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Authors: Violetta Rand
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of two tents segregated from the men’s.
A hundred yards inside the tree line, Aaron constructed an altar for the pagans to sacrifice on. Although his Christian captains disagreed, Erik approved. It was the first of many actions Aaron intended to use to demonstrate that this was a collaborative effort. King Olaf might kneel to the cross, but he valued all of his subjects equally.
The night before Erik the Bald’s departure, Aaron invited him to share a meal in his tent. “I cannot say I’ll be sorry to see you go.”
“It’s good we understand each other now,” the old man said with a broad smile as he scooped some fish onto his plate, then sat on a stool across from Aaron.
Mutual toleration doesn’t equate to friendship. But Aaron preferred this version of Erik over the one he met in Lagenheim. “When your eldest son heals, I’ll be sure to send for him.”
“Why?” There was a long pause. “Haven’t I been generous enough?”
“Rest easy, old man. Marteinn is worth his weight in silver. If your sons want to serve the king, I’d welcome them.”
Erik poured himself another measure of wine. “To the gods.”
Aaron raised his cup. “Aye,” he said. “And to King Olaf. May this country finally flourish under his tender care.”
Chapter 6
Soldiers
Kara’s father had been gone for weeks, not days. She should have found a level of comfort in his absence; however, after Gunter overheard her conversation with Amelia, his treatment of her changed. He accused Kara of having a secret lover and assigned a guard to follow her wherever she went—day and night. Geilir was too weak with fever to intervene on her behalf. Nothing felt right. With no word from her sire, the only solution she came up with was to visit her cousin in the north. Of course, if she crossed paths with Jarl McNally during her travels, all the better.
At midnight, while most of the household slept, Kara dressed in her armor and grabbed her small leather bag of provisions. The world wouldn’t wait for her—she must catch up with it . She opened her bedchamber door and was pleased to find the bodyguard gone. Amelia had promised to speak with Gunter and convince him he was wrong about what he’d overheard in the great hall. Perhaps she had succeeded. She stepped into the hallway, then closed the door. Everything was quiet. She walked slowly to the stairs. Wall torches provided the light she needed to safely make it downstairs. Gazing dazedly around the great hall, she was pleased to find no one about.
Amelia was waiting for her outside with two horses.
“You’re amazing,” Kara praised. “How did you manage—”
“Never mind what tactics I used . . . the longer we stay here, the more likely we are to get caught.”
Kara nodded. “I won’t forget your kindness.” She secured her bag on the saddle of a gray mare, then turned back to her maid. “Goodbye, Amelia.”
“What?” The maid cut her off with a harsh glance. “You’re not going without me.”
“You needn’t risk your life and livelihood for me.”
The maid clicked her tongue. “I risk everything if I let you ride off alone.”
Kara chastised herself for involving another person in her escape. At times, her father might be a conciliatory man, but this overt act of disobedience would surely push him further away. Nobledaughters don’t leave without permission. And Erik the Bald’s children didn’t make a mockery of his authority. By morning, word of her absence would spread across Lagenheim like fog. In all honesty, she welcomed her maid’s company.
“Are you sure?” Kara asked as she mounted.
“As sure as I’ll ever be.”
They rode north, the general direction Kara guessed Jarl McNally had gone. Over the last few days, Kara had compiled a list of questions, some alarmingly immodest, to ask him. What gave him the right to kiss her? Why did he question her relationship with Marteinn? And of course there was the constant fear that Aaron had
A hundred yards inside the tree line, Aaron constructed an altar for the pagans to sacrifice on. Although his Christian captains disagreed, Erik approved. It was the first of many actions Aaron intended to use to demonstrate that this was a collaborative effort. King Olaf might kneel to the cross, but he valued all of his subjects equally.
The night before Erik the Bald’s departure, Aaron invited him to share a meal in his tent. “I cannot say I’ll be sorry to see you go.”
“It’s good we understand each other now,” the old man said with a broad smile as he scooped some fish onto his plate, then sat on a stool across from Aaron.
Mutual toleration doesn’t equate to friendship. But Aaron preferred this version of Erik over the one he met in Lagenheim. “When your eldest son heals, I’ll be sure to send for him.”
“Why?” There was a long pause. “Haven’t I been generous enough?”
“Rest easy, old man. Marteinn is worth his weight in silver. If your sons want to serve the king, I’d welcome them.”
Erik poured himself another measure of wine. “To the gods.”
Aaron raised his cup. “Aye,” he said. “And to King Olaf. May this country finally flourish under his tender care.”
Chapter 6
Soldiers
Kara’s father had been gone for weeks, not days. She should have found a level of comfort in his absence; however, after Gunter overheard her conversation with Amelia, his treatment of her changed. He accused Kara of having a secret lover and assigned a guard to follow her wherever she went—day and night. Geilir was too weak with fever to intervene on her behalf. Nothing felt right. With no word from her sire, the only solution she came up with was to visit her cousin in the north. Of course, if she crossed paths with Jarl McNally during her travels, all the better.
At midnight, while most of the household slept, Kara dressed in her armor and grabbed her small leather bag of provisions. The world wouldn’t wait for her—she must catch up with it . She opened her bedchamber door and was pleased to find the bodyguard gone. Amelia had promised to speak with Gunter and convince him he was wrong about what he’d overheard in the great hall. Perhaps she had succeeded. She stepped into the hallway, then closed the door. Everything was quiet. She walked slowly to the stairs. Wall torches provided the light she needed to safely make it downstairs. Gazing dazedly around the great hall, she was pleased to find no one about.
Amelia was waiting for her outside with two horses.
“You’re amazing,” Kara praised. “How did you manage—”
“Never mind what tactics I used . . . the longer we stay here, the more likely we are to get caught.”
Kara nodded. “I won’t forget your kindness.” She secured her bag on the saddle of a gray mare, then turned back to her maid. “Goodbye, Amelia.”
“What?” The maid cut her off with a harsh glance. “You’re not going without me.”
“You needn’t risk your life and livelihood for me.”
The maid clicked her tongue. “I risk everything if I let you ride off alone.”
Kara chastised herself for involving another person in her escape. At times, her father might be a conciliatory man, but this overt act of disobedience would surely push him further away. Nobledaughters don’t leave without permission. And Erik the Bald’s children didn’t make a mockery of his authority. By morning, word of her absence would spread across Lagenheim like fog. In all honesty, she welcomed her maid’s company.
“Are you sure?” Kara asked as she mounted.
“As sure as I’ll ever be.”
They rode north, the general direction Kara guessed Jarl McNally had gone. Over the last few days, Kara had compiled a list of questions, some alarmingly immodest, to ask him. What gave him the right to kiss her? Why did he question her relationship with Marteinn? And of course there was the constant fear that Aaron had
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