by Tami Dee
Balmung thought, then nodded his head. Leif's father, having already forgotten about her, sat on the bench that Kat had left and started mumbling to himself.
Balmung looked at his father and Kat could have sworn that she saw tears in his hard blue eyes.
"But most times he does not," she prompted, kneeling beside the old man and gently rubbing his arm. "Isn't that right?"
Balmung nodded again, seemingly fascinated by her hand as it continued to comfort his father.
"It was the same with my Amma. She suffered from what is called dementia. There is no cure for it, but by keeping the patient busy, his mind active; it allows him to have a better quality of life. It's a lot to take in, and I know you don't trust me, but please let me feed him. Let me take him for walks and talk to him. I promise, you will see a change in him. He may not remember any more than he does now, but you will see him become happier."
While she spoke, Balmung did not take his eyes off her. She wished she knew what he was thinking. She could only hope he would agree to help Leif's father, it would go along way toward helping her endure this exile from her time and it just may be how she could accomplish at least one of her Amma's instructions and make amends to Leif's people, or at least his family.
"Do you really believe that he can be happy?" She saw a glimmer of hope shining in his gray eyes. He wanted to trust her. She could see that. But would he?
"Yes, Balmung, he will be happier. I'll feed him and he will gain some weight back. You'll see. Within a month you won't recognize him. Please let me try."
"Aye, you may try," he said after a moment's pause. "But I warn you, no tricks. If you harm him in any way or he becomes lost, I will slit your throat myself, regardless what my brother wishes."
Kat swallowed with difficulty, her hand fluttering to her neck. What had she just gotten herself into? Her head spinning, she nodded in agreement.
"However," he continued. "First you need to eat and get cleaned up. Were Leif to return and see you like this..."
As if on cue, the door opened up and three indoor slaves filed in carrying bowls of food. Kat was touched that Balmung had gone to so much trouble for her.
Sitting next to Leif's father, Kat ate, at the same time spooning food into the old man's mouth. He ate like her, like a starving person. Balmung watched silently.
"Gather the belongings my brother gave to you," Balmung told her when they had finished.
Although she had no idea why he wanted her to do so, Kat wasted no time in obeying him, throwing open her alcove door and scooping up the first set of clothing that she had been given, wondering who had cleaned them.
Within twenty minutes she, Leif's father and Balmung were at the hot springs.
Bittersweet memories assaulted Kat and she stood a little uncertainly at the waters edge, still wearing Balmung's cloak.
As for Nabboddr, the old man stripped and made his way into the warm water, laughing as he splashed himself.
When Balmung told her to join his father, Kat protested.
"I have seen your nakedness already," he said dryly.
Then, to her surprise, he turned his back until she was in the water. It felt strange to be naked with Leif's father not an arm's length away and his brother standing, arms folded across his wide chest, on the verge. But her desire to be clean soon pushed any embarrassment away and she cleaned herself with vigor.
Nabboddr splashed her and she automatically splashed him back. In a short while they were giggling together like children.
By the time Balmung told them that they must leave, his father's sunken cheeks had a healthy glow to them.
Kat started to leave the water then stopped, giving Balmung a pleading look. Heaving an exasperated sigh, he turned his back while she dressed in record time.
It was then that Nabboddr stood, now also clothed and shocked them both by addressing his son. "Balmung," he said. "You have grown into a fine young man, son. I'm proud of you."
For a moment Balmung's face registered nothing but shock but then, he reached out to his father, embracing him in a bear hug.
Yet when the embrace was over, Nabboddr's eyes were vacant again and Balmung's face fell.
"The stimulation of his body and mind helped him to come back for a moment," Kat told him. "With more days like this, he will have more lucid moments, moments when he knows you. Try not to be discouraged when he slips away, I know it's not easy."
He considered her for a long moment.
"I would like to learn more about your time," he said finally. "And I wish you to teach my mother and sisters how to care for him. If this is what can happen in only one afternoon, then he should make great bursts of recovery if we all assist him."
"Yes, it is important that his loved ones care for him," Kat agreed. "But Balmung, please keep in mind there is no real cure for the disease that holds his mind. Only small windows of clarity are all we can hope for."
"Aye, Kat, I do understand."
It was, she realized, the first time he had spoken her name, and he had called her Kat rather than Katla. Leif must have referred to her that way, and for some reason, Kat's heart felt lighter that it had in a long time.
"Balmung," she said. "Leif told me that your mother and sisters are afraid of me. How will you convince them to trust me now?"
He raised an arrogant blond brow, for a moment looking so much like Leif that tears sprang to Kat's eyes.
"I will order them to," he told her. "Now come."
Well, okay then. Why did she think it would be any more complicated than that? After all, she was in tenth century Denmark. All a son had to do was order his women folk to trust someone and voila, it was done. Kat stifled a groan.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Leif huddled beneath his coverings as a sharp wind snapped the fabric of his tent. Groaning into the arm thrown over his head, he tried for the hundredth time to drift into sleep.
