CHAPTER TWO
Ari continued to tear strips from the tunic.
The wolf, while weak at the moment, would likely attack the moment the hot blade was applied to her wound.
As he prepared for the upcoming treatment, he continued to watch Thora.
Every now and then, she glanced his way.
Even from this distance, the blush staining her cheeks was clear. He found the sight intriguing.
Why did she travel alone? Well, not completely alone, she had the wolves for protection.
The animals were clearly fiercely loyal to her, so he surmised she must have raised them from pups.
The male had easily dispatched the one outlaw, warning Ari to use caution around the beasts.
Though, so far, the male seemed more inclined to protect his mate rather than attack him, an observation that greatly eased Ari's concerns.
Thora approached, a bundle of twigs and sticks in her arms. The distress in her dark eyes roused a need to banish her worries.
He shook his head. He'd been traveling alone too long, to so quickly find himself distracted and entranced.
How long had it been since he'd enjoyed a woman's warm body?
Months, at least. So long ago, he could barely recall the last time.
Thoughts of ways to secure her to him answered the many dilemmas facing them both.
Clearly, despite her lupine companions, she faced a dangerous journey, whatever her ultimate destination.
He glanced again at the animals a few feet away.
Not dark and vicious, like the legendary Fenrir, they possessed silvery gray coats and at the moment, appeared quite tame.
He stood and accepted the kindling. He nodded toward the wolves. "Go, keep them calm. I will start the fire and then we must begin."
She gave a nod, remaining silent, but tears shimmered in her dark eyes and he again fought the urge to pull her close and offer comfort.
Somehow, he sensed she wouldn't appreciate the gesture, for despite her sadness, she possessed strength.
He withdrew a flint from the pouch on his belt, along with a few pieces of touchwood and quickly lit the kindling.
Fanning the small flames until they grew, he gathered the strips of cloth and turned to Thora and her wolves.
She watched him warily, even while she spoke softly to the animals.
Ari couldn't quite make out her words, but after a moment, the male lay beside her.
Ari moved slowly, so as not to frighten the wolves, especially the wounded one, and gently drew the beast's hind legs together.
He watched Thora carefully, but she didn't notice, too absorbed in watching how he tended her pet.
He repeated his motions with the wolf's front legs. He leaned back and met Thora's stare.
"Hold her head in your lap while I…"
She nodded and gingerly lifted the wolf's head. Ari leaned forward and before the animal had a chance to react, wrapped a cloth strip around her snout, securing her jaws. The beast gave a few attempts to break free, but weakened as she was, quickly stilled again.
He took another strip and poured water from a skin over it. He handed it to Thora.
"Wash away as much of the blood as you can. Do you have the dagger I gave you?"
Thora nodded and pulled the knife from the pocket in her cloak.
She handed it to him and he placed it into the fire.
Thora gently cleaned the animal's fur. Ari peered closer at the wound.
The edges were fairly even, not jagged and irregular, which would make the process easier.
He eyed the blade, judging it needed a minute or two more to be hot enough to seal the wound.
His skills as a smith served him well. He took the bloodied cloth from Thora and tossed it aside.
"Hold her still."
She nodded, her arms engulfing the wolf's head. Ari lifted the dagger and neared the animal. He hesitated but a moment before using one hand to hold the wound together and pressed the heated blade against the injury.
The animal lurched, her bound legs flailing, a muffled shriek escaping the cloth-wrapped snout.
Ari didn't dare look at Thora as he worked, pressing his other hand harder against the writhing body in an attempt to hold the wolf still.
The male jumped up, barking and howling but made no attempt to hinder his efforts.
Ari heaved a deep breath, one less worry fighting to be heard.
After a moment, the wounded beast went still, though the other continued to paw at the ground, whining and barking in empathy for his companion's pain.
Ari worked quickly, laying the flat edge of the knife against the laceration for a few seconds before moving along the length of the gash, finally searing the last of the injury closed.
He drew away and let out his breath in a heavy exhale. Wiping the blade clean, he placed it on the ground to let it finish cooling. He looked at Thora. Tears spilled from her eyes and she still held the wolf's head in a tight protective embrace.
