Chapter 37 #2
But after a few heavy heartbeats, the forest remained empty.
Swallowing her disappointment and pride, she turned to take care of her business.
Then she gathered her courage and faced Asfrid once more.
This might be her only chance while Sig wasn’t nearby.
Asfrid clearly had no affection or loyalty to him or Staegar.
Perhaps Eadlyn could persuade her to help.
She breathed a prayer, pressing hope into every word that followed. “I heard what you said to your brother,” she spoke in Nordric. “If you take me back to Fjellheim, the king will protect you from Staegar.”
Asfrid’s head whipped toward her. Her eyes narrowed, flashing in the gray light with the revelation that Eadlyn had understood them this whole time. “You really think they’d forgive us? For abducting you?” Her tone was flat and skeptical. “You think your husband would?”
It wouldn’t be easy, but Eadlyn nodded. “They will if I ask them to.”
Asfrid snorted. “I like my plan better.”
She grabbed Eadlyn’s arm again and led her back toward camp. Brush snagged Eadlyn’s skirt, the forest cold and unkind around them. Each step bit harder at her resolve. If she didn’t get out of this soon… If Aevar didn’t come…
Back in camp, Sig was awake and saddling his horse. His mouth contorted in a sneer as he watched them. When the others began eating, Eadlyn wasn’t sure she would receive anything until Asfrid passed her a handful of wrinkled berries and a strip of salted meat.
Between bites, she eyed Sig as she debated. Now that Asfrid knew she understood Nordric, it probably wouldn’t take long for the others to find out. Might as well learn what she could.
“Why take me to Kalgora?” she asked no one in particular
Sig’s head shot up. “So the princess has been listening.” His grin was all teeth. “As much as I wanted to keep you for myself, my uncle had other plans. You’re to be a gift. A peace offering to the Kalgorans so when he becomes king, they’ll support him.”
“And what makes him think he’ll ever be king? Even if he manages to defeat Runar, the other jarls won’t just fall in line.”
Sig shrugged. “Nordra needs strength. The alliance was weakness. Eventually, the others will see that.”
She shook her head. “I think he underestimates the respect Runar has from the other clans. It takes more than strength or force to rule. A good leader has both strength and humility. He understands the wisdom of cultivating relationships with those around him. He thinks of his people and not only of his own power. Things neither you nor your uncle seem to understand.”
Sig’s smirk didn’t fade. “Well, once Runar’s dealt with and my uncle has the support of Kalgora, there won’t be much choice but to follow him.”
His words oozed with arrogant certainty. Was there already a plan in place to kill Runar? An assassination rather than an honorable challenge? “So murder Runar, ally with Kalgora, and threaten the other jarls into obedience. That’s your uncle’s plan?”
“Pretty much.”
Asfrid and Dagr rolled their eyes. Either they didn’t think too much of this plan or were annoyed over his blabbing about it so freely.
Eadlyn barely had time to think before Sig leaned closer, his voice like venom. “And once the king is dead, I’ll take your beloved Aevar as my prisoner. He’ll beg for death before I give it to him.”
Her stomach recoiled, but she didn’t flinch. Didn’t look away. She finished the last of her berries, eyes locked with his. Little by little, his grin faded.
Finally, she said, “You talk a lot for someone half the man Aevar is and who shamed himself in front of the other jarls.”
Color flooded Sig’s face. He lunged at her, the back of his hand striking her hard across her face. Her knees buckled, and the earth rushed up to meet her. Shouting and a scuffle rose over the ringing in her ears. When she regained her senses, Dagr was restraining Sig.
Asfrid grabbed Eadlyn’s arm and yanked her upright, dragging her toward her horse with a muttered curse. “You’d do well not to provoke him if you want me to keep him away from you.” But, just for a moment, she glanced at Eadlyn with something like grudging respect. “Not that he doesn’t deserve it.”
Something wet trickled down Eadlyn’s chin from her stinging lip. When she touched the back of her hand to it, it came away smeared with blood.
Asfrid sighed and dug a cloth out of her pack, handing it to Eadlyn.
“Tahk,” Eadlyn murmured and used it to slow the bleeding.
Over by his own horse, Sig fumed, still uttering curses. Dagr shook his head, shooting Asfrid a sharp glance, but said nothing as he checked their gear.
After a tense few minutes, they all mounted. Asfrid kept Eadlyn’s horse close to hers and turned to her brother. “Hang back and cover our trail.”
Dagr gave Sig a wary look before nodding, and Asfrid led them deeper into the forest.
Her face throbbing, Eadlyn peered over her shoulder. The trees blurred behind her, but no rescue came. Where was Aevar, and how long would it take him to find her?