Chapter Thirty-eight
Tormod’s men fought well. They pushed the Britons out of the courtyard and as they passed through the gates of the palisade, it was easier to separate them out and pick them off. The archers’ vantage point in the fort was another key to their success and soon the Britons were on the run.
Occasionally he caught a glimpse of Arne fighting and knew that meant Aoife had taken refuge in the longship now a distance from shore. He hoped the Britons had not noticed it and she was safely on board.
Finally, he reached Ulf outside the gates. He had Lord Marcant at the end of his sword, Ula beside him.
“Chain them!” ordered Tormod.
Ulf and some of his men set to work and when they were finished, he asked, “What will you do with them?”
Tormod shrugged. “Take them to their king for judgment. As an act of faith in the alliance he has with the Norse.” He signalled for the longship to come in to shore.
“You will regret this,” Marcant shouted.
“Not as much as you will, I suspect,” retorted Tormod. “And at least I will live.”
“Aoife is not worth this,” said Ula. “Not worth any of this.”
“She is.”
“These lands are ours!”
“These lands belong to whoever can keep them,” said Tormod.
“And my children will be part Briton. However, I think, given the situation, it is important you are made to answer for your crimes against Lord Cadell. Your own household, Lady Ula. Your own husband. Your own people. And you had them killed.”
“Cadell was a traitor. I should have seen it before I married him. His first wife… and then to be willing to honour an alliance with Norsemen.” She spat on the ground.
The longship was now close enough to shore for him to see Aoife, apparently unharmed, standing on the deck.
He turned back to Ula. “You have let your own husband be murdered, and for what?”
“For this land. Land that belongs to my people. As does the land that you claim is yours.”
“Not anymore,” Tormod replied, shaking his head. “The lands belong to me and mine. One day they will belong to my child. By blood through his mother. And by might through me.”
“Any child of hers will be the devil’s spawn.” Ula laughed cruelly.
“Aoife has a gift. Not a curse. Her sons will be mighty warriors. Destined to dine in the halls of Valhalla with heroes. While you… you are a traitor and a coward.” Tormod signalled to Ulf. “We will take her to Doomster Hill for judgment.”
Bjorn and his men appeared from outside the palisade. “There is no sign of the priest or the steward,” said Bjorn.
“Where would they go? Where is the man who murdered your husband for you?” Tormod asked Ula, who merely laughed.
“You have no proof,” Ula said, although she looked wary. “You will not find him, and besides, who do you think King Rhun will believe?”
“We will see,” said Tormod. “Prepare to transport them upriver to their king.”
Ulf did as he was bid.
Tormod waited while they were led away and then started to wade through the water towards Aoife’s longship.