by Susan Wright
“How do you know that?” Jens asked incredulously.
“Don’t ask,” Silveta retorted. “But she’s been right so far.”
Jens gave us both a sharp look, then moved a few columns to one side so he could see through the gate. “There’re too many crafts between us and your longship to see.”
“How can we get another boat?” Lexander asked, impatiently. “Even a small one would do.”
“You’ll have to take mine,” Jens decided. “I use it on the flats to dig for clams.”
Silveta put her hands on his arm. “But then your father will know you helped us escape.”
“They may not realize it’s gone,” Jens countered. “And it matters little if they do. I think it’s wrong to force you to marry that brigand.”
“What will your father do to you?” Silveta exclaimed.
“It won’t be nearly as bad as what would happen to you.”
Silveta looked at him wordlessly. I could tell she was worried about him. But Jens was looking more manly by the moment in my eyes.
“What will you do?” Jens asked her.
“I’ll raise a warband,” Silveta said tightly. “I’ve sworn blood vengeance on Birgir. He will not take Markland. Not while I live.”
Jens straightened his shoulders, echoing her pose. “I’ll help you, Silveta. I can’t sit by and watch this happen.”
“No!” Silveta protested. “You can’t go with us.”
Lexander added, “Your father would search for us as fiercely as Birgir. He would think we kidnapped you.”
Jens looked deflated. “I don’t want to bring you more trouble.”
Silveta squeezed his arm. “You’ve saved us, Jens. I’ll never forget that.”
“We’re not safe yet,” Lexander pointed out. “Let’s get on with this.”
Silveta and I prepared to act the role of doxies, snuggling in close to them. I felt a rush of pleasure as Lexander’s strong arm went around me. As we passed between the guards, I realized that they were far more concerned with those entering the bastion rather than leaving. Indeed, the most attention we got was an appraising glance from the guard who was carving. Likely doxies had to pleasure the guards to get back inside.
Jens took us down the main dock. There were many oarsmen in the boats, sleeping or waiting for orders to depart. Jens turned off into one of the side jetties. His boat was pulled onto a ramp along with others of a similar size. The three of us would be crowded in it, but there was a short sail mast that could be raised. With only two oars, one man could handle the boat.
Lexander helped him slide the flat-bottomed boat into the water. Jens held the stern while Lexander and I climbed in. Silveta gave Jens a brief hug, murmuring something to him that I couldn’t hear. But it made Jens straighten his shoulders and nod firmly as he pushed us away. I hoped he would not suffer too much if it was discovered he had helped us. Niall would be enraged when he found out I was gone.
Lexander dipped the oars in quietly, and we pulled away from the island. Soon, there was blackness all around except for the sheen of the waves. I dipped my wounded hand into the salt water and hissed in pain. The direct contact with the sea spirits pulsed through my body. They applauded my sacrifice and our escape and took the dried remnants of blood for themselves.
“Go south,” Silveta ordered. “I must convince my family to help me.”
Lexander pulled hard as we bobbed on the water like a cork. The sea felt very different in such a small boat. Even in the bay, the waves rose higher than our heads. The moon had set, but regardless I knew we were not heading south.
“You can return to your family if you insist,” Lexander told her. “But I will not set foot on their land. They have colluded with Birgir.”
She put her hands to her face and her shoulders began to shake. I knew how helpless I would feel if my da had done such a thing. He had sold me, but only with my consent.
My mam must also be suffering from the sacrifice she had made with me. I let myself flow into the sea spirits, and conveyed my satisfaction in seeing the lights on the towers of the bastion disappear into the distance. The sea spirits let my mam hear me, and her own relief flowed back. I would never know if we had worked a miracle together, but she had indeed stood beside me in my darkest hour. It was no wonder Silveta cried, knowing her family had abandoned her.
I reached out and touched Silveta’s shoulder to offer comfort. When she finally managed to look up, I knew that she would survive even this.
