As far as the people knew, Eirik had the amulet and sword, Ulf possessed the figurehead and shield, and Rolf had no treasure.
Eirik smiled at Alysa as she cast her worried gaze upon him. He had galloped near camp and hidden the sword by hanging it high in an oak tree in the distant woodland. When the time came, he would find the fifth and last prize, and he would defeat Ulf for the other two.
Alysa and Trosdan followed Rolf to his longhouse to check on the last bird, which Enid had been tending for them. Since the woman had been gone, surely dead, for days, they were alarmed. When they found the cage in Rolf’s dwelling, the poor creature was lying upon the bottom, having had no water or food for four days.
“He is dying!” Alysa gasped in panic, wondering how they would get their final message to Weylin. Trosdan would have to find a way during the fifth quest to sneak to Aquae Sulis to alert Weylin of their problem and schedule. Within six days, the last adventure would be completed. She would order them to rest on the seventh day, have the final matches for the prizes on the eighth, and hold the ceremonies and rituals on the ninth. She trembled as she thought of the magical number for the Vikings. Nine days hence, this daring ruse would be finished and the battle would take place. She hoped this number was a good omen for her side and that the blood hault following the ritual would be furnished by the Norsemen.
Trosdan withdrew the limp bird from its cage and studied it. Sadly he murmured, “Yea, my queen, he is at death’s gate.”
Alysa and Trosdan returned to their borrowed dwelling, with the Druid carrying the wooden cage. He placed it on the table and withdrew the white bird. He gathered his supplies and began to tend the pitiful creature.
“This is not a good omen, my princess,” he murmured.
“He will survive, Wise One. If he does not, you will find a way to get a message to Weylin, as you found a cunning way to get Gavin’s message to me.” When the old man’s head jerked upward and light-blue eyes fused with dark-blue ones, Alysa smiled and said, “Yea, Wise One, I have guessed your ruse with me and Gavin. Explain it.”
Ninetten
Alysa related her suspicions to Trosdan. “It is time for the truth, Wise One. I will not be angry or disobedient.”
The snowy-haired man smiled affectionately. He revealed what he had done, how he had done it, and why. “Even if you never understand or forgive me, Alysa, I did what I must to save you and your land from certain destruction. The sacred Runes commanded it, and I was compelled to obey. I love you as if you were my own child. I would never endanger or imperil you if there was any other way to win.”
Alysa embraced the wizard. “I know your words are true, Wise One, and. I agree with all you have done. You were right to keep your second ruse a secret from me, for your caution has protected us all.”
Trosdan’s eyes teared with happiness and love as he gazed at the girl who so favored Giselde. If Alysa’s grandmother was not wed to King Bardwyn, when this matter was over, he would wed the only woman he had ever loved. “My old heart sings with joy and relief to hear such words.”
Alysa sighed heavily. “Gavin’s will not when he discovers how we deceived him and used him.”
Trosdan asserted confidently, “He will be- angry for a while, but not for long. He, too, will understand and accept what I have done. He will have no reason to blame you.”
Even though her cheeks glowed with modesty, Alysa refuted, “Yea, Wise One, he will, unless you tell him I was a part of your ruse. If you do not, he will never forgive me for what I have done here.”
“I do not understand,” Trosdan murmured in confusion. There was no way anything could have happened between her and Rolf.
Alysa revealed her secret relationship with Eirik and her motives behind it. She admitted she loved Eirik, even if he was not Gavin.
“Nay,” the old man argued. “You love and desire him only because he is your fated love and the bond between you was too great to resist. I am not disappointed in you, for you were compelled to follow your heart and destiny, as was I. Have you done or said anything to arouse Eirik’s suspicions about us? He truly lives as Eirik, and this is not the time to break the spell over him.”
“Nay, and I will be even more careful henceforth! I have told him we must keep our distance until after the quest, and he has agreed.”
“That is good, Alysa, for we cannot awaken him until the last moment. When the spell is broken, he will know and remember all things both as Gavin and as Eirik.”
“What if he is endangered by Ulf in the final match?” she fretted.
