CHAPTER NINETEEN #2
She slowed her step to fall back into pace beside Ari, taking his hand.
A smile curled her mouth when he wrapped his fingers tight about hers.
Kati trotted around to take up a position on the other side of Leif.
How easily they'd trusted Ari's friend, and Karsi too. Alarr had been a different matter.
She was glad he was fearful enough of the animals to keep his distance.
Despite his apologies, she still didn't trust him, even if he was truly loyal to Ari.
His attempt to blackmail her into bedding him had left her sick and almost as frightened as she'd been watching Ari battle Muli and fearing the other man might win.
As they walked further from the center of the city, the bustle and noise of the markets faded.
The air cleared and she took a deep breath, grateful to be away from the chaotic commotion.
These last weeks alone with Ari had left her unaccustomed to others, and the throngs of people inhabiting Tingwalla overwhelmed her.
She studied their surroundings, not paying attention to Ari's low conversation with Leif.
Instead, she made sure to note the markings that differentiated the various parts of town.
Finally they reached the edge of the city, where the road led across the increasingly open land.
Small clusters of shelters had been fashioned all around, some occupied, some not.
Thora kept her face turned away, despite the desperate desire to see if there was any from her own clan camped here.
Ari continued walking until they reached a secluded patch of space near several trees, several paces beyond the nearest group.
"Here," Ari declared. He swept his arm about the small space. "A shelter is easily built among these."
"I will gather branches." She tried to untwist her fingers from his, but his grip tightened. She eyed him curiously. Why did he stop her?
"Stay nearby. No farther away than there." He pointed to another cluster of trees. Thora nodded.
"I have them with me." She nodded toward the wolves. "And you're right here. I am safe."
He nodded, but concern still lit his eyes with a strange glow that left her heart warm and full.
Every time she recalled the day he'd declared his love, her insides went soft and her knees trembled.
The impulse to kiss him overtook her and she leaned up and pressed her lips to his before turning to tend her task.
By the time she'd brought enough branches, Ari and Leif had already fashioned a lean-to amidst the trees.
She handed over what she'd gathered and took a seat at the base of a tree to watch them work to quickly fashion a shelter that would provide privacy for all of the men, once they returned after their meeting at the public longhouse.
She stroked Kata's head resting in her lap and slung an arm around Kati sitting beside her.
He gave her a few quick affectionate licks and she laughed, rubbing behind his ears.
"So much has changed, hasn't it, boy? And by this time tomorrow, our future will be decided."
The idea both frightened and exhilarated her.
How many times had Ari declared his intention to claim her once he'd received his justice?
More than she could count. But she still feared her father's reaction.
She forced the worry aside, knowing she must trust Ari to resolve what would surely be a bitter dispute.
As if her thoughts had drawn him near, Ari loomed over her, hands on his hips. "Are you sure you won't stay?"
She disentangled herself from her pets and stood. "I am sure. But it's not safe to leave our belongings."
"I will remain here," Leif announced.
"You'll be alone." Ari looked around the area of their camp and then to Leif.
"It's not the first time. Won't be the last. I have food, water and ale. Rest assured, all will be well when you return."
Thora studied Ari. His consideration of his witness' promise showed in the tense lines in his face. He seemed about to say something., but didn't. He merely nodded and turned back toward the crowded town.
With her hand in his, she walked alongside him, a thousand questions running through her mind. She wanted to know all about the others they were about to meet but one glance into Ari's stern expression gave her pause.
"You look troubled," she said.
His fingers tightened on hers. "I'm not. I am close to achieving all I've worked for these last years. Why would I be troubled?"
"Because so much can go wrong."
He stopped, tugging on her hand to bring her close. "That is true, but I refuse to dwell on it."
"Then why do you look angry?"
He heaved a deep breath, closing his eyes briefly. When he opened them, that blue-green stare pinned her in place.
"I worry that something might happen to you. I still think you would be safer with Leif and your wolves back at our shelter."
She shook her head. "I want to be beside you, so that if I am seen by anyone, they will know I stand with you willingly."
