CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE #2
Karsi's announcement brought another round of muttering from those gathered in the courtyard. He took the evidence Ari held and brought it to the dais.
"Lies, all of it! He has convinced others to speak untruths against me!" Hersir continued to rail until Drengr once again ordered him to silence.
The jarl studied the items, showing them to Hemming and the others before facing Ari once more.
"What are these?" Hemming asked.
"They are claims from those unable or too afraid to come and speak before you," Ari explained to the king. "But I think you will find what these men have to say even more compelling."
After Karsi and Alarr related their tales of Hersir's intimidating pressure, the way he'd menaced them and their families if they didn't carry out the crimes he wanted, other men stepped forward and shared their tales.
One after another, they described how they'd been either coerced into committing crimes, then driven from their homes when Hersir threatened their families, or threatened when they refused.
In two cases, Hersir had even raped the men's wives.
By the time the last man had given his account of how his children's lives had nearly been lost when Hersir had stolen them away, letting them loose in the forest on a particularly cold night, the crowd was completely silent.
The fury emanating from Drengr was almost palpable, the heat of his rage hovering over the assemblage. Thora again twisted in her father's grip. Skin ashen, he stared at the man he'd intended to be his son-in-law. His hold finally slackened and she pulled away.
"Do you see how despicable he is?" she whispered.
"I am sorry, Thora. He hid his crimes well." The bleak despair in his dark eyes shattered the icy anger she'd directed toward him.
"No longer." Her attention returned once more to Ari, who stood proudly before the council, flanked by his men. She would never get enough of the sight of him. She only hoped there would be time to look at him for years to come.
"Liars! Every one of you!" Hersir's shrill screams sent another apprehensive shiver along Thora's spine. She inched closer to Ari, determined to stand beside him. When her father's hand again landed on her shoulder, she paused and turned. This time, he joined her instead of holding her back.
"Hold your tongue!" The echo of Drengr's roar echoed over the crowd for several moments. His eyes blazed with rage and he signaled to Hersir to stand before him.
Hersir continued to mutter threats toward the witnesses who exposed his crimes. His sword remained poised and ready, as if he anticipated an attack, or perhaps planned one of his own.
"It's quite clear you have committed many grievous crimes," King Hemming said. "I find it difficult to believe all of these men are lying."
"They are!" Hersir's shout held notes of madness, his face red with fury. "I've done nothing wrong! They envy me, my position, my wealth!"
Hersir turned, his enraged stare focusing on Thora for a few moments before landing on Kori then returning to Ari. Eyes narrowed, he looked positively evil.
"This is my bride, is she not?" he demanded.
"No longer. I am breaking the contract," Kori stated. "Had I known the truth before, I never would have agreed."
"You can't do that!" Hersir screamed. His face reddened further, spittle flying from his mouth. "She's mine!"
"I can and I have." Her father faced the dais, bowing to the council. "Jarl Drengr, I am sorry, but I cannot see my daughter wed to this... this –"
Drengr held up a hand. "I agree and I cannot blame you. I am sure King Hemming will not enforce the contract."
"I will not," the king agreed.
"Now that I know the truth," Drengr continued, "we must decide on Hersir's punishment."
Hersir's maniacal ranting continued, screaming about injustice. Thora wanted nothing more than to be beside Ari and headed toward him. Before she reached Ari's outstretched hand, Hersir ran over and grabbed her, pulling her tight against him as he backed away.
"She is to be my bride! I will wed her now."
Thora fought against the iron grip Hersir had around her waist, elbowing him in the gut. It had little effect, for his hold only tightened, forcing the breath from her lungs. Heart racing in panic, she clawed at the arm pinning her.
Swords drawn, both Kori and Ari lunged toward them, halting abruptly when the tip of Hersir's blade pointed at her neck.
Thora tilted her head away from the danger, her breath caught in her throat.
Surely the gods wouldn't betray her this way, not after all they'd put her through.
A sob lodged in her throat but she refused to let it free.
"Bring the sacrifice and the godi! We do this now!"
A low growl drew Thora's attention. Her wolves!
Trying to avoid the sword pointed ominously at her, she searched the area, but did not see her pets.
But they were close. Hope sprang back to life and she could breathe again.
Her gaze darted among the throngs of people in the courtyard. Yet, no one else seemed to have heard.
Hersir backed away, dragging her with him. When his arm slid from her waist, his hand tight on her shoulder, she turned and bit the closest finger. He howled in pain, but his grip loosened. Thora twisted free, ducking when Hersir's fist sailed toward her face. She ran toward Ari.
Hersir's ear-splitting scream halted her flight.
She turned to see Kati clamping his jaws on Hersir's sword arm, forcing the man to drop the weapon.
At the same time, Kata mauled his legs, sending the man to the ground.
Barks and growls, accompanied by Hersir's inhuman howls drew the attention of everyone assembled.
"Thora!"
Ari held out his hand. She ran to him, falling easily into his embrace.
Facing her pets once more, she covered her ears to drown out the ever-weakening shrieks from the mauled man.
For several minutes, he attempted to fight the animals off, but his movements soon weakened, his cries fading to whimpers as the wolves tore at his flesh.
