Islands in the Fog

by Jerry Autieri

  Runa's voice echoed off the cliff faces. A flock of birds shot into the air out of the trees as if irritated. Gunnar finally stopped laughing and stared silently at his mother.

  "We are doing something," Toki said, steadying his voice. "We are getting back to our plan. The storm delayed us."

  "Praise Thor it didn't kill us," quipped Halla. "This whole trip has been a fool's errand."

  Runa rounded on her. "Fool's errand? You little whore! We wouldn't be on this errand if you stayed at home like a proper daughter!"

  Halla staggered as if she had been punched, backing into Dana. Toki froze, not knowing how to calm two fighting women. But he knew his sister, once loosed, would not quiet easily.

  "Are you shocked? Yet you admit you wanted to escape marriage to Vermund. Toki was just a handy excuse. And now look at all that has brought to us. My husband is enslaved to your shit-eating father. I will gut that bastard myself and make you watch!"

  "Enough, Runa!" Toki had come to his limit. "Should we kill each other on this beach? Will that help Ulfrik? We are past the time for blame. But if you must blame anyone, then blame me. Strike me if you think that will help your husband. Go on!"

  Runa's face was clouded with fear, twisted with frustration, and red with anger. She barred her teeth like a wolf with a leg in a trap. Toki saw how the stress was turning her into someone else. She shrieked in frustration, then snapped for Gunnar to come to her. He trotted to her side, his head bowed as if he had done something wrong. Toki felt the worst for him. He had to see the adults in his life become scared and angry trolls.

  Runa yanked him up into her arms, gave Toki a scowl, then bounded back to the ship. Toki let out a long sigh, scanned the expressionless faces of the others, then turned to Halla. He stepped toward her, but she shook her head. "No, stay away." She put out her hand. "Just stay away from me and don't speak."

  He stopped, wavered and looked at the others. Gerdie and Einar boarded the ship while the other two drifted away. "Halla, I am sorry for my sister's words."

  "No!" She shook her head, then hugged Dana and started to cry. The slave gave Toki a confused look, as if she wanted to help.

  "Halla, listen to me. I cannot ask you to forgive or accept what my sister said. But her life has been hard. She was once dragged away into slavery, and Ulfrik saved her from that life. She fears the future, and fears that she will return to that slave's life, but this time bring her son into it with her. Try to understand.

  "I am being as patient as can, because I know how hard this is for you too. We are raising arms against your family. I get it. This is easy on no one."

  Halla began sobbing, shuddering as Dana awkwardly stroked her hair. Toki looked away, deciding he could do no more. "Bring her aboard when she is ready. We will find a small village to buy what we need and then go."

  Dana nodded and Toki left her with Halla wailing like a child.

  Toki skirted the large villages of More, fearful of sour luck turning worse by being named fugitives from High King Harald. So when he spotted the fat ocean-going trading ships and their sleeker escorts angling into a wide fjord, he did not follow as the fishermen had advised. Instead he bumped along the coast to find the smaller settlements he knew would be close.

  The mood on his ship was as taut as a sail in a storm. Runa and Halla brooded at opposite ends of the ship. Everyone else found something to engross themselves. No one made eye contact. Toki experienced the frustration as a knot in his chest and a lump in his throat. He hoped resupplying and returning to their mission would ease the tension. He strained to think of another way to soothe nerves but failed, lacking the tact and ingenuity of Ulfrik. Again he found himself wishing he shared his lord's talent with words.

  The coastline was flat and welcoming, unlike the brash cliffs of the Faereyjar. He eventually found a strip of beach where he saw ruts leading to the water. Men had launched small boats here and their homes would be near. A sparse woodlands of pines speckled the near distance.

  Once Raven's Talon was secured on the beach, Toki stretched and inhaled the fresh scent of the trees. "Now there's a fair scent, one I've not enjoyed in many years."

  Both Gerdie and Runa smiled, and Gunnar sucked the air into his nose with a snort. "It smells like wood."

