The king’s expression was sombre. Astrid felt a twinge of apprehension and directed a quizzical look at Ragnhild. Her friend lost no time in explaining.
‘Hakke isn’t here, Astrid.’
‘No, curse him,’ said Halfdan. ‘When he realised he was heavily outnumbered he slipped away in the confusion. We went after him but some of his men had horses waiting nearby; a second string. I should have foreseen that.’
‘Easy to be wise after the event,’ replied Leif.
‘Since we’d left our own mounts back in the wood the fugitives had a head start. The man’s more slippery than a greasy weasel.’
‘But far more treacherous, my lord. We need to put him under ground.’
‘I have men out looking for him now.’
‘He’ll be heading for his ship. The coast is only a few miles off.’
‘My thought exactly.’
‘With your leave I’ll take my own force and join the pursuit.’
Halfdan nodded. ‘Do it; and may the All-Father bring you better luck.’
Leif bowed to Ragnhild and Astrid and then bade them a brief courteous farewell. With that he turned and strode away. As she watched his retreating figure, Astrid experienced an unwonted sensation of regret, knowing she wouldn’t forget him. He, on the other hand, being bound upon his quest, would already have dismissed her from his mind. Not that it mattered. They were unlikely to meet again. Drawing her mantle closer, she followed Halfdan and Ragnhild towards the waiting horses.
* * *
Leif and his companions reached the coast in time to see the ship heading towards the open sea. Anger mingled with frustration, emotions he was not alone in feeling, to judge from the flinty expressions around him.
‘Hakke will return to his lair and lick his wounds awhile,’ said Finn, ‘but he’ll be back.’
‘And in force, no doubt,’ added Erik.
‘Well, there’s nothing we can do about it now,’ replied Thorvald.
The others were silent, each man inwardly acknowledging the truth of that statement. They had ridden hard, sparing neither themselves nor their mounts, only for this. Leif restrained the urge to curse, knowing it would serve no purpose.
Eventually Finn glanced his way. ‘It’ll be dark soon. What do you want to do?’
‘We’ll make camp here tonight.’
‘I was hoping you’d say that. My stomach thinks my throat’s been cut.’
‘Looks like Hakke’s crewmen were before us,’ said Erik, eyeing the charred remains of a fire on the strand beyond. ‘He really had every eventuality covered, didn’t he?’
Thorvald followed his gaze. ‘They were certainly waiting awhile. They’ve even left us some wood.’
‘Thoughtful to the last,’ replied Finn.
‘No, they probably pissed on it before they left.’
In spite of himself Leif grinned. ‘Most like. Even if they didn’t it won’t be enough to keep a fire alight for more than half an hour.’ He turned to the others. ‘Aun, Harek, Bjarni, Ingolf and Trygg—start looking for some more wood. The rest will take care of the horses.’
As the men moved to obey he went down to inspect the abandoned campsite. Contrary to suspicion the remaining firewood was dry. However, when he tested an ember in the makeshift hearth it was barely warm. They were going to have to start again. Brushing a smear of soot from his fingers, he straightened and went off in search of kindling.
* * *
Within an hour they had another fire going and a pile of wood to feed it. The company settled down to eat, breaking out cold rations from the saddlebags. However, conversation was muted, the result of fatigue and disappointment that their quarry had escaped and, once a guard detail was organised, most of the men elected to turn in.
However, although he was tired, Leif found sleep elusive. Hakke’s escape was a serious blow, and likely to have far-reaching ramifications. It might have been prevented had it not been for the need to safeguard the women. He sighed, knowing the thought unjust. They were not to blame and certainly did not deserve to be left to Hakke’s mercy. Lady Ragnhild was an acknowledged beauty, daughter of a jarl and a queen in the making. However, it was not she who lingered in his thoughts.
