Her Heart's Desire (9 page)

She lowered her head. “Thank you.”

They clambered through the door with Erik calling out taunts and slurs. Frightened men and women scattered as Hella's men advanced into the rear of the longhouse. There, sitting upon an oak throne with serpents carved into the arms and back, sat Ofbradh. He'd once been a large man, but disease had wasted him into sagging flesh and protruding bone. A sword lay across his lap with the firelight reflecting red on the blade.

“Feykir failed me.” His long black hair fell in greasy twists around his time-weathered face. He looked straight at Nefr. “Though he swore he would not.”

Hella tossed the sack containing the bowman's head at Ofbradh's feet. “You are relieved of your earldom, Ofbradh.”

“You have brought the wrath of Eir on us.” Ofbradh lifted his hand to his mouth. Long strings of bloody drool came away on his skin. The smell wafting off him near drowned the stink of rotted head. “You see? Pride will be your downfall.”

“What is this?” Tyrfingr sneered. “Some winter malady descends and you start a clan war to justify it?”

“Death, you fool. Hel's gates are opened wide, bringing demons that plagued my family. She scooped my children from their beds weeks ago.” Ofbradh wiped his shaking hand on his tunic. “She spares few.”

The hair rose on Eoghann's neck.

“Madness,” Nefr muttered. He stepped closer, hand on the short knife in his belt.

“Hella's false claims of kingship brought down the gods' fury. There is but one king in Northumbria and this man is not him.” Ofbradh clutched his ribs with one hand and pointed at Hella with the other. A groan of misery punctuated his words.

“Why was there no word of illness?” Hella sheathed Almáttigr. “There's little use in hiding such information.”

Ofbradh gasped. “Váli appeared to me in a dream. She commanded your death and my loyalty to the Danelaw under Amlaíb Cuarán. The ailment would spare my kin and the rightful king would reward me for delivering your head.”

“Fuck Amlaíb Cuarán.” Erik sneered. “You vowed allegiance to the Bloody Raven and again to Hella Ingvasson. Týr has punished you for looking toward another leader.”

Ofbradh laid his hand upon his sword. Bloody drool slid from the corner of his mouth. “The scourge will find you all unless you recant Hella's rule. Kill me or let me waste away in peace, false king. This curse has taken my three sons, my wife, and anyone who ever loved me. As it will do to the rest of you. Nefr—”

A long dagger sliced through the space and entered Ofbradh's chest with a thud. His eyes widened as he convulsed. A grimaced twisted his mouth, then he took a last, rattling breath before he slumped on the throne. The sword clattered to the floor.

“Let Hel have him, for he was bound to feed the worms anyway.” Nefr retrieved his blade. He wiped Ofbradh's blood on the dead man's trousers. “Name a new jarl, Your Grace, and let's plan our departure from this stinking place. My wife's waiting in a pile of furs, but she won't wait all winter.”

“In good time.” Hella studied the dead man. “Have the thralls remove his body. Bjorn, bring me a healer so I may learn of this malady that befell Ofbradh's kin. The rest of you, hunt down the dead and burn them. No burial for those who were ill.”

Eoghann's skin prickled. “If there is sweeping illness here?”

Hella met his gaze. “We send for healers from the other villages. These people are not responsible for Ofbradh's beliefs. Many chose to flee rather than fight. They are our kin and deserve our help if we can give it.”

Helping the villagers might mean a delay in returning to Solstad. Eoghann slid his sword into its sheath. He removed his helm, then rubbed the bridge of his nose. No victory came from Ofbradh's defeat. Not when Ofan lay in the clutches of illness and possibly ruin.

“Take a bump to the skull, Saxon?” Erik sidled up to him. “Did it rattle you a bit?”

Eoghann blinked to settle his vision. One Erik was bad enough, he didn't need to see two of the man's ugly face. “Not even a little, Dane. Pity yonder jarl didn't put up more of a fight for his life.”

“Aye, but grief will warp a man's mind, twist it into dark places. He longed for Hel's embrace.” Erik's disgusted expression faded into thoughtfulness. “What Nefr did was a mercy. I'd have let him suffer.”

No doubt.
If Erik fostered any softness inside, it never came to light. “As we shall all the moments we're away from Solstad.” He longed for the reunion with Idunna he'd dreamed of.

“Missing your pretty wife?” Erik's grin returned. “Better than the women in Edinburgh, eh?”

His blood surged with anger. “Do not speak of her.”

Erik held up his hands. “No need to rear back for a fight, Saxon. I see why she chose you. There's a spark in there, even if you grew up believing in the wrong gods, the wrong laws, and a weak king.”

“Leave me in peace, Erik. Your chatter is worse than howling dogs. Tend the king's wishes.”

