Blood of the Raven: An Epic Fantasy Adventure (The Lords of Alekka Book 3)

by A. E. Rayne

  Wanting to know more.

  Sigurd woke up late.

  He guessed it was late as his breakfast tray had been brought into the chamber while he slept, though rubbing his eyes with bound hands, he doubted he’d slept much at all.

  ‘The lord wants you well fed,’ said the grumbling guard, who eyed the tray with some envy as he unchained Sigurd from the bed, not yet having had his own breakfast.

  Sigurd could smell sausages, and he scrambled to his feet, dragging his chain to a small table, where he sat down, awkwardly helping himself to a cup of ale.

  The guard hovered near the table, watching him.

  ‘Are you joining me?’ Sigurd asked, peering up at the young man, who grumbled some more before turning away.

  Sigurd grabbed a cold sausage, wishing it was hot. He eyed the door as it opened and closed, hoping Raf wouldn’t try to see him again. Though he wanted to see her more than anything.

  He’d dreamed of Tulia and Ottby, but he’d woken up full of desire for Raf.

  Guilt rushed over him like freezing seawater, and he frowned, filling his cup with ale, grateful that Gudrum was such a generous lord. Though Sigurd worried about what lurked beneath that ruinous smile. Gudrum was always laughing and grinning and winking, seemingly full of good humour, rarely appearing cross. It unsettled him, for surely no lord could ever be that happy?

  He sat back with a sigh, quickly losing his appetite.

  Reinar was coming.

  With Hakon’s gold.

  He hoped Alys had a plan.

  They left the cottage early, leaving Arnon sound asleep.

  Alys had promised Solveigh that she would come and visit her, and after another night in Gudrum’s bed, she dreaded to think how miserable the poor woman would be.

  ‘Is it safe to go in there?’ Magnus wondered, eyes on the two bear statues guarding the hall. He glanced at the puppy who was trying to eat Lotta’s hair, wriggling in her arms. She giggled happily, and he smiled, despite the grey gloom of the morning and the constant fear of being killed by one of Gudrum’s ill-tempered men.

  They stopped at the bottom of the steps, Alys bending down to the children, trying to avoid Puddle’s tongue. ‘Yes, don’t worry, Mirella’s in there. And Gudrum wants Mirella’s help, so I doubt he’ll try to hurt us. It’s better to keep your dreamer happy, isn’t it? So just make sure to stay out of the way, and don’t look at any of those men. Or speak to them. Be invisible!’ Alys smiled brightly as she straightened up, though after her dream of Ottby, she felt unsettled, wanting to speak to Sigurd.

  ‘Keep that puppy quiet,’ Magnus warned as they headed up the steps. ‘Out of the way.’

  Lotta nodded, eyes down, not wanting to trip over.

  They entered the hall, relieved to see that it was almost empty.

  Bergit was in charge, shrill voice raised, ordering the servants about. Mirella stood by Greppa, who was talking to Gudrum about the ceremony.

  Alys didn’t understand the urgency for the wedding, though she quickly cleared her face of any confusion as Gudrum turned around.

  ‘Your beautiful family, Mirella!’ He was happy to see Alys, who was so pleasing to look at. ‘Have you come to help? We have a big day ahead of us!’ He noticed the children, and encouraging them closer, he patted the puppy. ‘You will come to the feast! You would like that, wouldn’t you? A big feast with more food than you’ve ever eaten in your lives!’

  Magnus looked almost excited by the thought of it, but remembering that Gudrum was a terrifying, murderous usurper, he nodded his head, keeping a solemn look on his face.

  Gudrum turned away, pleased to see Raf emerge from the corridor. ‘There you are! Been busy dreaming for me?’

  Raf stared at him with confusion in her eyes. She felt as though she’d been hibernating, her ears stuffed full of wool. ‘Dreaming?’ Her voice sounded distant and faint, and she blinked, trying to wake up. ‘No, not last night. I think it’s the first good sleep I’ve had in weeks.’ Though Gudrum didn’t look happy to hear it, and glancing around at the unfamiliar faces, Raf ducked her head, skirting them all to get to the fire.

  Gudrum stared after her, a concerned look on his face.

  ‘It takes time to master your dreams,’ Mirella said quietly, as though she was trying to be discreet. ‘She’s only a girl. What is she, twenty?’

