Page 25 of Lord of Fire and Ice

“Brandr.”

His head snapped up. Even though she was sending him away, he liked the sound of his name on her tongue. It was the first time she’d used it.

“I’m glad you weren’t harmed this night.”

“Me too.”

She studied him for a long moment and opened her mouth to say something, but seemed to think better of it. She waved him away. “See to it no one passes by you during the dark watches.”

“You think someone will try?”

She shook her head, her lips curving in a reluctant smile. “No, I suppose you’re right. After that display of swordsmanship, I’m safer with you by my door than if I had a dozen guards.”

He nodded, suppressing a smile. She wouldn’t have to fight Gormson from her bed so long as Brandr served her. He meant to see she didn’t welcome Albrikt there either. “As you will…”

He closed the door softly behind him before he finished his thought. “Katla.”

***

Brandr had no trouble falling asleep across Katla’s threshold in the large common room. The steady breathing, even the rhythmic snoring of others, helped him into a state of relaxation so deep he didn’t miss having a proper bed.

But a stealthy step was all it took to jerk him to alert wakefulness.

Brandr slitted his eyes and peered into the dark. Someone was moving down the center of the long room toward Katla’s chamber.

At first he thought it must be Gormson. He struck Brandr as the sort to drive a dagger between a sleeping guard’s ribs, then resort to rape in order to clinch the marriage. But the dark shape wasn’t broad shouldered or tall enough to be the man from Stord.

Every muscle in Brandr’s body tensed as the form drew nearer. Then when the figure leaned over him, Brandr’s hand shot up and caught him by the throat.

Brandr was on his feet in a heartbeat and smacking the would-be intruder against the wall.

“Huff da!” The fellow’s voice squeaked, and Brandr recognized him.

“What are you doing, Haukon?” he whispered as he released his hold on the boy. “Your sister doesn’t wish to be disturbed.”

“I don’t want to see Katla. I want to see you.”

Brandr sank down with his back to the door he guarded. “Why?”

Haukon hunkered beside him. “I want you to teach me something.”

“What?”

“I’ve heard tales of the Varangians. You’re the fiercest fighters in the world,” Haukon said. “Teach me to handle a sword.”

“Why? As long as you and your cowardly brothers have a pot of poison, you can handle your enemies right enough.”

The boy bristled. “It wasn’t my idea to taint your mead, Ulfson. That was Einar’s doing.”

“So you and Finn just went along with it?”

“Mayhap we shouldn’t have, but what’s done is done,” Haukon said. “Now is all we can claim.”

“Ja, and now you’re stealing the only time I’m like to get for sleep.” Brandr lay back down again and closed his eyes. “Thralls don’t set their own pace, you know. I’m sure your sister has a full day planned for me.”

“Come, Ulfson,” Haukon urged. “Teach me, and I’ll see you get extra food.”

Trust a stripling to think of his stomach first.