Page 103 of Lord of Fire and Ice

Brandr laughed with his friend.

May as well let Death know they were coming to meet Him unafraid.

***

“Who might you be?” Ulf asked, stopping his ascent of the woodpile but not lowering his dagger.

Katla pushed out of the overgrowth behind Finn. “We’re the owners of this farmstead.”

“Stay back, Katla,” Finn ordered. “We’ll ask the questions here, traitor. Step away from our brother.”

“I’m trying to help the lad.”

“Like you helped your friends?” Katla asked.

Ulf spat on the ground. “They weren’t my friends. I know what it is to be bound against your will. I wouldn’t suffer them to treat a dog so. This is the first chance I’ve had to free the lad.”

The sound of men tramping through the woods, swearing and breaking off bracken, wafted up to the top of the hill.

Ulf swore. “It’s later than I thought. The watch is being relieved. They’ll be here in no time. If you want me to free your brother, lower your bow, Tysnesman.”

“Do it, Finn,” Katla said.

With reluctance, he replaced the arrow in his quiver and slung the bow over his shoulder. Then he ran and climbed the woodpile to help Ulf bring Haukon down.

Katla was right behind him. “Easy,” she cautioned. “He may be injured more than we can tell here.”

The men’s voices were nearer now.

“He’ll be injured, all right, if you don’t leave now,” Ulf said. “Do you have a boat?”

“Hush, Katla,” Finn said as he lifted Haukon in his arms. The lad’s head lolled, but Katla heard him catch a snuffling breath. “Don’t tell him anything. He can’t be trusted.”

“If you do have means off this island,” Ulf said, ignoring Finn, “I advise you to make for it and don’t look back.”

“You could come with us,” Katla said.

“Are you mad?” Finn hissed and headed for the path in the woods where they’d hidden before.

“But he’s Brandr’s father.”

Ulf’s hand snaked out and grabbed her forearm. “How do you know my son?”

“Brandr is my husband,” she said.

“You lie. He’s in Byzantium.”

“He’s returned. And he’s leading the defense of Hardanger. Something you should have done, old man.”

“Enough, Katla,” Finn said as he ducked into the thick forest bearing Haukon. “We must go now.”

“He’s right,” Ulf said, releasing her arm. “Go. I’ll see about a diversion to cover your escape.”

Katla hesitated. Traitor or not, the man was Brandr’s father. “Follow that path down to the water,” she whispered. “We’ll wait for you if we can.”

An ugly smile spread across Ulf’s tortured face. “I can see why he likes you. Now, get you gone, girl.”

The sounds of the approaching guards were nearer now. Fear made her wing-footed. Katla flew across the clearing and disappeared into the thick undergrowth. She started to follow Finn down the path, but angry shouts behind her made her look over her shoulder.