The Heart's Warrior (39 page)

Elezer!

Clovis whirled and struck Elezer in the face with his mighty fist. Elezer screamed as he crashed to the ground.

He fell into her path and Kerstin tried to jump over him.

He grasped her leg, toppling her off balance. She went sprawling, dirt sprayed her face and she coughed.

“Attack!” Elezer hollered as he gained his feet. “Wake up, you fools. We’re under attack.”

The night burst alive and a mighty roar vibrated in Kerstin’s ears. Hordes of Jonas’s men engulfed the forest.

Their swords and two-headed battle axes flashed as they fell upon the groggy camp. Screams of pain filled the air as sleeping men died swiftly. Curses and yells mingled with the clash of steel.

Glancing around, Kerstin sought some sight of her husband in the melee. A wonderful, chilling sound met her ears. She couldn’t see him, but she heard Jonas’s war cry vibrating in the early morning air.

She stared at the slaughter until Clovis grasped her arm. “Come with me!”

He gave her no choice, lifting and carrying her as he ran. The sounds of battle faded behind them as they neared the River Wear. Kerstin stared over his shoulder at the horrific scene. The air filled with the stench of blood. Hundreds of men swarmed over the hills and through the trees. Death screams rang in Kerstin’s ears until the sound sickened her. Even in the battles she had fought, never had she seen so much gore.

Jonas! She should have told him of her love. If he was killed she’d be devastated.

She buried her face against Clovis’s shoulder and tears burned her eyes. She mumbled against him, spilling her story for his ears alone. How she found Anskar in the 266

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forest, how she came all this way to warn Jonas of the ambush only to be captured by Eirik’s men.

Clovis grunted. “I know, mistress. They watched me too closely and I couldn’t get away to warn the king that Elezer betrayed us. I heard him confess his crimes and know he murdered Bjorn.”

Finally! Finally someone knew the truth. She wasn’t a witch or a murderer. Yet if Jonas died, the truth didn’t matter.

Clovis took her to Jonas’s ship and placed her in a secure corner where she folded in a cocoon of rich bear robes. Sounds of the battle reached her even here and she covered her ears, reliving the horror of her mother and brother’s deaths, and poor Letta’s children. She prayed for it to end and she prayed for the safety of her men.

****

remained still, listening. All was quiet. No sounds of battle, no screams, no yells. The ship rocked gently beneath her. The air smelled of tangy wood smoke. As she stared upward, she saw from the position of the sun it was well past noon, the brightest part of day.

Hearing voices, she tensed. Footsteps pounded across the planks of the ship and she sat up, startled. The furs fell away from her and she clutched her dagger, prepared to fight. Her eyes widened as she looked about.

Warships filled the inlet, at least fifty, perhaps more.

Great, elegant ships built for speed, with tall dragon prows and bright sails bearing the vivid colors red and green.

King Hakon’s ships.

Kerstin stared, dumbfounded.

A host of men stood upon the shore, the number of which she had never seen before. At least a thousand warriors tromped the beach. Battle weary, they still wore chain mail, swords and shields. Their clothes and weapons looked tattered and dented. Wounded men wore bloodied cloths wrapped about their heads, arms and legs.

They would need a healer, but she could not tend them all. How she wished Letta and Tovi were here to help her.

When they saw her, the men quieted by slow degrees, gesturing and staring at her.

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Turning her head, she looked for Jonas and saw her father and Thorir standing on the ship, not six paces away. They watched her with a mixture of pride and amazement. Dropping the dagger, she scrambled to her feet and raced into their arms.

“Father! Thorir! Oh, I feared you might be dead.” But where was Jonas? Her gaze scanned the beach for some sign of him.

Alrik held her close, his chain mail digging into her cheek as she pressed her face to his chest. His sword clanked against his side. It reminded her of the last time they parted. It had been much the same, except now he looked lean and weary.

As he released her, she stood back, ignoring the tears running down her cheeks. Her father wore no helm, his flaxen hair matted with sweat and dirt. Smatters of blood covered his clothing. He bore a small cut above his left eye and a dried trickle of blood ran down his left temple.

