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‘Not the sort you’d want to meet on a dark night.’
‘Not the sort you’d want to meet at all, my lady. Their kind will kill and maim because they enjoy it.’
Hearing the servant give voice to her former thought Astrid’s frown deepened. ‘With these and the men Hakke brought with him before he’s got a small army. What’s he up to?’
‘Nothing good, I’ll wager.’
‘See what you can find out, Dalla.’
* * *
It was late afternoon before the servant returned. Her expression only increased Astrid’s apprehension.
‘What did you learn?’
‘You were right; their arrival has nothing to do with the wedding. They’ve been brought here for a hall burning.’
‘What?’
‘Some of them were openly talking about it earlier. They were virtually straining at the leash.’
The feeling of foreboding increased. ‘Whose hall, Dalla?’
‘Leif Egilsson and his kin. It seems the prince intends to settle a score.’
Astrid paled. ‘When?’
‘Tonight.’
For a second or two Astrid was speechless. Such a possibility had never occurred to her. Only now was the extent of Hakke’s malice apparent. It filled her with disgust. Mingled with that was concern for Leif, and it went deeper than she’d realised.
‘This mustn’t be allowed to happen.’
‘How can you stop it, my lady?’
‘By getting a message to the intended victims first.’
Dalla raised an eyebrow. ‘That’s quite a risk to take for a group of strangers.’
‘Leif Egilsson once did me a service and I am not one to forget such things.’ It was a partial truth only but it would have to serve. The rest was too complex to explain, even to herself.
‘If the prince or Jarl Einar found out...’
‘They won’t find out, not if the matter is handled with care. One man could slip away unnoticed and take a message.’ Astrid paused. ‘All I need is someone who can be trusted.’
‘I know of one person—the stableman, Ari. He keeps himself to himself but he’s reliable. He might be prepared to go.’
‘There’s no time to lose. Go and ask him.’
As the maid hurried away, Astrid glanced through the open doorway where afternoon was merging into early evening. She let out a long slow breath. She had to keep calm. Nothing would be served by panic. If she could get a message to Leif all might yet be well. It would mean some disruption to their plans but surely that was not insurmountable, unless of course he decided to cut his losses and leave without her. That was a possibility. He didn’t seem to be the kind of man to renege on a promise but it was a question of risk. It would be simpler to save his skin rather than hers. After all, it was nothing to him if Astrid had to wed Gulbrand. A man like Leif would have no trouble finding another mistress either. She bit her lip. Would he keep faith with her? Would he come for her?
* * *
Twenty minutes later Dalla returned. In response to Astrid’s quizzical look she nodded.
‘He’s agreed to go.’
Relief rose like a tide. ‘The gods be thanked. I’ll make sure he’s amply rewarded for this.’
‘Let’s hope the warning arrives in time,’ said Dalla.
* * *
Leif reached for a loaf and broke off a sizeable chunk. A day in the open air had given him a keen appetite. Quite apart from the usual chores, he’d also had to put his other plans in train as well. That he’d been able to do so was due in no small part to his brother and cousin and a well-trained crew. If anyone was surprised by the suddenness of their forthcoming voyage it was never mentioned, and the men set about their preparations with a minimum of discussion and the speed born of long practice. Arrangements had also been made to leave a few reliable men in charge of the estate. Everything was in place. All he had to do now was fetch Astrid.
Her decision to come with him still carried with it an element of surprise. He had been quite open about what the relationship would be but she had still elected to go with him rather than marry Gulbrand. It was a courageous choice in many ways. It also raised interesting questions. Was this just the lesser of two evils? He preferred to think that wasn’t the case, that he hadn’t imagined the spark between them. The answer would be evident soon enough, a thought that filled him with a sense of anticipation. He couldn’t recall anything he’d wanted half as much. Did a woman’s value increase in proportion to the risk involved in winning her? If so, their relationship was likely to be a protracted affair.
The torches flared in a sudden draught and he looked up as the oaken door of the hall swung open to admit Trygg.
‘A messenger has just arrived, my lord. Man by the name of Ari. Says he brings important news.’
Leif frowned and lowered his cup. ‘Admit him.’
‘What in Hel’s name does a messenger want at this hour?’ demanded Finn.
‘Good question.’
The question was uppermost in other minds too and around the table conversation died as their shield companions exchanged quizzical glances. Before anyone could say anything more Ari came in and hastened across the hall to the high table.
‘My lord, I am sent by Lady Astrid to deliver a warning.’
‘What warning?’
‘That Steingrim and a large contingent of men are on their way here.’
Conversation died and all eyes turned towards the speaker. Leif’s expression lost all traces of good humour.
‘Steingrim comes here?’
‘Aye, my lord. They mean to attack tonight and to kill all they find.’
The men remained silent and for several moments the only sound was from the crackling logs in the hearth.
Leif’s eyes glinted. ‘How did your mistress find out about this?’
‘Steingrim’s men were openly discussing it.’
‘How many men has he got?’
‘Two ships’ crews of his own, my lord, but Thorkill has brought a third.’
