Beyond the Sea Mist

by Mary Gillgannon

  Magnus caught his breath. He couldn’t continue with this strategy. It would be easy for his three attackers to sit back and wait for him to tire, then move in for the kill.

  But it seemed that Bodolf couldn’t wait. He drove forward, sword raised. Magnus backed up, trying to get in position to press his own attack. The other two men moved to either side of him. As Magnus attempted to avoid their blades, Bodolf swung his sword and knocked Magnus’s weapon from his hand.

  Magnus froze. Three men surrounded him, all poised to make the killing thrust. At least I will go to Valhalla. I will have died as a warrior should. But even as he had the thought, a part of him screamed, I can’t leave Ailinn!

  He could feel his pulse pounding in his temple, the blood raging through his veins. Time seemed to stand still. What are they waiting for? he wondered. Why don’t they attack and end this thing?

  There was a sudden blur of movement behind Bodolf. As Magnus watched, the other man’s eyes widened and his body sagged forward. Bodolf staggered. The next moment, Magnus saw who had attacked him—Ailinn.

  The other two men also saw her. “It’s the witch!” one of them cried. “The witch who caused the storm.”

  They stared at Ailinn, who met their gaze with her usual cold, haughty expression. “Aye,” she said. “And if you don’t leave this place now, I’ll curse you as I did Croa. Your balls will wither and you’ll become weak and womanish.”

  One of the men muttered an oath and took off into the settlement. The other fellow held Ailinn’s gaze a few heartbeats longer, then also ran away. A second later, Bodolf lost his struggle to remain upright and collapsed on the dock, Ailinn’s dagger protruding from his back.

  Magnus felt an almost indescribable relief, but it was quickly replaced by anger. “Thor’s hammer, Ailinn, what a terrible risk you took! I told you to stay away!”

  “I wasn’t going to let them kill you!” she retorted, her eyes wild. In the light of dawn, they glowed a brilliant green-gold. Her voice softened. “Don’t you know I have no desire to live in this world without you?”

  Magnus took a steadying breath. “Nor I, you.” He moved to take her in his arms.

  “You’re bleeding!” she cried.

  “It’s nothing,” he muttered, burying his face in her hair. She still smelled of the herbs from her bath. He held her tightly, marveling at how a woman so finely and delicately made could act with such ferocity. She was a she-cat, elegant and beautiful and yet deadly to its prey.

  “Hurray for Magnus!” This time it was Asgar’s voice that rang out from behind them.

  “And hurray for Ailinn!” Magnus responded. “She’s the hero of this tale.” He smiled down at her, feeling as if he would explode with love and happiness.

  “Let us go back to the ship,” he said after hugging her some more.

  “What about him?” She gestured to Bodolf, who was still alive, moaning and writhing faintly.

  Magnus went to where the wounded man lay. He pulled out the dagger, then rolled the man over on his back. Blood bubbled from Bodolf’s mouth and his face was ashen. “Kill me,” he croaked. “I wish to die at the hand of a warrior.”

  Magnus nodded, and with a swift motion, cut Bodolf’s throat. In moments, his breathing stopped and his eyes grew blank.

  Magnus stared at the dead man, thinking how easily he could be the one lying there growing cold and stiff. If not for Ailinn, it would be him.

  * * *

  As soon as Magnus and Ailinn boarded the Dragonsbreath, they were immediately surrounded by the crew. “When Bodolf told us that you were dead, we thought he spoke the truth,” said Oleif. Several of the men nodded in agreement. “But Asgar and Bragi didn’t believe him.” He motioned to the two men. “They went into the settlement to find you.”

  Asgar took up the tale. “We went to the metalsmith’s shop and told Niall we were looking for you. He said he had no idea where you were. Since we didn’t know where else to search, we came back here. When Bodolf returned, we planned to deal with him ourselves.”

  “Aye,” Bragi interjected. "If he tried to board the Dragonsbreath, he was going to be in for an unpleasant surprise.” A cold smile spread across his face.

  “He has no claim to either ship,” said Asgar. “Other than what he could assert by force of arms.”