Thorir looked much the same, but her healer’s eye told her they were mostly unharmed.

“The gods have been kind to return you to me.” Her voice came out thick with emotion.

Alrik grinned. “Aye, we have won the day. And I

thank the gods for you. I’m the luckiest of men. I don’t deserve such a fine daughter.”

Kerstin’s heart squeezed. His words touched her

deeply.

He turned, indicating the shore. As she gaped at the mass of men, each of the warriors removed his helmet and clutched it to his breast. They saluted her!

She spied King Hakon, standing on a rocky

promontory overlooking the river. He too had removed his helm and he lifted it high, his deep voice filling the air.

“Hail Kerstin of Hawkscliffe! Hail the White Witch of Moere!”

The warriors joined in, repeating the litany over and over until the sound deafened her ears. They called her a white witch. Good, not evil. Fresh tears welled in her eyes. “I am pleased, but why are they honoring me this way?”

Her father chuckled. “Jonas left men to guard his ships. Last night, they heard a woman scream in the 268

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forest and went to search. They found one of your arrows.

Jonas recognized the fletchings and knew it belonged to you. It was simple to follow the trail your captors left and we discovered Eirik Bloodaxe’s camp. Clovis has told us how you tried to warn Jonas. He told us Elezer is the traitor. Because of you, the king was victorious.”

Victory? Her legs wobbled and she reached out and clutched the railing for support.

She hadn’t failed! They had won the war.

“But Elezer—”

Her father lifted a hand. “If he’s still alive, he’ll be punished for his crimes.”

Her mouth dropped open. “You mean he might be

alive?”

“Our men looked for him amongst the fallen, to make certain he was dead. We never found him. His body has been lost in the carnage.”

Kerstin’s eyes widened. “Do you think he got away?

He’s been known to flee from battle, the coward.”

Thorir shook his head. “Even if he fled, there’s

nowhere for him to hide. No one would dare shelter him.”

“But where is my husband? Where is Jonas?”

Alrik lifted an arm and pointed to where the king stood. Below the rocks, standing beside Knut, was Jonas.

He lived! Oh, her beloved was alive and well. Her heart swelled with joy.

Kerstin took a faltering step toward him. Blast her injured ankle, she could barely walk. Her hands shook and her father held her arm so she wouldn’t collapse upon the deck. Her heart thudded within her chest and she felt a melting within her limbs. She wanted Jonas. She could hardly wait to feel her arms around him.

Jonas stared at her, looking ashen and drawn like the other warriors. Pride tightened his jaw. He pressed his shoulders back, his feet planted firmly beneath him.

His mighty hand rested upon the hilt of his sword, his battle shield leaned against his right leg. The front of it looked torn and scarred, splotched with blood. No doubt he had used it fiercely to defend his life. She offered a silent prayer of gratitude.

As she watched, he lifted his helmet and saluted her.

His face softened. Did she imagine it or did she see 269

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sadness in his expressive eyes?

His shoulders slumped. He turned his back and

walked away, disappearing into the mass of men.

“Jonas, wait!”

He must not have heard and vanished from view. If she could walk, she would go after him. Why didn’t he come to her?

The men moved apart, going about their business,

preparing their ships for departure.

Thorir carried her off the ship and took her to the king. Hakon offered her his hand and she knelt before him. He helped her to her feet. “You are a heroine to our people. I owe you everything.”

She thanked him with a smile. “You killed Eirik

Bloodaxe?”

Hakon scowled and he answered with an angry

grumble. “Nay, he escaped with a host of his men, but we defeated his army. The Bloodaxe sustained heavy losses.

He’ll think twice before he returns to our shores. I’ve given Elezer’s earldom to Jonas. If we find the traitor alive, I’ve ordered his death.”

Kerstin swallowed tears of relief and regret. Finally, there would be peace, but at what price? Elezer had caused them much pain, but now they were free of him.

And Jonas waited.

The king heaved a great sigh. “For your service to me, I have agreed to dissolve your marriage to Jonas of Hawkscliffe. You are free to marry whom you will.”

