Chapter Seventeen
They rose early the next day, and made their way through the forest to the silver mine. Skadi had been relieved that Agnar had let her have some privacy last night, especially as Astra was sleeping in a little bed next to them. He’d waited until they’d both gone to bed before joining her.
Thankfully the loft bed was large and she barely noticed him in it. It was about as intimate as sleeping next to Brenna, or dare she say it… Heimdall.
The path to the silver mine from the lodge was reasonably flat, winding through the forest of the mountain ridge to the small and unassuming hole in the rockface that was the entrance to the vast network of tunnels beneath the mountain.
It didn’t take them long to reach it and they quickly dismounted their horses.
If it wasn’t for all of the tools, carts and the miners’ cabin beside it, a person might miss it entirely.
‘When you arrived, did you use the path we used yesterday to get to my hall, or did you use that path?’ Skadi asked curiously, pointing down to a rocky path that was even steeper than the one they’d climbed with horses.
‘Neither,’ Agnar said, shaking his head. ‘If I’d known these two paths existed, it would have been much easier. We used hooks and ropes to climb up the cliff face from our ships and then hacked our way through the forest down to your gate. It was very…challenging.’
‘I can imagine!’ Skadi laughed and after a moment he returned her smile. ‘But I suppose these paths are not obvious from the sea, sheltered as they are by the trees.’
‘Which is a good thing,’ Agnar said thoughtfully.
‘Every man craves silver, either for a Thor’s hammer, or to trade it for goods.
Later, we line our burial chambers with it and carry it with us into the afterlife.
It is essential to our way of life, yet this is the only place producing a significant amount of silver in the west. The rest comes from the Islamic Caliphates in the east and they expect hordes of slaves and furs in payment.
It is why many covet your kingdom, despite its small size.
To produce your own silver is to own true freedom. ’
‘Did you ever travel east?’ she asked curiously, wondering what the eastern mines were like so far away.
‘Yes, to Constantinople and beyond.’
‘What was it like?’
Agnar shrugged. ‘Hot and strange.’
She laughed. ‘Is that all you have to say?’
Agnar smiled and his gaze lingered on her mouth for a few moments.
‘It was not where I wanted to be. As you get to know me you will realise that I am as obstinate as a mule, especially when it comes to my goals, and I saw those places as stepping stones, a way to reach my ultimate ambition…’ He paused and his eyes locked with hers.
‘I wanted to be here…with you.’ As if embarrassed by his confession, he looked away from her towards the mine, his jaw flexing as if he were fighting some inner turmoil and regretted his words.
Skadi’s face flushed and she struggled to think of a response.
Surely he didn’t mean it like that? He’d been building his army and wealth, not…
yearning to be by her side. He’d only been a boy when he’d left—no man would be infatuated with a memory from his childhood, especially for all that time!
Perhaps he meant simply that he’d wanted the land and kingdom that he’d been promised.
Which meant she was still a trophy to be won and owned… Yes, that’s what he meant!
Skadi cleared her throat and pretended he hadn’t spoken.
‘We also produce lead and copper here and in greater quantity to our silver. But it is not without risk or hardship. This…’ she pointed to the steep path with its pulley and thick rope ‘…is the safest way down for the ore. There is no danger of mudslides as there are on the other path. It is too rocky for that, but the path is unbearably steep. We use winches, pulleys and strong mules to safely transport it to the smelting furnaces at the bottom of the mountain. The miners are rewarded well for their dangerous and hard work, but sadly we still lose men occasionally. There’s always the danger of a mine collapse, or even bad falls from on the mountain path. ’
Agnar moved closer to the steep drop. ‘I will not benefit from another man’s labour and sacrifice until I have experienced it myself. When things are settled, I will inspect and work these mines to see if there are any improvements I can make to safety.’
A warm glow of appreciation spread through her body.
‘That is admirable. I did the same when I was younger, but I welcome any and all improvements to safety. The mountain is treacherous, but it is also our greatest protection. As you learned yourself, the landscape of Thrudheim makes it difficult to sneak up on us, or conquer our lands. You were indeed lucky to do so without coming to any harm.’
‘It will be even harder now,’ Agnar replied and then explained by pointing up at the peak of the highest mountain. ‘I will be creating a series of beacons around the island. Once enemy ships are spotted, they will be lit and it will warn us of any unexpected arrivals.’
‘Impressive. I did not have enough men to do that before. It is good that you are rectifying those gaps in our defences.’
Agnar seemed pleased by her confession and he turned towards the entrance of the mine. It looked more like a troll’s cave, the area around its entrance dusty and well worn from so many carts being pulled back and forth to the smelting furnaces and workshops below in Thrudheim.
They walked over to the clearing around the mine’s entrance. There was a small stone cabin close by for the miners, its timber roof tarred and painted green to keep out the rain and any eagle-eyed Vikings watching from the sea.
The horses they’d ridden joined the stock of hardy mountain ponies in a loosely fenced pen to enjoy the alpine herbs and bushes. The encircled ‘pasture’ was more of an encircled piece of the forested slope, but there was still a small amount of grass for them to enjoy despite the increasing cold.
Astra was already inside the fenced area, patting the ponies and feeding herbs to the greedy goats.
Skadi pointed out the small replica of the cabin with a smile.
‘That’s for the chickens and goats, so that the miners can have fresh eggs and milk.
They have limited supplies up here, but I’ve tried to give them a few home comforts.
I’ve told them they can return to Thrudheim for winter now.
The weather has started to turn and there’s no point them carrying on if the frost and snow come. ’
She frowned.
‘What is it?’