  Magnus nodded. It was relief to think these men had stood by him. “I suppose Niall didn’t tell you where I was because he wasn’t certain you could be trusted,” Magnus mused. “That was clever of him, to send you away and then send his servant to warn me.”

  “But why didn’t you stand up to Bodolf when he first tried to take control?” Ailinn demanded of the men. “Why didn’t you try to stop him then?”

  Magnus winced. Leave it to Ailinn to ask the tough, unpleasant questions.

  “We didn’t know if Bodolf spoke the truth or not,” retorted Asgar. “Under the circumstances, we saw no harm in letting Bodolf think he was in control. Since we outnumbered him and his allies, we knew we could eventually make our own decision regarding who would be captain.” Asgar puffed out his chest and glared at Ailinn.

  Bragi also confronted her angrily. “What would have been the point of standing up to Bodolf? Orm did so, and got wounded for his trouble.”

  “Where is Orm?” Magnus asked, glancing around. He thought he’d seen Orm on deck before he’d boarded the ship, but now he was nowhere around.

  “Orm started to turn sickly, so the women helped him back to the tent,” answered Esbjorn.

  “I must see him,” Magnus said.

  He and Ailinn made their way to the tent and found Orm inside, lying on a pallet. Brina knelt over him, while the other two women hovered nearby. Before Magnus could speak, Orm sat up and said, “I knew you weren’t dead. I knew that little worm wouldn’t be able to kill you.” His eyes flashed with contempt.

  Magnus pointed to Orm’s torso. “Let me see your wound.”

  “It’s not so bad,” said Orm.

  Brina spoke rapidly in Irish and pushed on Orm’s shoulder, as if trying to get him to lie down again. He shook his head at her. “It’s only a flesh wound. Nothing to fuss over.”

  “Let me see it,” Magnus repeated.

  “There’s no need,” Orm said.

  “Prove it to me.” Magnus made his voice stern.

  Orm pulled a face, but then lifted up his tunic to reveal a bandage around his torso.

  Observing the soft linen used to make the bandage, Magnus guessed it had probably come from Brina’s shift. Orm started to undo the bandage. Brina said something in Irish, and Orm let her unwrap the layers of fabric. The bottom strips were stained crimson with blood, but not a large amount.

  “See,” Orm said. “It’s hardly worth worrying over. I’ll be back to dicing and swiving in no time.” He shot an affectionate glance at Brina.

  Magnus stared hard at Orm’s stomach. The wound was fairly small, about the width of two fingers. It was also low enough to have avoided his lungs and enough to the side that it might have missed damaging his entrails. But if it putrefied, it could still kill him.

  Magnus glanced at Ailinn. “Do you know anything about healing potions?”

  “Some. But where would we find herbs and medicines in York?”

  “Niall the Metalsmith might know. He’s the man who arranged for the house. I’ll go and ask him.”

  “Nay!” Ailinn grasped his arm. “We should sail this day. The longer we stay here, the greater the likelihood that something else unfortunate will happen. Bodolf might have allies in the settlement, men who are looking for you. He might have promised them some sort of payment to kill you.”

  “What do you think?” Magnus asked Orm. “Do you think Bodolf had allies in the settlement?”

  “I don’t believe so. But you could ask Ketil for his opinion. I trust him.”

  Magnus nodded, then asked Orm, “By the way, what did you do with the rest of the silver?”

  Orm glanced at Ailinn and frowned.

&nbs
p; “It’s all right to speak in front of her,” Magnus said. “I’d trust Ailinn with my life. Indeed, I owe her my life. If not for her, I’d be the one lying dead on the dock.”

  Orm and Ailinn locked gazes, and for a moment, Magnus was reminded of two cats in a stare down.

  Finally, Orm broke off his gaze and said, “The bag is here, in the tent. I feared Bodolf might try to do something to the women, and I thought this way I would be able to defend both them and the silver.” He gave Brina another fond look. She smiled back, although her expression was edged with worry.

  “I’m surprised Bodolf didn’t search the ship for the silver,” said Magnus. “I told him you’d taken it into the settlement. I think that’s why he didn’t order the crews to set sail yesterday. He didn’t want to leave without the silver.”

