[Heroes 04] - Sigvald
Page 34
She looked at him in shock. The baron was unrecognisable. Without his beard he looked even gaunter and also much younger. He resembled a consumptive child, delirious with fever.
“We’re free, princess,” he said, gripping her shoulders and revealing a mouthful of broken teeth.
As she looked into the baron’s rolling eyes, Freydís saw no trace of sanity. The martial pride that had marked him out from Sigvald’s other dupes was gone, replaced by the bright, manic stare of an addict.
“Why have you bound me, my love?” she replied, softening her voice.
His eyes narrowed. “I saw you with him,” he said, tightening his grip and leaning closer to her. “I saw you with Sigvald. I know I have more to do before I can truly call you mine.”
“What do you mean?” she replied, in an innocent voice. “Have you forgotten our night together? I carved my mark into your skin, Gustav. We are one.”
The knight sighed and pressed his hand over his battered breastplate, savouring the memory. Then he laughed. “You’re playing games with me,” he chuckled, rising to his feet. “But I know now how I can make you mine. Truly mine.” He looked south into the howling blizzard and raised his sword aloft. “Once we have returned to the Empire I will win your heart.” He looked back at her, still grinning. His head was twitching slightly with excitement as he continued. “Finally I will have victory, Freydís. Victory! I have seen Sigvald’s power and understood it. I understand everything.”
Freydís felt a chill of fear. As the knight’s tic grew more pronounced, it reminded her of her husband at his most delusional. Even the lunatic grin was the same.
“Baron,” she snapped, drawing his attention back to her. She knew she had only one hope of escape. “At least you could remove this sack.” She shook her head. “I can’t even see you properly, my love.”
The baron’s grin became a devious smirk and he shook his head. “Oh, no, princess. Not yet.” He dragged a trembling hand across his face and stared wildly back at her. “I must stay in control. Just until we reach Altdorf; then I can allow myself to savour your beauty.”
“Don’t be a fool,” snapped the princess. Then she lowered her voice and adopted a more demure tone. “Don’t be so cruel,” she said, leaning towards him. “How can you doubt my love?”
The baron did not seem to hear. He continued grinning as he lifted her from the ground and threw her over his shoulder, then carried her over to the horse and strapped her to the saddle.
“You’ll learn to love me,” he hissed, climbing into the saddle and kicking the horse into motion.
As they raced south, Freydís struggled against her bonds and howled furiously, but the baron’s only reply was laughter: a wild, hysterical sound that echoed in the dark, long after the horse had vanished from view.
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