Chapter 8 Skarth the Godless
Eight
Skarth the Godless
I have not stopped riding through the days and nights.
I cannot.
But now, I am forced to, as my horse is tired and needs to be fed and watered. I am tempted to find another, but my horse, Frey, has served me well.
I am three days away from arriving in Northumbria. It’s three days too long.
Now that I know I am going “home,” being away for as long as I have feels like hundreds of years. I am apprehensive about returning. Emeline refuses to take a king, but that does not mean she doesn’t take a lover.
The thought has me clutching the handle of my sword, ready to incite a war.
This mindset is wrong because I cannot expect her to remain celibate. She has needs and is a passionate woman. But now that I am back, she won’t need anyone but me. However, what if she does not want me?
What if she does not love me?
“Soreinn,” I curse under my breath. “You sound like a Fífl.”
I need to stop this starry-eyed nonsense. Other pressing matters need to be dealt with, not who Emeline may share her bed with.
The thought has me striking out and punching a tree.
Shaking out my hand, I try to center on something other than Emeline in the throes of passion with another man. Or men?
“For the love of Odin,” I scold myself for being such a wimp. “Emeline needs a man, not a whining little infant.”
But this is what she does to me. She reduces me to this because I would surrender all I am to her. She owns me—mind, body, and heart.
“You dislike that tree?” someone lightly asks.
Turning around, I see Bodil, a young Viking warrior. However, it seems she met a better fighter than herself. Her injuries indicate that the brawl was recent. I wonder who got the better of this skilled warrior?
“I do not like most things, Bodil. You are aware of this. You, however, I may make an exception for.”
She laughs, and I think she has believed my lies for now.
“What brings the elusive Skarth the Godless out of hiding?”
“I was hardly hiding,” I correct, standing my ground. “Merely minding my business.”
Something is bothering Bodil. I knew of her family, but I did not get to know her well. But it is evident she is unhappy.
“You are akin to Odin to himself these days,” she continues with a smile. “A god walks amongst us.”
“Mind your tongue, Bodil. There will be consequences for insulting the gods.”
“I fear I have already faced those consequences.” She is no doubt talking about her injuries because her ego seems bruised as well.
“Our meeting is not by chance. What is it that you want? I do not have time to waste.”
Bodil smirks, but it’s not of a pleasant nature. “I believe when I tell you what I know, you will give me whatever I wish for.”
I stand still because in the silence, she can read my annoyance at her game playing.
“I have information that you seek. These wounds I am marred with, they were bestowed upon me by your beloved.”
I don’t doubt her because she would not lie and tarnish her honor this way. “What do you want?”
“I will tell you what I know, but in return, I wish for my honor to be replenished.”
“How am I to do this?”
“Our people listen to you,” she says, walking forward while I stand my ground. “You will spread the word that I am the one who has been helping you save our kin from the Saxons.”
I scoff because she believes that our people deserve to be punished if caught. But she has what I want, so I nod.
“You have my word.”
Bodil has the upper hand and knows I will stick true to my word because nothing is more important than Emeline.
“Your precious Emeline rides to Wessex to seek you out. Ulf the Bloody is with her.”
Her words stab at me with a million swords as I know what this means. But I focus on what’s important.
“Why does she leave England unprotected?”
“I do not know, but it’s been said she seeks you out as her kingdom is challenged. She rides with Ulf as he protects her.”
Bodil knows what her words do to me. She chooses them with intent because I know Ulf, and his riding in to save Emeline is a ploy to bed her and ensure he stays there for all the days to come.
“How long ago did you see her?”
When Bodil hesitates, I place my sword at the hollow of her throat. “Do not test my patience.”
The fear in Bodil’s wide eyes is evident. “Only shy of a day. If you act with haste and ride north, you will find her. She will be keeping to the shadows and away from eyes as she is no longer safe in her country—from the Saxons or the Danes.”
This is worse than I thought.
I do not hesitate and mount my horse. “I will ensure your name is safe…for now. But mark my words, if I uncover your deceit or intent to cause us harm, I will destroy you and your bloodline.”
She nods with fear, her bravado soon dying as she knows I’ll make good on my word.
I do not wait for idle words. I must find Emeline as she rides to Wessex, and I originally to Northumbria.
