Astrid sighed. Suddenly she felt unutterably weary, wrung out physically and emotionally. Sleep would afford a welcome oblivion. Leif had not commanded her to stay up. The reed mat and blanket were lying on top of the chest across the room. She fetched them and settled herself by the fire.
* * *
When Leif returned some time later the fire was burning low and the room was still. He barred the door and then surveyed the scene in silence, listening to the sound of soft regular breathing from the figure on the floor. From the look of things Astrid had been asleep for a while.
He moved quietly past her and prepared himself for bed. However, sleep did not come easily, because his mind ran on an earlier conversation. It had haunted him all evening. Ale and good fellowship could not drive it out of his head. Nor could he forget the look in Astrid’s eyes or the accusation she had flung at him. You don’t want to believe... He sighed. The evidence of his senses had been so compelling and yet she had supplied a version of events that contradicted it spectacularly. At first the tale seemed merely fantastic but he had been unable to dismiss it since. Was it beyond belief that Einar and Hakke could have engineered such a deception? Was it beyond belief that they could have manipulated Astrid; that they could have forced her compliance in such a cruel way? Her uncle was ambitious: Hakke was ruthless and vengeful. He had lately been robbed of a bride and wanted retribution. Astrid’s allegiance was to Ragnhild, and to the king who had delivered them both; by extension, then, to all those involved in that rescue. Hakke was well aware of it. Did his vengeance include the punishment of women as well? Leif frowned. Given what he knew of the man it was altogether plausible. Suddenly former certainty was open to question. Was it possible for rage to cloud judgement so completely? Any scapegoat will serve as an excuse to vent your wrath and I am the most convenient. Was Astrid telling the truth? Doubt nagged like toothache.
* * *
He slept ill that night and woke early as grey dawn light was seeping through the darkness. Unable to lie abed any longer he rose and dressed. The room was chill now, the fire a bed of grey ash. Astrid was still asleep. Unwilling to disturb her, he silently unbarred the door and went out. For a while he paused just beyond the threshold, his gaze taking in the scene beyond. The waters of the fjord were black and still, the far shore lost in a bank of fog. Tendrils of mist curled about the trees. From somewhere among the branches a bird called.
For a while he listened, letting the cool air clear his head. Then, having made use of the privy, he returned. Astrid stirred a little but didn’t wake. The coverlet had slipped from her shoulder, revealing the fraying edges of the makeshift gown. One bare and dusty foot peeped from its lower edge. One hand was under her cheek; the other was reddened by work. As he looked he was forcibly reminded of a flower casually tossed into the dirt. It reinforced the impression of innocence and vulnerability. He frowned. Needing something to distract him from his thoughts, he began to remake the fire.
Astrid came slowly to consciousness amid a sensation of warmth and well-being. She smiled and opened her eyes, slowly taking in the details of the room in the early light. Then she turned towards the hearth. A cheerful fire was burning there. For a second or two she stared at it until its significance dawned and brought her to complete wakefulness with a jolt. Horrified, she sat up, looking around. A pile of firewood lay nearby. The pail by the door was now full of water. Her stomach lurched. She must have overslept and by some considerable time. Leif was going to be furious. He’d already given her one warning; this time her tardiness was likely to earn her a beating. The recollection of his strength made her quail inwardly. Scrambling to her feet, she hastily folded the blanket and had begun to roll up the reed mat when the door opened. Astrid froze.
Leif paused on the threshold, taking in the scene at a glance. Then he came in and closed the door behind him. She took a deep breath.
‘I’m sorry, my lord. I did not mean to lie abed so late.’
‘It is not late,’ he replied. ‘Rather I was up early.’
‘Oh.’
‘The rest are not stirring yet.’
‘But the fire...the water...’
‘I wanted something to do.’
She regarded him in astonishment. Nothing in his manner suggested imminent wrath; on the contrary, he looked quite relaxed. However, appearances could be deceptive. Half the time she never knew what he was thinking.
‘I’ll start cleaning right away.’
‘There’s no hurry. As I said, it’s early yet.’
‘What other tasks would you have me do today, my lord?’
He shook his head. ‘None.’
Astrid blinked. ‘None?’
‘Just see to it that the room is tidied as usual.’
‘Yes, my lord.’
Feeling somewhat confused, she fetched the broom from the corner and began to sweep. He watched her for a little while and then left her to it. Relief was so strong she could feel her knees sagging. She had no idea why he should have been so lenient but it was as welcome as it was unexpected. However, it wouldn’t pay to take his new-found good humour for granted, so she set to at once.
* * *
Leif strolled away, deep in thought. It had been impossible to miss Astrid’s consternation when she thought she’d overslept. It might have been amusing, except for the fleeting expression of fear he’d seen in her eyes. He sighed as the memory of a previous conversation returned. Evidently she had been expecting retribution, probably the beating he’d mentioned the previous day. He’d been angry then, made a threat which, in that instance, he had no intention of carrying out. Judging from her reaction, though, his performance had been totally convincing.
