by Ceri Bladen
When something touched his arm, Ubba tensed and turned quickly, posed for danger. His narrowed gaze landed on Astrid. He berated himself for not noticing her in the darkened area. His head was so full of the Seer’s words, he’d noticed nothing else.
“Ubba, I’ve been looking for you.”
“Sorry, I was…” He tried to think of a reason for his distraction, then gave up when he saw her flick her gaze towards the Seer’s cottage. He cared not what Astrid thought. “I’ve been searching for you, too. We need to talk.” He ignored the smile that fluttered on her lips. It wouldn’t be there long. “There’s something I need to discuss with you. It’s… it’s delicate.” Her smile faded and he felt regret because he didn’t want to hurt her. She had been a good partner for many years, but he didn’t feel the same about her since realising he loved Rosfrith.
“Oh,” she whispered, lines appearing on her forehead.
Ubba glanced around and noticed the barn door open. Apart from the animals, it would be empty at this time of day and they could talk in peace. “Let’s go in there,” he indicated with a nod.
Astrid glanced over her shoulder. She saw the building and smiled. She knew what usually happened when they ventured in there. “Fine, Ubba.” She squeezed his arm and fluttered her eyelashes. “You know I’m yours whenever you desire.”
Confusion flicked over his face, his brows knitting until he understood. He heaved a sigh. “Nay,” he said, shaking his head. “It’s not what you think. I need to talk.” He emphasised the word, talk. He grabbed her arm and marched her towards the barn before anyone interfered with what he had to do.
Rosfrith’s brows raised as she stilled. “You’ve told Astrid?” She clutched the broom tighter, her heartbeat quickening.
“Ay,” Ubba stepped forward so no one would overhear. “She’s accepted I’m with you,” he whispered as he glanced towards the front of the longhouse where the locals were gathering by the fire for the meeting.
“Are you sure?”
Ubba nodded. He grabbed Rosfrith’s free hand. “I’m sure. She was a bit”- he struggled to find the word - “surprised, at first. But, by the time I left her, she was all right with our situation.”
“Hmm, if you say so.” Rosfrith flicked a glance towards the crowd and worried her bottom lip. Despite Ubba’s assurances, she knew the ways of women better. When she looked back at him, she noticed his gaze concentrating on her lip.
“I do say so.” He couldn’t help himself. He reached forward, his thumb releasing her lip. He rubbed his pad across it, before leaning forward to place a tender kiss there.
“Ubba, you can’t,” she hissed.
He felt her tense, and against his wishes, pulled back.
Eyes wide, she glanced behind him to see if they had been caught. Luckily, his large frame hid her from view.
He let out a low breath and straightened up. “Has anyone noticed the collar has gone?”
Rosfrith’s hand automatically touched her bare neck. “Not yet. I’ve been staying out of everyone’s way in this darkened end of the longhouse.”
“By my bed-closet.” Ubba grinned and wiggled his eyebrows prior to a frown appearing. “I have to go; they are waiting. I just wanted you to know that the Seer said Astrid won’t be any trouble.”
“You’ve been to see the Seer?” Rosfrith whispered, suddenly afraid. She’d never felt comfortable around that woman. From what she had heard, her predictions were all too accurate.
He nodded. “I went. She said nothing about Astrid being a problem to us.”
“What else did she say?” Rosfrith sensed Ubba become uncomfortable. “Ubba?” Her violet eyes narrowed when he rolled his shoulders.
“The runes indicated Astrid would bring joy to my future. Um, our future.”
“How?”
Ubba shrugged away her question.
That reaction wasn’t good. He’d heard something that unsettled him but wasn’t going to share it with her. She knew they couldn’t talk about it now, but she would have to tackle him about it later. How on earth could Astrid bring joy to us?
“Hopefully my brother will come soon and elaborate on the Seer’s visions.”
“Which brother?”
Ubba smiled. “Sigurd Snake in the Eye. He’s a soothsayer, too.”
Rosfrith tensed. She hadn’t seen Sigurd since coming to Ranaricii. Even when she was in Briton, she’d kept well away from him since he’d inflicted immense pain on her whilst trying to find out where her father was.