The rowing seemed not to wind Lexander at all. “None of Viinland’s chieftains or magnates will aid you now that the overlord has declared himself for Birgir. Do you have allies in Kebec?”
“No,” Silveta admitted with a sniff. “And their envoy seemed fair taken with Birgir at midsummer. Perhaps I could buy the bonds of fighting men in one of the larger cities . . .”
Likely she would need a large bag of coins to do that. I glanced back at Lexander. What did he intend to do?
“For now,” he said, as if reading my mind, “we need to get far away from Hop. Perhaps to the upper reaches of Viinland—Furdustrand or Djarney. You may be able to negotiate a trade there.”
“Djarney!” I exclaimed. “We could go to the Sigurdssons. Remember, Silveta? Gudren told me to contact him if I ever needed help.”
Lexander broke his rhythm. “You mean the merchants?” At my nod, he asked, “How do you know the Sigurdssons, Marja?”
I turned to face him. “Gudren saved me in Brianda, after my coins were stolen. He took me to live in Djarney for nearly a moon until we came to Tillfallvik for the midsummer celebration.”
“So that’s where you were. Basking in luxury with a trade prince.”
I could tell he was amused. “I had trouble getting away from them. They’re kind people.”
“The Sigurdssons are very attached to Marja,” Silveta agreed thoughtfully.
Lexander continued rowing. “This boat is too small to handle the ocean. We’ll have to take the back way through the Straumsey Bay.”
“What about narrows?” Silveta asked.
“I’m sure we’ll manage. It will be safer than the ocean because it’s the most unlikely direction for us to take.”
It began to rain shortly before sunrise. But with the morning breeze, the sail of our little boat skimmed us past the woody islands in the bay. I slept deeply, depleted from my sacrifice. My hand throbbed dreadfully whenever I awoke, heating my body and making me feel dazed.
Silveta and Lexander were always talking, trying to plan how she could pay for armed men and boats. They also strategized on how best to attack the estate and its weaknesses. Mostly I heard Silveta’s growing desperation and Lexander’s distrust of every idea she proposed. Surely he would not risk us falling into Birgir’s hands again.
We reached the innermost end of Straumsey Bay when the squalls were finally breaking off. Despite the cloud cover, I knew the sun was directly overhead. It took only a few coins for Lexander to buy the use of a cart and donkey to haul the small boat across the narrows, the neck of Furdustrand. On the other side was the Nauga Sea. When we stood on the northern shore, we were directly across the strait from Fjardemano. The island was a flat smear in the distance. Vidaris was at the northern tip.
I felt as if I had come full circle. Indeed, we soon were sailing briskly past Brianda. The busy port town filling the river valley looked so peaceful from our boat. But I knew what it was really like to be alone on those streets.
Lexander rowed without ceasing even when the wind blew hard. I was used to seeing my da work the forge, so I knew it was a remarkable display of strength. Even seasoned oarsmen rotated in rest. But despite his efforts, it was full dark before we passed through the channel that separated the peninsula of Furdustrand from the island of Djarney. In the sheltered harbor between the two lands, the familiar manicured lawns of the Sigurdssons’ estate appeared.
The warehouses were closed down for the night and most of the oarsmen had gone away. On
ly a few loitered in ships or lay on the dock. Nobody paid attention as Lexander moored our small boat. Likely they thought we were independent traders, come to dicker with the merchants.
An olf appeared as soon I stepped onto shore. It was spinning with excitement. Apparently Silveta was big news among the olfs. It wasn’t long before we were surrounded by them.
I led Lexander and Silveta through the estate to Gudren and Alga’s house. I was ready to walk boldly inside, but Silveta and Lexander both urged caution. They believed it possible that Gudren could betray us to the overlord if he thought it profitable enough. I wanted to dismiss the suggestion, but then again, I had been fooled into thinking Jedvard would treat us fairly because of the olfs’ approbation.
