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‘And how was your night?’ Bragi asked, revealing his filed teeth. ‘Was she every bit as passionate in bed as she was on the battlefield? By the gods, she fights well.’
‘I warned you yesterday, Bragi. You are my sworn man. You disobeyed a direct order. I’ve killed men for less.’
‘Tetchy, are we?’ Bragi stroked his chin. ‘I reckon last night did not go precisely as you planned.’
Hrolf fastened his gaze on several pennants blowing in the breeze. There was no point in explaining his strategy to Bragi, who had little idea of the subtlety. He wanted a willing participant in his bed, not a woman who had been forced. He wanted the passionate woman who he was sure lurked behind the mask of toughness she wore. It frightened him how much he wanted it. He clenched his fists. He was never going to be weak like his father.
‘None of your business,’ he ground out. ‘I’m not here to discuss my wife’s charms. What’s the problem with the ship? Absolutely urgent or did the messenger get it wrong? I will have him whipped.’
Bragi blinked twice. ‘Merely trying to pass the time, old friend, before Kettil arrives.’
‘Start talking if you wish to keep your thick head attached to your body.’ Hrolf banged his fist against his open palm. ‘What is this all about? What is the emergency? Where is the threat to our fleet? Why did I have to leave my bed with my bride?’
‘Kettil has been summoned,’ Bragi explained rapidly, all bravado vanished. ‘I thought it wise to ensure you arrived first. We need to decide what action is appropriate and measured. And I didn’t want to alert your new wife…just in case she is involved. But you need to see the Sea Bird for yourself. If the damage had not been spotted, she could have sunk quickly in deep water.’
A cold chill went down Hrolf’s back. Bragi suspected sabotage. ‘Continue…’
‘Her brother last night…at the feast…well, he had too much to drink. He has a reputation for doing daft things. I’ve asked around quiet like. He stays out of trouble only because no one wants to provoke Sayrid. She protects him and the little sister. But he will never be of the right calibre to hold somewhere as important as that headland and harbour.’
‘Tell me something new. I hold the headland now by virtue of my marriage and Kettil’s good grace.’ Hrolf schooled his features. That the brother was drunk at the feast was utterly predictable. Presumably he had had a few choice words after being bested. Silently he vowed that the brother would take a long voyage in the very near future.
‘I’d have knocked sense into his smug face, but you gave your orders—no violence on your wedding day.’
‘I’ve no wish to make Sayrid choose between her family and us. Not yet at any rate.’ Hrolf concentrated on the ship, trying to discern how the sabotage had been carried out, instead of pondering the sinking sensation in his gut. His father had forced his mother to choose over a pointless quarrel and had regretted it for the rest of his life. ‘We’ve waited long enough for Kettil and his entourage. What has happened to my ship?’
‘This.’ Bragi gestured towards the hull. ‘A few loosened boards, just above the water line. If I hadn’t spotted them, we could have had trouble once we put out to sea. You know what happened in Ribe. It goes beyond simple wedding-night mischief, Hrolf.’
Minor damage and easily fixed, but potentially lethal if the boards came loose while they were out at sea. Hrolf ran his hands over the sun-warmed boards. He had helped to make this ship, designing the hull, choosing the trees to be felled and finally working with the wood so that it rode over the waves at great speed. It pained him that anyone would behave in this fashion towards this ship.
Hrolf tapped a finger against the hull. It was a cheap trick, but the question was who had done this. He disliked pointing an accusatory finger at Regin unless he had solid proof.
He clapped Bragi on the back. ‘You were right to call me down to the harbour. I forgive you. You can keep your life.’
‘Still, the look on your face was worth it!’ Bragi laughed. ‘I do hope what I interrupted will improve your temper when finally completed.’
‘Bragi!’ Hrolf reached for his sword.
‘You forget I’ve a death wish.’
‘And I’ve no wish to see you gracing Odin’s hall just yet.’
Bragi’s face eased. ‘What do you want me to do?’
‘Quietly check the other ships. See if anyone saw anything. See if you can learn the whereabouts of Sayrid’s brother while you are at it. Report back as soon as you can. I’ll wait here for Kettil.’