“I will keep no more secrets from you, Alysa. Ulf will battle Rolf and slay him, so your friend’s death will not be at your hands or command.” When Alysa looked dismayed and about to protest, Trosdan entreated, “It must be this way, my queen; it is their destinies and cannot be changed. Eirik will defeat Ulf and become the last champion. You will wed Eirik in a Viking ceremony. When you return to this dwelling as man and wife to spend the night before the empowering ritual and celebration, you will say the words to break his spell. That night, you will explain our deception to him. The next day, he will help us battle these foes as himself.”
Alysa mused on those exciting plans. She was eagerly looking forward to marrying “Eirik” and to spending a passionate night with him. Perhaps she should wait a while before spoiling their blissful wedding night. Yea, she decided, she would make rapturous love to “Eirik” all night, then, early the next morning she would break Gavin’s spell! They would have too much to do then for her husband to take time quarreling with her over her past actions! By the time that glorious day was over, Gavin would be too elated by his two victories to remain annoyed with her and Trosdan!
The wizard returned to his task with the messenger bird. He forced special herbs and water into its beak. After replacing it in the cage, he said, “That is all I can do for now. Surely he will survive to aid us, for I was not warned by the Runes of this peril.”
To distract the man from his worry, she said, “I wish I could have saved Enid’s life: I am certain Ulf had her slain. I warned her about him. Was it a premonition?” she asked.
“I am sure of it, Alysa, but the warning was in vain. It was her fate to die at Ulf’s order. If she had survived, her life would have ended in misery, for she loved a man who was deceiving her.”
“What do you mean, Wise One?” she inquired.
Trosdan clarified. “Enid was helping Rolf solve the riddles and was hiding the prizes for him. He used her because of her love for him. If he had won you, he would have gotten rid of her. She was a lowly slave to him, nothing more. As with Ulf, to prevent Enid from causing trouble for him, he would have slain her without regret or hesitation. It is their way to remove threats to avoid future problems; they are barbarians. You only see the sunny side which Rolf wishes you to see. There are other sides to him, dark sides you would despise and fear.”
Alysa knew that the Druid was not lying or exaggerating to make her feel better about Rolf’s sacrifice. “I am glad I have not seen them and will not do so. Soon, Wise One, Good will triumph over Evil. There is something I must tell you,” she began, then revealed what had happened with the blacksmith and peasant woman. “If the messenger bird dies or our forces fail us, the people of Logris will come to our aid, if the girl’s words can be trusted. I fear she spoke too cockily to suit me. I am not certain she did not make up the tale for an adventure. I trusted the smithy and I am disappointed in how he misused my faith in him. Loose tongues and boastful natures can lead to trouble. I will be more careful in the future when obtaining helpers for our cause.”
Trosdan did not want to make her feel worse by scolding her, so he held silent. He also did not want to dishearten or frighten her by telling her she could expect no help from the terrified peasants. When he finally spoke, his words were soothing ones. “It is late and you must rest. Sleep peacefully, Alysa.”
Alysa smiled happily, knowing she could do so tonight.
In Ulf’s
longhouse, many men were enjoying a game of gambling. Ulf excused himself to go to the privy at the rear of his dwelling. He then barred the door, lifted the loosened corner of the turf roof, and heaved himself outside. Stealthily the redhead made “his way to where Aidan and Searic lived in a shieling, a small house. He sneaked inside and found both men asleep. With his knife, he slew them, and wished Eirik was there to join their lethal fate. Ulf slipped outside to the shed then which was attached to the house and killed the slave slumbering there, killed him with a cooking knife and in a manner which would appear to be self-inflicted. Quickly, he returned to his dwelling and rejoined the men.
As the games continued long into the night, Ulf drank a great deal of ale and pretended to pass out. The men placed him on his bed and departed, passing Eirik on a pallet. The green-eyed Viking had chosen to sleep under the stars tonight rather than in Aidan’s shieling with his friends.
When the murders were discovered the next morning, Eirik questioned Ulf coldly. “Who did this wicked thing to my friends?”
Ulf shouted back, “Probably the slave who slew himself in fear!”