"Stubborn girl," he murmured with a soft smile. A quick press of his lips against hers and they were once more on their way.
Once again, Thora was struck by the large crowds of the market. The smell of roasting meat, the sweet scent of tarts, the musky aromas of onions and beets, reminded her she hadn't eaten since they'd broken camp this morning.
"I'm hungry," she said.
Ari chuckled. "As am I. We will eat soon, I promise."
He led her through the maze of stalls. The crowds parted when they walked past, many eyeing the wolves with concern.
She tried to ignore the stares and pointing, focusing instead on the wares offered for sale.
A vast array of goods lay before them, from fine fabrics and furs, to ornate and colorful pottery and metal ware.
The merchants shouted over each other, making it impossible to tell who sold what for how much.
Thick smoke from the fires hovered in the air, burning her eyes.
"A brooch for your lady?" a man's voice cut through the din.
Ari stopped and walked over to the metalworker's stall. An array of brooches and hairpins, as well as some lovely pendants, spread across his table. Thora found herself drawn to a dragon head pendant and picked it up to examine the jewelry.
"Do you like it?" Ari asked.
"It's lovely."
"What is the price?"
"Three pieces of hacksilver," the merchant replied, his dark beady eyes moving over Thora. "Not many travel with wolves."
"They are special," said Thora. She didn't like his leering look. When Ari fished a few pieces of metal from the pouch at his waist, her eyes widened and the uncomfortable thoughts of the merchant faded.
He handed the hacksilver to the merchant and took the pendant from Thora's hand.
He motioned for her to turn and she did, allowing him to place the long chain around her neck.
The feel of his fingers in her hair as he adjusted it sent a delightful shiver along her spine.
She turned and wrapped her arms around him.
"Thank you! I shall treasure it always." She stepped back and fingered the dragon, lifting it to scrutinize it more closely.
He gave her another kiss, this time a broad grin brightening his face. "Come." Once more he led her deeper into the city.
"Wait!"
When her hand slipped from his, he turned. She walked to the edge of the market, to an empty space among several of the stalls. She knelt on the ground and her two wolves soon sat before her. She stroked each of their heads, laughing at the lick she received from Kata.
"Go back to Leif. You must hunt for your meal, and I am safe with Ari."
Tails wagging, both Kata and Kati gave little yelps and pranced around their mistress.
As always, Ari found himself enthralled by the sight of Thora and her pets.
The understanding between the three also roused a hint of jealousy if he were honest with himself.
Yet, he knew the animals trusted him, had done so from the very first day.
Knowing he had saved their mistress had earned him their loyalty.
When Kati trotted over to him and gave his hand a lick and a rub of his head, Ari knew he had truly been accepted.
Thora stood watching the beasts until they disappeared from view before she turned to face him.
Sadness lined her brow and he drew her near, pressing a kiss to her forehead.
"They will be fine."
She nodded. "I know. It's the first time I've been away from them since they were pups. But it is better for them this way. The crowds are afraid of them, and they draw too much attention."
"Come, the sooner we have our meeting and a meal, the sooner we can return to your pets."
It seemed they walked for hours before reaching the large public longhouse near the center of the town. Behind it sat the private longhouse where the kings and jarls and other nobles resided. Two smaller public houses bordered both.
The crowds grew denser, shouts and laughter and ribald insults rising to a cacophony.
Thora resisted the urge to cover her ears.
Instead, she hesitantly searched the crowd for familiar faces, torn between wanting to see someone she knew and hoping she found only strangers With more relief than she expected, the only people she recognized were Karsi and Alarr, standing a short distance from the longhouse's entrance. Several other men gathered with them.
Thora pressed close to Ari. Finally, they broke free of the throng and stood before Karsi.
The other men greeted Ari warmly and he went to each one in turn, thanking them.
When he finished, he motioned to Thora to join him.
She did so hesitantly, aware of many gazes upon her, but refusing to meet any of them.
"When this is over, I will be taking Thora as my wife."
Cheers erupted from the men and heat scorched Thora's face at the crude congratulations they offered.