Erik laughed. “I have been most of my life. It's only recently I've known the joy of riling a Saxon cur.” He sauntered to Hella's side.

A prickle of unease fell on Eoghann. He turned to seek the cause.

Near the wall, Nefr met his gaze, but he continued to speak to one of his men. Nefr was one of the jarls who had been for hanging Eoghann. No doubt he disliked riding with a former enemy.

Eoghann turned back to Hella.

A withered old man stumbled through the door. He covered his mouth with his hand at the sight of Ofbradh still slumped and bloody on the throne.

“Who are you?” Hella's voice boomed. “When did the sickness come?”

“I am called Vitus, sire.” The man dropped to his knees. “I served as Jarl Ofbradh's healer. The complaints of illness set in before winter. Though our jarl and his family suffered far different complications than most of the others here.”

Hella's face hardened like stone. “Tell me of the differences.”

“Most of us have the phlegma, some a fever and chills.” Vitus trembled with effort of suppressing a cough. “No more sick than any winter, though it seems to have spread faster with the quick onset of winter. I've given out the usual remedies.”

“Ofbradh?”

Vitus spread his hands in a defeated gesture. “He drooled quite often and suffered weakness. Food turned his stomach. Terrible pains rent his body. I knew not what to do for him, sire. The worst came when he began having visions after the children died. He claimed Váli ordered him to set an attack on you. Revenge for your pride.”

“So I've heard. What disease would cause such symptoms, healer?” Hella rubbed his hand through his beard.

“No common malady, Your Grace. A poison perhaps?” Vitus flinched. His gaze skittered to Ofbradh's body. “It is my belief that's why his mind and body failed, though I have no idea what it might have been.”

“Would that I had Ealasaid here to advise about poisons.”

Erik snickered, but sobered when Hella glared.

Hella's jaw worked as he stared at the healer. “Who prepared his meals?”

“The same thralls who have always served him. One has taken to her bed, last I heard, near her time to deliver, but the rest are the same. They acquired no additional help.”

“Indeed.” Hella's gaze shifted back to Ofbradh's body. “Tend the wounded. Him, first.” He nodded at Eoghann. “I need him.”

Dread formed a lump in Eoghann's stomach. He waved the healer away. “It's naught but a bump on the head. I can tend whatever task you need, Your Grace.”

“Very good. I have a special duty for you, brother.”

The anxious feeling burned sour. “Anything.”

“I need you to rescue my wife and son.”

Chapter Nine

“Idunna.” Someone shook her shoulder.

She cracked her eyes and stifled a yawn. When her vision cleared, her heart leaped. Happy tears flooded her eyes as she reached for Eoghann. “You're home.”

His clothes reeked of smoke and sweat, his face bore the grime of battle and travel, but he seemed well enough. No obvious bandages swathed him.

He pressed his finger to her lips. “You must dress quickly. I have to rouse Ealasaid and Birgir. We must flee the settlement.”

For a moment, it seemed as though the air had been pulled from her lungs.
The king...
“Is it Hella?”

“He's in Ofan yet. On his command, I rode here to take you, my sister and the boy to safety. Someone's poisoned Ofbradh, though he died on Nefr's blade. The old jarl's sons and daughters are dead as well. It isn't safe for Ealasaid and Birgir in Solstad until Hella learns who harmed Ofbradh.”

“He sent you alone?”

Eoghann drew back, the pain of the question on his face. “I am her brother. The boy's uncle...your husband. You think I escaped to snatch you three from
vikingr
grasp?”

“How can we leave Solstad without a queen when her husband is gone? What will people think? They'll say she ran from Hella—”

“It doesn't matter now. The only important thing is keeping her and Birgir alive. You wouldn't have me leave them to die, would you? I've no plans to run away, to tell her stories of Hella's defeat or make her think she's a widow. If I knew of another way to make it seem as though I'm not a cowardly dog stealing Solstad’s citizens in the night, I would employ it.”

“I—” What was she to think? He came cloaked in darkness with a story of murder. Alone.

“
Someone
means to hurt them. I would slit my own throat before I allowed it. No matter how many years we spent apart, I love Ealasaid. Her son is my nephew, my kin. Nothing shall befall them while I'm alive to prevent it.” He rose. “I swore to Hella in blood that I would keep his family safe.” He thrust his palm at her. In the soft light of the fire, a scabbed cut sliced across his palm. His gaze burned into her, part sadness, part anger. “Come if you wish, stay if you do not. Please don't raise an alarm. It will endanger them further.”

She reached for his hand, caught it, and tugged at him. “I mean no harm to your honor. If you say Hella sent you, I believe it. Forgive me.”

His face softened a fraction. “Then dress and be quick. Bring nothing but what is absolutely necessary. We ride light and fast. Meet us in the courtyard. I'll saddle horses for the trip.”