He couldn’t have said exactly why Astrid should have left a deeper impression. True she was pretty, yet he’d seen other young women as fair; women who had tried much harder to please. He smiled, but its mockery was directed inwards. He couldn’t detect anything remotely flirtatious in her manner. On the contrary, he suspected that her gratitude towards him was in no way influenced by liking. Nor could he entirely blame her. She had been courteous: he had been...abrupt. The subject of marriage was one he avoided when possible since he found it impossible to be impartial. Such discussions always awoke his cynicism, but then, he had nothing to go on except personal experience. Nevertheless, it occurred to him that, since Halfdan’s marriage to Ragnhild was a foregone conclusion, both he and Astrid would be bidden to the feast. That aspect at least was not displeasing. Perhaps he could make amends...
The idea gave him pause. His contact with women in recent years was about money for favours rendered. Astrid fell outside that category which made things potentially tricky. It surprised him that he should even want to see her again: usually his female acquaintances didn’t linger in the mind. The fact that she had might be due in part to the circumstances of their meeting. In part. There was something about her that he couldn’t quite explain, some quality that drew him in spite of himself. Her presence at the feast would make the occasion more interesting and, he decided, much more enjoyable.
Chapter Two
Lady Ragnhild’s marriage to King Halfdan was a splendid affair attended by music and feasting. Both bride and groom looked blissfully happy and had eyes only for each other. Astrid, looking on, thought that was how it ought to be, even though it rarely was. Too often marriages were made without any thought for the personal inclination of the participants. It made her glad for Ragnhild. So fair and kind a lady deserved the love of a good man. Halfdan would treat her well. Having almost lost her, he would know how to value what he had.
The only thing to mar events was the news of Hakke’s escape to Vingulmark, the seat of his power. He still had strong support there, including that of her uncle. A wily politician, he must be gnashing his teeth over recent events, as must the prince. Robbed of a bride and defeated in battle, his anger would be great indeed. He would seek revenge for that, and for his brothers’ deaths. Hysing and Helsing might have fallen in battle but their passing was the excuse that would fuel another uprising, sooner or later. Unless Halfdan pre-empted it...
‘You seem preoccupied,’ said a voice behind her, ‘though I have no expectation that your thoughts were of me.’
Her pulse quickened as she turned to see Leif at her shoulder. The chainmail byrnie was gone now, along with the dirt and gore of battle, and he was clad in a tunic of dark green wool richly embroidered with gold thread at the neck and wrist where the linen of his shirt was just visible. Round his neck he wore an amulet in the likeness of Thor’s hammer. The tooled leather belt round his waist held a fine dagger. He was altogether a most imposing figure.
‘No, they weren’t,’ she confessed.
‘I am crushed.’
She laughed. ‘It would take more than that to crush you, my lord. However, I am sorry to have dashed your hopes.’
‘I’m not convinced that you are sorry.’
‘In truth, not very,’ she replied, ‘but I didn’t want to hurt your feelings as well.’
His eyes gleamed. ‘I suppose I asked for that.’
‘I was thinking about Prince Hakke and what he might do next. I feel sure we have not heard the last of him.’
‘I’m afraid you’re right.’
‘Will he be able to raise another army?’
‘I’m sure he’d like to but, in reality, I think it unlikely. King Gandalf’s force took a hammering at Eid. The survivors will not seek another confrontat
ion with Halfdan if it can be avoided.’
‘So we’re safe.’
‘I wouldn’t go that far; at least not while Hakke lives.’
‘It was unfortunate that he managed to escape.’
‘Yes, most unfortunate.’
Astrid’s eyes widened a little. ‘I did not mean to imply blame.’
His lips twitched. ‘I am relieved. I should not like you to think less of me.’
‘Oh, I could not think less of you.’ As soon as the words were out she winced inwardly, wondering if her tongue had suddenly become disconnected from her brain. She hurried on, ‘What I meant was that I could never be induced to think less of you, because of the great service you have rendered my mistress and me.’
He eyed her askance. ‘I am relieved.’
Astrid could hardly fail to miss the note of irony and wondered if he were really offended.
