Sandra Hill - [Vikings I 01] (28 page)

An ague of the mind! Give me a break!

Once again, Ruby had to clench her fists and press her nails painfully into her palms to restrain her temper, but her flashing eyes told Thork just what she thought of his
ague of the mind
.

“I disbelieve she spies. ’Twas proven when we captured and killed two true spies from Ivar,” Thork continued, addressing his comments to the noble Viking jury in true lawyerly fashion. He breathed deeply and concluded, “I would ask that the assembly absolve Ruby of all charges.”

“And do what with her?” Sigtrygg asked indignantly. “I want naught of her in Jorvik, spreading her tales, riling the women to trouble.” He threw his last words at Byrnhil who stood stubbornly in the background.

Thork’s face flushed at the question. Obviously, he didn’t think that her future, beyond this trial, was his continuing responsibility, Ruby realized painfully. He seemed to deliberate his next words carefully before speaking. “Perchance, if she were released, she could make her way back to her own country or to Hrolf in Normandy on a trading vessel. I would be willing to pay her fare.”

There was much questioning and discussion back and forth among the jarls on the platform. The free men on the grass clamored to offer their opinions, as well. Finally, the law speaker raised both arms in the air for silence.

“These are the issues to be decided here today: Is Ruby Jordan guilty of spying for our enemies? Is the spreading of birth control information a crime under our law codes? Should the accused’s alleged kinship with Hrolf be at issue here?” Assen inhaled deeply and said loudly in a typical court crier voice, “Hear ye, good Norsemen all, what be your verdict?”

“Chop off ’er head,” one man in the crowd yelled.

Ruby cringed. So quickly, they were back to that decapitation stuff.

“Cut out ’er tongue,” another advised.

“Torture ’er till she confesses.” On and on the vile suggestions went, to Ruby’s dismay.

When everyone finished voicing an opinion, the speaker called for a vote. On the first charge of spying for Ivar, the assembly could not come to a majority opinion. They agreed to come back to that charge after discussing the others.

On the second question—whether her birth control lectures constituted a crime—Ruby was found innocent, though a fine was assessed for poor judgment and to discourage her from repeating the same mistake.

“I have no money to pay the fine,” Ruby said. “All I have is this.” She handed the law speaker her pendant.

“’Twould be sufficient,” he concluded after examining it carefully for its value. He handed it to Sigtrygg, who turned bright red with rage.

“That belongs to me,” Sigtrygg yelled at Ruby.

“No! You gave it to me and I gave it to Ruby.” Byrnhil contradicted him, coming forward once again.

Sigtrygg looked as if he’d like to throttle Byrnhil. “Shut
your teeth, woman, lest I bring you afore this assembly for theft and aiding a spy. You overstep yourself mightily.” Sigtrygg sat back down, seething as he glared alternately at his mistress and Ruby.

Uh oh!
Things were not looking good.

On the next question, of Ruby’s relationship to Hrolf, her supporters’ arguments convinced the assembly that the possible blood ties were worth investigating.

Brynhil sidled up to the king and whispered something in his ear. Thork looked at Ruby suspiciously, as if she and Brynhil conspired together. Finally, seeming to be fed up with the proceedings, Sigtrygg pulled away from his mistress and announced dogmatically, “I suggest the woman Ruby Jordan be taken under guard to Hrolf’s court in Normandy. If ’tis found she has lied, that will be taken as evidence that she had evil intents here in Jorvik—whether for Ivar or the Saxons or some other enemy—and she is to be beheaded on the spot. She is
not
to be brought back here for further trial.”

“What say you to King Sigtrygg’s suggestion?” the law speaker called out to the entire assembly, now restless after a long day of hearings and anxious to begin the evening’s entertainment.

Ruby crossed her fingers and said a silent prayer of hope.

The assembly agreed overwhelmingly, by voice and the loud clanging of battle shields, to the king’s solution, then stood to depart the Thing area. It happened so quickly that it took Ruby a few moments to realize that the Vikings had essentially found her innocent, at least for the time being. A thankful smile began to split her face, and she turned to share her happiness with Thork.

But Thork didn’t look happy at all. A frown creased his forehead, and his perplexed gaze darted from Ruby to Brynhil to the king and back again. “Wait!” Thork raised his voice, calling to Sigtrygg’s departing back, “I
understand naught of your intent. What exactly happens to the wench now?”

