Norse Valor (12 page)

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Vakr’s heart was pounding in his chest. He and his warriors
had surrounded a cluster of caves, dens really. Vakr thought it ironic these
wolf-men would house themselves thusly. Smoke came out in barely noticeable
wisps. The area was covered over in dense foliage, so it was well concealed.
Vakr and his men had gotten lucky and saw a search party returning home. The
wolf-men were in a circle, and two very large wolves were standing on rocks
calling for attention. The wolf-men Vakr and his warriors had silently followed
had joined the group.

“Tonight we hunt the killers of our brothers and sisters!”
the wolf shouted from atop the rock.

Ah, so they do talk.

“We will make them pay for slaughtering them and mounting
their heads on pikes as though to warn us!” yelled the other wolf.

“What of their women, Geri?” asked another man.

“They will be brought here and our newest hunters will be
initiated like the others,” called the man on the rock. “After Freki and I have
our pick, the rest are yours.”

Vakr grinned.
Freki
and Geri? Odin’s wolves? Fitting.
But these wolves were about to be sent
home to their God by bear beasts. David had been right. They raped the women as
an initiation and reward. They were no doubt released to be hunted again. For
these wolves, it was all about the hunt. Vakr drew his sword. In a tight
circle, the men were vulnerable to attack. Now was the time to strike. Vakr
bellowed his war cry. Other answering roars soon followed.

Vakr’s men raced forward. The wolves were armed and a battle
ensued. One of the wolves screamed in terror at the sight of Vakr in his
buffalo beast costume.

“A devil has come for us!” he screeched.

Vakr ran him through.

“A grizzly!” another man screamed and was downed by Ari.

“Draw your weapons and fight, you fools!” Freki bellowed.
“They are only men dressed as animals!”

“A beast with horns on either side of its head!” another
cried out. Those were his last words.

Vakr went for Freki. The man’s sword arm was strong. Sparks
flew as they clashed. When Vakr sliced at his middle, Freki jumped back.

“You fight well for a wolf,” Vakr said, grinning.

Freki grimaced when given a good look at Vakr’s fangs. A
flash of skin revealed the wolf man had fingers under his claws.

“Go back to where you came from!” Freki yelled. “These lands
are ours!”

Vakr slammed the sword through Freki’s ribs. “Not anymore,”
he ground out. With a jerk, he pulled his weapon free.

Freki went down.

Vakr spun to face another, but there were no more. His
warriors outnumbered them, surprised them, and they had outmaneuvered them.
Victory was theirs. Vakr howled into the night air. He then bent down and with
his knife he cut the wolf skin from Freki’s face.

“You see!” Vakr bellowed as he pulled the dead man to his
knees by his hair. “Just a man, no more, no less.” He then released him.

“They are all just men,” Ari claimed.

One by one the fur was cut from each man’s face.

“What do you want done with them?” Baldr asked.

“Leave them to their brothers and sisters,” Vakr said and
smiled. From the corner of his eye, he could already see a few wolves in the
distance creeping silently closer. “Do you smell their blood?” Vakr shouted to
the beasts. “They took your skins; take them back and take their skins.”

The other men laughed. Vakr went to stand in the middle of
the dens. He roared as loudly as he could and he heard a little girl scream. He
motioned for his men to stand near the front of each cave, for he wanted no
runners.

“Come out and bring your cubs to us!” Vakr demanded in a
loud deep voice.

Silence.

Vakr grinned to Ari who he thought was grinning back. It was
hard to tell with his giant muzzle. Vakr motioned his men to take their reward.
Vakr ducked to go down into the den. Once inside, he was surprised. The den had
been dug out and there was room for him to stand. A fire burnt brightly in the
center below a hole in the top of the cave. Mounds of furs were in three
separate piles. A very beautiful terrified woman stood huddled against the back
of the cave with a girl of about ten and a toddler. The girl looked as though
she would be as pretty as her mother when older. The toddler had a mass of blond
ringlets. Vakr moved toward them. He was well pleased, for he knew his mother
would be very happy with his gifts and she would adore the children. The woman
screamed when he approached causing the children to cry out and wail pitifully.

