The Viking’s Touch(50)

 Hermund looked around at his companions. ‘You heard him. Get to it.’

 Nothing loath, they hurried off to do his bidding. For a moment Wulfgar watched them go. Then he returned to the inner chamber where Anwyn waited.

 ‘Did you hear all that?’

 She nodded. ‘I am glad. The people hereabouts will sleep easier at night knowing that this robber crew can no longer prey upon their homes and livelihoods.’

 ‘We will rebuild what they have destroyed.’ He sighed. ‘If I had not left, it mightn’t have happened in the first place.’

 ‘If I had not interfered, you would have dealt with the threat long since,’ she sighed. ‘Forgive me, Wulfgar.’

 ‘You only did what you thought right at the time.’

 ‘I let my heart rule my head.’

 ‘And I once did just the opposite.’ He smiled wryly. ‘It was a costly mistake, but I shall not repeat it.’

 The smell of smoke drifted in through the open doorway. Wulfgar glanced across the compound.

 ‘My men have taken me at my word. We must go.’ He reached out a hand to lead her from the room, but Anwyn checked.

 ‘Wait. There’s something else.’

 She ran back to the inner chamber. Wulfgar followed, bemused, pausing in the doorway to watch as she scanned the rushes on the floor. Presently he saw her smile and, following her gaze, detected the soft gleam of metal. Anwyn bent down to retrieve it.

 ‘What is it, love?’ he asked.

 ‘Something Ingvar threw away.’

 She extended her hand and he saw the ring on her open palm. One glance served to identify it and his eyes narrowed. Then he looked at Anwyn. She met his gaze steadily.

 ‘Will you put it back where it belongs, Wulfgar?’

 He drew off Ingvar’s ring and slid the original onto her finger once more. Then he glanced contemptuously at the body and tossed the unwanted ring across the room to join it. Anwyn shuddered and turned away. Wulfgar squeezed her hand gently.

 ‘It’s over, love. He can’t hurt you now.’

 ‘He cannot hurt anyone now,’ she replied, ‘though that is no thanks to me.’

 ‘Forget him. We have more important things to think about.’

 ‘I want to see my son, Wulfgar. I want to be sure he’s really safe.’

 ‘He’s safe.’ Wulfgar grinned. ‘Thanks to Frodi. He was the one who picked the lock. Without him I’d have been in real trouble.’

 He led her to the outer entrance. Seeing the heavy wooden plank beside it, she threw him a quizzical glance.

 ‘Ingvar barred the door after he brought me here. How did you get in?’

 ‘I was here before you,’ he replied. ‘Fortunately the shadows in the corners are deep and Ingvar too preoccupied to notice.’

 Anwyn’s cheeks burned. ‘You heard everything then?’

 ‘Aye, I did. It makes killing him even more satisfying.’

 They stepped outside. The smell of burning was much stronger now and several buildings were already well alight. Wulfgar grasped her hand.

 ‘Come.’

 Wulfgar skirted the battle zone and led her towards the main gate, now standing wide. A group of men stood watching their approach, their faces lit by the flames from the fortress.

 ‘Osric?’ she murmured. ‘What on earth is he doing here?’

 ‘He arrived in time to play a part in your deliverance,’ replied Wulfgar.

 ‘He did?’

 Before they could say more her brother strode forwards. For a second or two he surveyed her keenly, his expression cool.

 ‘I am glad to see you safe, Sister, though, frankly, it was your own wilful folly that brought you so close to disaster. Had it not been for Lord Wulfgar…’

 She held her temper. ‘I know what I owe to Lord Wulfgar.’

 ‘No doubt you do.’

 ‘But I still don’t understand how you came to be here in the first place.’

 ‘I told you I’d be back, Anwyn. I am come to escort you into the north country.’

 Her eyes glittered. ‘Would this be connected with the unknown earl and the splendid match you proposed on your last visit?’

 He reddened a little. ‘Someone must look to your interests if you will not.’

 ‘My interests or yours?’

 ‘It amounts to the same thing. I will not permit you to throw away this wonderful chance.’ He paused. ‘If you will not come willingly I regret that I shall have to remove you by force.’

 She shot a swift glance at Wulfgar but his expression was indicative only of polite interest. However, the look in his eye was more eloquent, like the hand idly resting on the hilt of his dagger. Quelling a sudden urge to laugh she turned back to her brother.

 ‘By force?’

