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Chapter Eighteen

Knud

When Tove’s talisman warmed, I glanced her way where she stood with Freya at the end of the dock, sensing something outside the obvious bothered her, and based on her shocked, upset expression, I was right.

“What is it?” I asked, joining them.

I had been checking on our ships and giving her and Freya time to discuss what they faced when King Alexander and his fleet arrived, but the talisman heating told me matters had just grown worse.

“’Tis Astrid.” Tove wore a heavy frown. “Even though you and I didn’t see her in her entirety standing on the ship, Freya claims she did, and that our sister is heavy with child.”

“Very heavy.” Freya shook her head and frowned as well. “I cannot fathom why Declan would have allowed her to travel here, let alone with a fleet of Scots out for retribution.”

“Why Declan allowed her?” I glanced between Tove and Freya, reminding them of who they were. “Whilst I dislike her coming here in such a state, too, having known you three most of your lives, I can say with assurance, rare is the man who can stop you when you set your minds to something. Especially if it pertains to possible harm coming to a sister.”

“’Tis true,” Tove admitted, scowling.

“’Tis,” Freya reluctantly agreed, sighing. “And by the sounds of it, there is little Astrid won’t do to see peace betwixt the Scots and Norse, so ’twould stand to reason Declan couldn’t stop her if he tried.”

“Why not tell us of her pregnancy, though?” Tove wondered. “Is that not something sisters should share?”

“You would think,” I said, seeing things clearly enough. “Unless you didn’t want to worry your sisters when you knew what you intended to do, regardless.”

“I could see her doing that,” Tove conceded, eyeing the castle in the distance, pondering the situation. “Yet let us not forget she’s also a healer by nature. That in mind, setting aside her desire for peace, she would know better than anyone how risky this venture is, as would Declan and no doubt, King Alexander.”

“Who admires her and considers her a good friend.” Freya seemed to understand where Tove was going with this. “And Declan, who loves her dearly. Neither of whom sounds like the sort who would allow her to battle or even put herself in a dangerous situation.”

“Unless they’re hoping for diplomacy first,” I realized. “And the fleet is to intimidate King Magnus and make him see reason.”

“That’s right.” A slow smile curled Tove’s delectable mouth. “Which tells me our sister might have very well managed to convince King Alexander not to wage war on this isle after all.”

“Which would still not expel King Magnus from Alexander’s wrath,” I pointed out. “But it would mean less bloodshed.”

“Indeed.” Tove kept eyeing the castle. “First, though, we need to convince him that a possible castle siege is the best route to go and share our reasoning. Having hoped for diplomacy in the first place, we should be able to sway him.”

We could only pray when we sought out the king in his study soon after and shared the latest. He had been consulting with his advisors before sending them on their way. Typically, kings wanted counsel around for such discussions, but King Magnus proved different, ultimately trusting in the gods to guide his conscience above all others.

“This sounds like nothing more than speculation,” he replied after we shared our thoughts and recommendations. “Yet I have weighed the words of my counsel along with your revelations, and have decided a castle siege is the best course of action.” He crossed his arms over his chest, shook his head, and frowned. “In part, anyway.”

Wary, Tove cocked her head. “And what does that mean exactly?”

“It means I will be keeping squads of warriors hidden outside the castle who will be ordered to attack and catch him unaware if King Alexander comes to fight and conquer rather than to talk,” he made clear. “I won’t allow him to slaughter my people, either by blade or starvation, but stand and fight, defending my kingdom.”

While not precisely what Tove and Freya wanted to hear, given Astrid’s condition, it was better than the alternative.

“’Tis wise thinking, King Magnus,” Tove said dutifully enough. “Might it be safe to assume you will include Freya and me in negotiations, given ’twill likely be opposite our sister?” She shook her head. “As there can be no doubt, Astrid has King Alexander’s trust, and you have ours. ’Twould lend added credence to the talks, I believe.”

“As do I,” Magnus agreed, looking my way. “I would have you there as well, King Knud. If nothing else, you represent not just strength, given what I saw on the mountain and that blade sheathed at your side, but our very deities.”

“I will be anywhere you need me, King Magnus,” I assured, yet again honored. It would take time getting used to my new status, to be sure.

“Very good.” Magnus looked at the three of us. “Then let us make haste to prepare for battle, but hope for diplomacy instead.”

So, we did over the next couple of days and were well-prepared by the end of the second day, with most settled within castle walls. The summer’s harvest would provide ample food for a siege, assuming it didn’t go on too long. Bands of warriors were camping out in the woodlands and surrounding hills, lest things go wrong, ready to attack at a moment’s notice.

“The weather has remained fair and the winds favorable for Astrid,” Tove said when we sat together that night, enjoying our usual ale before bed. Wearing a heavy frown, she stared into the fire, worried. “And whilst that undoubtedly means the gods are with her, I can’t help but feel this sense of fear I cannot shake.”

“’Tis understandable.” I wrapped my fingers with hers, where they rested on the small table between us. “This is a precarious situation, yet I don’t doubt things will go as they should.”