The woman frantically pulled at the toddler’s clothing as
Vakr neared. She held out her hands pleadingly. It was hard to make out what
she was saying in her shaking voice as the little ones continued to howl.

“She’s female,” the woman was crying out. “A girl child, a
girl.”

Now Vakr understood. The frightened mother had exposed the
toddler to him so he could see her sex. That one act answered a question. The
wolf men killed all males, young and old of any age.

“You and your young will not be harmed,” Vakr said. “You are
mine now.”

The woman slumped in relief then paled. “My sister has just
given birth to a boy. Her first child. He is only a few days old. Please let
him live. He never has to know he isn’t one of yours.”

Vakr was disgusted.
Even
babes were slaughtered? The men of this village really had been animals.
“My men do not kill babes, nor do they slaughter women or children.”

“Men?”

“Yes, we are men. Like your men, we have disguised
ourselves.”

“You won’t eat us?” she asked in trepidation.

“What?”

The woman looked like she was about to vomit.

Vakr thought he might as well when he caught her meaning.
“Your men ate human flesh?”

“On the full moon they celebrate their kills and give thanks
to Odin. A sacrifice is given. If no prisoners are caught they, they…”

“By the Gods, they killed their own?” Vakr asked in disgust.

“Vakr?” Ari shouted.

Vakr looked at the woman feeling a great deal of pity. They
must have lived in terror. She was indeed extraordinarily beautiful, so were
her daughters. He wondered if it’s what saved her life and her children’s from
slaughter.

“Grab whatever of your belongings you can carry. No
weapons.”

The woman hurried to do so. She wrapped a fur around each
child. All she could carry was the toddler.

Vakr would return with more men in the morning and take what
they wanted. When Vakr and his prisoners emerged from the den, there was a
sorry number of women and children huddled together. Perhaps fifteen in all. A
young woman holding a babe in her arms went to Vakr’s captive where they
huddled together.

“Vakr, we need to settle an issue, now,” Ari said.

Vakr could see the four issues standing away from the women
and children. Four boys of perhaps ten to fifteen stood being guarded by Baldr
and David. One of the boys was sobbing. He was small for his age, spindly, and
all were terrified. Vakr could see a woman on her knees weeping, her arms
outstretched to the youngest boy. Vakr stood before him, the boy trembling at
the sight of him.

“What is your name?” Vakr asked him.

“Hrok,” the child wept.

“You are ten years?”

“Yes, I will be ten years when the snow flies again,” he
replied. He lifted his hand to swipe at wet eyes. When the boy gazed up at him,
new tears trailed in lines down his dirty face.

Vakr sighed. One issue solved, he was still but nine—a
child. “Go back to your mother, boy,” Vakr ordered.

The boy took flight and was in his mother’s embrace in an
instant.

Vakr went to the next boy. He was the second youngest at
twelve. Vakr gazed down at him thoughtfully. He too was sobbing.

“Where is your mother?” Vakr asked him.

“I have no mother. I have no father. I have nothing,” he replied.

“What is your name?”

“Jorund.”

“These men stole you, didn’t they, Jorund?” Vakr asked.

“Yes. Last year. My father was killed in front of my mother
and me. Mother died in the early spring. A sacrifice. I was to be next.”

“As leader of my village I can claim you, or kill you,” Vakr
said sternly. “A man and woman lost their only son to these men a short time
ago. You belong to them now. There is no need for revenge on my people. We
caused you no harm. Do you understand?”

“I’m not a slave anymore?” the boy whispered. He looked up,
way up at Vakr.

“Do you pledge your allegiance to me?” Vakr asked.

“Yes,” Jorund said in a tiny voice.

“Then go stand with the others.”

Vakr assessed the last two. One was glaring at him. The
other looked at him hopefully. Vakr addressed him next.

“How old are you?” Vakr asked the boy.

“I’m fourteen. I was taken when my village was attacked a
short time ago. I will pledge allegiance to you. They killed my mother and
father and younger sister, but I don’t know what happened to my older sister. I
was kept tied like the other boy, and was to be used as a sacrifice.”

“What was your sister’s name?”

“Sibba.”

Ari strode forward. “You are Sibba’s brother?”

