Pโart of me had feared that Snorri would be furious that Iโd disobeyed him. Instead, he was elated that it had been me whoโd set fire to the ships, seeing it as proof of the veracity of the seerโs foretelling.โ
That Bjorn had been as much behind the fires as I went in one of Snorriโs ears and out the other, and I was half tempted to tell him that Iโd be a corpse floating on the fjord if not for his son.
But Ylvaโs eyes dissected me with every word, so I bit my tongue, knowing that if she suspected anything lay between me and Bjorn sheโd make both of us pay, one way or another. Better to say nothing, which was easy, given that it was no moment for celebration. Victorious or not, buildings in Halsar still burned, dozens of corpses cooled on the ground, and many more screamed and cried from injuries.
At least a dozen men were brought to the great hall with injuries so catastrophic, it seemed a miracle they were still breathing, and if not for
Livโs magic, theyโd have gone to Valhalla before dawn lit the sky.
But not even the healer could do anything for the dead.
Eighteen lives lost, Iโd heard the servants whisper as I did what I could to help those not mortally injured, cleansing wounds and wrapping them tight with bandages. Most of them were warriors, but not all. A fact I had to face as I joined the procession down to the beach the following morning. Four pyres sat unlit, and as I set my eyes on the faces of the deceased, my chest tightened so painfully I could hardly breathe. Gnutโs men hadnโt just slaughtered those whoโd opposed them, theyโd slaughtered those theyโd found sleeping in their beds. The very old. And the very young.
Logically, I knew the death toll wouldโve been much higher if I hadnโt given the early warning, yet it still felt like a failure. Hlin had granted me magic so that I might provide protection, and while my actions had helped end the battle, it had been too late for many. And I hated that. Hated that these people had died because men like Gnut and Snorri valued my lifeโor deathโmore than anything else.
Standing next to Ylva and Snorri, I toyed with the hilt of my fatherโs sword, which I had kept. Snorri had said nothing about its absence, nor even seemed to notice that I had a weapon belted to my waist at all. Together, we watched an ancient woman conduct the rituals, the pyres piled with offerings, those watching either weeping or stone-faced. It wasnโt long until the flames burned high, dark smoke rising into the clear sky and the scent of charring hair and flesh filling my nose. Snorri had ensured that all knew Iโd lit the ships on fire, downplaying Bjornโs involvement, but I didnโt fail to notice that many still cast dark gazes full of blame my way.
Discomfited, I looked away and my gaze locked on a hooded figure walking slowly down the waterline, obscured by haze. At first I thought it was only the smoke from the pyres. But as I watched, I realized the smoke was coming from the individual. Not just smoke, but bits of ember and ash, as though the individual were aflame.
โYlva.โ I caught hold of her arm. โLook at that person. Theyโreโฆโ My words trailed away, for the individual was gone.
โWho?โ Ylva demanded, following my gaze, which led to the empty beach.
โThere was a hooded figure walking,โ I said. โTheyโฆthey looked as though they were burning, but I donโt know where they went.โ
Ylva made a noise of annoyance. โSilence your tongue, girl. These people died for youโshow them some respect.โ
My anger flared, because while Gnut might have come to kill me, I wasnโt alone at fault. As guilty as I felt for the deaths and injuries, it still frustrated me that it was not their jarl the people held accountable, for he had failed to protect them despite knowing the threat. Yet none of that seemed to matter, for more and more people cast dark glares in my direction, their bodies tense with anger.
Only for every single one of them to abruptly turn back to the pyres as a wave of heat warmed the back of my neck.
Bjorn stood behind me and to my right, his axe ablaze in one hand, the flat of the blade resting against his bare forearm as though it were made of no more than steel. It was the first time Iโd seen him since heโd told Snorri that I was responsible for the drakkar fires, and though I had more pressing concerns, my foolish mind instantly went to the moment on the beach when heโd held me against the cold. A good reminder of why I needed to stay as far away from him as I could.
โWhere were you, Bjorn?โ Snorri muttered. โYou were supposed to light the pyres. You dishonor the dead in your absence.โ
โI slept late.โ Though there was nothing in his expression or tone to suggest he spoke anything other than the truth, I sensed he was lying.ย Why?