That raised another query in his mind: if he had been able to make her believe such a thing of him, was it not possible that her apparent betrayal of him had also been a convincing performance? Could he have got it so badly wrong? The more he thought about it the more the affirmative rose up to mock him. They’d have cut out your tongue...slit your nose. Now he was calmer he could well believe that. It would be typical of such men, and their plan was to break him. Astrid was not the culprit. It was just that he’d been so blinded by anger and resentment that he’d swallowed Hakke’s lies hook, line and sinker.
‘Beg pardon, my lord...’
Torvald’s voice roused him from thought and he looked up quickly. ‘What is it?’
‘The men were wondering how long we’re to remain on the island. We have enough supplies for a few more days but after that we’ll need more. Then there’s the matter of Hakke.’
Leif nodded. ‘I hadn’t forgotten. We’ll leave for Agder today. There we’ll have everything we need and be well placed to gather reinforcements.’
‘As you say, my lord.’ Torvald paused. ‘Do you want me to tell the men?’
‘No, I’ll speak to them myself. Get everyone together.’
Now that the decision was made, Leif felt better. The island was a useful temporary refuge but the need to move on was pressing now. The sooner they reached Agder the sooner he could put his plans into action. Next time he met Hakke it would be with a sword in his hand. That day would be his foe’s last. In the meantime, there was the matter of Astrid, and that was far more problematic.
Chapter Twelve
Astrid wandered to the door. Having put the room to rights she wondered how she was going to fill the rest of the day. However, as she reached the threshold she stared in surprise: the isle was buzzing with activity like an overturned beehive. Voices filled the air and men strode past carrying their sea chests. Disquiet replaced her former mood. They were evidently going somewhere and for quite a while by the look of things. Was she to go with them or was she to be left here? Either possibility gave rise to concern, but the second was worse.
She didn’t have long to wonder, because a couple of minutes later Leif returned. Under her bemused gaze he fastened on his sword belt and handed her his shield and spear.
‘Bring these to the sh
ip.’ When she had taken them he picked up the wooden chest. ‘I’ll come back for the rest of my war gear.’
Astrid followed him to the jetty, looking on as the men stowed their possessions, the sea chests carefully placed to provide makeshift benches for the rowers. Leif handed his chest to a companion on board and then, having relieved Astrid of the shield and the spear, handed those over too. Instructing her to wait, he returned for the rest of his things. She stepped aside to avoid obstructing the others, all the while conscious of the glances that came her way. Glances in which speculation mingled with curiosity and amusement. It was evident that they regarded her as Leif’s property, his slave, his whore. That was bad enough; worse was the thought that his intended revenge might take a different form from the one she had anticipated. If he left her here...
A few minutes later he was back with the rest of his things. When they too had been stowed he turned to look at Astrid.
‘Come.’
‘My lord?’
‘We’re leaving for Agder.’
‘We?’
He raised an eyebrow. ‘Did you think I would leave you behind?’
‘You did not discuss your plans with me, my lord.’
‘True. All the same, you should know that a slave is too valuable a commodity to lose so lightly.’
Relief mingled with annoyance. ‘I’m glad my worth is so great in your eyes.’
His lips twitched. ‘I have yet to discover the extent of your worth, but no doubt it will be revealed by and by.’
The implication did nothing for her peace of mind and nor did Leif in this present mood. She had a strong suspicion that he was enjoying himself at her expense.
‘I am flattered to be the object of such interest.’
‘I did not speak to flatter,’ he replied, ‘and I always protect my interests.’
Without giving her time to reply he picked her up and called to one of his crewmen. Then she was tossed over the side of the ship and received with the same insulting ease before being dumped on her feet. Leif vaulted aboard and joined them. His hand closed round Astrid’s arm and he led her into the stern.
‘You will sit there.’
Obediently she took her place, watching the crew take theirs, conscious all the while of the man beside her, the man at whose feet she now sat. The allusion must be clear to all.
She tried not to think about what he had said before or how this removal to Agder might change things between them. Just because I haven’t bedded you yet doesn’t mean I’m not going to. Wherever they were going, Leif’s power would be absolute.
‘Cast off the lines!’
His voice drew her back to the present and she glanced up quickly. However, his attention was elsewhere. The command was obeyed, and moments later the ship began to slide away from the jetty.
Once in deeper water the crew shipped oars and unfurled the sail. As it bellied in the breeze the Sea Serpent responded, leaping forwards like an eager horse, her clean lines cleaving the water. Astrid leaned her back against the strakes and shut her eyes, breathing the smells of wood and rope, letting the men’s talk wash over her. The sun was warm and pleasant and in spite of herself she relaxed a little, enjoying the illusion of freedom.
‘It’s peaceful out here, isn’t it?’ said Leif.
She looked up quickly. ‘Yes, it is, almost as though we were the only beings on earth.’
‘If we were we would have no worries about the likes of Hakke and Einar.’
‘Are you worried?’
‘Not at the moment. Even the berserkers won’t follow me to Agder.’ He paused. ‘They might attempt to stop me getting there, of course.’
Astrid sat up. ‘You think they might be lying in wait to attack the ship?’
‘It’s possible, but unlikely. Our stay on the island should have thrown them off the scent.’
‘You have used the ploy before.’
‘Once or twice.’
‘It’s a useful hideout.’