‘Forgive me. I expressed myself badly.’
‘My pride will doubtless recover—in a month or two.’
Unable to help it, she smiled. ‘Oh, I think it will be much sooner than that, my lord.’
The smile was both mischievous and unwittingly beguiling, like the look in those big violet eyes. All at once Leif found himself staring, realising that she was a lot more than pretty. Intelligent too. It was a rare combination. Perhaps that was why she aroused his curiosity. He took two cups of mead from a passing servant and handed Astrid one.
‘Tell me how you came to be into the queen’s service.’
‘My uncle placed me in her father’s household five years ago. Sigurd Hjort was an ally back then. It was an advantageous situation for me, given my mistress’s connections. She and I subsequently became good friends.’
‘Your uncle?’
‘He is my guardian now. My father died some years ago.’ She sighed. ‘My uncle was ever an ambitious man and it suited him to have a foothold in two camps.’
‘Two camps?’
‘Vestfold and Vingulmark.’
‘I see. Well, he isn’t the first man to hedge his bets thus.’
‘No. In any case I was glad to be out of the way. He is not an easy man to be around.’
‘Do I know him?’
‘Possibly. He is Jarl Einar of Ringerike.’
Leif’s cup paused in mid-air. He had miscalculated; he had supposed her to be of good birth, though possibly a poor relation placed in an advantageous situation. He could never have guessed that her family was among the foremost in Vestfold.
‘An influential man,’ he said.
‘He has influence,’ she agreed, ‘and wealth, and yet it seems the more he has the more he wants.’
‘It’s a common complaint.’
‘So I believe. At all events he holds jealously to what is his. Most of his lands lie just beyond the territory ceded to King Halfdan. Tensions remain high in the region.’
‘I know it. I too have lands there.’
‘You have?’
‘They were granted by the king in recognition of my family’s service to him.’
‘I see.’
‘It makes us near neighbours in that sense.’
‘I have not returned there since and have no wish to do so. Nor do I share my uncle’s political sympathies. My loyalty is to Queen Ragnhild.’
‘That’s understandable in the circumstances, but it may not be an easy position to maintain.’
‘By that I suppose you mean that I am technically still in my uncle’s control.’
‘Just so.’
‘He is too busy to concern himself with me. He resembles my late father in that respect. Only sons were of real interest.’
‘But daughters are useful for strengthening alliances. Nieces too.’
It was the bald truth and unwelcome withal. ‘I’ll cross that bridge when I reach it.’
‘Does the thought displease you?’
‘In principle, no. However, much would depend upon the man.’
‘Of course.’
‘Are you married, my lord?’
His expression changed. ‘No, I’m not married.’
Astrid was aware of having made a false step, and that he might have interpreted it to mean that she had an ulterior motive in finding out. Mortified, she retracted hurriedly. ‘I didn’t mean that the way it sounded. It was said out of curiosity alone.’
‘It is no matter.’ He paused. ‘As it happens I did have a wife at one time but the marriage was not a success and it ended a year later.’ To say that it was not a success was a massive understatement, he thought, and the mere mention of it threatened to curdle the wine in his stomach. The spectres of the past were best left alone.
Divorce was not uncommon but she could well imagine that it wouldn’t be easy either. ‘That is unfortunate.’ She paused. ‘Do you have any children?’
‘Not any more. My son died in infancy.’
Gods, this was getting worse. ‘I’m so sorry.’
‘It was long ago. Now I follow the whale road.’
‘The call of adventure?’
‘Something like that. At all events it suits me well. I shall not take another wife.’
The reply was lightly spoken but it also held a warning, one she would do well to heed. At the same time, and for reasons she could not explain, it saddened her too.
‘However,’ he continued, ‘that does not mean I am incapable of enjoying the company of a beautiful woman.’
‘I’m sure you must have known many such.’
‘Some.’ He paused, surveying her steadily. ‘What of you? Are you betrothed?’
‘No.’
‘Why not? There can have been no lack of suitors.’
