by Susan Wright
I could not rest if there was something more I could do to help sway the Thule. So I turned to the olfs, as always. I walked far beyond the encampment, into the rolling ground pocked by puddles and blossomed into full flower. I felt the olfs more strongly here, much like the fens. I could also sense ice sprites dancing among the crystals underground.
I lost track of time in this light-filled world, listening to the ice sprites’ tales of the long dark winter of snow. No wonder the Thule sought to escape by going south for half the year. I knelt on the tender moss and closed my eyes, letting the surroundings sink into me. My anxiety kept interfering, snapping me back into myself. But I persisted and finally was accepted by the spirits of the place. It was soothing. My concerns melted away amidst the greater rhythms of life.
Then for some reason, my cousin Deidre came to mind. Her bright green eyes were much like the tiny-leafed plant that spread across the ground. But now she was dead, after being raped by Birgir’s men.
My eyes opened wide. I understood what the spirits were telling me. I had given the Skraelings a reason to help Silveta, but they must be inspired by passion to fight.
As I returned through the encampment, I pulled aside one of the younger men of Tulugaq. He had taken an interest in me before, but now that I had bedded Amaruq, he was truly fascinated. I flattered him about how comfortable I felt among them, my true people. Then I confessed how frightened I had been in Markland because Birgir encouraged his men to rape and kill, like they had done to my cousin Deidre.
The young man was appalled, yet he could not hear enough about the warlord’s terrible ways. There were one or two other youths I could confide in, so I kept back some details for their ears. That would get the talk flowing. Then I trusted the spirits would move them.
When I returned to the Tulugaq camp, Silveta had a circle of six elders, including Amaruq, seated on mats before her. A piece of old leather lay in the center, marked with black lines. Lexander had consulted maps regularly in Vidaris, planning his next voyage and keeping track of his finds. I had not understood them at first, but Lexander had shown me where Jarnby and Vidaris were, with the Nauga Sea between them. I had seen enough to know at a glance that this map was a rough outline of Helluland with the huge triangular island of Markland off the southern coast.
There were X marks along the northern shore of Markland, freshly made with a charcoal stick.
Silveta was frowning in concentration as an elder asked a question, pointing to the map, trying to pantomime the number of moons they could stay in their winter settlements. “Oh, Marja, thank the gods you’ve finally returned. You have to tell me what I’ve just agreed to.”
I knew from Amaruq’s satisfied expression that he had purposely negotiated with Silveta while I was not present. He wanted to observe Silveta without me around to instruct her.
“It looks from the map like you’ve agreed to give them ten winter settlements,” I said.
“Yes, for as long as needed for two generations,” she said.
I translated that to the Thule. A couple of elders sat back, clearly wishing the grant had been perpetual. But they had enough familiarity with Noromenn customs to understand that their contracts usually had limits.
Amaruq waited for any other questions. Most looked satisfied, but one elder complained, “It may be tempting, but can it be worth the lives of our men?”
“You can but ask them,” I said simply.
Another day passed as I continued to spread the tales of women who had been stolen from their families by Birgir’s men. When Silveta learned of my plan, she recounted all of the harrowing stories she had heard in Tillfallvik. Deidre’s fate had been shared by many others. I did not tell anyone that both Silveta and I had been raped by Birgir lest they think we simply sought revenge. We wanted more than that. We wanted to bring peace back to Markland.
Keelat set her jaw and left that evening to bed the widower. I thought there was something of pride in her behavior, to keep others from supposing that she stayed in Amaruq’s furs simply to prevent me from taking them. I followed Amaruq inside the tent at a glance from him. As soon as we were lying together, he pulled the supple snow-cat fur over our heads so we could whisper without being heard.
“You inflame the men with your talk of rape and slaughter,” he murmured. “Is not the freya’s promise of winter land enough to tempt us?”
“The Thule people care about justice and harmony,” I insisted. “Your men must know what they fight—an evil spirit as venomous as the one that stole Kinirniq’s soul.”