Blood pooled on the ground, forming a thick, red mud.
Finally, Kati dove with the final blow, his fangs gauging Hersir's throat and sending the last terrified sounds into a death gurgle.
The wolves stopped their attack and stood over the still body, growling at anyone who neared.
"May his soul be prevented from entering Valhalla!"
The king's proclamation rang out over the silent crowd, his gaze, like everyone else's, fixed firmly on the two wolves in the courtyard. Stunned surprise lined his face, clearly caused by the unexpected turn of events. Thora snapped her fingers.
"Kata, Kati, come!"
The animals obeyed her command, trotting over to stand beside her and Ari. Blood still coated their snouts. She would need to take them to the river and... why were such inane thoughts running through her head?
"We had heard of a wolf woman arriving in Tingwalla," Drengr said. "She is your daughter, Thorfinnson?"
Thora looked over at her father. Disbelief and confusion lined his face. Behind him, Geira emerged from the crowd, coming to stand beside him. She gave Thora a wink and a smile before she turned to her husband.
"Acknowledge the king," Geira urged.
Kori focused his gaze on Thora. The love and assurance she read there soothed her. He smiled.
"Yes, Thora is my daughter." His pronouncement rang out clearly.
Drengr stroked his beard, clearly contemplating some idea or another. Thora leaned into Ari, savoring the feel of his lips against her forehead.
"I may have a solution that will please everyone." Drengr paused and motioned the other council members close. After several minutes, they separated and Drengr faced Ari, Thora and her father again.
"Clearly, I must proclaim a new heir," Drengr began. "I placed my faith in the wrong man, but now that I have learned the truth, I would like to now name Ari Hugisson as my new heir. As such, Thorfinnson, the contract between our clans can be amended. If you choose."
Thora met Ari's stare, a crazed laugh escaping her to see the surprise lining his face, which surely matched her own.
A grin slowly spread across his face and he picked Thora up and swung her around.
She laughed and hugged him tight, meeting his kiss with eagerness.
Around them, cheers and shouts erupted, but she barely noticed, too intent on the feel of Ari's lips on hers, the burst of happiness lighting her from the inside.
When he drew away, carefully settling her back to her feet, she leaned into him, her grip around his neck tightening. She never wanted to let go.
"Thora," he whispered. "Your father."
Uncertainty dimmed the joy and she slowly turned. She met her father's stare, hoping his bland expression didn't mean he intended to refuse.
"Father?" Her voice cracked, fear that me might decide against the change in the contract.
Kori's gaze remained firmly on Ari. "Do you love her?"
"I do," Ari vowed.
Kori stepped close, now meeting Thora's gaze. Her heart hammered against her chest, fearful of his decision. Didn't matter. One way or another, she intended to stay with Ari, even if it meant she would be cast out of her clan, never to see her family again.
"And do you love him?" her father asked.
The lump in her throat nearly prevented her from speaking, She swallowed twice and lifted her chin, the feeling of Ari's comforting hand on her shoulder soothing the agitation setting her legs atremble. She lifted her chin.
"I do love him, Father. And no matter what you –"
Kori held up his hand, his dark stare warm and understanding. "Then I will agree to Drengr's terms."
Her breath eluded her, hear heart racing even faster.
He'd given his blessing! Tears of joy blurred her vision and she turned back to Ari.
She didn't care his embrace was so tight it forced the breath from her lungs.
She clung to him, fearing if she let go, he might be taken from her forever.
The pounding in her head nearly drowned the cheers and congratulations from the crowd.
"Again you cry," he murmured against her ear. "I'm beginning to think you don't want to be my wife."
She cupped his face in hers, drawing him close for another kiss, desperate to convey the love bursting within her heart. When she drew away, the twinkle in his blue-green eyes sparked another sting of happy tears.
"I do, Ari. I do!"
He grinned. "I know. And before Mani rises in the sky, we will be wed."
A hand on her arm drew her attention once more to her father.
"The godi has been summoned and a sacrifice will be prepared." His words, while spoken solemnly, still inspired another giddy rush of joy.
"Thank you, Father." She forced the words past her tight throat.
"Geira has sent for the children. The contract will be honored and a new alliance sealed."
Thora didn't hear anything else. Once again, Ari held her tight against him. She clung to him, never wanting to let go. His fingers under her chin tilted her head back so he could stare into her eyes.
"I am so very glad I saved you that day."
His words set off another rush of longing, one she didn't even try to contain. Shortly, she would become Ari's wife. Though their wedding would not be traditional, she didn't care. All that mattered now was that she would belong to Ari for all time.
"As am I. I love you, Ari."
"And I love you. I will spend the rest of my days loving you and the children you will bear me."
Another kiss and Thora found herself lost once more in the heat of his passion. She raised her eyes heavenward.
"Thank you," she whispered.
"Who are you speaking to?"
She almost laughed at Ari's confused expression. "I am thanking the gods for sending you to me. You saved me, in ways I never knew I needed saving."
His smile warmed all the corners of her heart. "And you saved me, as well. I will love you forever, Thora."
He sealed his declaration with a heat-filled kiss.
THE END