  Toki laughed and patted Gunnar's shoulders. "Your mother and I grew up in a world filled with these trees. You've never seen one, have you now. Today you'll get to walk among them, even climb one if you like."

  Gunnar's face brightened and he peered toward the tree line. His excitement gave him an idea. "Halla, have you ever seen trees like these? You've never seen a forest before, am I right? You will enjoy walking in one." Halla remained aloof, staring at the distance. "Dana, do these trees remind you of home?" She nodded, looking as if she had been asked to jump into a fire.

  Seeing he would get no further, he shrugged. "We are better off trading here. We can get what we need, then be away before greedy men hear of a small group of travelers carrying gold. We should also offer a sacrifice here, to help with the rest of our journey."

  He scanned the faces and everyone seemed agreeable. Again he felt a momentary pang of emptiness for not having Ulfrik at hand to lead. Toki had always considered himself an able leader, until he found he had relied so often on Ulfrik that much of what he thought had been his own talent was borrowed.

  "Well, good, then we need to find the locals. There's a track leading through the woods, and probably enough homes nearby to get what little we need. Freshwater is never far here. We will be quick." Again more agreeable faces nodded, though Halla had already drifted to the back of the group and was watching the woods. "Right, so, well, then someone should stay with the ship, just in case."

  "Thrand and I will stay. One is not enough protection, but two men with swords will discourage opportunists." Njall patted his sword.

  Toki agreed and decided the rest would be under his care. So he picked a handful of silver bits from the box of treasure, and followed the path through the woods into a large clearing of six homes and their adjacent buildings. It was a peaceful scene Toki had long forgotten in the barren harshness of the northern islands. The slant-roofed homes were made of wood and thatch, and pleasant ribbons of hearth smoke flowed from the smoke holes. Chickens and pigs caroused in their pens. He had lived in a similar place for many years, but had long been removed. Seeing this place brought a smile to him.

  A dog began to bark, an unfriendly warning sound. This drew a man out of his home, an older man with a bent back and sparse hair. He jumped back at seeing Toki. But Toki, not finding a hazel branch, had instead prepared a thin branch of pine to signal peace. As soon as the man spotted them, he held the branch overhead and stopped walking.

  The dog continued to bark, and several others dashed outside, mostly all were women. Their men were likely at sea in the fishing boats Toki had seen in the gray distance before landing here. One younger man ran outside, a sheathed sword in his hand. He was tall, copper-haired and built like a man who used to be strong. He fixed his eyes instantly on Toki, who merely waved his branch and shouted, "Peace! We are lost travelers."

  He put the women and Einar behind him. The young man strode forward as the older man followed. Toki watched the sword anxiously, and was glad the man lowered it carelessly to his side. Toki kept his branch high as he walked forward to the men. They met halfway, and now Toki could see the dog barking. A square-built girl held it at bay with a rope.

  "Hail, friends. My name is Toki the Black." He manufactured the name on the spot. "My ship was lost at sea, sailing from Denmark. We sought Kaupang to do trade there."

  The copper-haired man laughed. "You are far off course, Toki the Black. You are traders? This is your crew?"

  "Most of the crew was lost at sea; their families survived." He lowered the pine branch. "Two more remain with my ship. We saw where you launch fishing boats, and I picked this place to land."

  The man smiled, but the older man frowned and rubbed his scraggly be
ard. Toki trusted their down-trodden appearance would convince the men to be hospitable. The old man, despite his distrusting looks, welcomed them.

  "It's a sad tale, but not an uncommon one. Living by the sea brings us these stories often enough. I am Isleif, and this is my son Sigvid. My other sons you will meet when they come home with their catches."

  Toki bowed low, offered the names of the others. Gunnar proudly proclaimed himself Ulfriksson, which made Runa smile but Toki wince. He knew he overreacted; Ulfrik was not so widely known or so pursued.

  They gathered into the main hall, swept in to a welcoming hearth with fat, square women tending the stew leftover from the morning. They welcomed Toki's group to be seated along the wall benches. The once-barking dog now ran among them, tail wagging and snout pushing into everyone's legs. Light from the open smoke hole placed a large square of white at the center of the hall, and it filled the rest of the single room hall with a pleasing glow.