Amaruq considered my words. “You are passionate in all ways, pleasure slave. The spirits say you can be trusted.”
“Does that mean you’ll help us?”
“Perhaps.” He paused, and I knew he was not yet convinced. “Perhaps you desire more than to fulfill your pledge to the sun-haired woman.”
My hands clasped together tightly. Of course Amaruq knew me. I had opened myself to him, speaking with complete honesty to gain his trust. “ ’Tis true, I would like to have Lexander help us in this fight. He will understand how best to beat Birgir. And he can speak to you as Silveta cannot.”
“Ah, you seek your master.”
It was a delicate moment. “As you would seek Keelat if you were separated, would you not?”
“I would not make her presence a condition of our agreement.”
“Neither do I. Regardless of whether Lexander comes with us, Silveta will give you settlements for fighting for her. You asked what I desire, and I think it wise if Lexander assists us.”
In the charged silence, I ventured to stroke Amaruq’s chest lightly. Words were not enough. If he trusted me body to body, it could be sufficient to sway his decision.
But Amaruq would not relent. “Does your master love you?”
“Yes,” I said firmly. “We seem made for each other.”
Amaruq pulled me closer. “Tell me why you are so sure of that. What is special between you?”
I knew what Amaruq wanted—the details of our intimacy. That was the treasure I had to offer him. If he didn’t get it, he might not join with me. Without that, he would be much less likely to trust me.
“Lexander holds an infinite appeal for me,” I admitted. “Even this summer, when I met a couple who were truly kind and generous, I could not forget him. If I hadn’t longed for Lexander, I would have stayed with Gudren and Alga, for a while at least.”
“You bedded the man?” he guessed.
“Both of them, together and apart.” He was surprised at that, and I was glad to see that I had distracted him from Lexander. “I adored Alga. She was very dominant with me, but never was she mean or angry. Once I broke her favorite comb while I was dressing her hair. I felt awful about it, inconsolable, but she was as sweet as honey to me. Though it seems odd to think of it that way.”
“Tell me,” Amaruq urged.
I smiled at the memory. “Alga was laughing at my torment of guilt. I felt so clumsy and stupid. Then finally she said she had to punish me in order to make me feel better. She bent me over the table and pulled my skirts up to my waist. I was completely exposed. Then she struck my buttocks with her palm over and over again.” I wiggled remembering it. “She held me down at my waist, leaning on me. The smacks were hard enough to sting, but not truly hurt. The longer she went, the harder I could take it. The rhythm, the impact, felt so much like rutting, I was shocked!”
“Did she satisfy you?” he asked.
“Oh, yes, when I thought I could take it no more, she began kissing my tender, reddened skin. At first it stung even more, but soon it made the throbbing feel better. She spread my legs wide so she could lick me, holding my wrists against my thighs so I could not squirm away.”
Even now, I blushed to tell Amaruq. But my words inflamed him. He slid down under the furs, kissing my stomach down to my groin. He pleasured me as I had done him the first time. He already found me wet with desire, but he toyed with me for a long time, making me hiss wit
h suppressed cries.
Amaruq kissed and stroked me until I was in a frenzy. He was a virile man, as he proved again that night. He seemed intent on pleasing me. I had heard Keelat’s muffled exclamations at night, and knew she appreciated his newfound enthusiasm.
When we were through and Amaruq dozed off, I lay there wondering if he would agree to help us. I dreaded returning to Markland without Lexander’s protection. But I had to fulfill my promise to Silveta to help cast Birgir from my homeland.
The next day, word spread that the warriors would depart for the southern bay in two days and from there leave for Markland to fight for new winter lands.
Silveta could not believe it was true until the Thule lashed ten umiaks into shape and launched them in the narrow inlet. The boats bristled with weapons, more than I had seen even during the hunt. There were eighty men and a handful of youths. The clans remained in the encampment so the women and elders could finish curing the caribou hides.