Snorriโs frown deepened but before he could respond, I said, โThere would be thrice their number if not for Bjornโs actions. The dead know that. As should the living.โ
Snorri gave a soft snort, turning back to the pyres, the smoke now rising in a tower that seemed to touch the clouds above. โTonight we feast to honor the dead,โ he roared. โTomorrow, we make plans for our revenge against Jarl Gnut!โ
The people of Halsar howled their approval, warriors lifting their weapons into the air, but as I turned to follow Ylva and Snorri back to the great hall, I still felt the prickle of ill will directed at my back.
โI would speak to you, Freya,โ Snorri said as we approached the building. โAnd you as well, Bjorn.โ
My heart skittered with the sudden terror that someone had seen me and Bjorn on the beach or, worse, into my lustful heart, but Bjorn appeared unconcerned. Nodding, he extinguished his axe and strode through the doors into the great hall.
The injured were still being tended, and we walked past the rows of quiet forms and behind the large chairs on the dais before Snorri paused. โWe must discuss your actions last night, Freya.โ
I held my breath even as Ylva, whoโd been silent, snarled, โWhat must be discussed is her punishment. She defied your orders. Have her beaten for her actions lest she defy you again. Sheโs supposed to be under your control, but last night demonstrated that she needs a tighter leash.โ
I opened my mouth to retort, but Bjorn beat me to it. โIf anyone is to be beaten for failing my fatherโs orders, itโs you, Ylva.โ
Wouldnโt that be an interesting turn of events,ย I thought even as Ylva glared at Bjorn, her eyes bright with anger. โAs always, you speak out of turn.โ
โI speak the truth,โ Bjorn said with a laugh. โMy father did not order Freya to remain in the great hall, he orderedย youย to keep her here. Which you failed to do. Not because she overwhelmed your every attempt to heed your husbandโs commands, but, by all accounts, because you failed to notice your shield maiden climbing into the rafters. You should be punished lest your attention wander again.โ
โBjornโฆโ Snorriโs voice dripped with warning, and indeed, I wanted to kick him in the shins, because all he was accomplishing was making tensions between me and Ylva worse.
โI speak only the truth that has been repeated by all who were here last night,โ Bjorn said. โYou should be rewarding Freya for following her instincts, else Halsar, and most of its people, would be ash. And Ylva, you
should be on your knees thanking her for twisting the threads of fate, else youโd be the cause of all that death.โ
If I hadnโt been dripping sweat from the anxiety currently twisting my stomach into ropes, Iโd have laughed as Ylvaโs eyes widened with outrage.
Snorri rubbed at his temples. โYouโve made your point, Bjorn. As it is, Iโve no intention of beating anyone. Hlin warned us and we failed to take appropriate precaution. I donโt intend to make the mistake of ignoring what else she revealed.โ
Bjornโs face blanched as understanding took hold. โI told you I wouldnโt
โโ
โYour fate is entwined with Freyaโs,โ Snorri interrupted. โYou are destined to use your strength and skills to protect her. But more than that, you must use them to teach her.โ
โIโโ
โFreya has proven the gods favor her,โ Snorri said. โYet the people grieve, blaming her for last nightโs raid. Some might go so far as to seek vengeance upon her, which you must protect her against. You must also help turn her into a warrior they see as worth following.โ
โI know nothing of teaching someone how to fight,โ Bjorn snapped. โThis isโโ
โThese are the reasons I asked you here, Bjorn,โ Snorri continued. โNot to enjoy the sound of your voice, but because I would haveย youย make her ready. I would haveย you,ย my son and heir, make a warrior of our shield maiden. I would haveย youย teach her to fight in a shield wall. Andโโhe looked between the two of usโโbecause Hlin foresaw that it would be you who will keep her safe,ย youย will remain at her side, day and night, until she has fulfilled her destiny.โ
Bjornโs green eyes darkened, his hands balled into fists. โThis is notย my
destiny.โ
The last vestiges of Snorriโs patience evaporated. โYou are my son. You will abide or you willย leave.ย Am I understood?โ
For a heartbeat, I thought Bjorn would walk out, and a shocking stab of pain lanced through me. But he only clenched his teeth, the โFineโ that
exited between them more growl than word. โMight I have one more night of freedom before you bind me to her?โ
โOne night,โ Snorri snapped. โBut at dawn, you will join Freya and never leave her side.โ
I closed my eyes, silently cursing the gods for giving me what I wanted even as they took it away.