Ubba failed to notice her quietness. “Although, my brother’s predictions are not always correct.” He laughed. “Look what he told me about you being trouble.” He gave her hand a little squeeze when he noticed the worried look on her face. He wasn’t doing a good job putting her mind at ease.
His brother’s words worried her. She never wanted to bring Ubba trouble, but mayhap the gods had other ideas? Trying to shake off her uneasy feeling, she continued, “I’ve heard from others that he was right about himself.”
Ubba let out a snort and laughed. “What? Saying he would marry King Ælla of Northumbria’s daughter?”
She nodded.
“I’m sure he said it only as a boast. But, when her father, King Ælla, was killed, he found and married her, not to lose face.”
Rosfrith shrugged. “The gods know what fates they have in store for us and we must believe.” She took a breath trying to feel calmer than she actually felt. “So, if the Seer says Astrid will be no trouble, we must believe.” She dropped his hand and jumped back when she heard a noise.
Ubba glanced backwards over his shoulder and saw Asmund break from the crowd. Turning back, he made a face at Rosfrith. He raised his eyebrows, and gave her a secret smile. “I need the floor of my bedchamber swept,” he said loud enough for Asmund to hear. “You attend to it now.”
“Ay, Sire.” Rosfrith bowed her head before turning to leave. Asmund didn’t see the smile on her face.
Striding up to his sire, Asmund stood next to Ubba and flicked a look at the departing thrall. His lip curled. He didn’t like that black-haired woman. She was the one who had caused trouble with Bard, his friend. She’d even got Ubba to send him away, which in his opinion, was unacceptable. All because she’d promised Bard a tryst in the hay and then backed out! It still didn’t sit well that Ubba chose a thrall’s word over his friend’s, but, before being sent away Bard did say he would find a way to clear his name.
“Is everyone here for the thing to start?” Ubba asked, his gaze narrowing on his friend.
Asmund nodded. His eyes lingered on the closed bed-closet door, and doubts invaded his mind. He didn’t know what was going on in Ubba’s mind concerning the thrall, but he was sure he’d caught him checking her out when she’d walked away. Mayhap his sire had enjoyed some bed sport with her? Or she was teasing his sire with her good looks and not delivering, like she had with Bard? He let out a snort. She might be a temptress, but unlike his friends, he was going to keep his head around her and keep an eye out for her games. He should have known, when he’d found her hiding in that cupboard in Dunwich, that she was strife - even though she was a mere whelp. Mayhap he should have run her through with his dagger, not given her to Ivar the Boneless? Then, perchance, Bard, his best friend, would still be at his side, not banished somewhere in England.
Ubba’s voice broke his thoughts. “Come on, let’s get this meeting started,” he said, making his way to the seats by the fire.
Astrid entered the main longhouse, looking for her brother, Gunnar. The scene that welcomed her wasn’t what she expected or wanted. She was so upset, she’d forgotten about the meeting, which was taking place within. The longhouse was packed with people, gathered around the fire, waiting on Ubba, who was sitting in counsel. She swallowed, even though her mouth was dry. But, regardless of her distress, she had to speak to Gunnar. Standing on tip toes, her gaze darted around. She soon spotted him standing near Ubba. She cursed – just what she needed – Ubba to see her
upset. She eyed the floor, in an attempt to hide her puffy eyes, and pushed her way through the crowd. She approached her brother from the side and tapped his arm making sure she was out of Ubba’s sight.
Gunnar turned towards her and tensed when he saw the state of her. Hand on his weapon, he swiftly scanned the people in front of him, looking for any trouble. When everything looked normal, he turned back to Astrid. “What’s wrong? Has someone hurt you?”
She shook her head quickly before indicated for him to bend. She took a deep breath to calm herself and whispered into his ear, “Brother, Ubba has slighted me.” When she heard a rumble deep in his chest, she couldn’t help but feel a little better. Her brother always looked after her. She flicked a glance in Ubba’s direction. He was taking no notice of her or her brother, he was busy talking to Eirik. Her lips thinned. “Do you need to stay here, brother, or can we talk?”