King Sigtrygg stretched his massive frame and yawned hugely before turning to Thork and smiling craftily. “Why, ’tis simple.
You
will take her to Normandy, and
you
will behead her if she is not granddaughter to The Marcher.”

“Nay, I cannot do such,” Thork shouted, not caring if it was his king he addressed. “I go to Jomsborg.” His eyes blazed furiously.

“You can take the wench on the way to Jomsborg,” Sigtrygg advised unctuously, his face rigid at Thork’s questioning of his orders.

“On the way…on the way…,” Thork sputtered. “Normandy is nowhere near the route to Jomsborg.”

“I trust you, Thork, more than any other to undertake this task for me,” the king cajoled.

“What makes you think I would behead the wench?” Thork asked, running his fingers through his hair. “I have already said I do not think her a spy.” He flashed Ruby a quick look that said he would have plenty to say to her when he finished with the king.

“Yea, but that signifies naught. You cherish honor more than aught else. If Hrolf denies her, you would kill her if you had sworn me your pledge. Of that, I am certain.”

Thork snorted rudely at the blatant trickery in Sigtrygg’s oily words.

“Oh, and didst I mention,” Sigtrygg added, coolly examining his fingernails, “you will represent me at Athelstan’s coronation.”

Thork turned dark red as he cursed wildly.

“Do not think to say me nay on this,” Sigtrygg said in a steely voice that bespoke his rigid determination. “You know well and good you are the only Viking who knows his way round the Saxon court well enough to avoid a knife in the back.”

Thork’s eyes shot rebellious daggers at his king, but Sigtrygg faced him off stubbornly, with arms folded implacably over his mountainous chest. The retainer of royal bodyguards moved forward in a line behind Sigtrygg, daring Thork to defy the orders.

“I will find someone to do these duties for you,” Thork offered. “Mayhap Olaf could—”

“
Nay! I cannot
,” Olaf asserted loudly, affronted that Thork would throw him this unwelcome task. “Wife and family have I who need me here in Jorvik.”

“And I have a Jomsviking oath which I have ignored for two years.”

“Do you refuse my
request?
” Sigtrygg asked Thork bluntly.

“Can we discuss it further?” Thork evaded.

“Were you not the man who convinced me of the importance of a marriage alliance with Athelstan?”

“Yea, but—”

“Can you name one man who could carry out my orders as well as you?”

Thork thought for a moment. Then his eyes narrowed as he turned with deliberation. “Yea, my scheming grandfather could do the job very well. He has met both King Athelstan and Hrolf afore.”

Aud gasped and turned in outrage on her grandson. “For
shame, Thork! Ne’er did I think you would do such to us.”

“You know I will be needed to protect my lands once the Saxons attack,” Dar said icily.

“You are right,” Thork said sheepishly. “I apologize. In my anger, I did not think.”

Dar and Aud nodded, accepting his apology.

“Well? What say you?” Sigtrygg asked Thork once again. “Enough time have we all wasted on this wench, and I mislike your churlish attitude. Thor’s blood! Surely one more month will not signify in your return to Jomsborg.”

“So be it then,” Thork conceded ungraciously. He started to storm away, then stopped abruptly in front of Ruby. Piercing her with icy blue eyes, he pointed a finger at her chest menacingly and stalked her as she backed away from him. “’Tis your fault. You will rue the day you ever met me, wench.”

Things were not going as Ruby had hoped. She should be deliriously happy. She had at least another month with Thork. Why couldn’t he share her good fortune? She tried to apologize. “I’m sorry, Thork. I never meant to be so much trouble to you.”

He said a very, very foul word.

“Thork, I—”

“Nay, speak not your lies,” Thork continued. “’Twas what you and Brynhil planned these four days past whilst you whispered and twittered like busy birds. You win, wench, but hold on to your tempting backside because you will pay well and good for each and every day you have delayed my departure.” For emphasis, he whacked her sharply on the rear, laughing mirthlessly, then motioned for Dar to join him.

While he waited, Thork derisively mimicked her apology aloud in a falsely feminine voice, “I never meant to be so much trouble to you.”

Ruby couldn’t believe she’d escaped Sigtrygg’s bloody temper once again, only to have her exultation over her death reprieve cut off by Thork’s resentment.

Thork soon gave Ruby another reason to feel less than exultant. As she and Aud walked behind the men back to their tents, Thork told his grandfather with tired, but resolute, resignation, “If you think a marriage alliance with Elise would protect your holdings while I am gone, begin the betrothal negotiations.” He ignored Ruby’s gasp of hurt surprise.