“Yes,” the boy said and was startled when Ari wrapped his
arm around his shoulder.

Vakr saw the boy shudder. He imagined it must be unnerving
to have the paw of a grizzly wrap around a person.

“Your sister has agreed to wed with me. You are family,” Ari
informed the boy.

Vakr was happy when Ari pulled the boy from the diminishing
line of issues. Only one remained. He was the oldest of the bunch. He was big
for his age, furious, hate-filled…and a definite threat to Vakr’s village.

Chapter 12

Svana was happy to see Vakr and his men all return safely
and unharmed followed by a sad-looking group of women and children. She went to
him the moment he walked through the cabin door. Taking his hand, she
immediately led him to her father. Both men eyed each other openly in
challenge.

“Your father?” Vakr asked.

To say he looked skeptical was an understatement.

“I know it sounds strange, but it’s true,” she replied.

“Dad?” David whispered in disbelief.

“Is that you under all that fur, David? You look fuzzier
than the last time I saw you. You can’t tell me this is a turn-on to the women.
Aren’t you a bit old to be playing dress up?” Bram said dryly.

“Yep, it’s my dad all right,” David said, nodding.

Bram pulled him into his arms and Svana thought it ironic to
think David gave him a bear hug while dressed as a bear.

“How can it be possible when you look so young?” Vakr asked.
“You look no older than myself.”

Svana gripped her father’s hand and held up the one wearing
the ring identical to hers and David’s.

“Aunt Sally told him the legend of the rings,” she said.

“Their aunt, from my wife’s side, told me the rings carry
great power,” Bram began. “They take you to not only who you love, but where
your heart is supposed to be. I love my children more than anything in this
world. Sally warned me the rings didn’t do what you would expect, and if I put
it on and went looking for you, I could find myself as a two-year-old wandering
aimlessly in the forest lost forever. Or I could be ninety. Nothing was
certain.”

“But Daddy braved the unknown because he loves us so much,”
Svana said proudly. “The yacht he was on suddenly disappeared out from under
him and he was lucky to be able to swim to shore. It’s like some strange
variation of the Bermuda Triangle.” She cast a cheeky glance at Vakr. “I told
you he would find us.”

“Why would Aunt Sally give us these rings if she knew what
might happen?” David asked.

“I asked her the same thing,” Bram said. “Sally had the one
ring only. It has been passed down from generation to generation to the next
set of twins born. Sally and Susan each had one, but Susan lost hers as a
child. Then Susan passed not long ago. While going through her sister’s things,
Salley found the second ring. Sally had told me that she kept the rings,
wondering if she and her sister were the ones the rings sought. She said she
thought it was silly, but she had dreamed about it her entire life. Once Susan
died and she found the other ring, Sally knew it was time to pass them on.
Because the ring was mysteriously lost then found, she said she just knew they
were destined for another. When you and your brother disappeared, she came to
me and said she thought she knew where you went and why. By chance, she came
across the other ring in an antique shop. There’s an inscription inside one.
It’s not on mine. It says simply,
forever
mine sweetling
.”

Svana’s head snapped up. “Sweetling?” She gazed over at
Vakr.

His eyes were wide.

“Sally didn’t know which of you was supposed to get the ring
with the inscription so she gave it to Svana. You’re twins. The legend says two
and two.”

“Like Noah’s ark?” David said.

“No,” Bram said. “Noah’s ark was two
by
two. This ring is two
and
two. Which is four rings.”

Svana was puzzled. “Vakr and me, David and Kitta, Daddy
and…hmm. Maybe you’re supposed to find someone here too, Daddy.”

“But that still leaves one,” Vakr said.

“And I already found who I came for,” Bram said. “I came to
take you both home with me where you belong.”

“No!” Vakr yelled.

Kitta began crying and it occurred to Svana that she
understood what her father was saying. David must have been teaching her English.

David went to her and wrapped his furry arms around her.
“It’s all right,” he soothed.

“Don’t leave me,” she begged.

Koli was standing off to the side looking worried; it appeared
he too understood what was happening.

Vakr looked panic-stricken and Svana went to him. Vakr
yanked off his claws and clung to her.

