Chapter Sixteen
Confrontation
Missing Randvior was more painful than being stabbed in the eye. Noelle cursed herself for mistakenly planting the seeds of lust in another man’s heart! She prayed desperately to see her bloodthirsty Viking come crashing through the doors to rescue her.
As if he read her mind, Sveinn tugged at her chin. “He will never find us.”
She didn’t challenge him, only followed his instructions perfectly because she didn’t want Aud’s family to suffer anymore.
She dressed in three layers of clothing and packed her satchel.
Before Sveinn collected her, she put on the gold bangle Randvior gave her, fearing it might be the only memento she’d ever have from him.
The curtains parted and Sveinn stared in at her. “You followed my instructions well.” He stepped inside. “Before we leave …” He tipped her chin. “… we will finish what we started weeks ago.”
Aud and Nessa and their beautiful daughters filled her head and she parted her lips willingly. Whatever she needed to do to keep them alive … his tongue slid into her mouth.
Blood pounded violently in Randvior’s head. Aud had just delivered the bad news. With his countenance on fire, he opened his mouth and screamed.
Men scrambled in every direction.
Randvior stormed across the great hall and grabbed his sacred axe from the wall above his throne.
Reserved only for war, he considered this a fight for his life.
He couldn’t breathe without her, much less be expected to live.
He turned to his men and prepared them as if an invading force waited at his gate.
Not only had he grossly underestimated Sveinn, he had failed to protect his beloved, again.
Prudence and admiration for Fald Ovesen had prevented him from killing his son before. Never again. The next time Randvior set eyes on him, Sveinn Ovesen would die.
Randvior shut his eyes and took a deep breath. “How long has Noelle been gone?”
“Nearly a day.” Aud tightened his weapon belt and checked his knives.
Randvior knew his loyal captain burned with hatred, too.
He deserved avengement nearly as much as he did.
The security of his home had been breached.
Curse Odin for forcing him into this situation.
Dangling a beautiful woman in front of him, then snatching her away in the middle of the night.
If this was meant to test his faith, it did little to advance the god’s cause in his eyes.
Donning full armor, Randvior spoke to his men. “Sveinn Ovesen attacked our brother’s home and kidnapped my woman. Who will ride beside me and help deliver Odin’s justice?”
Every man in the hall volunteered.
The jarl swelled with pride. “We shall take him alive if we can.” Adrenaline pumped through his body. Randvior slammed his fist against the metal armor covering his chest. “And then, I’ll pulverize his skull with my bare hands.”
He divided the guards into five groups. Three teams would search north, east, and south. The fourth would stake out Sveinn’s home. And Randvior’s team, which included Aud, would ride west, toward the sea.
After three days, weariness showing on his face, Randvior searched a broad area while his men made camp. Regrettably, his nemesis had covered his tracks well. He scrutinized everything between the ground and starry heavens above and still found nothing.
He burned for Noelle as badly as a drunk craves a bottle.
Two more bitter nights passed, and finally, Randvior got lucky.
He sighted a fire somewhere in the distance.
No one lived this far west. Riding ahead, he climbed steadily up a snow-covered hill.
His stallion punched through the snow with as much ragged determination as he rode.
A rare, blue full moon provided plenty of light as he crossed a shallow tributary and discovered fresh tracks on the other side.
He dismounted. A shoulder overlooking the sea blocked his way west; the only direction left to go was up.
Randvior trudged another two miles before he came across a dilapidated cabin.
An abandoned woodcutter’s shed, judging by the rusty tools and snow covered woodpiles.
He circled the structure three times—relying on his hearing.
He couldn’t see inside, the narrow windows were blacked out.
His men arrived minutes later and Randvior directed his gaze heavenward.
“Grant us good fortune, great Odin.”
Upon Randvior’s signal, Aud’s heavily clad foot punched through the plank door.
Seven men were huddled around a metal brazier, sleeping comfortably with no weapons at the ready. Randvior spit curses at them as they scrambled to their feet, groping the floor for their swords.
“Your master left juveniles to guard his gate.” Randvior taunted.
“And your negligence cost you a woman.” The swarthiest of Sveinn’s guards wore a wolfish grin.
A torrent of rage rained down on Randvior.
He lunged with his axe hefted over his head.
The man who spoke so freely edged away. His words lost to silence.
The jarl brought the blunt edge of his weapon down on the man’s skull.
With his axe bloodied and Odin’s fury on his face, he turned his rage on the remaining men. They surrendered immediately.
Aud pounded his sword against his shield. “Kill them.”
Randvior lowered his weapon, eyeing Sveinn’s guards.