"Ari, she looks to give you a fine ride!"
"He's already claimed her, you fool!"
"How can she bear to look upon your ugly face?"
More laughter rang among them.
"Thora, if he doesn't treat you right, I'll be happy to take his place!"
Ari's arm slid around Thora's shoulders. "You'll have to fight me to the death."
"Ari! Don't encourage them!" she protested
"She's already giving you orders, Ari."
Ari chuckled. "She knows I am the one who gives the orders. And what happens when she doesn't obey."
Once again, fire seared her cheeks at the pointed stare he gave her.
More ribald shouts and laughs filled the air before Ari sobered and drew the men in close.
Hearing their tales revealed just how much they had suffered under Hersir's brutal quest to be jarl.
She listened closely, knowing that Jarl Drengr's plan to publicly name Hersir as his heir would be destroyed once Ari and the others spoke before the council.
She lifted her eyes heavenward. Let my father hear and know the truth of the man he would trade me to.
A few moments later, an odd peace shivered through her, calming her fears. A sign the gods favored her, intended to spare her despair and brutality? Would reward her with a lifetime with Ari? She chose to interpret the sensation that way. Aware of Ari giving her a curious glance, she merely smiled.
"What secrets do you hold now, ástin minn?"
She shrugged. "Speaking aloud may work against us. I will share it with you when all is over."
***
Ari stared, wondering what Thora knew and didn't share with him. Later, when they had returned to their small camp, he would ask her what had brought that satisfied expression to her lovely face.
His excitement over finding all of those he'd sought during his exile here in Tingwalla soon had him forgetting what intentions Thora possessed.
By this time tomorrow, he would see his brother tried and punished for his crimes.
Part of him regretted what was to come. He still held the memories of his childhood, before their father had been slain in battle.
Hugi's honor in dying so valiantly had trickled to Ari and his brother, but Hersir had grown vindictive and hateful soon thereafter.
If Drengr hadn't taken them in as his own, raised and trained them as their father would have done, Ari feared Hersir would have become even more of an unstable destructive force.
Only Drengr had possessed the power to rein in Ari's brother from his cruel desires.
But Hersir had fooled the other man, convinced him it was Ari who sought power by whatever means possible.
Yet, if Drengr had fully believed, Ari would not be here now, about to reclaim his honor.
That knowledge had been the beacon of hope that carried him these past years to this moment.
A sacrifice in thanks must be made to the gods.
He leaned in close to Thora. "I will purchase a goat or a hog and we will sacrifice it to Odin tonight."
"Why?"
"To give thanks."
"For the success of your quest?"
Her perception, as always, both surprised and pleased him.
She knew him well, these last weeks bonding them in so many ways.
Though to Ari, he could no longer clearly remember the time before she'd entered his life.
Yes, Odin had blessed him in many ways. One more reason to thank the god who held many a man's fate in his hands.
"Among other things." He slid his lips over hers, drawing away with a smile.
Her dark eyes glittered and he wished they were back at their camp, where he could take her into the forests and claim her in all the ways he now knew she wanted to be claimed. He held back his growl of frustration and faced the men once more.
"Let us find a meal. There is much to discuss for tomorrow."
He led them into the longhouse, where most of the long tables inside were filled with people.
Spying a few empty seats along the far wall, he snaked his way through the chaos of benches and people, servants placing platters of food and children running amongst the adults' legs.
His grip on Thora's hand never loosened until he had seated her closest to the wall, sliding onto the bench beside her.
The other men squeezed into the small space.
Within minutes, large tankards of ale and mead had been placed on the table, accompanied by large wooden trenchers of meat and vegetables, and even fresh bread. He handed Thora a chicken leg and a flagon of mead.
"Thank you." She sipped at the mead. "That is delicious."
He smiled. "Nice not to have to catch and cook our own meal, isn't it?"
She nodded, biting daintily into the chicken. Ari looked over the now nearly two dozen men who stood with him. And with Thora beside him, he truly felt the luckiest man in Midgard.