  Isleif assured safety for their ship, and that the local Hersir who King Harald installed had eliminated banditry. "I don't much care for the high king's tax, but we are loyal to Jarl Rognvald. Been on these lands since Odin made the world with Ymir's flesh. So we do what we must to stay."

  Eager for news from the world, Isleif and Sigvid pressed for details. Toki had to invent more news, to cover his story. But somewhere he must have given a conflicting report, as he noticed Isleif and Sigvid exchanging confused glances. So he hurried his point. "Truth is we want to be back at sea as soon as we can and return to Denmark. We need supplies. Food mostly. There's little left to trade, but I carried some silver bits with me to buy food. If you can help us, I would appreciate it."

  "We can help," Isleif said without delay. "Silver is good in summer, so they say. Can't eat it or burn it in winter. But what is the rush? Certainly you want to refresh yourselves. Stay for a meal."

  "We couldn't impose like that. We are simple traders and must be gone soon. Families in Denmark must know their husbands are lost to the sea."

  "But yet their families are here," Isleif said, his face smiling but his voice carrying the accusation.

  "All right, I will be honest with you." Toki looked at Einar then Runa, and both nodded. The other women huddled together, frightened. "We come from the Faereyjar Islands. Our lord is enslaved there, and we seek fighting men to aid us in freeing him. But we were blown off course, and we do need supplies. The men we seek are far from here. I will pay generously for food fit for sea travel. Then we will be gone and never heard from again. I promise this is the truth."

  Isleif's face creased in a smile. "That hardly seems something worth lying about. But it sounds a good deal more like the truth. Most of what we can spare will last you at sea. But still you must at least eat one good meal. My wife and daughters should cook for the gods. And you should meet my other sons. Share your news with us. Fishermen can take your words far, and maybe bring more help to your cause. Plenty of men in these lands are looking for a good fight now that King Harald has conquered everything."

  "It's true," echoed Sigvid. "I know men willing to sail for the right price."

  "I can offer some silver upfront," Toki said. "But there is not much, and they would be fighting for a take in the spoils."

  "If the spoils are rich, then at least a few might be interested in joining."

  "He's speaking of himself," Isleif shouted. "He's long been a widower, and his last child died in winter. He's also useless in every way. Why not take him?"

  Toki's pulse quickened, excited to find potential crew. "There is gold in the north, and the enemy we face has captured much of it."

  "Good, I'll think on it. But stay for a meal. We will need time to arrange for your supplies."

  Toki scanned the others in the room. Runa seemed appeased to make some progress, while Halla and Dana seemed uninterested. "Then we will accept your offer of a meal. Such generosity is unexpected but much appreciated."

  They began to discuss the details of what Toki needed for the return journey. He liked Sigvid and Isleif. Their homes were simple communities, innocent of any concerns beyond making a living for their families. He hoped Sigvid would make good on his promise to persuade other men to join them. Toki felt like his luck had begun to turn.

  Halla kept away from the others, using Dana like a shield between her and Toki. She could not face him, not with what she planned.

  She was leaving at the earliest possible moment.

  Isleif's hall was overcrowded with his multitudes of family. Thrand and Njall had returned with other fishermen. Isleif summoned all his sons, daughters, grandchildren, and daughters-in-law. They all joined a raucous feast proclaimed as a welcome. Halla appreciated hot food again; after a few days of rations, even leather would taste sumptuous.

  Sigvid was loudly bragging of his old life, then inexplicably offered a toast to Toki. Halla was not interested in them. She only considered the exit an arm's length away. Unfortunately the door was shut or she could have already sneaked away. Dana pressed against her right side, while her left side hung at the edge of the bench. The table where the remains of dinner now lay locked them in place.

  "Lady Halla," she whispered. "You are not serious?"

  "I've already told you. There's a larger village to the north. The women say the jarl there is stern but fair. We just follow the road a short while."