Keelat was unhappy when Amaruq left with me. The elder had been chosen to lead the warriors. But she knew it was the first step to ridding herself of me completely. The nod of farewell we gave each other was respectful, befitting our understanding.
The narrow fork of the inlet flowed south in a steady silver line, wider than a river but much longer and narrower than a typical bay. The Thule expertly paddled their boats and we were swiftly sped away. Our faithful Markland olf who had followed us so far on our journey clung to the shafts of the spears, riding along merrily.
Silveta was uncomfortable as always in the Skraeling boats with their curved, wet bottoms. But I liked the small craft with the low sides that allowed me to trail my hand in the water. It gave me a stronger link with the sea spirits. The water was a mixture of fresh and salt, which gave a unique taste to their images. But in none of them could I see Lexander.
At first, we were surrounded by tundra, but as the inlet gradually opened up, the land around us began to change. Shrubs crowded the banks, then scraggly evergreens appeared. When we reached the southern bay, I could hardly see across the vast inland sea.
I was heartened despite the never-ending flies that swarmed into our faces, biting us mercilessly. My only fear was that Nerriviq had already departed with Lexander for Vidaris. It was late though still light when we finally arrived at the mouth of a great river that flowed into the southern bay.
As soon as my feet hit the ground, I wanted to set out in search of my master. We had to scramble up a steep incline to reach the encampment. It was much smaller, set on the top of a bluff to catch the wind and away from the dense undergrowth along the water where the flies swarmed. Silveta was also looking around, clearly doubting our purpose here.
Amaruq prevented me from leaving. “The man you seek will be brought here.”
The boats were soon converted into tents. Amaruq told Silveta and me to sit beside him, to wait for Nerriviq to appear. It was beginning to seem as if the elder would not come, and I worried myself into fidgeting. Amaruq noticed.
When Nerriviq finally appeared, his expression was set in annoyance. He must have been roused from his furs.
Lexander followed behind. I sat forward, drinking in the sight. He was worn and haggard, as I had never seen him before. The chain still ran from his collar to his wrist, forcing him to keep his arm bent. As he drew closer, I could see inflamed skin where the metal had rubbed against his flesh. Considering how quickly he healed, it was bad indeed.
I almost protested out loud, but Amaruq quelled me with a motion of his hand. I realized more than ever how necessary it was to please Amaruq.
Lexander was glad to see me, I could tell. But he didn’t try to speak to us. He sat to one side and slightly behind Nerriviq, just as we did with Amaruq. The elder explained Silveta’s offer to exchange winter settlements for a warband to quash Birgir. Lexander nodded thoughtfully at that, his eyes meeting mine in a flash of approval.
“The Vidaris man is necessary for our success,” Amaruq added. “He knows the weaknesses of our enemy.”
“He is our only hope of retrieving my granddaughter,” Nerriviq countered. “I care not for your quest for settlements.”
“The goal you seek is not far from ours. We will prosper in numbers.”
“What if he is killed in this battle of yours?” Nerriviq demanded.
Amaruq gestured to me. “Then this woman will take us to Vidaris. She was lately in the same evil place.”
Nerriviq examined me doubtfully. “She is not tainted?” he had to ask.
“Marja is sound, as you can see.”
Nerriviq kept looking at me, and I tried to act like I was in full possession of my wits. “We intended to leave soon for Viinland,” Nerriviq protested.
“Come with us to Markland first. You can win a winter settlement for your clan. Then we shall find your granddaughter and bring her back.”
Nerriviq nodded shortly. “We will consider your offer. But this man will stay with me. He owes my clan a debt of honor.”
I must have looked unhappy because Lexander gave me a slight shake of his head. I wanted nothing more than to rush into his arms and tend to him. But that was not to be.
Nerriviq stood up, tugging at Lexander’s chain. “You hear that? Do you agree to help us win this battle? Then we’ll fetch my granddaughter.”
