Chapter 6 #3
Then he was gone, his cloak billowing behind him, and she watched him, unmoving, and felt such pain that she wanted to scream with it.
She got a hold on herself. Shea??d succeeded, and now Lottie would be safe.
Once she had Lotti, she would go to Magnus and explain.
All would be well again. He would understand.
She didna??t turn when she heard Olav say softly, a??You did well, Zarabeth. I wondered if your selfishness would prevent it, but it didna??t. Now, my dear girl, let us return home. Soon you will have Lotti back. Then all will be as it was.a??
She walked away from him.
a??Hold, Zarabeth! Where are you going?a??
a??To Keith and Toki. I will fetch Lotti myself.a??
a??They cannot give her to you. She is not with them, but hidden in another place. Nay, you must wait for me to fetch her.a??
Zarabeth didna??t know what to do. Indeed, she could think of nothing to do, at least at the moment. a??Then come with me now, Olav.a??
He shook his head. a??Nay, on the morrow. I will give you a day to settle yourself.a??
Zarabeth acquiesced, for she had no choice, and she saw that Olav was pleased with her meekness.
Then she waited only until he was busy in his shop with several local men who wanted to buy furs, but when she was on the point of slipping from the house, she heard Olav shout, a??Stay here, Zarabeth.
You must stay or you and the child will regret it.a??
She stayed and she fretted. That evening she served Olav stew filled with onions and potatoes and small chunks of beef.
And in his bowl she poured a sleeping draft.
He spoke to her as though she were his wife and all was normal between them.
It was chilling, the possessive way he behaved toward her.
She held her tongue and waited. Not ten minutes after hea??d eaten the stew, his head fell forward onto the wooden table.
Zarabeth rose slowly and walked to him. He was soundly asleep, snoring loudly, and would remain so for hours.
Finally.
She quickly left the house and made her way over to Skeldergate, where Keith and Toki lived.
Keith was a trader, like his father, and not a very good one.
A year before, a visiting Viking trader had nearly killed him, for he had sold him some furs that had moth holes in them.
She knew that Olav gave his son gold and furs from time to time.
As for what Keith really thought of her, she was afraid to know.
If he only knew what it was his father wanted of her, he would surely kill her.
She quickened her pace. She and Lotti would be gone and it wouldna??t matter what happened between Keith and his father after she had left.
It was dark now and there were men of all kind out, many of them bent on mischief.
She arrived to the small wooden house, then drew to a stop.
There was one window covered with a stretched animal membrane.
She could hear through it, at least, and if she pressed her face close, she could make out vague outlines.
a??I tell you, you weak bleating fool, that shea??ll have him yet!a??
It was Tokia??s voice, loud and shrill. Zarabeth leaned closer against the membrane.
a??I promised him to hold the child,a?? Keith said, his voice slurred from ale. a??I will hold her until he comes for her. My father will be pleased that we have done as he asked. He will reward us for it.a??
a??Ha! a??Tis that miserable little slut Zarabeth he will reward, not you, not his only son!
You know a??tis true, Keith, for he was willing to do anything to keep her here in York, to keep her with him.
And she told the Viking she didna??t want him.
She managed to convince him of it. Ia??ve heard it from a half-dozen women this day!
So pleased they were, to let me hear how she told him at the well in the square that she didna??t want him for her husband, that he was naught but a buffoon and a heathen, that she had but played her games with him.
Well, now, here she stays, and shea??ll have Olav, and youa??re a fool if you dona??t see it.a??
Keith mumbled something Zarabeth didna??t understand. He was very drunk, yet Toki was still ranting at him, her tongue more virulent with each word she spoke. a??Fool, you blessed fool, you have no sense! You are pitiful!a??
Well, Toki and Keith would be pleased soon enough, once Zarabeth had taken Lotti to Magnus. Then Olav would have to look to his son.
Zarabeth waited and waited. Her patience was wearing thin and her fear was growing. Still Toki ranted occasionally, her voice a whine now, and Keith seemed to be in an ale-sodden sleep.
Then suddenly Zarabeth smiled. She walked to the front of the house and knocked on the door.
There was a snarl from Toki and the door slitted open.
a??You!a??
a??Aye, a??tis I, Toki. Quickly, let me in. You and I have much to speak about, and you will like my words, I swear it to you.a??