Not all of the ice had gone from his voice, but she thanked the gods that he didn't turn her away after her questions. There wasn't time to think of a way to make it up to him now. It would have to come later.

She slid from bed, shivering beneath her gown while he departed. Surely he meant her to include spare clothing for both of them, for what if they got wet along the way? She dressed and packed with haste. The sack she stuffed with clothes bulged, banging her leg with every step she took.

What of provisions? Had he thought of medicines in case of injury or illness? Or had he lost his mind the way she originally feared? This wasn't the reunion she had hoped for. Twelve days gone, she'd thought he'd return in daylight, victorious over Ofbradh. A race from their home had never occurred to her.

She stood shivering in the shadows while she hugged the sack close to her chest with one hand and held her mantle closed with the other. The cold stung her cheeks. She strained to hear footsteps or whispers. Getting Birgir from his bed this time of night might prove difficult.

The long silence stretched until she wondered if she'd been dreaming. Her husband's touch had seemed real enough, but...perhaps she missed him so much she'd conjured a strange dream of him in her mind.

Shoes scraped over the ground and a muffled curse shot out of Ealasaid's mouth when she tripped. “Out of the way, Rifa.”

“Careful,” Eoghann whispered. “And keep the hounds quiet. This way. Stay with Idunna while I fetch the horses. Not a sound, you understand?”

“Fulla's a baby. How can she help it if she fusses?” Ealasaid sounded weary. “What madness is a ride through the dark. We're as likely to be killed now as in our beds from poisoning.”

“Be quiet and stay here,” Eoghann hissed. His footsteps faded.

“Ealasaid?” Idunna made her way to them. “I'm sorry for this. Perhaps it
is
madness.”

Under the silvery light of a three-quarter moon, Ealasaid cradled Fulla to her breast and shook her head. “Nay, I'm irritated to wake to Eoghann instead of Hella. It's not the homecoming I envisioned.”

“Me either.” She paused. “Do you believe his story?”

“Murder among the jarls? It's all too common. Make Ofbradh suffer visions, order him to kill Hella and bring down Solstad...it's not as far-fetched as it seems. I only hope Hella discovered the trouble in time.”

“Are we going to die, Ma?” Birgir stood close to his mother. His breath came out in a long white plume.

Ealasaid rested her hand on his head. “Your da's ensured our lives by trusting your uncle. Don't fret. Be brave, boy. You know Eoghann loves you as his own.”

“Yes, Ma.” He studied the baby in her arms. “It's awfully cold out for Fulla. Is she warm enough?”

“I've wrapped her in three blankets. It's a wonder she's not crying already.” Ealasaid gazed down at the baby. “Don't worry for her either. Soon this will be settled and we'll be back in our beds.”

“I hope so.” Birgir wrapped his arms around himself and tucked his hands beneath his arms.

In the distance, a light burned in a window. Eoghann had struck flint to light a torch to get the horses ready. At least, she hoped it was him.

The night silence grated her nerves. What if some enemy waited for them beyond the safety of Solstad's boundaries? “Did he say where he planned to take us?”

Ealasaid shook her head. “No. Poor Eoghann. He must be exhausted after riding straight here from Ofan. To start another journey with no rest. He's limping too, did you see? The gods only know what he's been through to get here in such a short amount of time.”

Idunna squeezed the clothing bag tighter. She hadn't seen any sign of injury on him. Suspicion and fear caused her to overlook such matters.

Dark colored horses led by her husband materialized out of the gloom. “Skjótr's too old to make this journey, Birgir. You'll have to ride one of the bigger horses.”

“Is it tame enough?” Ealasaid squinted at the horses.

“I'll watch him closely. It's the gelding Erland sometimes rides. He has a special touch with horses. It shouldn't harm Birgir.” Eoghann offered his hand to the boy. “I'll help you up.”

As soon as Birgir was seated, Eoghann attended Ealasaid, holding the baby while his sister climbed into the saddle. When she took Fulla again, he turned to Idunna.

“Do you need my help?”

“Hold the horse while I mount. I've ridden before. There's no reason to worry.” She could have accepted his offer, let him touch her, but his manner suggested he hadn't yet forgiven her for their earlier exchange.

Clutching the reins, he waited for her to climb up.

She tangled her skirt about her feet before she reached the stirrup. The animal was taller than most of the horses she'd ridden and with the lack of light, she missed the metal foot hold the first time. When she stumbled, Eoghann reached out to catch her.

“I'm fine,” she said, pulling back from his grasp.

“We need to go.”

Her second attempt saw her into the saddle. The ground appeared far away, but she took the reins, pleased. Worry quickly stomped the other feeling.

Eoghann mounted, then pointed his horse toward the road. The others followed. They remained at a walk until they reached a well shadowed dip in the path.