Gunnar grunted. “I should stay, but you’re more important. Let’s go.” He nudged her away from Ubba and towards the doorway. Once outside in the light, he turned and levelled her a look. “What has happened?”
“Ubba has chosen a thrall over me.”
“Which one?”
“Rosfrith.” She tried to hide her smile when she heard him swear. She knew her brother would protect her. “He has just told me.”
Gunnar rubbed his large hand over his face. “Mayhap he only wants a break?” He observed his sister. “Have ye been giving him grief?”
Astrid stuck her chin out. “Nay.”
“He will come back to you. He has promised to wed ye.”
She shook her head. “He won’t. He made it clear that there would be no wedding between us.” She watched his jawline flex with anger.
His nostrils flared. “He is nay a fit chieftain if he goes back on his word.” He waved his hand around. “Yet, he’s in there now, telling people how to run their lives.”
It was unheard for her brother to bad-mouth his friend. She still loved Ubba and desired him back in her arms, but she wanted him to feel a little of the pain of betrayal she was experiencing. “What will you do, my dear brother?”
Gunnar’s eyes narrowed on her while he thought. “I’ll sort something out. Ye will have him back.” He lifted his chin and turned to stride back into the longhouse.
Astrid didn’t know if to laugh or cry, in his present mood, anything could happen.
Ubba’s icy look narrowed on Gunnar. Why is he contradicting my orders in front of the village folk? He glared at him, while Gunnar continued talking. There was enough tension within the room without his friend adding to it. He’d had enough, so he cut Gunnar off with a short remark - which produced a few chuckles amongst the crowd.
When the meeting settled, Ubba’s gaze flicked around the longhouse, seeking the cause of Gunnar’s unusual mood change and outward insolence. It was so unlike his friend to be so outwardly disrespectful. While the argument in front of him resumed, he soon spotted the reason for the testiness. Astrid. He felt a tenseness in his stomach. She was openly scowling at him - she’d evidently told Gunnar about Rosfrith before he’d had the chance. Thor’s teeth! He rubbed his neck, before leaning forward, trying to concentrate on the neighbours’ dispute, instead of his own problems. He’d have to ignore both Astrid and Gunnar’s sour mood for now - he’d deal with them when everyone had left.
#
“What’s wrong with you, Gunnar? Your face is dragging on the floor,” Asmund displayed a wide grin as he slapped his friend’s shoulder. He climbed over the bench and sat, now there was room on the stalls because all the villagers had gone back to their farms.
Gunnar shrugged, not wishing to divulge his sister’s personal business. “Tis nothing.”
Asmund wiggled his eyebrows. “You’re like a newly emerging bear, all angry.” He glanced towards the main table. Ubba was eating there. He leaned forward, not to be overheard. “I thought Ubba was going to kill you when you disagreed with him. You were either brave or stupid.”
“I’m neither brave nor stupid.” A grumbling noise came from deep in his chest. “I told ye, it’s nothing.”
After another couple of witty comments, without getting a rise from Gunnar, Asmund thought it better to change the subject to something safer.
A while later, and bored with Asmund’s ramblings, Gunnar glanced up from his empty plate. He spotted Ubba walk outside the longhouse – looking too carefree for his liking. He ground his teeth and let heat flush through his body before standing, planting his feet wide apart. “I’ll see ye later, Asmund,” he remarked over his shoulder as he moved towards the doorway.
Asmund stared blankly, lifting his hand loosely to wave goodbye. He picked up his ale and took a sip, looking at where Gunnar was going. He’d noticed Gunnar’s body tense when he’d seen Ubba leave the longhouse, he’d also noticed the tension between them during the meeting. He should go and find out what they both were up to, but he trusted his sire would not be in harm’s way around Gunnar - they had been blood-bonded years ago. Besides, they were old enough and ugly enough to sort it out without his interference. “Later,” he muttered to himself and took another sip of his ale.
Gunnar’s stride increased in order to catch Ubba. “Ubba?” he said through clenched teeth.