  Orm’s eyes narrowed in hatred. “Conniving, greedy bastard.”

  Magnus nodded. “I can’t help wondering if there are other men among the crew who think to plot against me.”

  “They’re lackwits if they do. None of them can beat you in fair combat.”

  “Perhaps not. But I’m still vulnerable to a surprise attack. If Bodolf had known where to find me last night, I would be the one lying dead. If Niall the Metalsmith wasn’t an honest and decent man, I would likely have been killed while I slept.”

  Orm grunted, then a pang of distress crossed his features. Magnus felt a new wave of worry. Regardless of what Ailinn thought, he must go into the settlement and talk to Niall about finding a healer for Orm.

  Glancing up, Magnus saw that Ailinn, Brina and the other women were deep in conversation. Perhaps this would be a good time for him to talk to Orm about his decision to go to Ireland and help Ailinn regain her family’s lands. But he’d rather not do so with Ailinn around. He didn’t want to fan the flames of animosity between her and Orm by explaining his decision in her presence.

  He gestured to Brina. “I suspect Brina hasn’t left Orm’s side the whole night. Perhaps she would like to leave the tent and stretch her legs.”

  Ailinn met his gaze, as if trying to guess his intentions. Then she nodded. “If you will promise to watch over Orm, I think I can convince Brina to leave the tent for a time.” She spoke to Brina in Irish, and a moment later, the two women left the shelter.

  Now there were only Gormlaith and Ullach remaining, and Magnus didn’t think they knew enough Norse to understand much of what was being said.

  Orm cocked his head and regarded Magnus questioningly. “What is it that you want to say to me? I can tell there’s something on your mind. You look even more serious than usual.” When Magnus hesitated, trying to think how best to explain things, Orm jerked his head toward the tent flap. “I see you’re still keeping company with the princess. I was hoping by now you’d finally rid yourself of your longing for that haughty wench.”

  Magnus grew angry. “How can you speak so about her? She just saved my life! If she hadn’t stabbed Bodolf, my spirit would be on its way to Valhalla at this moment!”

  “I doubt that,” Orm retorted. “You’d have bested Bodolf somehow.”

  Magnus frowned with aggravation. “And his two companions as well? I’m a strong and cunning fighter, but I’m not a hero in a skald’s tale who can slay a dozen men at once. If not for Ailinn, I would be dead.”

  “But what sort of woman stabs a man in the back? She’s a bloodthirsty creature. I’d advise you not to trust her.”

  Magnus gave a short laugh. “It’s too late for that. I’m in love with her.”

  Orm shook his head. “You have strange taste in females, Magnus. I prefer my wenches sweet and biddable—and to wield nothing more deadly than sewing scissors!”

  “Ailinn wouldn’t please many men, I’ll agree. But she pleases me.” Magnus felt a smile form on his lips. Oh, how she had pleased him!

  Orm snorted. “You’re a lovesick dolt.”

  “As if you’re any better,” Magnus retorted. “Consider this,” he added, “if not for Ailinn, you and I would still be crewmen on Sigurd’s ship. Because of her I’ve acquired two fine ships and treasure beyond anything I could have dreamed of.”

  “It’s true. You’ve done well because of her...so far.” Orm’s tone was grudging. “But what will you do with her now?”

  Magnus felt his muscles tighten. What would Orm say when he learned he was about to risk everything he’d won to aid Ailinn in her quest for vengeance? “I’m taking her to Ireland.”

  “And then what? How will you keep her safe?”

  “By remaining at her side. I plan to help her win back her family’s lands and then make my home there.”

  Orm sat up again, his expression incredulous. “Are you certain you didn’t get struck on the head in your skirmish with Bodolf? You’ve the heard the tales about these Irish chieftains. They’re wild men. They kill over nothing. And if there’s land involved, they’re even more crazed. How do you think someone like you, who’s not of their race, will fare in such a conflict? You may be a mighty warrior, but you can’t prevail against some chieftain’s army.”

  “I’m hoping some of the crew will join me,” Magnus said. “And if I sell the rest of the metalwork, I should have enough to hire men that way.”