He should demonstrate mercy. “Pledge loyalty and I will spare your miserable lives.”
Aud’s face twisted. Randvior stifled his complaint with a wave of his hand before his captain had a chance to voice his dissent. “They will serve as slaves.”
Sveinn’s men fell to their knees and pledged as Randvior had commanded. This decision was final. As his rage leveled for the moment, Randvior studied the interior of the cottage.
Another room straight ahead.
He reached the door in two strides and pounded on it. “Sveinn Ovesen, come out and face me as a man!”
No answer came.
Without pause, Randvior shouldered his way through the door, quite unprepared for what he found.
Noelle stripped naked with her hands anchored to a wood beam above her head and tightly gagged.
Her eyes flashed warning as she jerked her head left.
Randvior understood and lifted his weapon in time to deflect a blow from Sveinn’s broadsword.
Randvior grunted and turned to see where his opponent stood.
The kidnapper struck again.
Visions of Sveinn’s filthy hands probing Noelle fueled Randvior’s violence.
He moved mechanically. Their weapons met midair and scraped together so hard sparks flew.
Randvior twisted around and punched him in the gut.
Sveinn hurtled backward, recovered his footing, then charged, whirling his weapon over his head.
Noelle’s muted cries echoed loudly in Randvior’s ears—she needed help, and he slashed his way through Sveinn, landing a damaging blow to his chest and shoulder.
“Kill me,” Sveinn provoked, “and you’ll never know the truth. Did I bed her or leave her untouched for our wedding night?”
On the other side of the door, Randvior could hear his men yelling.
His chest heaved for air and he responded by pulling a dagger from his boot.
With his axe in one hand and his knife in the other, they both ran and collided with the force of two rams. Sveinn punched the dagger loose and grazed Randvior’s left hand with his own short knife.
A loud thwack sounded and Randvior jumped aside, his axe head deeply embedded in Sveinn’s ribs.
The younger man staggered dazedly, falling over furniture in his path.
With the immediate threat neutralized, Randvior ran across the room to Noelle. He scolded her as he freed her hands and mouth. “How dare you leave my side?” Tears wet the corners of his eyes.
He was so tempted to make love to her right now. Instead, he spread his arms wide. She fell into them weeping and laughing at the same time.
“Tell me …” He pleaded as he enveloped her in his arms. The unfinished question was devoid of any vanity. Promise me he didn’t touch you … He needed to hear it from her lips.
Noelle didn’t hesitate—she shook her head slowly and said, “Only a kiss. He took my clothes and bound me because I tried to escape again.”
Randvior pulled her closer. His own brave Valkyrie, a tiny warrior the gods gifted him to love for eternity.
He still wanted to bash Sveinn’s brains in.
A noise from near the entrance made him turn around and he found his men gathered in the doorway—some watching Sveinn and three transfixed by the naked beauty in his arms. “Get out!” he snarled as he released Noelle and walked to the door and kicked it shut.
“Get dressed, little one.” He turned his fury on Sveinn.
Although Randvior was not the type to torment an injured man he felt obligated to enlighten Sveinn before he died. Sveinn was braced against the far wall, his war axe still stuck in his body. Randvior ripped it free. Sveinn screamed in agonizing pain and fell face down on the floor.
“You’ll find no mercy here, Sveinn Ovesen.
You’ve shamed your father’s name and assaulted the woman I love.
Were you fool enough to think I’d bring such a delicate flower across the North Sea without establishing myself as her betrothed before we landed?
I made love to her over and over again. As for you, your fate rests in the hands of my captain. ”
Fully clothed, Noelle joined him and stared down at her kidnapper. She had no words, perhaps this time she agreed a man should die for his crimes.
Randvior took her bag and directed her to the door.
“Are you hurt?”
“My heart aches.” Big, tear-filled eyes stared up at him.
Enough of this place. He opened the door. “Aud! This bastard is yours to do with as you please.”
Randvior brushed past his men with Noelle in tow.
Once outside, he gave her a brisk kiss and lifted her onto the saddle.
He climbed up behind. They rode a short distance and faced the cabin.
Aud came outside, leading Sveinn on a rope looped around his neck, his hands bound behind his back.
Within seconds, the cabin turned into an inferno.
Randvior mouthed a prayer as he watched the flames rise higher.
“To Odin, I am beholden. To Allfather, I am forever grateful. You have delivered mine enemies. Their blood, evidence of your unwavering favor. I am your slave, even after my death, where I beg to sit at your table until the last glorious battle where we must all sacrifice our souls for the sake of Ragnar?k.”