 ‘He brought an army with him,’ said Wulfgar in a confidential tone. ‘There must be at least a hundred men.’

 Osric eyed him askance. ‘Just so.’

 ‘It was quite unnecessary, Brother,’ said Anwyn. ‘I have thought on your words often since last we met, and have come to the conclusion that you were absolutely right.’

 He regarded her with blank astonishment for a moment; then began to look rather more mollified. ‘I am glad you are come to your senses at last, Anwyn.’

 She sighed. ‘I confess it took a while but, on mature reflection, I saw that marriage to an earl was the only course open to me.’

 ‘I told you so.’

 ‘So you did, and I hope you can forgive me for my earlier failure to listen to your advice.’

 ‘Well, I was never one to bear a grudge, as you know. In truth, this is most pleasing to hear, Sister.’

 ‘I was so stricken with remorse after your departure that I vowed there and then to put the matter right.’

 ‘I don’t follow.’

 ‘I found an earl and married him at once.’

 His eyes narrowed. ‘What trickery is this, Anwyn? What earl?’

 ‘The Earl of Drakensburgh and Beranhold.’ She smiled and slipped her arm through Wulfgar’s. ‘But I believe you have already met.’

 For a moment Osric could only stare at her in dumbfounded silence. Then he turned his attention to Wulfgar and his expression grew thunderous. ‘You mean this Viking adventurer is your husband?’

 The Viking’s gaze became several degrees cooler but he spoke quietly enough. ‘I am Wulfgar, son of Wulfrum Ragnarsson, and descended from an ancient and noble line of Danish earls. My family has wealth and rich estates enough to surpass any lordling in this land.’ His gaze locked with Osric’s. ‘And swords to back his claims if need be.’

 There followed a pregnant silence in which his men drew closer around them. Then Osric cleared his throat. ‘The, um…noble name of Ragnarsson is, of course, known to me.’

 ‘It is known to many, and with good reason,’ replied Wulfgar. ‘And you, Lord Osric, are like to hear more of it.’ He paused. ‘I would prefer it to be in the context of amity.’

 ‘I intended no disrespect, my lord. Of course your family’s wealth and status are beyond dispute. My former exclamation was merely…surprise at learning of my sister’s unexpected change of fortune.’

 Anwyn smiled up at Wulfgar. ‘Indeed, I am the most fortunate of women.’

 Her brother nodded. ‘I can see that now.’

 ‘I hope so,’ Wulfgar said evenly, ‘because I hold this lady dear and will not relinquish her to any man.’

 Osric’s expression registered concern. ‘Had I known before how the matter stood, my lord, I should never have suggested any such thing. I trust you do not misinterpret my motives.’

 ‘Oh, no. I understand those perfectly.’

 ‘Truly, I am relieved. I would never wish to provoke family discord.’

 Wulfgar glanced at Anwyn. ‘Our hearts are lighter for knowing that.’

 ‘My men and I shall leave on the morrow,’ Osric continued, ‘but if you would be so kind as to offer shelter this night…’

 ‘To have you stay would make our joy complete.’

 ‘You are generous, my lord.’

 ‘Not at all.’ Wulfgar favoured his brother-in-law with a lupine grin. ‘After all, I know it’s going to be a long time before we see you again.’

 With that he reclaimed his wife’s hand and led her away. Anwyn glanced up at him and he heard a gurgle of laughter. It drew a wry answering smile.

 ‘Blood and sand! I was never more tempted to fillet a man.’

 ‘It’s bad form to slay your relatives, Wulfgar.’

 ‘More’s the pity.’ He shrugged. ‘On the plus side, my own family have never appeared in a more advantageous light.’

 They continued on through the gateway. As they emerged a small figure detached itself from the waiting group outside and hurtled towards them.

 ‘Mother!’

 Anwyn opened her arms to receive her son, hugging him tightly, unable to speak for the lump in her throat. Not knowing whether to laugh or cry, she did both. Wulfgar looked on, his heart full. This time the spinners of fate had been kind. This time he had been given a second chance and he had no intention of throwing it away. The Sea Wolf would sail again soon and her crew would join Rollo to seek new adventures and gather loot elsewhere. However, they would do it without him. He’d had his fill of fighting other men’s wars. If he fought in future it would be to protect his own. He smiled to himself. Then he bent down and lifted Eyvind, settling the child into the crook of one arm. The other went around his wife, holding her close.