CHAPTER NINETEEN
Ari reined Gyllir in atop the small hill overlooking Tingwalla. Crowds filled the bustling market leading to the massive longhouse near the shore of the river. His redemption lay in that teeming town. Thora's squeak of protest told him his excitement had resulted in a too tight embrace.
"Sorry." He pressed a kiss to the top of her head.
"We can't ride into town," Karsi said. "Should be a stable along the edge of town."
Ari nodded. "It's been a long time since I've been among so many."
"For all of us," Leif replied. "It will be good to return home."
As usual, Alarr remained silent. While he had again apologized most sincerely to both Thora and himself, Ari still wondered at the man's loyalty.
Didn't matter. If the others had arrived as planned, he had about a dozen men to swear on his behalf that Hersir had committed the crimes of which Ari and others were accused.
The runes on his daggers swore to the fact that Hersir had destroyed more lives in his quest to become jarl.
If he succeeded Drengr, he could prove disastrous to all the clans and kingdoms in the country.
Once free of the threat of death to their entire families, others would stand up as well, after Ari and his witnesses presented their proof of Hersir's deadly misdeeds.
Ari urged Gyllir into a trot and the others fell into place beside him. When they neared the edge of Tingwalla, they reined in and dismounted. Karsi and Leif held the reins of the horses they planned to sell. Ari helped Thora down and gave her a brief hug before turning to the others.
"After we stable the horses, we'll find the others.
" Ari patted Gyllir. "King Hemming and the council are likely already meeting.
Karsi, you and Alarr find the others. When I last spoke with Gunnar, he said they would gather near the market, close to the council longhouse.
Leif, you come with me and Thora. We'll need to form a shelter. "
They slowly made their way to the bustling town.
Thora's wolves took up the familiar position on either side of him and Thora.
Shouts of the traders hawking their wares mingled with laughter and greetings.
The smells of food cooking in some of the market stalls filled the smoky air.
Thankfully, the gods had seen fit to bless the gathering with mild dry weather.
He recalled attending a gathering where it had rained for days. No mud to slog through this time.
A stable had been set up near the edge of the market and once the horses were settled, Ari let the proprietor know that four of the beasts were available for trade or sale.
He paid the man with some of the coins he'd saved during the last three years.
He and Leif gathered their packs and the group reassembled outside the stable.
"All right, I will meet with you later near the center of town," said Ari. "Tomorrow, we go before the council."
Karsi nodded and he and Alarr disappeared into the crowd. Ari turned to Thora. The tight lines in her face revealed her agitation. Her dark eyes scanned the crowds. Looking for her father, he supposed. He took her hand and pulled her close.
"It will be difficult for any to recognize you in this crowd," he assured her.
"Alarr knew who I was. And with Kata and Kati, word will soon spread and likely reach my father."
Ari shook his head. "Take ease. There are many places to make our camp. By the Máni rises in the sky, all the other witnesses will join us and you will be safe."
She nodded, but he knew she wasn't convinced. He squeezed her hand, not pleased with her pale complexion.
"Come, we have much to do." He led her away from the stables and Leif fell into step beside him.
They discussed their plans while they pushed through the crowds toward the part of the town where the temporary shelters had been established.
Ari felt more confident than ever that after tomorrow, his honor would be restored.
"Filthy beasts!" The shout came from Ari's left and he turned at the same moment a woman charged toward them, shaking a spear and pointing at the wolves.
Thora pulled her hand from Ari's and stepped before her pets.
The woman, wild-eyed with disheveled her red hair, waved the point of the spear in Thora's face, yet Thora barely flinched, giving a fierce snarl that sounded almost like her pets.
Dirt stained the screaming woman's smokkr and Ari noted her feet were bare.
"Step aside! They killed my goats two days past!
"They did not! They are mine! Not even here two days ago!" Thora shouted.
The crazed woman attempted to dart around Thora. Ari dropped his packs and his hand landed on the hilt of his sword, but before he could step between the women, Thora grabbed the handle of the spear and shoved hard, sending the woman stumbling back several clumsy steps.