‘The island is convenient for many reasons,’ he replied.
She stopped herself from uttering the thought uppermost in mind and changed the subject. ‘What will you do in Agder?’
‘Raise a force of fighting men.’
‘Enough to challenge Hakke?’
‘Enough to be revenged on Einar. When I’ve dealt with him I’ll find Hakke.’
‘More fighting and bloodshed, then,’ she replied.
‘There’s no other choice now. It’s them or us.’
‘Such a feud will not end there, my lord.’
‘It will when we have no living enemies to perpetuate it.’
In spite of sun Astrid shivered. ‘And yet you had a settled life once.’
‘Once, in another lifetime.’
‘You might again.’
‘Family life proved—disappointing.’
She heard the hesitation and it roused her curiosity. ‘How so?’
He frowned. ‘A slave should not ask questions. You would do well to remember it.’
‘I beg your pardon, my lord. I did not intend to touch a sore place.’
He made no reply and they lapsed into silence. Astrid looked away, mentally kicking herself. When will you learn? In truth. her question had been almost a reflex response, spoken before she was aware. She’d had no thought of angering him and yet she had done it all the same.
* * *
Leif drew in a deep breath, annoyed with his own reaction. Even more galling was the knowledge that she was right: the past was a sore place with him, more so than he’d realised. Astrid had an uncanny knack for finding out his weak points. She had such a disarming way of leading him into conversation that he wasn’t aware of danger until the ground shifted beneath his feet. His rebuke was defensive and he knew it. Some wounds never healed properly, and he had no intention of revisiting the dark memories associated with those hurts.
Astrid seemed taken aback; perhaps she hadn’t intended her question to be intrusive or impertinent. Now he’d driven the wedge in deeper. It was hardly the best way to regain lost ground. He could no longer blame her for what Einar and Hakke had done, and he needed to tell her that. He could no longer treat her as a slave either. Since there was now no obvious reason to keep her captive, the most logical thing would have been to free her. Nevertheless, he knew he wasn’t prepared to let her go.
* * *
Since it was hazardous to sail in the dark they put into a deserted cove that evening. Astrid glanced round the curve of the bay, taking in a short grassy slope covered with scrubby bushes, and the sheer cliff behind. It precluded all possibility of escape. Even if she had been able to scale it there was nowhere to run to. Besides, the thought of Leif’s response to such an attempt sent a shiver through her.
The men gathered wood and set about building a fire. Then they broke out the rations and sat around laughing and talking. They ignored Astrid completely. Leif brought her some food and then rejoined them. Soon he was deep in conversation. She ate her portion and then looked around. The need to answer the call of nature had become pressing and, since the men’s attention was elsewhere, it seemed like a good opportunity. Some fifty yards off was a likely clump of bushes. Rising quietly, she stole away.
* * *
Leif finished his food and glanced casually towards the place where he’d left his captive. His smile vanished and in seconds he was on his feet, his gaze sweeping the curve of the bay. Given the physical limitations of the place she couldn’t have gone far. All the same...
Torvald glanced up and grinned. ‘Lost your slave?’
Leif’s gaze didn’t alter. ‘She can’t be far.’
‘You should keep that one close.’
‘The closer the better, I’d say,’ said Harek.
Appreciative chuckles greeted this from those nearby. Leif ignored them. Then a movement in the shrubbery caught his eye, followed by a glimpse of pale gold hair. His jaw tightened. A few moments later Astrid emerged from the screen of bushes. As the
significance of her excursion dawned, some of the tension left him. He’d got so used to the company of men that he hadn’t considered a woman’s needs might be different. Although she hadn’t complained, the incident left him feeling wrong-footed again. With a sigh he resumed his seat.
* * *
As the hour grew late the company began to turn in. Astrid eyed the proceedings uncertainly. The air was cool now and her garments ill suited to combat it; likewise her bare feet. A night in the open without as much as a blanket was an unappealing prospect. Even so, to complain was out of the question. Leif would like nothing more than to remind her of her lowly status. She threw a covert glance his way but he had his back to her, apparently in conversation with a couple of his men. A few moments later they returned to the fire; possibly to take first watch. He turned away and then, lifting his sea chest, carried it off the strand to the turf above where the others were also preparing their sleeping places. Astrid looked longingly at the fire, but the watchmen looked set to stay there. She sighed and wrapped her arms about herself in an attempt to get warm.
Pebbles scrunched nearby. She glanced up and then scrambled to her feet.
‘My lord?’
‘Come with me.’
‘Where are we going?’
‘Do as you’re told and don’t ask questions.’
Seeing there was nothing else for it, she followed him, stifling a yelp as a stone dug into her foot. It would give him too much satisfaction. She just had to hope her feet would toughen up eventually. As pebbles gave way to grass she breathed a sigh of relief. However, his next words banished every last trace of that emotion.
‘You will sleep here with me.’ He gestured to the hides spread on the ground.
Her heart leapt towards her throat. ‘Here? With you?’
‘That’s right.’
Astrid swallowed hard, looking around for some means of escape, but the only way out of the cove was the way they had come. Suddenly she felt a lot colder. Imploring eyes met his.
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