Page 109 of Viking Warriors: Vol. 1-3

Holding the shiv before me, I darted within, pressing my back to the wall.

They were in the far chamber.

“Take what you like. I won’t stop you!” It was Sigrid, frightened, discovered in her hiding place. There was a clatter of something overturned, then a shriek. “Don’t hurt me, please!”

I cursed. For all that I disliked Sigrid, I couldn’t stand by and allow her to be harmed. Swiftly, I made my way across the space, pausing where Sigrid’s loom hung. Beneath were several sacks of wool, yet to be spun, and as I stopped, one toppled over. There was a squeak, then a low mumble. Two pairs of eyes peeped out.

Ragerta and Thirka!

Seeing me, they crept out, grasping my hands, drawing me into their embrace. They were as pleased to see me as I them, but there was no time to waste. With my finger pressed to my lips, I pointed toward the cooking knives.

“I don’t know anything!” Sigrid screeched from beyond the curtain.

Wielding our weapons, we yanked aside the cloth.

On the floor, her assailant was twisting Sigrid’s arm behind her back. The torturer looked up and, seeing me, gave a snort of surprise.

“Helka!” I dropped the shiv and rushed to her.

The next moment, Leif appeared, locking Thirka and Ragerta about the neck.

“’Tis all right.” I motioned the women to lower their blades. “We’re friends here.”

“We’ve come for you, Elswyth, to bring you home.” Helka stood tall, her eyes glinting fire. “And to avenge those who died in Svolvaen, the families who’ve been torn apart. We’ll make Skálavík pay!”

“No!” I couldn’t bear it. This fighting must cease before more lost their lives. “Skálavík was betrayed!” Taking Sigrid’s hand, I pulled her up. “It was Sweyn. He’s deceived everyone. He set the fire that killed Bretta!”

Sigrid’s hand flew to her mouth and her face crumpled, but then she shook herself. “I don’t believe it! You’re up to your cunning tricks again!”

I could have shaken her for such stupidity.

“Thoryn knows. He heard Sweyn confess.”

Thoryn!

I turned to Thirka, telling her to go to the bathhouse and take everything necessary. Ragerta would help. If they could stop the bleeding, he had a chance.

“This Sweyn, who led us here—” Helka made me look at her. “He said naught of this—only of his grievances, and that he tried to help you.”

White hot fury surged through my veins. “He wanted to kill me. He’s without honour or truth, serving only himself. All this—” I found, suddenly, that I was crying. “Everything. It’s his work.”

“Come, Leif, we’ll tear each limb from his body and fling him from the cliffs!” Picking up her weapons, Helka pushed past Sigrid.

“He’s dead already, Helka.” I held up the shiv. “By my hand.”

Helka stopped immediately. Turning, she stood for a moment, only looking at me. Then, her gaze dropped to my belly. Her eyes grew wide, and she clasped me to her again.

“Always fighting for your life, brave one.” She buried her face in my hair.

“Eirik?” I had to know. “He’s alive? He’s here?” My heart pounded.

Eldberg was possessed by hatred that would brook no outcome other than Eirik’s death. If he found him, he would kill him—even if it brought his own end.

I could not deny that I loved them both—in different ways.

To think of either being hurt or dying!

I couldn’t bear it.