I cluck my tongue, my horse knowing time is of the essence.
Emeline is no longer safe. Both Saxons and Danes hunt her.
For her to risk her beloved England this way can only mean one thing—our children’s lives are in danger.
I do not know how or why. But I do know that I will spend the rest of my days making amends to my family for not shielding them.
I thought I was protecting them because what is safer than a queen in her kingdom? But it seems the gods have another plan for us all.
* * *
I don’t bother to ask fellow travelers along the way about Emeline because I fear our allies are long gone. I do not have any trusted confidants. I have chosen to keep to myself over the years, preferring solitude to company. I cannot trust anyone but myself.
But I fear that if I do not find Emeline soon, then I will need to make myself known. A man who has spent years in the shadows does not have friends. The only ally I have is because we share the same interest.
And that is Ulf.
Yes, he is with her.
Does that make me feel better?
No, it does not.
It only cements my failure to protect my family because he is where I should be.
I coax my horse to ride faster, refusing to stop until I find Emeline. I will not stop until I grovel at her feet, begging for forgiveness.
But is it too late?
I fear I know the answer to that.
I peer into the sky and fondly recall the words I once said to Emeline.
“I will always be with you. And when I am not, peer into the skies, and the North Star will remind you of that. North of the stars is always the brightest, just how your light shines within me.”
Those words were spoken a lifetime ago. How we’ve both changed. Regardless of what has happened, my love for Emeline has never wavered. Neither has the love for my children.
My stomach turns at the thought of my boys being in danger. I believed I was doing the right thing by staying away, but Ulf now provides protection in my place.
I want to hate him, but I cannot. He is providing for my family when I cannot. Emeline has every right to detest me. And I will accept that fate because I deserve it.
I cannot think clearly, and this is the most dangerous way to ride. This is when errors are made. I cannot afford such oversights because my family’s safety is at stake. When I see a camp in the distance, I decide to stop.
In the past, I wouldn’t have.
But now, I cannot ride blind.
Emeline and Ulf will not leave a trail behind, as they do not want to be hunted. They wish to remain incognito. Just as I do. The only way I will be able to find them is with an army behind me. The time to remain hidden is no more.
Skarth the Godless has arisen from the shadows, and it’s time to make some fucking noise.
I ride toward the camp, making my presence known, which is so unlike how I would usually ride. My people emerge when they see me, instantly recognizing who I am. Skarth the Godless was once a myth. But now, I am here and prepared to pay what I must.
“I mean you no harm!” I shout, raising my hands in surrender.
My people view me with skepticism in their eyes. I do not blame them. They are wise to approach me with caution. I have been neither here nor there. But now, I need them.
“I come because I need your help.”
Many scoff, turning their noses up at my request. They have every right to. I have turned my back on most, so they owe me nothing. I am an outlaw. A traitor. A lone wolf. My people do not owe me a single thing. But I can only hope Odin rewards the sacrifices I’ve made.
“I am seeking any information on Queen Emeline and Ulf the Bloody. I do not expect you to extend me loyalty, but perhaps the rewards I offer can sway.”
Reaching for the coin purse at my hip, I hold it high in the air, the contents clinking loudly, alerting those to what they can possess if they opt to help me.
Wealth has always swayed. And for men who are fighting for survival, money always wins.
The interest is evident, and loyalties are no longer. I may be seen as betraying my kind, but any smart man can see that this wealth will change their fortune. Loyalty does not exist when men’s riches are at stake.
I continue riding, peering into the faces of my kinsmen for that one man who will be the key I need to find my family.
“I have forsaken thee, but I am still a Viking! I do not relinquish who I am. I am Skarth the Godless!”
I cluck my tongue, commanding my horse to stop. Although we are all Vikings, these people and I are no longer the same. The division is evident, and I cannot help but feel that the reign in England my beloved fought so hard for has come to an end.
“I realize your cooperation may be seen as an insult to our people, but you must understand I fight for my family, and I do not wish to upset the gods.
I only wish to protect my family. My honor.
And I will never turn my back on the gods!
I am a Viking, and although my family may be Saxon, I will never turn my back on who I am.
And I will do anything to protect who I am and fight for what is ingrained in our blood.