Ubba stopped and turned quickly. The tone of his friend’s voice indicated what he had on his mind. “Let’s take this outside the village walls.”
Gunnar nodded in agreement. He was annoyed and looking for a fight, but not when they were near other villagers. He didn’t desire gossip - Astrid had enough on her plate. Normally he would never go against his chieftain, and, most importantly, his friend, but he couldn’t tolerate the way his sister had been treated. Over the years, Ubba had taken many bedmates, but he’d still thought he would marry Astrid - he’d even assured her of it. Now he felt let down, a fool even.
Ubba felt the tension in his body. Normally, he would never turn his back on someone with a grudge, but Gunnar was like a brother to him and he, whether foolishly or not, trusted him. Once they were safely in an uninhabited clearing, he turned around. He saw the hurt and anger on Gunnar’s face, and felt sorrow for the circumstances they found themselves in - but he had no control over his feelings. He grabbed his axe and sword and threw them to the ground before he showed Gunnar his open palms. He did not want a fight, but he had a feeling his friend was looking for his blood. “So, my friend, how are we going to sort this out?”
#
“Sister, we must leave.” Gunnar grabbed Astrid’s arm and marched her away from prying eyes and ears.
“Go where?”
“To our village in Skåne. Before anyone knows of this.”
“Knows of what?” Her forehead puckered. When her brother slowed his stride, she shook her arm to release it from his hold. “Knows of what?” She felt uneasy when he didn’t look at her. “People already know about me and Ubba.” She took in a shaky breath. “And Ubba and that thrall. Why do we have to leave?”
“Because I say we do.”
She watched him push his hand roughly through his hair, and let out a long breath. He was obviously trying to calm himself. When he turned towards her, she drew back. “What has happened to you?” She stepped forward to touch a nasty bruise, which had started to darken on his cheekbone.
“Tis nothing.” He turned his face away, not wanting her pity.
Her hand covered her mouth. “You’ve fought with Ubba?”
Gunnar didn’t reply.
“I only wanted you to talk, you’ve made things worse.” Her posture became rigid when her brother shrugged.
“Ay, I might well have. But, you’re right. He doesn’t want ye. Let’s go back to Skåne for a while.”
“But, I need to be around in case he changes his mind.”
Gunnar grunted. “He won’t, dear sister. He is lost to ye.” His gaze narrowed dangerously when he noticed her hand skim her stomach. He grabbed her arm, giving her a shake. “What is the meaning of this? Are ye with barn?”
He growled deeply when she nodded.
“When Ubba knows, he will take me back,” she said, her voice pitching with emotion. She ignored her brother’s grunt. “He will.” She stroked the tiny bump.
“He won’t, Astrid. He’s just announced to me he is set to marry Rosfrith.” He saw her pale and stepped forward. “Ye are coming back to Skåne with me.”
“But… but…” She used her hand to search for the bench to sit on. “He never mentioned wanting to marry her.”
Gunnar’s chest tightened. He hated seeing his sister hurt.
“I thought he only wanted to bed her,” she whispered, staring into space.
“Don’t make this hard on yourself. The gossip will be hard to live with. We will leave, go back to Skåne. I am the chieftain there, and I’ve been away too long.”
She let out a snort. “Skåne is his brother’s land. Surely, Sigurd Snake in the Eye will find out and tell Ubba that we have returned?”
Gunnar shook his head. “Nay, Sigurd is in Zealand. Besides, our family longhouse is far enough away from Sigurd’s to cause a worry, and I don’t think Ubba cares where we are. Ye can bring your barn up there, as a Hámundarson, and no one will know the circumstances. I’ll take care of you both.”
Astrid looked up at her brother. “Ubba might accept the child.”
“He might not, especially as he is to be married.” He rubbed his hand over his face, frustrated that his sister didn’t seem to understand. “Don’t ye think any child they have together will be more important than yours. Is that how ye want your child brought up?”
“Ubba is a fair man.”
Gunnar snorted and nodded. “Ay, but this is to do with the heart. Who knows how people act when the heart is involved.” Sighing, he sat next to Astrid and took her hand. “Ye must go, but I will come with ye.”