  ‘Nineteen,’ Gudrum murmured. ‘Possibly.’

  ‘So young!’ Mirella smiled generously. ‘It’s too much to expect of her, though. Especially after what she did with Alari.’

  Alys spun around to her mother, wondering what she was up to.

  ‘Do you think I ask too much of her?’ Gudrum frowned, genuinely interested in Mirella’s opinion. ‘You were trained as a dreamer, then?’

  ‘In the Temple of Tuura itself.’

  Gudrum’s eyes widened, though he had only bad memories of his time in Osterland now.

  ‘The girl has obviously had no training, but I could help her,’ Mirella suggested delicately. ‘Show her how to care for herself? You simply cannot try and dream every night. You must rest, or else you’ll end up like that.’ And pointing at a yawning Raf, who had picked up a plate and was helping herself to the last of the breakfast spread with little enthusiasm, she cleared her face of any emotion.

  Gudrum’s brow furrowed further. ‘Help her, then. If you think you can? I found her in the forest a few years ago. She had no family, no tribe. She was just wandering, all alone.’

  ‘And she’s been with you ever since?’ Greppa asked, staring at the pretty young dreamer.

  Gudrum nodded. ‘I’ve kept her safe. There are many who want to steal a dreamer away, but she’s always been safe with me.’

  ‘Then I’ll help,’ Mirella decided. ‘I’ll talk to her, take her to my chamber. I’m sure I can find ways to help her be of greater use to you.’

  ‘Do it. Yes, do it!’ Gudrum declared, eager to be on his way. He turned to Greppa. ‘Do you have everything you need, Brother? Everything for the ceremony? For the feast?’

  Greppa was just as eager for Gudrum to go. He had plans to make with Mirella that most certainly didn’t include that hideous man. ‘I will go and speak to the lady. Mirella, will you come with me?’

  ‘Of course, and when I return, I’ll talk to your dreamer, my lord. But don’t worry, she has great talent, that is obvious. Now she just needs some knowledge.’

  Gudrum smiled at Mirella, sensing the difference a little more experience could make. ‘I’m not sure there’s another lord in Alekka with two dreamers!’ he announced loudly, frightening the sleeping puppy, who woke up, growling at him.

  Lotta panicked, and Magnus quickly moved his sister towards the corridor.

  ‘We’ll go to the kitchen!’ he called, hurrying away.

  Gudrum laughed, hearing that funny growl; it sounded as though the puppy was clucking like a chicken. ‘I’ll head to the wall, see my men. If you need anything, send word. I won’t be hard to find.’

  They all held their breaths, willing Gudrum to leave, and eventually, he did. Though he left behind enough warriors to keep them all on edge.

  Alys leaned towards Mirella, one eye on Raf. ‘What are you up to?’

  Mirella stiffened. ‘She’s working with Alari, that one.’

  ‘But she’s just a girl, like you said.’

  ‘A girl who’ll get us all killed if I don’t do something. You’ve seen the way she looks at me. At you too. Soon she’ll reveal that you’re a dreamer, and what will that mean for you, Alys? And what about Lotta? Do you think either of you are safe with her around?’

  Greppa’s eyes were wide with fear, darting between the women, then back to the table, where Raf had her head down, eating alone.

  Alys swallowed. ‘But what will you do?’

  ‘Nothing you need concern yourself with, and surely you have other things on your mind, like helping Reinar Vilander?’ Mirella smiled. ‘I imagine you can’t stop thinking about him.’

  Reinar had trekke
d back to the longhouse as dawn broke, frozen solid and eager to get on the road. It had taken some time and effort to rouse himself from his snowy bed, though the thought of a fire and something hot to eat eventually had him on his feet, stumbling through the snow.

  He left Bolli behind, barking at everyone, and being barked back at by Berger, and made his way into the house, where he was greeted by the hospitable farmer and his sons. They offered him porridge, drizzled with honey, and though Reinar felt a twinge of guilt, he took the bowl in numb hands with a grateful smile.

  After that was empty, and he’d gulped down two cups of goat’s milk, he took his leave, pleased when the farmer offered one of his sons to help them find their way to the city.

  His name was Benn, and his cheeks were as red as his hair as he led them away from the farmstead, raising a hand to his father, who was waving from the stables. ‘He’s called the Lord of the Murk.’ Benn was angry, horrified that Tarl Brava had been overthrown by a shit like Gudrum. ‘There was never a Lord of the Murk till he came along, though. He made it up! Lord of a forest? He just made it up!’