But sleep would not come. Instead, images of Kat kept drifting through his mind. The stunned disbelief, then sheer exhilaration that had flowed through him as he took her virginity. The feel of her velvety skin as his hands roved at will. The scent of her desire.
He had been haunted by the naked hurt in her eyes when he told her she would not be allowed to raise any children that might come from their joining, that her only place within his world was as a slave.
Thanks to his own decree, the lowest slave of all.
How could he have done that to her?
Yes, she had betrayed him regarding the pendant she held. But as hurtful as that knowledge was, he understood the why of it, the underlying reason for what she had done. She had been afraid, afraid to defy her grandmother's wishes, and afraid to comply. And with good reason, for look what coming to his time had done to her.
Aye, he loved her. More than life itself. And he believed what her lips and her body told him regarding the love she felt for him. But what good were their feelings for one another, she trapped in a time she had no wish to be in, locked in a slave's position, and possibly carrying his son at this very moment, knowing that the time the child grew in her womb would be the only time she would ever hope to have with him.
Most slaves kept possession of their children even if the father was the jarl, the child would still be considered a slave, one that could be sold if the jarl so wished. But Kat was also his wife, and as such, a child born to them would be his heir. His only heir, and one's heir was not raised by a slave. Especially not the lowest slave.
Leif smashed his fist into his palm. An anguished cry escaped his throat.
Nay! This entire bizarre, uncanny situation was wrong and he was selfishly keeping the means to send her home from her.
Kat had it right when she had pleaded with him to use his pendant to return to her time. Leif fingered it absently, not surprised when his fingers began to warm. Still, a chill ran down his spine.
He could not return to her time with her. He had responsibilities here, with his family, his clan. They nee
ded him and this is where he belonged. He was a leader. He could assimilate into her world with relative ease, that he had already proven. But at what cost to himself, to his destiny. He was a leader, a jarl.
He was born to command, to fight for what he wanted and to claim what ever caught his eye.
And Kat had caught his eye, not only his eye, but his heart. And with the spilling of her virgin's blood, he had claimed her. Nay, he could not return to her time. And he was selfish enough not to allow her to return without him.
He felt the worst of men, yet there was nothing he could change. She was here, she was his and she would remain his.
Surely she would ultimately accept her lot in life. Surely she would share her love with him freely when he demanded it. And surely she would gracefully step back when she was expected to.
Leif harrumphed into the darkness, knowing that there was no chance of that happening.
Nay. Kat would never be satisfied with this life. She would follow through on her threat to run away even though to do so would be to court death. It was early September now. She had no clue how cold or dark the winters were in his land.
If his people did not extract vengeance on her, the elements would.
She would be doomed without his protection. If only she would see that.
Ofeig's voice sounded thorough the tent flap. "Brother, are you sleeping?"
Leif was grateful for the interruption to his conflicting thoughts. "Enter."
Ofeig stepped inside and shook off the light sprinkling of snow stuck to his cloak. Frowning at his brother as he slapped snow off his coverings, Leif sat cross-legged on his sleeping pallet and gestured for Ofeig to join him.
"Has there been any word of the infant?" Leif asked, not knowing precisely what he hoped to hear.
"It is rumored that Scipio has ordered a search of the island for the midwife and his son. He has only taken about one hundred men with him, leaving the rest of his army here. It is clear he does not expect any real trouble when he finds them, or he would have taken more warriors."
Leif thought for a moment. "It looks like it is to be a race to find the child. We must find him before Scipio does."
Ofeig was silent, his face twisted in a scowl.
"What is it, brother?" he asked, the small hairs on his arm prickling as they always did when something important was about to happen.
"It is something I heard that troubles me," Ofeig told him. "Something makes no sense to me. It seems that Scipio is even more bloodthirsty than he was before he left Denmark. It is being whispered that it was he that killed Rollo and his family, and then blamed us. But why would he do that brother? Rollo gave him power and responsibility. He became rich serving under his jarl."
"That he did," Leif replied evenly. "And after Rollo and his family were slain, Scipio placed himself as jarl and became even richer, even more powerful."
"Aye, brother," Ofeig agreed. "I can see how greed would play a part in his treachery to Rollo, but why does he begin his search now for the child now? They say that he is raging like a madman because Rollo had been slain before he could learn the location of Katla's exile, yet it was by Scipio's own hand that Rollo perished.
"We can assume that the spies that are lurking about our fortress have told him that the woman all believe to be Katla is now with you," Ofeig continued. "Yet he does not seem interested in her at this time, but he has made it clear that he intends to make Katla's son his heir when he finds him, even though he is not legitimate."
Leif could hear the frown in his brother's voice as he puzzled through his thoughts.
"I know that in itself is not a reason to be troubled, brother. Many men take their illegitimate sons and name them their heirs. Yet I am troubled. Clearly Scipio's spies must have communication with him often, for you and the girl that looks like Katla only recently arrived."