“What?” Dar exclaimed. “I understand naught of your change of heart, boy. Why would you suddenly agree to marry when you have been so strongly opposed afore?”

“These past four days, as we have talked to our friends who live closer to the Wessex border, you and I have been given more than enough evidence that Athelstan plays a deadly game. He will attack at the first sign of weakness. We must do everything we can to protect ourselves.”

“Even if it means your marrying?”

“Even
that
,” he said, his lip curling with distaste.

“Well, the maid’s father did promise arms and men to aid us if there were a marriage pact. Mayhap a betrothal contract would suffice for now. Could we have the signing afore you depart?”

Thork nodded grimly. “Her brothers are in camp. We can send word to her father today and perchance have the signing on the morrow.” Thork pulled at his lower lip thoughtfully. “I will not give up Jomsviking. Think you the maid would accept that?”

“Hah! Little say she would have in the matter!”

“Even if they agree to a betrothal, it may be two years afore I could return for the wedding, but that should be no hindrance. Elise is only fifteen—a child.”

“You always said you wanted no children or family to tempt your brother Eric’s blade.”

“And still do not. I swear by Thor’s sword, there will
be no other child of my loins born into this world,” Thork exclaimed vehemently. “But say naught of that to them for now. As for Elise, she has five brothers and a powerful father to protect her from Eric. My brother is no fool. He chooses his victims well. Leastways, he will know from my long absences how little affection I harbor for my wife. She will be safe, I warrant.”

“’Tis a cold man you have become, Thork.”

“’Tis a cold world in which I live, Grandfather.”

Colder than both of you can ever imagine, Ruby thought, as tears streamed down her face on overhearing their chilling words. If Thork married another woman, there could be no future with her. It didn’t matter if he loved Elise or not. She could not have a relationship with Thork, of any kind, when he was bound to another woman.

Oh, Lord!
Ruby cried inwardly as her heart seemed to splinter into a million shards. Thork was truly lost to her now.

Ruby tried to approach Thork several times that evening, but he flatly refused to listen. Brynhil had already spoken with him after the Thing, and presumably he now directed his blame for his missions to Kingston and Normandy on the king, not a conspiracy between her and Brynhil. But he still raged over her interfering in his life and causing him unnecessary delays. His final words to her were, “You will pay good and true for every piddling prick of annoyance you have caused in my life, wench. I will have one month to enact vengeance, and I plan to use every bloody minute of it.”

Ruby didn’t ask what kind of punishment he had in mind. She really didn’t need anything else to worry about right now.

Late that night, after bolstering her courage with a cup of red wine, Ruby crept into Thork’s tent, needing to talk about the most important thing troubling her—his betrothal to Elise.

“
What?
” Thork jumped from a sound sleep when Ruby crept up to his sleeping furs. Pushing her aside, Thork stood and lit a candle. “Get the bloody hell out of my tent,” he seethed. “I swear I will sell Vigi on the morrow for his continual lapses in guarding you.”

“Thork, just give me one minute. Then I promise I’ll leave quietly.”

He turned, and Ruby inhaled sharply. The flickering light played shadow games on his almost nude, magnificent body as he confronted her, dressed in only a loincloth sort of garment.

“Spit it out, Ruby,” he growled. “Elise and her family will be here in the morn to sign the betrothal contract. Wouldst you have her balk afore the deed is done because of the scandal you might cause in my bed furs?”

He thought she had come to seduce him again, Ruby realized. She felt her face flame, then quickly tried to correct his misconception. “Thork, that’s just why I’ve come. You can’t marry Elise, not after—”

In two long steps, Thork was in front of her, breathing heavily with frustrated anger. Ruby closed her eyes for a second at the heady intoxication of his body heat and his skin’s healthy sleep scent.

“Yea, best you close your eyes and pray, wench,” Thork gritted out as he grabbed her by the upper arms and lifted her off her feet so her face was level with his. “Mark my words well, the betrothal will take place on the morrow. Nothing you say can change that.”

“But, Thork, I love you,” she whimpered, her feet dangling above the ground. “I know you…care for me, too. How can you possibly marry someone else?”

“Woman, you overreach yourself,” he replied icily. “When have I ever promised marriage to you? Never! In fact, over and over have I told you that it would never happen. And love? Hah! ’Tis the least of my concerns.”