A sharp pain struck her chest. She tried to breathe but couldn’t inhale. “Why would you do that?”

“We no longer need your marriage for us to have

peace.”

Kerstin gaped at the king in shock. “But Jonas is my husband. I would keep him whether or not you need our union.”

“Hmm.” Hakon frowned. “He thinks a divorce would

be best for both of you.”

She couldn’t speak. Confusion filled her. Just before the battle, Jonas clutched her to him and kissed her. He told her he feared for her life. He had sent her to safety with Clovis. Now he asked for a divorce.

Her heart wrenched. She might carry his child.

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The answer came like a thrust of steel. Olga! Jonas must still love his first wife. He blamed Kerstin for her death. Kerstin could not fight his memory of a dead woman.

“I don’t want a divorce.”

Hakon frowned. “I don’t understand.”

Shaking her head, Kerstin gave a cynical laugh. “I know. Neither do I.”

A smirk curved Hakon’s mouth. “So it’s like that, is it?” “What do you mean?”

He laughed. “You love him.”

She didn’t answer. It did no good to deny the truth.

“Very well.” He inclined his head. “I’ll leave it to you and Jonas to resolve this misunderstanding. Go and find your husband.”

The king turned and strode down the beach, laughing heartily, waving at his men, bidding them a job well done.

Kerstin hobbled toward the river, her gaze searching for Jonas’s ship. It was gone! He had left her here, no doubt thinking she would return to Moere with her father.

Her eyes narrowed as she gazed at the swift current.

Jonas would
not
get rid of her so easily.

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By early evening, Kerstin caught sight of the cook fires rising from the hall at Hawkscliffe. Thorir had welcomed her aboard his vessel, planning to stop at Hawkscliffe so he could fetch Letta and Einar before returning to Moere.

Kerstin sat silent in the ship, her face tilted toward the wind as they sailed up river. The warmth of the sun beat down on them as she watched the men pull at the oars, their rhythmic movements strangely comforting.

How odd that her stomach didn’t feel the least bit queasy. Nor did she fear the water. In its place, a stubborn will settled and she was determined to find a way to win Jonas back. She had to try. Her entire happiness depended on her success.

As they docked at the quay, the low thrum of the

lookout’s horns filled the air. While Thorir and his men secured the ship, Kerstin stepped over the prow, limping on her injured ankle. Still dressed in her man’s garb, her feet tapped the planks of the dock as she headed straight for Jonas’s ship. On board, she searched and found her forgotten dagger where she had dropped it earlier that morning. Sheathing the dagger in her belt, she walked up the path toward the hall.

Trepidation rumbled within her as she climbed the steep trail. Her heart pounded and she locked her jaw with resolve. She didn’t know what her reception might be or what she would do if Jonas insisted on a divorce. Most of his people had never accepted her. How could she ever make this her home?

Her love for Jonas pushed her onward. As she crested the hill, several people recognized her and came running to greet her.

“Oh, mistress, we heard what happened.” Astrid

touched her sleeve. “Because of you, we’ve won the war. I never did like Elezer of Lade. He was such a lazy man.

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And to think he murdered Bjorn. I’m so sorry for ever doubting you.”

Kerstin showed a wooden smile. Word of her

innocence had spread quickly. Though it brought her tremendous satisfaction, she didn’t stop to converse. She would see her mission through. Find Jonas and plead for his affection.

What might follow, she dared not consider. She knew only that she must touch him, breathe in the spice of his warm skin, see his dear face and hear his low voice once more.

When she arrived in the yard of the steading, Tovi waited there. Dear Tovi, who had earned Kerstin’s undying respect.

They embraced and Tovi brushed tears from her face.

“I hoped you would come. When Jonas returned without you, I didn’t know what to think. He refuses to talk about it.” “Where is he?” Kerstin asked.

“He’s gone to Kielder Forest. He’s in a black mood and no one can offer him solace. I think he’s crazed with grief because he believes he’s lost you. Go to him, Kerstin.

Bring him home. It’s time to put aside the past and seek some happiness.”

Crazed with grief over her? Nay, he mourned Olga

and their lost love. “His grief isn’t for me.”