ordered
her.

“No. Give me a bow
. I can shoot as well as any man,” Emer replied.

Atli looked at her quizzically and then ordered that a
small bow and a quiver of arrows should be given to her. Emer found a space on the starboard side where she could draw the bow string freely. Her heart was pounding and it seemed as if she could hardly breathe. They had travelled such a long distance to bring Olaf home. Were all their plans about to be thwarted? The other ship saw them and veered in their direction. As it came closer and she could see its outlines properly, Emer suddenly dropped her weapons and screamed,

“
That’s Dag’s ship!”

“Whose?” Atli asked.

“Dag. The ship that brought me to
Colonsey
where you and I met. They are my friends.”

“Good. If they come seeking you and your father, they can
take him back to his home and we can return to ours.”

Emer nodded but her heart sank. If only she could return
home with Dag and her father, but to do so would break her promise. She would be an oath-breaker and would call down on her head just punishment from the gods. No one would ever trust her again and every man’s hand would be turned against her, once they knew she had been proved faithless. She gritted her teeth. Since there was no help for it, she would do what she must as convincingly as she could.

The
ships approached each other and Dag’s challenge rang through the air.

“What ship?”

“Mine.” Atli stood on the gunwales, letting everyone see him. “I am told you are Dag, whom I met on
Colonsey
.”

“Who told you?
”

“
Emer Olafsdottir did.” Atli held out his hand for Emer to climb up beside him.

A roar went up from the other ship when they saw her.

“Come closer while we talk.”

Gingerly the two ships approached
each other, port side to starboard. Sacks were dropped between them. They touched and were lashed together.

“I have found what you were seeking,” Atli said and drew Olaf forward.

“You have saved me a long journey then,” Dag said, “for which I thank you. Indeed I was searching for Olaf and his daughter. Where did you find them?”

“
Olaf was sold as a slave on the
Landnám
islands. I have just returned from there, where I sought him out.”

“I will buy him from you,” Dag
offered. “How much for his freedom?”

“No need. His price has already been paid.”

“By whom?”

“Tell him, Emer.”

“I paid his price, Dag.”

“
You? You had no money.”

“I agreed with Atli on
Colonsey
that he would find and free my father. He has done so. In return, I took an oath that I would return with him to
Skuy
and there I would marry his son.”

“Noooo!” It was a howl and everyone looked in th
e direction or the noise. “You cannot, you are promised to me!” Finnr screamed.

“No I am not. You
did not speak for me and I never agreed to wed you.”

Dag wheeled round. “What is this? I
know nothing about this.”

“There
is nothing for you
to
know,” Emer said steadily. “Finnr has always been my friend and I suppose we both thought we would marry some day. Certainly I did so and I would have been happy to have spent my life with him, if the gods had not decreed otherwise. I wish you well, Finnr. I will always hold you in my heart but I cannot wed you. Now we must say goodbye.”

Finnr surged forward until he was caught and held by two of the other sailors. Then he shouted,

“
Fadirbrodir
, no!”

“Enough, Finnr.
You have heard what Emer Olafsdottir said. Does Olaf agree to this bargain?”

“My father
cannot say anything. His ordeal has made him lose the ability to speak. Once he is home, perhaps he will recover. Will you take him back to my mother please?”

“I will do so.”

“Tell her what has happened to me and why I am not returning with you.”

“I will do that also.”

“Thank you. Give my love to her and to all those at home.”

Some further talk ensued and the exchange of
some of the barrels of salt fish for Dag’s trading goods. Emer did not listen. She stood with her arms round Olaf, who was looking confused.

“This is goodbye,
Fadir
, for a time at least, perhaps forever. Don’t forget me.”

Olaf stared at her.

“Come, it is time.” Atli stood behind them. He gestured to the other ship.

Emer took Olaf’s hand and led him to the
rail. A couple of the crew helped him climb over the side and onto Dag’s ship. When he got there, he turned to look for Emer, but she stepped back, tears running unashamedly down her cheeks.

“I cannot follow you,
Fadir
, for this is the price of your freedom and I have given my word. May the sun shine on you and the gods protect you from all harm. I love you. Kiss
Modir
for me.”

The ropes were cast off and the boats drifted apart on the current. Sails were hoisted and the trading ship turned its prow to the north. The last thing Emer heard was her own name, shrieked out across the water and she knew it was Finnr
who called out to her. Emer stumbled back to her shelter, bumping into things and people because her eyes were blinded by her tears.

Atli did not follow her but surprisingly, Hari did. He sat down beside her and waited until her sobs became less violent. Then he gently raised her
head up and wiped her streaming face.