“What you said, Thork, was that you would never marry anyone, and I—”

“Argh!” he exclaimed, rolling his eyes upwards. “I am plagued. First, my grandfather. Now, this shrewish woman.” He removed his hands from her arms abruptly and she dropped to the ground, stumbled, then fell to her knees. He didn’t even bother to help her to her feet. Instead, he glared at her in stony silence.

“How could you promise to marry Elise?” Ruby asked tearfully. “How could you do that to me…to us?”

“How could I not?” He threw his hands up in despair. She could see the muscles tense in his clenched jaw.

“But you’re married to me.”

“Nay, that I am not…nor ever will be,” he replied tiredly, as if he were sick of repeating his denial.

“Then it truly is over,” Ruby said softly, with numb resignation.

Thork shook his head doggedly. “Nay, it has not yet begun, witch.”

Ruby stared at him in disbelief. “There can be nothing between us now. Nothing.”

“’Tis not for you to decide.”

“What are you suggesting?”

Thork leaned his face close to hers, almost nose to nose, and smiled, but the warmth never reached his ice-blue eyes. “My meaning is abundantly clear. You have bedeviled me and delayed me. For that, I intend to exact payment…in full…and you know perfectly well how.”

“No!”

“Oh, yea! Never doubt it.”

The tent flap swung open suddenly and Vigi peeped his head in tremulously. “Master Thork, the wench be missing.”

“Oh, really?” he said, stepping to the side so that Vigi could see Ruby still kneeling on the hard-packed earth.
Vigi’s eyes almost popped out as she scrambled to her feet.

Tears welled and overflowed Ruby’s eyes as Thork directed Vigi, “Take her back to her tent and guard her well this time. She is not to leave the tent the entire day. If I see her anywhere near the betrothal ceremony in the assembly tent, you will have not only your sale to a slave trader to contend with, but a lack of limb, as well.”

Ruby looked back at Thork over her shoulder as Vigiled her out. His steely countenance barred any further exhortations on her part.

“I do not wish to speak to you again, wench, until you are on my ship two days hence, and then you will understand well and good how you will pay.”

The next day, Ruby was, in fact, imprisoned in her tent. She could hear the bustle of festive activity outside, probably the betrothal feast. Vigi brought her meals in the morning and midday and removed her chamber pot, but he would say nothing to her many questions. Finally, when it was almost dark, Aud came to her. She took one look at Ruby’s sleepless eyes and tear-ravaged face and opened her arms for comfort.

“Oh, child, why do you torture yourself so?” she crooned as she held Ruby kindly. When she pulled back finally and wiped her face with a square of linen, Aud asked, “Dost my grandson mean so much to you?”

Ruby nodded on a sob.

“But ’tis only a betrothal, and he has no fondness for the girl.”

“Oh, Aud, can’t you see? This means we can’t ever be together. I thought…I thought because he looked just like Jack that Thork would love me, too. I wanted this to be my second chance to make things right with my husband.”

“If ’tis any consolation, Thork looked as miserable the
entire day as you do now. He barks at any who comes near him.”

“Even Elise?” Ruby whispered.

“Most of all, Elise,” Aud replied with a sad grin. “The girl probably cries her eyes out as we speak.”

“Do you mean…do you mean Thork isn’t with her?” she choked out hopefully.

Aud laughed at Ruby’s obviousness. “Girl, is that what you have been thinking, that the marriage is to be consummated this eve? Nay, some couples do such, but not in this case, especially because of Elise’s age.”

Ruby felt an odd consolation in knowing that Thork would not make love to his intended bride. And who knows where she would be in two years when Thork and Elise finally married?

“Be forewarned, Ruby, my grandson claims to have unfinished business with you. You may consider things well and over betwixt you. He does not.”

The next day, Ruby watched dolefully as Thork bid his farewells to Elise and her family. She didn’t see him again until the following day when she stood at the rail of one of his six dragonships, waving tearfully to Aud, Dar, Gyda, Olaf and Tykir, who watched stoically from the shore as the boats prepared to sail.

“May God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, bless you and keep you on this voyage,” Archbishop Hrothweard, head of the Eoforwic diocese, intoned in a voice that carried clearly to the ship. “May he accept into his heavenly gates all those who will not return from their journey. May he lead you on the holy path of righteous military might, just trading and successful negotiations.”