Chapter 3
“Ithink you should kill Steinar.”
Even though Ylva knew Wolf was not really ordering her to kill his son, she couldn’t help a shiver at the words.
By her side, Ulf nodded his agreement, not in the least put out. “He’s the best choice. I’m guessing the woman will like that, as she probably assumes that your eldest son is the one you prefer, and have chosen to take on the role of leader after you.”
The Icelander gave a snort. “I love Steinar, of course, but I don’t prefer him to any of my other children, in the same way he loves you as he loves your siblings.
And Haakon will probably be the one who takes on the role of leader after me.
But yes, I see what you mean. Vile people tend to attribute vile thoughts to others. ”
Ylva looked at the tall, strong man who exuded power and wisdom. She had liked him from the moment she first set eyes on him all those months ago, when he had come to the house to ask where the trader and his son were to be found.
Today’s meeting only confirmed that he was a man who could be trusted.
Formidable though he was, he was evidently first and foremost a kind and fair leader.
Considering that she had been brought to him because she’d tried to kill his grandson, she had expected him to be suspicious of her story at the very least. But he had listened to her with as much patience and understanding as Ulf himself had earlier.
And, as promised, he had immediately started to elaborate a plan to save Judith.
“You will go to the woman tonight, tell her you killed my son.”
“I will. Thank you. I just hope it’s enough.” Would the woman take her word for it that Steinar had been killed? Ylva had been so intent on doing what was asked that she had not worried about being believed. But now that she thought of it, she was not convinced it would be that easy.
Wolf turned to Ulf, as if he’d read her mind. The similarities between the two men were striking. She was certain Wolf had looked just like his grandson as a young man. Stunning.
“You and I will go to see Elstan tomorrow. His declaration that he will investigate Steinar’s murder will make the lie convincing. Thankfully, the election of the new reeve is not until next month so we can enlist his help.”
“The reeve is a close friend of ours,” Ulf explained, guessing she had never heard of this Elstan. “Involving him will give you the official ‘proof’ that Steinar was killed, in case Mildred chooses to doubt your word.”
Yes. The more she thought of it, the more she felt that such proof was needed because she had no corpse to present.
Not that it meant much, of course. Even if she had really killed Ulf earlier, she wouldn’t have dragged his lifeless body all the way to town.
It would have been impossible, not to mention too risky.
But this was a problem, as Mildred might well use the lack of proof to refuse to free Judith.
Would she pretend not to believe her and kill her captive anyway, out of spite?
Anything was possible. Indeed it would be much, much better to have irrefutable, external proof that Wolf’s son was dead.
“As reeve, Elstan will make it appear as if he is eager to find the Saxon woman who killed the Norsemen’s leader’s son,” Wolf carried on.
“When you tell Mildred that Steinar is dead, ask her to send her man to the reeve’s house to get the confirmation that I came to see him, demanding retribution for the murder of my son.
It is what I would have done had he really been killed by a Saxon. ”
Those words brought a lump to her throat. Had she succeeded in her endeavor, the Icelander would be mourning the loss of his grandson right now, just as Mildred had wanted. It had been a near miss. And yet in spite of what she had done, here he was, doing all he could to help her.
“I-I don’t know what to say,” she stammered.
“Say nothing then.” So simple. She had the impression nothing was complicated for this man. “How much time is left before your friend is killed?”
“Tomorrow is the last day,” Ulf answered in her stead, for which she was grateful. The mere idea of imagining Judith dying was unbearable.
“It’s better if you leave now then,” Wolf said, standing back up. “Go back to her as soon as you can, to make sure there can be no argument about the delay not being respected.”
“Yes.” That had been another worry of hers. Mildred might well play the innocent and say there had been a confusion as to what the last day of the “assignment” was and announce that she was too late, Judith had already been disposed of.
“You should also give her something to prove you did kill my father,” Ulf said, standing in turn. “His arm ring, for example. We Norsemen never take them off unless we have a good reason. For you to be in possession of such an object would mean that he has indeed died by your hand.”