So we waited near the house, hidden behind a woodpile, to catch Gudren as he returned from the night-meal. Alga was with him, of course. I met them at the door and greeted them both quietly.
It took only a moment for them to recognize me. Gudren hugged me so tightly that my ribs creaked. Alga seemed near bursting with her smile, refusing to let go of my arm. “We heard what happened in Tillfallvik. The chieftain dead! Where have you been?”
“In Hop.” They were so genuinely glad to see me that I knew I could trust them. I called out Silveta and Lexander.
Gudren was instantly wary. He had not been that way with me. He gave a respectful bow to Silveta. “We heard that you were to marry Birgir, freya. Tillfallvik is under siege, but my last boat got away with most of the goods we were due.”
“I will never marry that beast,” Silveta insisted, as if she was tired of having to tell everyone. “Can you help me hire the warriors I need to oust him from my estate?”
Alga shrewdly pointed out, “You won’t find many men prepared to defy the overlord. It’s said that Markland has petitioned to join the commonwealth of Viinland.”
“Surely your trade agreements with Markland would suffer in that case,” Silveta countered. “Birgir gives too much to the overlord.”
“Goodwill with the leader of Viinland is far more valuable to us,” Gudren said flatly.
“Then you can’t help me find the men I need to fight?” Silveta cried.
“I am not a warlord, freya. Such men are not at my disposal. And I cannot risk the wrath of the overlord to finance such a scheme. It is too much to ask.”
Alga nodded righteously next to him, obviously concerned for her family. “Who would back you against the overlord?”
“Then I must go elsewhere,” Silveta said faintly. “To the Auldland, if no one here will lift a finger to support my rights.”
Gudren nodded. “I’ve a knaar leaving tomorrow for Gronland with a load of spars. You are welcome to journey with them.”
Silveta blinked a few times, as if she hadn’t thought it through. “Could I find warriors in Gronland?”
“Birgir and his men were not the only ones to be ousted by the conqueror,” Gudren reminded her. “Surely there are other warriors who fled Danelaw and have settled on the northern islands. They could be eager for new ventures.”
There was silence for a moment as Silveta considered the possibility of finding hardened warriors who were dissatisfied with the icy islands of the north.
Lexander quietly reminded her, “If there are no warriors there, Silveta, you may find a better life far away from this war that has started in Markland. I do not think Birgir will be so easily defeated now that the overlord has a vested interest in seeing him become chieftain.”
Silveta shook her head impatiently. “I have declared a blood vengeance against him. I will not rest until he is destroyed.”
Gudren and Alga saw there was little more they could say to her. Despite their best interests, they were very generous to us. They brought us into their home and gave us plenty of hot food, which Alga fetched herself. They even dismissed their servant for the evening so there would be no idle talk of our arrival.
When Alga saw my wounded hand, she bustled around me, cleaning and bandaging it. I knew it could endanger them if it was known they had helped Silveta, so I said, “I’m sorry if my coming here brings you trouble. I didn’t know where else to go.”
Alga shrugged it off and gave me a hug. “I have thought of you often and wondered how you fared. Now you must stay here where you belong! Let Silveta fight this hopeless battle. You are foolish to take such a risk with her.”
I gave her a kiss. “I am too deeply involved, Alga. The overlord will be looking for me as well as Silveta, I’ve no doubt.”
I explained how I had helped Silveta escape, and the personal stake that Niall had in retrieving me. Alga was even more concerned. I could tell she longed to keep me safe in their estate.
Then I realized that Lexander was watching us. He noticed every time Gudren or Alga touched me or spoke to me. He saw how familiar I was with their ways.
When Alga asked me to come up to their loft, I obeyed. It didn’t occur to me to decline anything she or Gudren asked of me. As I followed her up the stairs, Lexander stood up.
I hesitated, glancing back down at him. I belonged to Lexander. It was ultimately his choice whether or not I was intimate with Gudren and Alga.