“As you say,” Lexander responded, much as he had taught his slaves to reply. It saddened me to hear him so subdued.
Amaruq again put out his hand as if to stop me, this time touching me on the knee. It was a possessive gesture, and an intimate one for the Thule. No man would touch a woman’s leg unless he was bedding her.
Lexander saw it, and a flash of anger lit his eyes. Suddenly he looked much bigger, as if he were ready to explode. He clearly thought that I had been coerced. I sat there helplessly, unable to explain what had happened between me and Amaruq.
But I had to assure him somehow. I mouthed, “ ’Tis fine.”
Lexander hesitated, but at my nod, he managed to restrain himself and turned away. He must have been thinking of Niall and how I had urged him to leave, willing to take the abuse that would have surely followed.
As Lexander walked away with Nerriviq, my tears threatened to spill. We were so close to our goal, yet it felt as far away as ever.
Twenty-two
Silveta and I hardly fit inside the small tent that night with Amaruq and his men. The flies were so bad that we would have been eaten alive if we slept outside. Because of our close quarters, I didn’t share furs with the elder. I was glad of that, preoccupied as I was by the heartrending sight of Lexander.
In the wan light when we awoke, the other Thule clans shared their meal with us. When Nerriviq finally joined us, he brought nine men, the most warriors sent by any clan. Amaruq had brought only four of his kin, including his middle son, who was full grown.
Lexander, Silveta, and I were placed in different boats for our journey through the long inlet to the ocean. We traveled much faster than our journey inland, sailing past low stony hills that were draped with patches of evergreen cover. With eight men in each boat, they took turns sleeping, leaning against each other’s backs as they paddled late into the night.
I could only exchange glances with my master. I smiled in reassurance whenever I could. It was nearly impossible because the very sight of him pained me. It was not simply his strength that had been taxed, but his spirit as well. The demands of being a slave were wearing on him in countless ways, though he tried to conceal it.
On one of the few stops along the way, I managed to get close to Lexander. He put his unchained arm around me briefly. “I don’t want them to know how close we are,” he murmured. “They might take revenge on you.”
I grimaced. “I’ve told Amaruq that you’re my master.”
He shook his head. “No more. I would not own a slave after this to save my life. You are a freewoman, Marja.”
“But I belong to you,” I protested.
“I thought I could pr
otect you by being your master. I was afraid people would take advantage of you otherwise. But I see that is wrong. You are free to make your own choices, however you will.”
He hugged me openly, the chain wrapping around my shoulder. I lifted my face to kiss him. His lips were so warm and tender. I could hardly believe I now kissed him as a freewoman. It was a little frightening. Part of me wanted to beg him to remain my master. What were we now if not master and slave?
“Did they hurt you?” he whispered.
“No,” I assured him, hugging him tightly. “These people have treated me righteously, Lexander. They remind me of my mam.”
“Even a merciful slavery is heinous,” he retorted darkly.
Nerriviq appeared and ordered Lexander to return to their boat. He distrusted Lexander completely. Perhaps the Thule sensed his difference and felt the danger of having a godling in their midst. If Lexander did not have sympathy with their cause, he would not have remained bound. I had to be content knowing this was his choice of atonement, however difficult it was for both of us.
I smelled the open ocean long before we reached it; the salty breeze and smell of seabird colonies was unmistakable. The Thule stayed close to the coastline, paddling south just outside the breaking waves. The sun sank earlier every day. When it grew dark, the Thule returned to familiar coves where they could haul the umiaks out of the water. Without the terrible flies to bother us, we slept under the stars rolled in our furs, on ground that was finally firm. I was glad we didn’t have to squeeze into the small tent anymore.
The next evening, when we reached our final stop in Helluland, the fog shrouded the northern peninsula of Markland across the strait. But with one sight of the smudge of land, I heard the olfs beckoning. They had been waiting for us. Our faithful witness sped away to join them, ecstatic at having returned home at last.