  “You expect the crew of the Dragonsbreath and the Seawolf to give up the sea and join in this foolish and dangerous scheme of yours?”

  “I think some of them might. We’ll be fighting for land, which is something they’ll never be able obtain otherwise. I think many men would have stayed in Norseland if there’d been land to farm. But there were no opportunities there, so we took to the sea. Now I see a chance to acquire territory in Ireland, which is said to be much richer and more bountiful than our homeland. It seems to me something worth risking my life over, and I think other men might think the same.”

  “But when it comes down to it, it’s the woman, isn’t it? You’ve agreed to fight for her family’s lands because you think it’s the only way you can keep her content.”

  Magnus knew that Orm’s words were true, and he felt no reason to deny them. What was the shame in loving a woman enough to want to help her realize her dreams? “Aye, I’m doing this for Ailinn. But everything I’ve done for Ailinn has ended up benefiting me so far.”

  Orm let out a sigh and shook his head. “I suppose you think I’ll agree to join you in this mad quest.”

  “The choice is yours, as it is every other man’s. I’ve decided to take the Dragonsbreath to Ireland. Those men who wish to continue as traders can have the Seawolf.”

  Orm sighed again. “I suppose I must decide whether I desire to be a seaman or a warrior.”

  But first, you must survive your wound, Magnus thought, observing Orm’s growing pallor and the sweat beading on his skin.

  Chapter 20

  Magnus glanced backwards, scanning the walkway. Although he was accompanied by the three crewmen he trusted the most—besides Orm—he still felt uneasy. Kvist and Hrut were still somewhere in York. What if they convinced other men to join them in an attempt to take over the ships and he and his companions encountered them here in the settlement?

  The thought made him quicken his pace. They were almost to Coppergate. As they passed the street where he’d bought Ailinn the cotton shift, Magnus knew a stab of regret. He’d hoped to take her to the weavers and have her pick out a new gown. It would be far too dangerous now.

  It hadn’t been easy to convince her stay behind. She seemed to think she could help protect him somehow. Of course, she had saved his life. But in that instance, she’d had the advantage of surprise. Here on the streets of the settlement she made too easy a target.

  They turned down Coppergate and Magnus saw the metalwork shop. He breathed a sigh of relief.

  Niall looked up from his work as Magnus entered the shop. “I wasn’t certain I would ever see you again.”

  “If not for your warning, I would be dead,” Magnus answered. “Thank you.”

  Niall nodded.

  Magnus gazed
at the metalsmith questioningly. “Not many men would have gone to the trouble to help a man who was almost a stranger.”

  Niall raised his pale brows. “I once had a woman I doted upon. She was brutalized and killed by men who sought to steal my wealth. Since then I’ve made it a point to be generous to those who care for something other than silver. Your devotion to your Irish lady impressed me. I didn’t like to think of her dying the way my Eavan had.”

  “Eavan? That sounds like an Irish name.”

  “Aye. She was a slave, brought to York when she was barely more than a child. I saw her in the marketplace and took her home.” Niall’s gaze grew distant. “She was the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen. Even now, when I’m working on a piece, I think of her grace and loveliness and try to recapture it.”

  Magnus felt a deep sympathy for this man. If he lost Ailinn, he would also grieve for her the rest of his life. “I have one more boon to ask of you,” Magnus said. “I’ve brought more metalwork. I’d like to exchange it for coin and hacksilver.”

  “For what purpose?”

  “I need the means to pay warriors. I’m going back to Ireland to fight for the lands that were stolen from my woman.”

  Niall considered this for a time. Then he said, “The Irish are a quarrelsome, greedy race, always fighting among themselves, and all too eager to sell their countrymen into slavery.”

  “Will you help me?” Magnus asked.

  “As much as I can. You’ve already sore depleted my supply of hacksilver, but I do have additional coin, some of it gold.”

  Magnus removed the amulets from their hiding place and the two daggers from the pouch on his belt and lay them on the worktable. Niall examined the pieces. “Fine stuff,” he said. “I’ve sometimes thought I’d like to go to Dublin to learn how to do this kind of work. The enamel and gold and silver inlay especially intrigue me.”