“These wounds are the work of a skilled warrior, not a captive who had joined our side! And the dark deed was done with cunning stealth! ” Eirik wondered if he had been the real target.
The unsuspecting men who had been with Ulf last night related their side, vowing that Ulf could not be guilty.
Ulf shouted at Eirik, “If you doubt their word and mine, challenge me and we will prove who lies in the battle ring! “
Eirik chuckled mockingly. “We will settle our differences in the battle ring, Ulf, but after the quest. This is but an evil trick to lure me there so you can rid yourself of one rival, since you failed to slay me last night,” Eirik accused, his rage enormous but controlled.
Ulf sneered. “It is not my doing, Eirik. Look elsewhere for your foe. Perhaps Rolf wishes us to battle and slay each other so only he is left, for he has no prizes to keep him in the competition.”
Rolf’s face grew red with fury and his hazel eyes enlarged with it. “You insult me, Ulf, and you shall pay. But in the ring after the quest as Eirik said. You will not trick us again.”
Before they headed to Stonehenge for the final clue, Rolf ordered his closest friend, “Remain here, Sweyn, and watch his men sharply. I do not trust Ulf. If you can, steal back my shield. I have need of a prize to qualify for the final contest.”
Alysa watched Eirik as the three champions approached the pale-green sandstone altar. The flakes of mica in it caused it to glitter in the sunlight, making it appear mystical. She knew “Eirik” must be feeling grief over the deaths of his “friends,” hatred for their killer, and anger over the dark deed. As Trosdan had told her, it was best this way, as she would not be compelled to order their deaths soon.
The drawing of stones took place. Trosdan was to ride with Eirik. Ulf was to travel alone. Alysa was to journey with Rolf. She and Trosdan would help the blond warrior locate the fifth prize to keep him in the competition, as he was destined to die in the ring.
Trosdan stepped upon the Altar Stone and gave out the last clues. “You seek a place which was there before the Romans came, a place the invaders used as a garrison. Once it was a walled city, but no more. It is in an area which has passed from hand to hand between conquerors and Celts. It was viewed a wedge between the north and south, a stronghold which was vital to defense. You must travel over two days, but do not enter Cumbria or Albany. If you reach the first hall of Hengist, you have gone too far. A great fortress stands in ruins there. It reminds all of a time of weakness and defeat. It will lend its magic to a warrior who is not dumb. It offers a prize which will guard his mind, ruler of the body and deeds. Frey will guide her chosen champion to her treasure.”
Before they left the settlement, Alysa whispered to Rolf, “Do not worry, my handsome champion, for you shall obtain this prize. It is a helmet which is hidden in the fortress ruins. I shall help you find it. But we must keep our distance to prevent suspicion,” she cautioned, needing and wanting him to remain distant.
For two days, they traveled over beautiful terrain which was surrounded by cotswolds, a hilly range where numerous sheep roamed. The grasses were a yellowy green this time of year, and the trees were beginning to change colors. From some rolling downs, the land spread out before them like a painted picture of exquisite talent. It appeared a world colored in gold and green.
They swept through the serene Midlands at a rapid pace and bypassed the Fens, marshy lands to their right. The road they journeyed, called the Fosse, was a good one, built by the Romans and stretching between Aquae Sulis and Lindum.
At their last rest stop on the morning of the third day away from camp, Alysa revealed, “The area which lends its magic to a warrior who is not dumb is Lindum. The fortress is near there and stands in ruins today. There is a pile of rocks near a back wall. The helmet is buried beneath them. Frey’s symbols are upon it.”
In the Viking camp far away, those present were building a funeral pyre for Sweyn, who had been killed in an accidental fall.
Rolf located the pile of rocks and flung them aside to expose the coveted helmet. He placed it on his head and gave forth a cry of joy. Quickly, he ordered his men to head for home to give him time to relax and to practice before the final contest. With luck, he mused, Sweyn would have recovered his stolen shield by now.
They traveled swiftly, staying off the main road to avoid the other two bands. When they camped the first night, Rolf confided, “Now I have two prizes with which to challenge for you, my queen.”
“Have you forgotten, Ulf stole the shield from you?”