She was reluctant to admit the truth, but she knew it would give her a clear insight into Agnar’s true nature.
‘We only mine for a short time each year, late spring to late autumn, when the weather is reasonably dry and warm enough to dig. They could work for longer, I suppose, through the winter and spring. But to do so could put the men at risk, especially in the wet and cold months. The land shifts—occasionally we’ve come back after a stormy spring to find a tunnel collapsed or the path blocked by fallen trees.
’ She paused, watching his face closely.
‘But to mine throughout the year could significantly increase our production…and our wealth.’
She didn’t mention that Heimdall had tried many times to convince her of mining throughout the year.
She’d managed to avoid it by pointing out, or exaggerating, some recent disaster or struggles the miners had faced that year.
Luckily, he’d not been interested enough in running the kingdom to question it.
Agnar’s top lip lifted in a lopsided smile and her breath caught in her throat, not only in anticipation of what he would say, but in an unexpected flood of desire.
She found his gruff features more handsome every day, particularly when he had that knowing smile on his face, as if he knew some dark and wicked secret of hers.
‘Do you not have enough wealth already?’ he asked mildly, ‘You bathe with exotic soaps, eat honey and spices daily and drink Frankish wine from a glass chalice… What more could you want?’
She stared at him, this scarred and fearsome warrior who so easily dismissed increasing his wealth, when any other man’s greed would lead the way.
Glory and treasure were the reason Norse men became Vikings, so that they could raid and gather more treasure.
Heimdall had not been content with his hoard, he’d searched and raided every year to increase it.
Wanting to enter Valhalla with a sword in one hand and the glory of a mountain of silver in the other.
What more could she want? She dared not even think about it for too long. To do so felt greedy and all she could think of was Agnar’s warm arms wrapped around her in the training yard, that lingering look to her mouth just now and his confession that he’d simply wanted to be with her.
What would it be like to kiss him? To make love to him?
She’d hoped that she might be able to seduce him…
but was she foolish to think she could manipulate a man with something so fleeting as desire?
And was he the one actually manipulating her?
She couldn’t be sure either way, as her attraction towards him seemed to be growing despite her better judgement.
She turned a little to watch her daughter squeal with delight as the goats hopped on logs and boulders around her.
Agnar was dangerous. She couldn’t forget that, or the way he’d held her daughter’s life in his hands only a few days ago. ‘I want nothing more than my people to be safe and well fed.’ She looked back at him, her tone serious. ‘Wealth allows that.’
His eyes met hers and the green of his eyes shone with understanding—it was as if he could read her thoughts, her fears and doubts.
‘It does… But you are not safe…not yet. However, I can help you with that. Wealth is of no use without that, especially if you are only mining it for another. Please show me everything, I wish to learn.’
His willingness to listen to her was surprising, but she did as he asked.
She began to run through the process, reciting what she’d learned from her father.
Explaining everything there was to know about the mines and production of the ore.
His interest seemed genuine and he regularly asked questions to clarify points, never once appearing bored or disregarding her opinions as Heimdall so often had.
As they were preparing to enter the mines, Astra joined them and she included her in her teachings.
It was an important part of Thrudheim that she needed to know as its heir.
Although Skadi refused to let her enter the mine without all of them first putting on the battered helms many of the miners wore to protect their heads.
Agnar smiled as he accepted his helm. ‘I rarely wear a helm in battle, it feels strange to put one on now.’
‘Yes, I remember. You wear a wolf’s skin, why is that?’ Skadi asked.
‘Are you a berserker?’ gasped a wide-eyed Astra, her voice filled with awe.
It was a good question, although Skadi suspected Agnar was the type of man to prefer to be in control of his mind during battle.
Unlike the mushroom-induced-madness of the berserkers, who believed themselves transformed into strong beasts impervious to pain after taking their magical potions.
Skadi had seen berserkers fight on despite horrendous injuries.
But she’d never been completely sure if it was due to magic, or simply because of their inability to have any reason or feeling once they’d descended into their bloodlust.
When Agnar answered, they leaned forward to listen.
‘I wear the wolfskin as a reminder. My mother was given the name She-Wolf by Sven. It was meant as an insult, but she liked it. In a den of wolves, the females always lead the pack. Unfortunately, while we were travelling to Aldeigja we were hunted by a pack of wolves. My mother had an injury from a previous fall that had begun to fester—I think the pack saw us as easy pickings. We managed to fight them off and I now use their skins to keep me warm and to remind myself that a fight can turn for the better or for the worse in a matter of moments. My mother said it was a good lesson. To always watch your back and protect the pack—even if it is only a pack of two…or one.’ His eyes saddened for a moment and Skadi knew he was thinking of his mother’s death.
Her heart ached for him, she knew what it was like to be left alone with no family for protection.
‘Are we part of your pack now?’ asked Astra hesitantly.
Agnar smiled down at her daughter. ‘Yes…if that’s acceptable to you, my Princess?’
Astra nodded sagely, reaching for Skadi’s hand. ‘Moma will lead, as she’s the She-Wolf now.’
Skadi squeezed her daughter’s hand. ‘That sounds reasonable. Now, let me show you the different seams of silver, copper and lead. It’s a lot of walking and the tunnels are cramped and dark, so keep hold of my hand.’
Astra offered her free hand to Agnar, ‘We should stick together, as a pack.’
He stared down at her tiny hand and then, with a nod of agreement, he took it.
Skadi tried to ignore the hope blooming within her chest at the sight of his large hand wrapped lightly around her daughter’s.
She knew she shouldn’t, but she was beginning to wish for a future where she and Astra were no longer alone.