There were several answers she might have given, all concerned with deep inner reservations and each more complicated than the last. Instead she sought refuge in evasion. ‘My uncle has more important matters on his mind.’
‘He is remiss.’
‘Perhaps he is holding out for a king, and I shall make as splendid a match as my mistress.’
Although the tone was flippant, she wouldn’t have put such a notion past her uncle. Indeed she wouldn’t have put anything past him.
Leif’s eyes gleamed. ‘What king in his right mind would refuse such an offer?’
‘Kings marry for political advantage. I fear I cannot offer any such.’
‘Kings are still men. Leaving politics aside, it seems to me that you have much to offer.’
Astrid swallowed a mouthful of mead. This conversation was straying into dangerous territory again. ‘You exaggerate my appeal there.’
‘I was speaking for myself.’
‘I regret that I can offer nothing, my lord.’ And particularly not to one who was clearly not over the loss of his wife and had just said he had no intention of remarrying.
‘Not so.’
Before she could reply, another man appeared at his shoulder. Facially he bore a startling resemblance to Leif, although his hair was a little darker. They were much of a height too. Evidently good looks ran in the family.
The newcomer acknowledged her with a bow and then murmured something to Leif. She saw him frown.
‘Pray excuse me for a moment.’
Relief washed over her. ‘By all means.’
As the two stepped aside for private speech, Astrid saw the opportunity to extricate herself and took it, slipping away into the crowd of revellers. The tenor of the recent conversation had left her in no doubt that it was a wise move. Leif was both handsome and charismatic, a dangerous combination and one that had not failed in its allure since she knew perfectly well that she wasn’t indifferent to him. It was also quite clear that what he sought was a little light amusement. She guessed that such a man would have plenty of willing takers too. However, she wasn’t going to be one of them.
* * *
When Leif turned round a minute or so later Astrid was gone. Swiftly he scanned the crowd but could discern no trace of her. At once he was conscious of both disappointment and regret
. After the recent conversation he did not suppose it had been done on purpose to increase his interest. All the same, it had, and to a degree that surprised him. However, it was evident that she would not fall easily into his arms either. This evading action was an unwitting challenge, and one that would be met.
‘Pretty girl,’ said Finn. ‘Who is she?’
‘The queen’s companion.’
‘Thor’s teeth, she is out of the usual field. Are you sure you know what you’re doing?’
‘I always know what I’m doing.’
‘Even so, it’s dangerous ground, Brother. You risk getting burned.’
‘I’m grateful for your concern, but you of all people should know that your fears are unfounded.’
‘It’s because I’ve been through the same mill that I mention them.’
Leif returned a wry smile. ‘I know.’
‘Someone has to watch your back.’
‘There’s no one I’d rather have at my back. However, this challenge I handle alone.’
‘Ah, like that, is it?’
‘It is.’
‘Well, well. She has lit a fire under you, hasn’t she?’
‘Mind your own business.’
Finn merely laughed. ‘I take that to mean yes, then.’ As he eyed Leif his expression grew speculative. ‘Never tell me the lady is proof against your good looks and charm. I won’t believe it.’
‘She likes me well enough, although she doesn’t know it yet.’
‘I have every confidence in your powers of persuasion. In the meantime, there are other, more willing subjects present. The dark-haired beauty over there hasn’t taken her eyes off you all evening.’
Leif followed the direction of his brother’s gaze and located the woman in question. She returned an inviting smile. He studied her a second or two longer and then looked away.
‘I leave that one to you.’
‘Don’t say later that I didn’t offer you the chance.’
Finn left him and headed across the room. A few minutes later he was deep in conversation with the object of his attention. Leif watched them for a little while and then drank down the rest of his mead, wondering at his own behaviour. The dark beauty had been ripe for the taking, but he felt only indifference—even though, just a few days ago, he would have considered her worthy of his most assiduous attention. He turned away and went to look for another cup of mead.
Defiant in the Viking's Bed Page 2
