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‘They will be searching for us.’
‘Not yet. They will be securing the hall and the outbuildings.’
‘Then we have to strike before they get settled.’
Sayrid took a steadying breath. The hopelessness of the situation nearly overwhelmed her. There wasn’t time to go to the outlying farms. And the men there would not be able to fight against hardened warriors. ‘We have a fishing spear and a knife. And I know all the hiding places in the hall and in the outer buildings.’
Hrolf kissed her forehead. ‘We will win the land back. I give you my solemn promise. I pledge you my all.’
The sound of a twig breaking made them both freeze.
‘Where did that old woman go? Lavrans ordered her death,’ one voice shouted.
‘As if we didn’t have enough to do,’ a second voice grumbled. ‘Lavrans doesn’t want any of them Rus left alive.’
Magda began to openly weep, but Hrolf whispered a few words to her. Her eyes grew big and she nodded. She immediately rearranged her shawl.
Hrolf put his fingers to his lips and jerked his head towards the bushes.
‘Opportunity,’ he mouthed to Sayrid. ‘Need to lure them.’
Sayrid nodded her understanding as her fingers closed around the fishing spear. She crouched low, waiting. Every nerve tingled with anticipation. They had this one chance,
At Hrolf’s signal, Magda gave a little yelp.
‘Louder,’ Sayrid muttered. ‘They need to hear you.’
Magda gave her a panic-stricken look, but complied with a deafening wail.
The pair crashed into the clearing. Sayrid rose up on her toes, aimed for the lead warrior and tossed the spear. It seemed to hang in the air for a timeless moment. Then it connected with the warrior’s throat. He went down with a gurgle.
Hrolf dashed forward, brandishing his knife. He rolled and grabbed the fallen man’s sword in one swift move, but the other warrior was on him immediately. As the other warrior brought his sword down, Hrolf jabbed his knife forward, meeting the sword.
Sword met knife, locked in mortal combat. Then Hrolf brought his other arm up and dispatched the man. He fell to the ground beside the first.
Hrolf gestured towards the sword and shield. ‘You wanted weapons, my lady. Will these do?’
Sayrid retrieved her spear as well as taking one of the swords and a shield. ‘Are you still determined to say that I’m not a good warrior?’
Hrolf gave a crooked smile. ‘Right now, I give thanks to Odin that we did not have a spear-throwing contest.’
‘He was far simpler to catch than the old trout in the pond.’
‘I would be honoured to fight alongside my wife.’ He gave her a quick kiss.
‘What was that for?’
‘To remind you that while I shall depend on your skill as a warrior, I know you are my woman and I intend to have you in my bed when this is done.’
A warm bubble of happiness filled Sayrid. He saw her as both. She didn’t have to pretend one way or the other.
‘Shall we retake the hall?’
‘I will help as well,’ Magda declared. ‘Give me a knife. I can fight. I want to avenge the deaths of my countrymen.’
Sayrid glanced at Hrolf. He nodded.
‘All help gratefully received. I can’t do this on my own.’
Chapter Fifteen
Spying the ruins of the hall, Sayrid felt her heart shatter. Flames licked at the great structure and all was confusion where, a short time ago, it had been tranquil peace.
At the harbour’s edge, another ship was pulled up. Her mouth tasted of ash and her heart was sick. Regin’s betrayal had been complete.
An eerie silence hung over everything. So confident were the attackers that they had left the ship unguarded while they looted and pillaged.
Sayrid clenched impotent fists. After all she’d been through, it seemed unfair that this should happen to the place she loved.
Hrolf put a hand on her shoulder. ‘Lavrans.’
‘I recognise the sail,’ she choked out. ‘In my worst nightmares I never thought to see it here.’
‘Nor did I.’
‘Regin had best hope he dies in battle. That son of Loki is nothing to me.’ Sayrid set her jaw as she spied the mutilated body of one of the serving women.
‘We will find the truth, I promise. You have no idea if Regin was blackmailed.’
‘But right now we take back this land.’ Silently Sayrid prayed that some of Hrolf’s men were safe.
‘I search the outbuildings,’ Magda declared. ‘If you distract, they will not pay attention to an old woman. Maybe some of your warriors alive.’
Sayrid tossed her the keys. ‘Hopefully these will help.’
The woman bowed her thanks and hurried off.