  Reinar nodded as he walked, only half-listening; Berger beside him, combing his moustache, not listening at all.

  ‘Well, now he’s a proper lord, from what I’ve heard, and he’s stolen my brother,’ Reinar said with some worry in his voice.

  ‘And where’s Lord Tarl?’ Benn wanted to know. ‘If Gudrum’s in the city, what’s happened to Lord Tarl?’

  Reinar shrugged, hoping he was dead.

  One less lord to worry about. One less problem for Ake too.

  Now he just needed to think of what to do about this Gudrum...

  Mind wandering as he followed Benn into the forest, Reinar started to wonder how much trouble he could actually cause his enemies.

  44

  They were tired.

  After such an arduous journey, they were bone-tired, but Jonas drove them on with a rasping bark, reminding them of what waited in Orvala. ‘Beds!’

  That was the most enticing proposition for their aching bodies and stiff necks, closely followed by fires and food and ale and dry boots and roofs and walls and chairs.

  ‘Beds!’ Ollo yelled back. ‘Beds with women just waiting for a cuddle!’

  ‘With you?’ Eddeth snorted. ‘Got a few coins, have you?’

  Vik laughed. ‘You don’t think Ollo could tempt you into his bed for a cuddle, Eddeth?’

  Both Eddeth and Ollo looked mortified, and Vik laughed some more.

  ‘My days of cuddling are long over!’ Eddeth boomed. ‘Not even my cat wants to cuddle me now!’ She saw flashes of Ottby again, and it worried her. She heard screaming voices in her ears too. Bjarni was there now, and that confused her, knowing that he was with Reinar.

  She closed her eyes, trying to see with more clarity what was really going on.

  ‘Eddeth?’ Aldo rode beside her, feeling worried. ‘You shouldn’t ride with your eyes closed.’

  ‘Eddeth!’ Jonas snapped, twisting around. ‘You can’t ride with your eyes closed, woman!’

  And proving them both right, Eddeth promptly fell off her horse.

  Ollo shook his head, farting loudly as Ludo jumped into the snow to help Eddeth back to her feet.

  ‘Quite right you are,’ Eddeth spluttered, spitting out a mouthful of snow. She shuddered, suddenly even colder, seeing flashes of Agnette screaming.

  ‘What?’ Ludo saw the horror in her eyes as he pulled her up. ‘Eddeth?’

  She swallowed, shaking her vision away. ‘I’m... ready to hurry along. Yes indeed, let’s hurry along!’

  Alys needed to go back to the shed and find Ragnahild.

  Though Ragnahild had shown her symbols to protect herself from her mother and Alari, she still had no plan to help Sigurd.

  It felt strange not to have Eddeth nattering in her ear, telling her what to do, shoving packets of who-knew-what into her hand. Eddeth may have insisted that she was Alys’ assistant, but Alys was beginning to realise that it was most certainly the other way around.

  She had taken the children to Mirella’s chamber, leaving Magnus to watch both his sister and her clucking puppy, and now she just needed to slip out of the hall without calling any attention to herself.

  A door creaked to her right, and Solveigh stepped out into the corridor.

  She looked terrible, her eyes sunken, her hair wild, still wearing a nightdress.

  Alys felt sorry for her, and hurrying forward, she slipped her hand into Solveigh’s. ‘Let me take you back inside. I’ll help you dress. It’s cold out here.’

  Solveigh didn’t even appear to know where she was, but she didn’t resist as Alys led her back into the chamber, shutting the door. The bed was a disturbed mess, and she looked away from it, remembering Slussfall and Hakon’s attempt at raping her; thinking of poor Ivan.

  ‘Help me,’ Solveigh pleaded, her voice barely louder than a whisper. She turned to Alys, tears flooding her eyes. ‘Help me.’

  Alys wrapped an arm around her, nodding. ‘I will, I will, don’t worry now. I’ll get you out of here, Solveigh, I promise. Away from all of them.’

  But Solveigh shook her head, yanking herself out of Alys’ embrace. ‘No, please, just kill me! Make it stop. Let it end. Please!’ And sobbing, she stumbled down onto the bed, head in her hands.

