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‘Inga is rightfully proud of her father. Allow her to boast,’ Sayrid called back. ‘I used to think the same of my father when I was her age. And I can tell from the lines of the ship that the journey will take next to no time.’
Inga squeezed Sayrid’s hand. ‘I’m sorry I thought you were a giantess. You’re far too friendly to be a frost giant in disguise. They’re always cross. I should have remembered that. Maybe you’re another sort of giantess, the friendly sort. And if I’m very lucky you will give me some magic potion and I’ll grow big and strong like you. Then my father will have to notice me.’
Sayrid’s heart did a little flip. She could well remember that feeling. In the end the only way her father had noticed her was when she challenged him with the point of a sword. There had to be a better way for Inga. ‘What changed your mind?’
The little girl shrugged. ‘You didn’t get angry with me about the trick I played with the threads and sewing. A frost giantess would have turned me to ice.’
She gave a little pretend shiver.
‘But it wasn’t a very pleasant trick, particularly as I’m not very good at sewing.’
Inga’s big eyes became solemn. ‘I can teach you. Sewing is easy if you concentrate hard.’
‘I’d like that.’
‘Are we going to your house? Will I become big and strong like you? Will I be able to wear clothes like that?’
Sayrid blinked. Delicate Inga wanted to wear trousers like a man? ‘Why would you want to?’
Inga glanced towards where Hrolf sat, making the final preparations. ‘I want Far to be proud of me. He gave you his clothes and he has never done anything like that for me. Or any other lady.’
‘I suspect it is because other women wear gowns.’ The words hurt far more than she thought they would.
‘Will you tell me the secret of the magical harbour?’ Inga gave Sayrid’s hand another squeeze. ‘I overheard Magda’s nephews talking.’ She gestured towards where Hrolf’s bodyguards sat. ‘You cast a spell and the ships drown. You won’t do that to us, will you?’
Sayrid knew in that instant what an empty threat it had been. She couldn’t put Inga’s life in jeopardy.
Sayrid opened her mouth to explain that it wasn’t magic but sunken boats, but there was something akin to hope in Inga’s eyes. Little girls should believe in such things, she decided. There was plenty of time for Inga to learn about the real world when she was older. ‘When the time comes, I will see you safely through.’
The little girl nodded gravely.
‘When he was a little boy, his father had a hall, but he lost it because when his wife died, he lost interest in everything,’ Inga said after a short silence. ‘My father had to fight, fight, fight and he gained more gold than anyone, but he has never allowed any woman to be close to him. You are the first woman he’s married. Is it because you don’t act like a woman?’
‘No idea.’ Sayrid forced her voice to sound light. She hated that even now her heart was busy dreaming dreams about Hrolf and what could never be. ‘You will have to ask him.’
‘We have to be quiet now,’ Inga whispered when Hrolf gave her a dark look. ‘Far needs to tell the oarsmen a story.’
Hrolf began to recite one of the sagas, putting an emphasis on the last word in each line. Each time he did, the men pulled their oars in unison. The method might be unorthodox but he appeared to have timed the strokes just right, taking full advantage of the turn in the tide to add extra speed.
Once they had cleared the harbour wall, he gave a nod and the oarsmen fell into a steady rhythm.
The spray as they left the harbour hit Sayrid in the face. She had forgotten how good it felt to be on the sea. Her clumsiness always seemed to vanish once she was out on the water. It just seemed strange to be sitting and doing nothing. For as long as she could remember, she had taken the steering oar, guiding the ship and calling out the time.
‘I like it when we go fast,’ Inga exclaimed, spluttering as another wave hit. ‘Magda doesn’t understand. We have to outrun the sea monsters. And the women on a boat have to sit still or they get in the way. Far’s orders.’
‘Funny, I’ve always found it difficult to obey such orders.’ Sayrid crossed her arms. Hrolf might be an excellent navigator, but he was going to need her help to get through the blockade. She only hoped that he would listen. ‘Does he allow anyone else to steer?’
‘Never.’ Inga gave a quick shake of her head. ‘The boat only obeys him. It is how the magic works.’