His brother's words sent a chill through Leif. On his return to his time he had been told that their was a spy in their midst, and now, judging by how quickly the information regarding himself and Kat had reached Iceland, it was a clear that there were more than one, and that they had a very effective means of communication.
"Aye, brother," Leif said. "Our first priority when we return home will be to root out the spies, then send their severed heads to Scipio."
A disquieting possibility came to Leif's mind. "You say that it was Scipio who slew Rollo's family and all Rollo's kin, except for the infant he now searches for. And yet he has other sons to claim as his heir. So the question we have to ask ourselves is, why is he so determined to find Katla's son?"
"Why, indeed?" Ofeig agreed. "Think you that it is possible he wished to completely annihilate Rollo's line? Even to the point of killing his own son?"
"That is exactly what I believe, brother. And if we are right, then likely, after he finds the child, he will search out Katla and finish the extermination. The man is unbalanced. He always has been, which is why Rollo did not wish his daughter to marry him in the first place. It was only when Katla began to plead for her sire to allow her to marry him that Rollo arranged the match between us."
"You know this?" Ofeig demanded.
"Aye, brother. The matter was plainly explained to me by Rollo's priest before I agreed to sign the marriage contract. There is no telling what happened in Rollo's fortress after the attack on us the morning of my wedding that caused Scipio to turn on his jarl.
"In any case," Leif continued, "as determined as he is to find the infant, it may be in our best interests to cease our search and let Scipio find him for us. He very well may save us the trouble of slaying the infant by doing it himself."
"And what of the girl?" Ofeig asked.
"She will be safe within the walls of our fortress. I do not think he will bother with her until he has dealt with the child. Our spies will get word to us if the infant is found," Leif said, eager now. "And if, for some reason, Scipio does not slay the infant, we will return and take care of Scipio and the child at the same time. Either way, Kat will be in no danger."
It was a good plan.
And it would get Leif back into Kat's arms before the harsh winter weather set in making a sea journey all but impossible.
Slapping his hands on his knees Leif delivered his orders. "Send word to our men to break camp first thing in the morning," he said. "We will leave off our attack on Scipio's village for now. Let him search for the midwife and infant for us. I know Scipio, once he sets his mind to something, nothing will detract him from his goal. For once that trait will work to our benefit."
Ofeig pushed himself to his feet. "Aye, brother, as you say."
The burst of cold air as he left the tent caused goose bumps to rise on Leif's arms. He had been away from Kat to long. It was good he was going home. Very good.
He hoped he would find everything in order and his wife increasing with his child.
As for the future with her, he would let time direct the outcome.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Three more weeks passed and still no word from Leif. Davyn had returned from his trade voyage, bringing with him more slaves to work the fields. The fact that Leif's youngest brother, a man only two years older than she, dealt in slave trading made Kat sick to her stomach. She wouldn't even allow herself to consider that at this very moment, Leif himself might be buying and selling human beings.
This was a barbaric, harsh time she now found herself living in.
Kat was certain that she carried Leif's child. She hoped and prayed that no one else would guess her secret.
She had to find a way to Iceland and she had to find Katla's infant and save him from what ever danger her Amma believed him to be in. And then she had to take herself and her unborn child home.
To her home.
She didn't let herself think how she would manage that. The whole idea of getting to Iceland was frightening in its impossibility. If she managed to get that far, to truly find the child and save him, she would have to leave immediately.
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br /> Which meant that, as soon as Leif returned home -- if he returned home -- she would need to steal his pendant before she set out to find the baby.
Even thinking about stealing from Leif, of once again betraying his trust, not to mention destroying the fragile friendships she had built with his family, turned her blood cold.
How could she bear to never see Leif or his family again? Her throat constricted with grief.
You must save the infant or all will be lost.
Kat took a steadying breath. Her Amma had given her a task, and she had no choice but to try and accomplish it. Who knew what would become of their family line if she did not? For that matter, who knew how long she even had to see the baby saved?
Jora peeked her head out of her chamber door and gestured her over. "Come, Kat its time for your lesson." Leif's mother's kind blue eyes beckoned her.
Ever since she had taken over the care of Nabboddr, her days had flown by in an exhausting, yet satisfying rush as she entertained the old man and taught his mother and daughters how to care for him while, at the same time, allowing him to keep his dignity.
To her delight, her evenings now were spent sitting with Leif's mother and sisters in a cozy room, its walls lined with tapestries, the cold stone floor covered with furs, at the opposite end of the fortress. Kat hadn't been aware that they had their own sitting room away from the noisy, crowded great hall.
As Balmung had predicted, one word from him and their fear of her was gone. Why Leif couldn't have given that word weeks ago was beyond Kat. Now the women openly asked questions regarding her real life and listened intently as she answered.
Jora, who insisted that she call her 'mother' when in private, painstakingly taught Kat how to work the spinning wheel and she had already made several colorful shawls and blankets to show for her efforts.
Her sisters-in-laws, Hallfrior, Sefa and Yrsa had taught her how to cook. She now made a killer skasue that she couldn't wait for Leif to try out.