  Alys didn’t know what to say, but she heard her children’s laughter through the wall and kneeling down beside Solveigh, she whispered in her ear. ‘Your child. Think of the child you’re carrying. He will give you a reason to live again. A reason to hold on. I know it.’

  ‘Do you think I want Tarl’s child? Or his? Gudrum’s?’ Solveigh spat. ‘That I would want their children?’

  Alys’ feelings bubbled intensely. ‘I hate my children’s father. He’s... cruel.’ Teeth gritted, she blinked away tears. ‘He hurt me, threatened me, frightened me for years, but I knew that one day, if I just held on, something would change. And it did. One day, it did.’ She saw Reinar running down the beach with that crazed grin on his face; Arnon falling to the sand with the arrow in his chest. ‘I love my children.’ The laughter grew louder, and now the puppy was barking excitedly. ‘Their father means nothing to me, but they mean the whole world. They are worth all the pain, I promise. All the fear and terror and loathing. They’re worth all of it, Solveigh.’ She squeezed Solveigh’s hand, thinking of Reinar. ‘Let me help you. I’ll get you out of here, I promise. Just please, hold on. Something will change. It will.’

  The wedding was a distraction.

  Mirella couldn’t have been more delighted that Gudrum was a self-important idiot, too interested in furnishing himself with the trappings of a real lord to realise how fragile his position was.

  How temporary.

  Reinar Vilander’s imminent arrival was a distraction too, and it helped her and Greppa work quickly to put their plans into place. Everyone was so busy trying to please Gudrum and clear up both the streets and the hall, that no one paid any attention to them as they walked through the city, picking up items here and there. Making their own plans for the wedding feast.

  They didn’t speak, though. Not until they were back in Greppa’s chamber, which Mirella had warded with symbols too, not wanting Alari to find her way into Greppa’s very full mind.

  ‘He’s like a wild beast!’ Greppa spat when he’d shut the door, lips curling with distaste. ‘An uncouth animal! He hardly belongs here. In Orvala? No, a man like that should be sleeping in the forest with his fellow beasts!’ He hurried to the table, pouring wine into a goblet, lifting it to his hairless lips. ‘How could he think that Eutresia would wish for such a common man to remake Alekka again? As if that were possible?’

  Mirella smiled. ‘You must stop worrying about Eutresia, Greppa. Fix your mind on our most powerful enemy. Alari. She’s who we need to be thinking of now. That witch has beaten me. Humiliated me! I doubt she thinks much of Gudrum either, but his presence disrupts our plans, so in her mind, she has won.’

>   ‘For now.’

  ‘Agreed,’ Mirella murmured, eyes on the row of symbols running around Greppa’s door. She had sent two of Tarl’s most trusted men out of the city, searching for their lord, for although she could see him, she still couldn’t reach him. She had told the men everything Tarl needed to know about what was happening in the city, weaving protective spells around them, hoping to keep them safe. Though Mirella had no idea whether Alari was even interested in the game anymore. Perhaps she had grown bored now that her vengeance was complete?

  She hoped that was the case, not wanting the goddess to ruin her plans.

  ‘Tarl will return quickly,’ she whispered, suddenly doubting everything. But straightening her shoulders, she turned around to Greppa, seeking to project more confidence than she felt. ‘And in the meantime, Gudrum will be busy with his guests and terrorising Solveigh. You should go down to the hall, make yourself seen. Keep Gudrum’s mind on the importance of the gods in the ceremony. The importance of the sacrifice too. He seems to be seeking the gods’ favour, so foster it and encourage his compliance. And if you see that dreamer girl, send her to me. I wish to have a little talk with her.’

  Raf passed Sigurd’s door... slowly.

  So slowly that the guard cocked his head to one side, eyeing her suspiciously, and realising it, she hurried past him, down the corridor, turning abruptly, nearly tripping over a puppy.

  Bending down in surprise, she picked it up as two panting children came running down the corridor towards her. They pulled up in horror, eyes on the young woman, who they knew was Gudrum’s dreamer.

  She was stroking Puddle with a strange look in her big blue eyes.

  Lotta swallowed, panic in her own eyes.

  ‘I won’t hurt it,’ Raf assured her, stroking that thick brown fur. Its fluffy softness soothed her, and she smiled as the puppy squirmed in her arms, aiming his long tongue at her mouth. ‘Ewwww!’