The news elicited murmurs of angry disbelief. Leif’s jaw tightened as he assimilated the implications. In that he wasn’t alone.
‘Hakke doesn’t give up, does he?’ said Finn.
Erik frowned. ‘We should have killed the treacherous bastard when we had the chance.’
‘We’ll get another,’ replied Leif. ‘If not we’ll make one. In the meantime, we’re going to be outnumbered five to one.’
‘Unpromising odds. What are we going to do?’
‘We’ve got no choice but to go.’ Leif thought rapidly. ‘We’ll split up though. Steingrim can’t follow without dividing his force.’
Finn nodded. ‘That’ll make it easier to take them on when we’re ready.’
‘We’ll each choose the time and place for that,’ replied Leif, ‘once we’ve recruited extra swords.’
As the implications sank in, the faces around him were expressive of quiet appreciation.
‘I’ll round up my men and head for Alfheimer,’ said Finn. ‘We have friends there.’
‘I’m for Hedemark,’ said Erik. ‘King Sigelac owes us a few favours. It’s time to call them in.’ He shot a look at Leif. ‘You?’
‘My estate in Agder.’
‘Agder? But didn’t you once say you’d never...’
‘I know, but needs must. I’ll find swords enough there.’
‘No doubt.’
‘Send word when you can.’ Leif paused. ‘In the meantime, let’s arm and make ready to depart.’
Leaving the remains of the meal on the table, the men hastened to obey. Finn paused, looking round the hall, taking in every detail from the carved pillars to the smoke-darkened rafters, his expression compounded of anger and resentment. ‘This place was hard won, yet Steingrim will burn it to the ground in one night.’
‘A hall can be rebuilt,’ said Leif, ‘and we’ll live to fight another day.’
‘When we do, I’ll cut Steingrim’s throat myself.’
‘I’ll hold you to that.’
With a short space of time the company was armed and ready to ride. Leif embraced Finn in a bear hug and then did the like to Erik.
‘Go well, Cousin. We’ll meet again soon if the gods so will.’
Erik nodded and clapped him on the back. ‘May Odin smile upon our endeavours.’
He and Finn mounted their horses and, raising a hand in salute, rode away. Leif turned to his shield men. ‘Go and ready the Sea Serpent. Take her round the headland to Gulderfoss. I’ll meet you there.’
His men regarded him in surprise.
‘Where are you going?’ demanded Thorvald.
‘There’s something I have to do first. I won’t be long.’ He looked at the messenger. ‘Ari, you come with me.’
With that he turned his horse’s head and rode away into the darkness. Thorvald stared after him for a moment; then looked at the others.
‘All right. You heard him. Let’s get going.’
* * *
Leif reined to a halt and surveyed the looming shapes of the buildings that made up Jarl Einar’s holding. Most were in darkness save for the great hall illuminated by flaming cressets. Ordinarily he would have expected to hear the sound of carousing from within but tonight the place was unnaturally quiet. He looked at his companion.
‘Find Lady Astrid and tell her to meet me in the usual place.’
Ari looked round furtively. ‘It’s dangerous, my lord. If you’re found here...’
‘This is the last place anyone will be expecting to see me. Besides, the inhabitants are otherwise engaged tonight.’
‘But, my lord...’
‘Do it, and be very discreet if you value your life.’
As the servant rode away in the direction of the buildings, Leif dismounted and tethered his horse to a tree. Then, loosening his sword in its sheath, he took a circular detour and made his way towards the rear of the weaving shed, making use of deep shadow for concealment. The quiet intensified. The place might have been completely deserted. Hakke must have sent every available man to accomplish his mission tonight. Had he gone with them? Had Jarl Einar? Somehow he doubted it, which meant that the two of them were holed up somewhere waiting for Steingrim to report back. Leif smiled grimly. Unwittingly they had just made it easier to get Astrid out. By the time anyone knew what was happening the birds would have flown.
* * *
As Ari briefly reported the success of his mission, Astrid felt intense relief. Hakke’s plan had failed. At most his men would burn an empty hall. Leif and his men would live to fight another day. However, the leaving had other, more immediate, implications. With an effort she controlled her voice.
‘Did Jarl Leif send any message for me?’
‘Aye, my lady. He’s waiting to speak with you now. In the usual place, he said.’
Her heart leapt. He hadn’t abandoned her. He’d kept faith. Handing Ari a small pouch of coin, she dismissed him with her thanks. Then, taking a swift look around to make sure the coast was clear, she hurried towards the weaving shed. She reached it a short time later and stole silently along the wall to the far corner.
‘Leif?’
The word was scarcely more than a murmur but it did not fail in its effect. A tall figure detached itself from the depths of the shadows.
‘I’m here.’
Pale moonlight gleamed softly on mail byrnie and silver arm rings. The relief at seeing him there was so strong it almost hurt. Mixed up with that was heart-thumping excitement. ‘You did come.’
‘Did you doubt it?’
‘I hoped you would but I didn’t know if it would be possible.’
‘I always keep my promises.’ He paused. ‘Besides, I owe you a debt of gratitude for the timely warning. You took quite a chance.’