  Dana remained silent, then crunched a chicken bone in her mouth. "It's dangerous to travel roads alone."

  "You will protect me." Halla had never seen Dana fight, but her father had insisted she was a good brawler. Thinking of her father summoned a wave of anxiety. This whole trip, everything was bent toward killing him. He was not a good man, she knew. He beat her mother, beat her, and treated them like possessions. But he was her only father. It felt wrong to be aiding people set on killing him, even if he had earned their hatred.

  "What about Lord Toki?" Dana asked. They both glanced at him with the mention of his name. He was laughing with Runa and Isleif.

  Halla's face crumpled to a frown. "His sister rules him, and his sister is a witch."

  "But don't you love him?"

  Halla elbowed Dana and she dropped her head in silence. Halla did love him, or had loved him. She no longer knew; everything had become overwhelming. He was a patient man, gentle with children, brave and smart. He had confident and strong features. But so much had happened. In his heart he must blame her for his troubles. He might say otherwise, but surely he knows none of this would have happened without her. One day that knowledge would turn against her. One day, he would drink too much, dream of all he could have done, and blame her. Then the beatings would begin and a life of misery ensue.

  She could not let that happen. Starting over elsewhere was her only hope for a better life.

  The sun set early in this land, so that by the end of their feasting twilight fell. She heard Toki informing Sigvid he would sail the next day.

  "Our hall is crowded," Sigvid said. "But you are welcome to sleep in the barn."

  Toki shook his head. "We should sleep with our ship. Thank you for the fine meal."

  As they returned to the ship, Toki attempted to speak with Halla. She limited herself to a few nods and no words. She dared not speak, fearing she would abandon her plan to leave. Toki gave up once they arrived at the ships, drawing a thin sigh of relief from her. Sigvid and Isleif, who had guided them, said farewell and promised to return at first light.

  Halla knew she had to flee this night, and shared a wide-eyed stare with Dana.

  They slept aboard the ship with the sail drawn over for cover. Each man would take watch. They had all drank too much and Halla expected they would fall asleep. She thought Einar looked the most hopeful, and he had the second watch after Toki.

  She lay curled on the deck as if asleep, Dana next to her. Halla marveled that her slave had actually fallen asleep. It seemed hours before Toki slipped aboard the ship and roused Einar for his turn. Halla waited longer still, then nudged Dana a
wake.

  They slipped off the ship one at a time. A bright moon filled the sky, spilling light onto the beach and the path leading back to Isleif's home. They lingered a moment, in case anyone heard them leaving. Only muffled snoring and the lapping of waves on the beach made any sound. Einar, as expected, lay asleep by a dying fire. The women slipped past him like two elves fleeing into the woods. Halla turned back once, staring at the covered ship. She felt her hand start to raise as if to say good-bye, and her eyes began to mist. Dana hissed at her, having gone ahead, and Halla spun around and followed her away.

  They found the track that the women of Isleif's home had promised. It was well-traveled and coiled through the purple gloom of the woods. Halla clung to Dana, who did not appear any braver than herself. But the two kept moving down the track, pausing at every hooting owl or snapping branch in the underbrush. Despite their delays, they found the outskirts of a large village before sunrise.

  The moonlight revealed silver rooftops of long houses and squat buildings. The track led straight into the heart of it, though Halla could not see where it ended. She guessed it must lead to the mead hall that poked above the other buildings. Deciding a nighttime arrival would invite trouble, Halla planned to wait until dawn before presenting herself to the jarl.

  They settled into the darkness beside the road. Halla felt crowded and overpowered by so many trees. Their branches looked like ugly claws and the pungent scent of them assailed her nostrils. She and Dana huddled together in silence, listening to crickets.

  "Lady Halla, what are you going to tell the jarl of this place?"

  "The truth. I am a jarl's daughter taken here against my will. I am fleeing those who took me here."

  Cricket song filled the gap. Halla looked at Dana, who was barely visible now that they were out of the moonlight. She could see a faint gleam on her forehead.