Rolf chuckled, but decided to keep news of the amulet a secret. He wanted no one, not even his trusted love, to be in a position to drop a careless hint. With a sly grin, he confessed, “Yea, but it will not matter. I shall win you. Eirik and Ulf will die.”
Fear chewed upon Alysa’s nerves. Both men were eager to slay her love! What if something went wrong with their plan? What if something happened to Trosdan? Without his skills, she was helpless! Nay, without him, all was lost. If the bird died, she had no way of sending word to Weylin. She had no way to drug the Vikings into vulnerability. She had no way to disenchant Gavin!
By the next evening, the forces of Cambria, Damnonia, and Cumbria were poised at their Logris borders. The messenger line was set up, and Weylin headed for Aquae Sulis to await the final summons.
Tuesday before dusk, Rolf’s band reached the settlement. Einar hid the helmet for Rolf. The camp was quiet, as the other two bands had not returned. Alysa hurried to her house, telling Rolf they must be careful not to arouse anyone’s suspicion against them.
Within a few minutes of her departure, Rolf learned of Sweyn’s death. He suspected Ulf’s friend was behind it, but knew he could not prove his charge. He vowed revenge against his wicked foe.
After dark, Ulf sneaked into camp and slew his friends Leikn and Sigurd to throw suspicion off himself. Now, his rivals’ helpers were dead and could not thwart his victory. In addition, all who knew of his mischief were dead and could never expose him. Afterward, he galloped back to where his band was camped for the night.
Shortly after midnight, Eirik’s band arrived. Trosdan entered the dwelling which he shared with Alysa, and they compared tales.
“You did well, my queen. When we reached the fortress and we found the pile of stones moved, I knew you had succeeded.”
Alysa looked worried. “Not all goes well, Wise One. Sweyn is dead, by accident they say. I do not believe it. I suspect Ulf had him slain. Now, all who shared my friends ship are gone, save the cunning Rolf. This saddens my heart, but makes my duty easier. That is good.”
“Yea, it is good. All is coming true as the Runes predicted.”
“There is one matter which troubles me, Wise One. If anything happened to you, how would I succeed? I do not know how to drug the Vikings, and I do not know how to break Gavin’s spell.”
Trosdan revealed such things to her. “The bird has recovered and will take our message to Lord Weylin.”
“What of my love, Wise One? How does he fare?”
“He asked many questions about you and about me. I revealed nothing more than he already knew as Eirik. He was vexed to discover Rolf had beaten him to the fortress. He did not expect his rival to do so well without Enid’s aid.”
“Do you think he suspects I helped Rolf?” she inquired worriedly.
“Nay, as his love and desire for you are great. He trusts you; I read it in his eyes and voice.”
Alysa wanted to go to the village to plan backup strategy with the peasants. Because of the many strange deaths, the Vikings were alert and wary. She could not risk exposure this close to the attack date. She also wanted to visit Horsa to bargain for the release of Lord Daron’s family. She could not bear for Lady Gweneth and her girls to be slaves any longer than necessary. That action, too, was reckless, as the Jute would surely rush to his brother’s stronghold to tell Hengist all about her, and she must not draw their attention and interest to her.
Weylin sat in the Roman bath in pensive study. He had found Alysa’s message. All was going according to plan. Yet something was not right. He had found his last message to her, the one with the added lines which the wizard had requested. But the letter from Gavin to Alysa bewildered him. He had pieced it together and read it. How had the false message gotten here? Where was Gavin? What was he doing? If Gavin knew about their message system and ruse, then he had to be in on it! But why dupe his friends and wife? He must be nearby, but where? Doing what? He and the wizard had to be partnered, which meant the old man had deceived Alysa, him, and the others back at the castle. That was unlike Gavin Crisdean.
From the condition of the note from Gavin, Alysa had not taken his news well. Weylin could not blame her, but he could envision her reaction when she discovered it was another lie from her husband. “I hope you know what you are doing, my friend.” Whatever it was, there had to be a good reason, or so Lord Weylin hoped for all their sakes.
The Last Viking Queen Page 31