“You said if your father came for you, I would have to
answer to him,” Vakr said, his words were no more than a heated growl. “My
answer is no. You can’t have her.”

“That’s not your decision to make,” Bram snapped. “If the
ring led me here, it’s for a reason. I think that reason is to take my children
home. Look at you. Dressed like some freak. Killing people with swords. She
doesn’t even have a home to call her own. Is this how you take care of my
daughter?

“Look at my son. He looks like an overgrown plush toy. No
wonder the ring sent me here at the age I am. It’s to battle you for them. So
be it!”

Svana was horrified.

David looked like he would vomit.

Vakr was a berserker and would slaughter her father no
matter how young and virile he looked.

Vakr pushed her. Svana stood in front of her father, who pulled
her behind him.

“I cannot kill the father of the woman I love,” Vakr
snarled.

He looked enraged that her father had even suggested such a thing.

“Look around you,” Bram said reasonably. “What can you give
my daughter? You mount wolf heads like heathens. In her own time, she will
never go hungry. She will always have clothes and a roof over her head. If you
really love her, you will let her go and destroy the ring.”

Vakr looked crestfallen. Never before had Svana seen him
look defeated. It almost killed her with the ache she felt in her heart.
Give up Vakr?
She couldn’t. But how
could she not go back with her father when he had come all this way to save
them? His love too was great.

“I can’t make a decision tonight,” Svana said.

“I will,” David said. He had stripped off his bear outfit
and went to stand before his father. He pulled a reluctant Kitta behind him.
“Dad, I’m staying here.”

“Son, I’m certain the girl means something to you, but there
are others waiting at home.”

“It’s more than that. I’ve grown up here. You wanted me to
put my feet on the ground and be responsible, well I am. Kitta and I are
getting married. I love her. I won’t abandon her and my baby.”

“Baby?” Svana gasped.

“It would appear that I’m going to be a dad myself,” David
said and looked very pleased with the idea.

Svana watched her father very closely. He ran a hand over
his face, then stepped forward and hugged David.

“Maybe we can take her back with us if you’re connected to
her by blood now,” Bram suggested.

“No!” Koli yelled. “Kitta and David are the only family I
have.”

To Svana, he looked devastated. Kitta looked just as scared.
Svana knew Kitta would never belong in their time. Going back was hard, but
going ahead to such technology would be terrifying for a woman from this
century. She looked at Vakr. It would also be terrifying for a man—even a
warrior. Svana grew up around gadgets and planes and new inventions. She
doubted she would blink an eye if she were to be tossed into the twenty-fifth
century with more and better gadgets, after all, she would expect it. Here it
was too different. Too primitive. Not all minds were open and ready for change.
Even the changes David had incorporated were met with suspicion and wariness.
If they were wary about an outhouse, some would have a heart attack when faced
with something as simple as a microwave…because it wasn’t simple to these
people, it would be magic or witchcraft.

When her father cast his saddened glance to Svana, she
didn’t know what to do. Daddy was her past, but was Vakr really her future? Why
had her father found them if he wasn’t meant to? Svana knew she wasn’t
pregnant. David had made his choice not to walk away. He could have. David
could go back and find any woman he wanted and start a family. Just looking at
him, Svana knew he had chosen his family. It was a good choice.

“I’m tired and it’s late,” Svana said quietly. “I think we
all need to get a good night’s rest and we can talk about this in the morning.”

“I need to find sleeping arrangements for these new villagers,”
Vakr said. “Then we need to talk.”

Svana nodded, then she said good night to her father and
went to her tent in the far corner after David took him to his sleeping mats.

* * *
*

Vakr went about his duty in a stilted fashion. He was going
to lose Svana.
Why would any woman want
to stay in this place when she had riches at her disposal?
She had spoken
of the most amazing things in her time. It was fascinating to know one day a
man would fly through the skies. Things like cars that traveled faster than
horses would be such a wonder. Vakr loved to travel. He loved to sail because
it brought him to new and exciting places. Svana could have a future with such
an easy lifestyle. She could easily have a future here with him, except it
would be harder. Vakr knew she loved him. He loved her so much he thought he
would die if she walked out of his life for material things. Bram had a point
though. What could Vakr give her that was greater than an offer of everything?