“We'll need to travel faster in order to cover more ground. Don't push them to run, it's unsafe, but a trot will do. Ealasaid, should I carry Fulla?”

“No, I've a bolt of cloth that will serve as a sling if you'll help me with it.” She passed the child to Idunna. “It won't take a moment and I'll have both arms free if I need them.”

“Pray you won't.” He tied the cloth around her neck, then helped her get one arm through it. “Let's hope she keeps warm enough. It will be daylight before we can risk a fire. There may be trouble along the road.”

They moved again, down the road between fallow fields where no cover kept them from any watching eyes. The wind stirred the fallen leaves and the horses snorted and stamped, but there was little other noise.

“Where are we going?” Birgir's teeth chattered through the question.

“A place no one will know us.” Eoghann's shoulders slumped and he sounded weary.

“Don't tease, Uncle.”

Eoghann sighed. “Suibhne. It's a long ride. Save your strength.”

Stunned silence followed his words.

“You can't mean it.” Ealasaid rode beside him. “What's there? Ruins, Hella says. Nothing more. What will we do for shelter and food?”

“Trade with the Scots. There's a band of them along the river. You'd best hope they're slow and lazy due to winter, with no desire to fight.”

“Trade what?” Idunna closed in on his other side. “We've got nothing to barter with.”

Eoghann shook his cloak. From inside, something jangled merrily. “We won't starve. Freeze, perhaps, but there will be food anyhow.”

“I don't wish to go there.” Ealasaid drew her horse to a stop. “How can you take us to that place?”

“Ma, I've dreamed of seeing it,” Birgir said. “We can't go home, so we should go there.”

“Hold your tongue, Birgir.” Ealasaid's voice softened when she spoke to him.

Eoghann tightened his hold on the reins. “It's our only hope.”

“We could stay among our allies. Go to one of the other settlements. None of the others have complained of attacks. There is nothing at Suibhne but ghosts.” Ealasaid shook her head. “I refuse. As your queen, you must respect my wishes.”

“Your king commands otherwise.” Eoghann glared at her. “When he comes to claim you, you can use that sharp tongue of yours to flay him for all I care. If Hella says take them to Suibhne, I cannot refuse.”

Idunna remained quiet. She knew little of the place. Only that it had been abandoned after the Bloody Raven's attack.

“Was Suibhne your idea or his?” Ealasaid stared at him, her gaze intense. “I cannot imagine Hella suggesting it.”

“Mine,” Eoghann admitted. “If you'd seen the wasted, stinking body of Ofbradh, you would not question the issue. What was done to him ruined his mind. Whoever poisoned him did not pause to consider his children either. He wiped out Ofbradh's line, do you understand? He would do the same to Hella's.”

Ealasaid stiffened, one arm wrapped tight around Fulla in the sling. “We'll need a goat to feed the baby.” She nudged her horse with her heels and led the way down the road.

What would they find in Suibhne? Idunna shivered inside her cloak.

* * * *

They stopped in a clearing at daybreak. Eoghann built a fire, then tended the horses. Idunna sat close to the flames, warming her stiff hands.

Birgir and Ealasaid walked together, stretching their legs and talking softly. Worried for Hella, no doubt, and the state of things in Solstad.

When Eoghann approached the fire again, he thumped down on the ground, rested his elbow on his bent knee, and settled his chin on his palm. A scabbed knot peeked from beneath his hair. Dark half-moons shadowed his eyes and weariness etched lines on his face.

“That wound needs tending,” she said.

“It needs a good night's rest, though I have no idea where to find one.” He didn't look away from the dancing flames. “It's nothing to waste time on.”

She shifted, folding her legs up beneath her skirt and hugging them. “Taking care of yourself isn't a waste of time. We'd be in trouble if you suddenly died.”

“Don't you know, Kentigerns don't die easily.” A faint smile touched his lips. “Hardy stock, all of us.”

He'd had more sisters than Ealasaid once. Another brother besides Diarmaid. What had become of them? Were they going to visit the very ground where his family had bled and died? The idea of it could no more please him than it did her.

“There's bread in the sack tied to my saddle. Stale, I'm sure, but it should comfort a growling stomach for a while.” He rose to fetch it.

“I could try to snare a rabbit. Fulla's whimpering and bread won't fill her. If we made broth from the bones, it would keep her fed until we reach the Scot village.”

“I have twine to set the snare. Take Birgir. It will keep him from worrying. I see the trouble on his face.” Eoghann passed her the bread and the rope. “Unless you prefer me to do it.”

“I can kill and cook a hare.” Her pride stung. Assuming she caught one, of course. Hunger demanded her to be strong enough to do all three things.

“Don't wander far. There might be strangers about.”

The forest was quiet. Not even birds made more than a few cautious chirps this morning. “We'll be fine, Eoghann.”