11 #2
a??You survived and that is what is important. With luck, both of us will continue to survive. Thank you, Entti.a??
And that was that. Mirana sat opposite her on the narrow wooden plank, both women drawing on their oars together.
It took a while to gain a rhythm, but theya??d at last managed it.
Each draw took them farther and farther away.
Soon they would reach the mouth of the estuary and the North Sea.
Two women rowing a warship. It would be difficult, near to impossible, but Mirana knew they would manage somehow.
Entti said, a??I found it amusing when the women took their revenge, and I wanted desperately to help them, but how could I?
I was naught but a blank-brained child. They were so furious when their husbands took me, but they never blamed me, particularly Asta.
Even she showed me no dislike or blamed me for Gurda??s infidelity.
I disliked him more than any of the others.
But then Ammaa??s plan, and what they did to the men until Rorik made his threat!
I heard Amma talking to some of the other women of your idea, but then Rorik made his threat immediately, giving it no time to work.a??
a??Aye,a?? Mirana said. a??I wondered why he did it so soon. He didna??t even eat any of the porridge that next morning, and it was very very good, Entti.a??
Entti chuckled. a??I saw him go to his sleeping chamber when Amma and Old Alna were in there with you. He didna??t enter, but just paused outside. I believe he overheard you and the women making your new plans. He knew he had to act quickly and so he did. He isna??t a stupid man.a??
a??There will be no more rebellions, Entti. All the women know he whipped me even though they dona??t know why he did it. It was enough to make them forgo any more thoughts of defiance. a??Tis a pity and yes, Rorik is many things, but he isna??t stupid.a??
a??Mayhap he was this time. We have escaped him. By the gods, Mirana, we listened to him and his men calling us naught but women, small and helpless and insignificant as insects. Aye, this time wea??ve won.a?? Entti looked heavenward for a moment, then said, a??Why did Rorik whip you?a??
a??It was silly, really. I was too proud to bend, and thata??s the truth of it. Oddly enough, he was very careful not to hurt me.a?? Mirana added, shaking her head, a??Naturally, he blamed me for making him have to whip me.a??
a??Men,a?? Entti said, a??they behave as if they actually believe what they do is right. It is astounding that they can be so blind.a??
a??Lucky for you that they are, my friend.a??
a??Aye, if you would wish to regard my captivity in that light. I was lucky. I survived to escape.a??
They rowed in silence, for their breaths were beginning to hitch with the strain. It was nearly impossible for the two of them to keep the warship exactly on the right course. They had to make constant corrections, and it was exhausting.
Mirana said, a??I know weapons and have a certain skill with a knife and a sword.
If only there had been time, if only Rorik hadna??t overheard our plan.
All the women need is the proper training, for they have grit and heart.
A man whose parts or whose throat is threatened by an agile hand wielding a knife isna??t a man to go against his honor, to spite his wife.a??
a??Mirana?a??
a??Aye?a??
a??You would have them gullet the men? Nay, dona??t answer.
I like it very much. I can see Amma sitting atop Sculla, a knife pricking his throat.
Except, of course, Sculla is a faithful hound.
He loves her, nay, he worships that woman.
Raki is the same. Poor Erna has but one good arm, yet it makes no difference to him or to their sons. She is a good woman.a??
a??If we both still live on the morrow, tell me that again.a??
a??We will be alive,a?? Entti said, and for a while, at least, Mirana was content to believe her.
It was sheer happenstance. Askhold had forgotten a skin water bag and had returned to the warship to fetch it before they set out to journey inland at dawn the following morning.
Both warships were gone.
a??Gone?a?? Rorik repeated, staring blankly at Askhold.
a??Aye, both of them.a??
a??No accident,a?? Hafter said.
Gurd said, a??She did it. The woman is cunning and treacherous as a snake. Rorik is right. She has a brain. She thinks like a man. She did it. I will strangle her skinny white neck when we catch her.a??
Rorik nodded, feeling rage flow over him, but mingled with that rage was respect. She was good, very good.
a??But she still has to worry about Entti,a?? Hafter said.
a??That will slow her. By Thora??s hammer, if she harms Entti, Ia??ll strangle the witch myself.
My poor Entti, so helpless against such as her.
She probably doesna??t understand what is happening.
Ah, the woman has much to answer for, Rorik.a??
a??But I wonder if she could make Entti row?a?? Rorik said to no one in particular. a??It is impossible for one man to row a warship.a??
a??And she is still naught but a small female, despite all her ploys,a?? said Gurd. a??And she must control Entti as well. Entti is simple, Hafter, but she must realize sooner or later that the woman isna??t her friend. Perhaps she will slow the woman. a??Twill not take us long to get her back.a??
a??We must find the other warship,a?? Rorik said, and they set off just as streaks of dawn were penetrating the thick foliage in the salt marsh.