"You leave now, or your goats will no longer seem a worry!"
Ari suppressed a grin at Thora's threat.
The woman tugged on her spear, but Thora didn't release it.
For a few minutes, the two tussled over the weapon, until finally the woman gave up and relinquished the spear.
Thora nearly stumbled, but quickly righted herself.
She held the lance over her head in a victorious display.
Those who'd gathered to watch the conflict clapped and cheered.
"Get you gone from my sight!" Once more she shook the spear in warning. Finally, the woman shook her head and walked away, mumbling. Every now and then she uttered another threat, but made no attempt to confront Thora once more.
Ari motioned Thora to his side, noting the way her hand shook, forcing her to use both hand to hold the spear. He offered a reassuring smile.
"She was mad. You did well."
A pleasurable light glowed in her dark eyes. "She wanted to kill them. I couldn't let her."
"Of course not. I'd expect no less from you, ástin minn."
She smiled again and Ari nearly groaned at the bolt of lust spearing him. It would likely be several days before he could once again indulge himself with her body. A long several days. He turned to the crowd still hovering around them.
"It's over. Go about your business," he declared. People finally returned to their affairs, the confrontation soon forgotten.
"You're quite fierce, Thora," said Leif. "I should not anger you."
Thora gave a light chuckle, the sound filled with as much relief as amusement.
Ari wanted nothing more than to take her somewhere far from here.
Though his goal was close at hand, he found himself strangely disillusioned with the reality of finally being in Tingwalla.
He shook his head. While Thora made him feel stronger than Odin at times, he also recognized she was a weakness he must not allow to unman him.
Perhaps it was because the idea of losing her sliced into his heart like a rusty jagged blade.
Or maybe this strange dissatisfaction came from the fact that while they walked to the edge of the city, several paused to stare at them, some actually pointing and whispering to their companions. Suspicion arose, knotting his gut.
"Why do they all look at us like that?" Thor asked, echoing his thoughts.
He shrugged. "Ignore them. We will set up our shelter and then I will go to meet the others at the longhouse."
"I will go with you."
How did he tell her he wanted her to remain out of sight?
She'd already drawn notice in the skirmish with the goat woman.
Word would spread, but how far? Her worry about her father had now become his.
The wolves alone drew attention he could ill afford.
Surely her father would soon know Thora had arrived in Tingwalla and seek her out.
Ari had no desire to face the man, not until after he had his chance to speak before the council. Nothing he could do about it now.
"You are safer away from the crowds."
He gave her a pointed stare, hoping she understood the message he conveyed. She frowned, shaking her head.
"I am in more danger when I'm not by your side."
Knowing she needed him to feel safe sparked a surge of pride. As much as he feared she made him weak, declarations such as this showed she truly strengthened him.
"You will be safe with Leif and your wolves for protection."
"No, I am not staying behind."
He heaved a deep breath. Truthfully, he didn't want to leave her here, even though he trusted Leif completely. He wanted her beside him when he planned for tomorrow's appearance before the council.
"Very well, but you will obey."
"Of course." A hint of a smile curled her lips.
He narrowed his eyes. The amusement in her eyes told him of her satisfaction in getting her way.
He suspected she plotted some other nefarious plan as well.
The woman would drive him mad with her defiant nature.
Now, however, he suspected she did it on purpose, for he knew she fully enjoyed everything that had passed between them, even his punishments.
She flashed him a devilish grin and sauntered a few paces ahead, her wolves, as always, on either side. Ari's gaze landed on her bottom softly swaying with her step. Yes, Odin had surely given her to him as a test of his limits. Somehow, he no longer minded.
***
Despite Thora's playful attitude with Ari, a large portion of fear and worry still gripped her heart.
The confrontation with the crazed woman had drawn more attention to her than she preferred.
She'd always known, once she realized she would not avoid coming to The Thing, that her wolves would draw notice.
She'd also hoped that notice would soon fade from interest. After the strange altercation, she knew word would eventually make its way to everyone.