He rummaged in his pack, withdrawing a small jar. "Put this on it and bandage her."
He noted the way her hands shook as she accepted the salve. Her stare held his, gratitude shining clear.
"Thank you. For saving me. And for saving Kata."
He gave a nod before turning back to the fire.
The afternoon sun had faded, signaling Sol had neared the end of her daily journey.
He'd hoped to be several miles closer to Tingwalla by nightfall, as weeks of his journey still stretched before him.
Another glance at the woman tending the injured animal roused a riot of conflicting thoughts.
Leaving her alone was not a consideration and the interruption to his plans roused a hint of annoyance.
Still, he couldn't deny the fact Thora was one of the comeliest women he'd ever encountered.
The thought of ending weeks of celibacy with her had his cock already half-hard.
Caution must remain his ally. He eyed the healthy wolf seated beside her.
No doubt the beast would attack if he thought Ari threatened his mistress.
If he was truthful with himself, he might admit he rather liked the idea of company for the rest of his journey, but suspected she might not want to accompany him. She'd indicated she had no plans to attend The Thing. He must make her think she no longer had any choice in that matter.
His stomach gave a low grumble, reminding him he'd eaten nothing since waking this morn. He rose, drawing Thora's attention. Beside her the male wolf stood. Ready to defend her, or attack Ari? The beast made no move other than to watch him as intently as his mistress did.
"Are you hungry?" he asked.
Thora blinked, clarity sharpening her gaze. "Actually, I am. I'd not given it much thought."
He nodded. "I must fetch my horse, then I will find something for us to eat. What about them?" He nodded toward the animals.
Thora ran her hand along Kati's head and Ari found himself wishing her hands were on him instead. His cock tightened further.
"Kati will hunt for them. Kata still sleeps."
He turned and strode deeper into the forest, where he'd tied his steed. The animal pranced in apparent excitement upon seeing him. Ari grinned and gave the black a hearty pat.
"Good boy, Gyllir. Come, we are making camp over here." He led the horse back to where Thora remained. At the sight of the wolves, Gyllir rebelled, his movements now jerky and filled with agitation. He dug his front hooves into the dirt and refused another step. Ari patted the steed's neck.
"It's fine, boy. They'll not harm you." Still, he couldn't coax the animal to come closer to the clearing. With a heavy sigh, he tied the reins to a tree. He turned to Thora. "He fears your wolves. Can you keep watch over him while I hunt our dinner?"
"Yes." She turned to the male wolf and spoke to him. The animal sat, obeying what must have been an order. "Kati will not harm your steed."
"Thank you." With a brief wonderment at the way she communicated with the animals, Ari once again trekked into the forest, moving carefully as he listened for sounds of any small game.
Pulling his sling from his belt, he bent and picked up a couple of small rocks.
A few steps later, a hare darted out from the underbrush.
It hopped away, then paused for several moments, giving Ari just enough time to load and fire the sling.
The rock landed squarely on the animal's head.
It toppled over and Ari hurriedly picked it up.
At that moment, another hare emerged, this one running in the opposite direction.
Ari quickened his pace and followed, tying the slain hare to his belt.
Once more loading the sling, he kept his gaze on the animal when it slowed.
A few minutes later, several more stones used this time, the second hare hung beside the first.
He made his way back to where Thora waited. She had eased the injured wolf from her lap and now tended the fire. She turned when he neared.
"How is your animal?"
"She still sleeps."
"I've found our náttmál" He patted the hares on his belt.
She nodded then looked over her shoulder, in the direction he'd laid the outlaw's body. When her gaze swung back to his, it held a note of revulsion.
"Is there any way you can carry Kata back to the grove where I sheltered the last two days?"
He looked over at the still form of the wounded animal. Truthfully, he could easily carry the wolf, but how far away was this grove? He posed the question to her.
She pointed behind him. "That way."
Ari turned in the direction she indicated. A thick cluster of trees lay several long paces away, snug against the foot of a rocky hill. Similar to many places he had slept during his years away from home. He found himself admiring her instincts at finding a fairly safe place for a camp.
"How did they find you?"