They found the warship run against a log near the shore nearly a mile distant. They were sweating and filthy from walking in the bog. They rowed to the mouth of the estuary very quickly, scenting their victory. When they reached the sea, there was nothing in sight.
Rorik hadna??t really imagined that she would be here, perhaps run aground, but nonetheless he felt a shaft of fear and disappointment.
a??Where did she go?a?? Hafter said.
a??Back to Ireland,a?? Rorik said. a??Back to her damned bastard of a brother.a??
When the storm struck four hours later, Mirana and Entti were close to shore, staying just behind the breaking waves. Rain poured down, waves splashed over the sides of the warship, soaking them, the water resting in the bottom of the boat to lap over their feet. It was misery.
a??We must get ashore and find shelter,a?? Entti said finally, so tired, she thought her arms would surely break off. With the force of the rain and the wind, they were making little headway. The effort wasna??t worth any distance they were gaining.
a??Aye,a?? Mirana said. a??There isna??t much of a choice now. The tide is tugging harder at us. I have no wish to be pulled out to sea.a??
a??I have no wish to have the boat fill with water and sink. Mirana, they wona??t find us. They were going inland to search. Dona??t worry about Rorik. This time we have outsmarted him, we outsmarted all of the men.a??
a??Hea??s clever,a?? Mirana said, looking behind her, but seeing nothing through the impenetrable gray sheets of rain. a??Hea??s very clever and smart and shrewd.a??
They managed to run the warship ashore, but it took all their combined strength to pull it far enough onto the beach so it wouldna??t be whipped by the storm and the waves back out to sea.
They stood there, breathing hard, their heads down, their arms dangling uselessly at their sides. The rain pounded down, but still they didna??t move.
a??Ita??s far enough in,a?? Mirana said at last, her chest still heaving. a??If no one comes across it, it will be safe.a??
Entti only nodded. It really made no difference. Neither of them had any more strength to pull it further. It would remain where it was.
a??Leta??s get under the trees. Those thick oaks will provide some shelter at least.a??
They huddled together as the storm raged overhead. The thick oak leaves did provide protection, but they were both soaked to the skin and there was naught they could do about it.
a??We cannot become ill,a?? Mirana said as she and Entti pressed as close together as possible. a??We cannot.a??
The rain slowed to a drizzle in the early afternoon. The leaves overhead dripped on them, but it wasna??t bad.
a??Ia??m very hungry, Mirana,a?? Entti said.
a??I too. We will have to eat berries and roots. I know what things are safe to eat, so you dona??t have to worry that I will poison us.a??
Entti gave a rich laugh. a??Aye, you believed my fiction as well as everyone else. I cook very well, for I was the daughter of a jeweler who loves his food as much as his silver. Ita??s possible I know more than you since I am a bit older than you. Let us get on with our hunting.a??
They found strawberries and blueberries, not terribly ripe, but ripe enough. They also dug up some cadmus roots. Without its tough skin, the cadmus was mushy pulp that tasted like bland porridge.
In the middle of the afternoon, the rain stopped, and the sun came out. It grew warm and soon their gowns were dry.
a??I would like to sleep for a full day,a?? Entti said, on a sigh, stretching. She felt her arms, stiff and sore. a??How long will it take us to reach this fortress of yours?a??
a??With just the two of us rowing? I dona??t know.a??
a??Then wea??d best get to it.a??
They were just on the point of pushing the longboat back into the water, when there was a bloodcurdling yell.
Two men were running down the beach toward them.
They were wearing leggings and woolen trousers, and leather tunics.
They were local Danes, and theya??d seen two women and were doubtlessly overwhelmed with their unexpected find.
a??Can you use a weapon as well as you cook?a?? Mirana asked.
a??Nay, but I imagine that my fear will sharpen my skills. Give me the sword. I will have a better chance with something bigger.a??
a??But let us try to fool them first,a?? Mirana said. a??Aye, let us be simple helpless females.a??
She slipped the knife back into the pocket of her gown. Entti held the sword in the folds of her gown. Both women waited, not moving.
The two men stopped some ten feet from them. They were young, well formed, and there were huge smiles on their faces.
They called out a greeting.
Mirana, looking as frightened as a young virgin, backed up a step, her face pale, her left hand fluttering helplessly in front of her.
a??We mean no harm,a?? the taller of the young men called out. a??Wea??ve come to help you. We will take you with us.a??
a??And the boat,a?? said the other man, short and muscular as a bull. a??Aye, wea??ll take the boat.a??
They walked toward the women, swaggering now, still smiling, their teeth gleaming white in the sunlight, as happy as two men could be having two lone women and a warship thrust into their waiting hands.
a??Hold yourself ready,a?? Mirana said, still shrinking back in fright, her face creditably pale.