It was then Vakr noticed his new slaves huddled in their
furs near a hearth. The woman was outstandingly beautiful. Her daughters would
make anyone proud. They were Vakr’s. Vakr’s mind began to swirl. Bram was a
family man. He was devoted to his children and Svana had told him Bram’s wife
was dead. If Vakr could trick Bram into staying, then Svana would stay. Vakr
went to the woman who eyed him uneasily. Both her girls were asleep. Vakr went
down on his haunches.

“You are mine,” Vakr reminded her.

She nodded.

“I can do anything I want with you and your children.”

The woman pulled her daughters closer. She looked terrified.
“Please, you said you wouldn’t hurt us.”

“I don’t plan on hurting you, but I think you will be more
than pleased with my idea.”

She looked at him, curious now.

“The man you saw me argue with is named Bram. In the
morning, I’m giving you and your girls to him. If he refuses you, I will tell
him you will be cast out.”

“But we’ll die,” she whispered, her eyes filling with tears.
Her slender hand rested on his arm.

“I have no doubt he will take you. You will be your most
charming self. But do not throw yourself at him. A man like him will feel honor
bound to keep you safe. I will not allow him to give you to another. I will
make certain every man turns him down. It will be quite the dilemma for him.
I’m hoping by the time he figures out what to do, he will be in love with you
and your girls.”

Vakr tossed her another fur. He rose smiling. There was no
way Bram would be able to resist such a beauty when her eyes were filled with
unshed tears. Even Vakr had been moved by her fear. No one was going to take
his Svana away. No one. Vakr had one more thing to do before he joined Svana.
The angry fifteen-year-old glared at him when he approached. His hands were
tied behind his back. Vakr shoved him into the room he and his men used for
their meetings and shut the door behind them.

The boy fell to his knees. He spun onto his behind and
backed up until he slammed into the wall, keeping Vakr in sight.

The boy continued to glare hatefully up at him. He was
strong. Only a tiny quiver of his chin was noticeable to show Vakr how
frightened he actually was. He was still a boy, but it was easy to see he would
slit Vakr’s throat happily if given the chance.

“Whose son are you?” Vakr demanded.

“I am Tahl, son of Freki,” the boy spat out with loathing.

Vakr had feared as much, since the resemblance to his father
was strong. Once again Vakr found himself on his haunches before a slave, only
this boy’s fate would be different. Vakr could not give him to anyone in the
village. Vakr had other options. He could give the young man a sword and let
him fight for his life against him, but Vakr was stronger. Tahl would die an
honorable death and be sent to Valhalla. But Vakr hated challenging anyone so
defenseless against him. It was one of the reasons he would not challenge
Svana’s father.

Vakr wouldn’t ask the boy to swear allegiance; he would be
lying if he did. There was only one thing to do with him. Vakr would send him
out with his men in the morning. A weeks’ travel upriver by ship and he could
be sold to another to add to their chained rowers. It would be a hard life as a
slave aboard a vessel…but at least he would live. There was little doubt he
would ever return. Many of the chained slaves were traded in distant countries.
This boy was young and strong. Even if his anger fueled him into manhood, in
time he would realize Vakr spared his life. It was more than Tahl could say of
his own father and the death that was their legacy.

“You are leaving in the morning,” Vakr said gruffly. “If
your feet find their way back here again, I will not be as merciful.”

The boy’s eyes flickered. He realized he wasn’t being put to
death.

“You killed my father,” the boy said. For a moment he
battled tears.

“I will spare his son. You wore no wolf costume.”

“I would have gone on the next hunt. I would have been a
man.”

“If you had gone, like your father, you would never have
been a man.”

The boy glared at him with the insult.

“Your father and his followers will never be welcome in
Valhalla for eating human flesh. Odin would be appalled. A real warrior does
not kill anyone so helpless. Think on that while you spend hours rowing a vessel
across the seas, young wolf pup.”

Vakr rose and left. He found Svana on their furs with tears
streaming down her face. She wasn’t a woman prone to tears and he could see her
devastation. When Vakr went to her, she clung to him as though she were dying. Vakr
buried his hands in her hair and kissed her hard. Wet tears slid from her face
to wet his cheeks.