That was a good idea. The more the two men talked, the more hopeful Ylva became. Perhaps this would work and she would succeed in freeing Judith. Oh, if only…
“We will get one from Caedmon,” Wolf ruled. “I cannot ask my son to give up his real arm ring. There is no risk this will make the woman suspicious, as she has no idea what Steinar’s looks like. One is as good as another.”
Indeed. Ylva had not heard of these arm rings until today, so it was reasonable to think that the trader’s daughter had not either.
Even if she had, as Wolf had said, she would have no idea what Steinar’s looked like.
It seemed the perfect idea. Between this and the ruse with the reeve, she was sure Mildred would not question her.
“Let’s go then.”
Ylva took in a deep breath as soon as they exited the hut. To think that only this morning she had been filled with despair… Now she had a plan and a real chance to save her friend.
“So, it is agreed,” Wolf said, facing her. “I will go speak to Steinar, tell him to hide. Once your friend is free, come here with her so we know he can go about freely again. Then we’ll decide what to do next. Should you need further protection, we will provide it.”
“I am beyond grateful.” Ylva was awed at the ease with which everything was falling into place. The man was acting as if offering protection to the woman who had tried to kill a member of his family were the normal thing to do.
“We’ll wait until everything is solved before talking of gratitude. Go now, so you can reach the town before nightfall. Do you have a horse?”
“No.”
No transport having been offered, she’d had to walk all the way to the Norsemen village. This had no doubt been a way for Mildred to ensure she lost as much time as possible.
“Do you have any reason to think you are being spied upon?” Ulf asked, looking around warily.
Ylva had wondered the same thing herself, as it would make sense for Mildred to ensure her orders were indeed being carried out.
But it had not taken long to see that no one was dogging her steps.
Yet another detail indicating that Mildred was planning to double cross her.
With no one to confirm the deed had been done, she would have no reason to honor her word. Because who would force her to?
“No,” Ylva said, sure of herself. “It seems that her perfidy will actually play in our favor.”
“Yes, that’s good,” Ulf said with decision. “If no one’s watching, it means I can ride with you to the town gates. That will save time.”
Ride? “You cannot do that, you’re injured!” Ylva was aghast.
“I’m not so injured I cannot sit on a horse. Thankfully, you didn’t stab me in the buttocks. That would have been a far more humiliating injury to explain away. But a scar on the chest will make me look like a fierce warrior.”
Her mouth fell open. How could he jest about what she had done, hint that he didn’t already look like a warrior or mention his buttocks in front of his grandfather? “I-I—”
“Listen, time is of the essence.” His face had become serious once more. “And we cannot afford to have anything happen to you on the road, especially now.”
That put an end to all her protests, because he was right.
If she didn’t make it back in time for whatever reason, Judith would die.
Riding had not been an option on the way to the village, but now that he was offering the choice, she would take it, even if she had never ridden a horse, or even a donkey in her life.
“Very well. Thank you. Only… Please, let us not gallop. I’m not a very confident rider.
” She did not want him to retract his offer because of her lack of experience but saying that she was not at ease was putting it mildly.
Well, how hard could it be to sit in a saddle? For Judith, she would manage.
Wolf nodded, not in the least put out by her admission. “Let’s go to my son Sven’s hut and get Doe ready for you. His wife’s mare has the sweetest disposition. Ulf can go get his horse in the meantime.”
It was not long before they were ready to depart. Because of his injury, Ulf had been sent to get the arm ring from the goldsmith while between them Wolf and Sven got the horses saddled and ready.
“Here,” he said, handing her a beautifully made silver bracelet that looked almost big enough to circle her thigh. But she wouldn’t be surprised if the Norseman’s bicep was the same size as her thigh, so it made sense. “And your dagger.”
Of course. Had she really killed Steinar, she would not have left the weapon behind.
She took it with a shudder, as it was still tainted with his blood.
Though she hated to see it, she thought it best not to clean it.
Ulf seemed to read her mind and nodded encouragingly.
She slipped it into her belt. The sooner she could get rid of it, the better.
“Go,” Wolf said, after he’d helped her into the saddle. “Tomorrow morning, I will go to the reeve to tell him about the terrible loss. Then, hopefully, before the day is over, you and your friend will be back in the village.”
“Thank y—”
“Yes, I know. Go.”