His mouth opened as if to speak, his brow drawn in concern. Then he gained control of himself, and his remote mask fell into place. It was familiar from my training, when he had watched me pleasure one of the other slaves. I never knew whether he got enjoyment from it or not.
Lexander turned back to the fire.
Alga was waiting at the door. She was watching Silveta to see if she would protest, believing I belonged to the chieftain’s wife rather than Lexander. But Silveta didn’t even notice where I was going, much less care.
When I entered the room, Gudren was waiting for us. They both hugged me close as if they had thought they would never see me again. It took my breath away.
“Stay with us,” Gudren urged, holding each of us in his massive arms. “Alga says you worry about the danger you bring us. But surely ’tis only Silveta that the overlord cares about.”
Once again they were prepared to keep me here. The gilded cage was pleasant, but I had to confess, “Lexander is my master. I was going to meet him when I was stranded in Brianda. He told me to stay with Silveta until he returned for me.”
They were astonished. Alga exclaimed, “Why didn’t you tell us before?”
“He ordered me not to reveal that I was a pleasure slave.”
Gudren laughed. “It was clear to me from the moment I met you. So this man is your master . . . I believe I’ve heard of him. Of a place called Vidaris.”
“Yes, but it must not be spoken of,” I begged them. “We are both in grave peril if it is known.”
Alga pressed her body against mine, hugging me close. “We would not say a word, my darling. And do not be afraid. We will take care of you.”
I took pleasure from them that night, caressing and kissing them until we weren’t sure where one left off and another began. It had never been so good between us, and it seemed their desire had sharpened from missing me. Gudren had not been aggressive before, but now he was enthralled. His goal was to please me, as I had pleased him so many times before.
Alga was equally passionate, but that was her charm. Her soft, insistent body was everything I had longed for in Helanas—powerful yet tender, self-assured and true. She had always reminded me of Lexander, and never more so than now, when she took me as she wanted.
I realized that night how much I cared about them both. It drove my fear of Birgir and even my pain about Lexander away, until I finally slept nestled in the soft blankets in their bed.
Sixteen
The next morning when Gudren had left us, Alga announced, “Once the other two have sailed, I’ll take you around to see everyone. They will be thrilled that you’ve returned to us.”
I was surprised and could not speak to contradict her. But Alga was so confident of herself that she didn’t notice. Instead she clucked disapprovingly at the rough rags I had been wea
ring. She opened an iron-bound chest and pulled out a pretty dress of light wool dyed deep green to match my eyes. The bodice would fit my waist perfectly when she tightened the laces.
“I dipped the wool for you right before we left for Tillfallvik,” she confided.
Alga then helped me bathe and dressed my hair in a crown of braids like her own. She chattered on about everything that had happened on the Sigurdssons’ estate since I had left. “The blueberries will soon be ready to be picked. You’ll like that, I know.”
“But Lexander—” I tried to say.
Alga made a face and waved her hand as if that were unimportant. “He is busy helping Silveta. I’m sure Gudren will be able to work something out with him so you can stay. He would pay anything your master demands.”
I wondered if her prediction were true, especially when Lexander didn’t so much as look at me when I came down. I was disappointed because he had never seen me dressed so well, but he seemed preoccupied by other matters. Perhaps Silveta was his main concern now.
Gudren called Lexander to their loft before the morning meal. Silveta was eager to get to the docks and on our way. But I was in a panic wondering what Lexander would do. He had promised to never send me away from him again, but the gods were unpredictable.
Alga finally came down in tears. “He refuses to sell you to us!”
My heart leaped. I was so relieved that Lexander would not let me go. Alga saw it, and she was hurt. “He is cold and beastly,” she declared. “Gudren swore he would not let him sail on our ships because of it.”
“You have already been more than generous,” I assured her.
Alga pouted. “Why don’t you want to stay? Don’t you care about us?”
“You know I do.” I put my arms around her. “You have both been magnificent. But I’m not meant to live in one place, Alga. I was born to flit around like a bird. Can’t you feel that in me?”
