The Reluctant Viking Read online

  "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 Vigi led 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."

  The high church leader stood at the quayside, blessing Thork's five ships and the kneeling sailors, tossing holy water into the air with a gold scepter he dipped repeatedly in a gem-encrusted bucket.

  No sooner did the priest turn his back than the sailors exhorted their own Viking god, Thor, patron of the seas, as well, to guide them as they sailed through the waters of his domain. A massive roar echoed through the air then as the three hundred sailors raised their arms to the sky and yelled exuberantly, "A-Viking! A-Viking! A-Viking!"

  Holy cow! They weren't going raiding now, Ruby thought. Maybe it was sort of like a rebel yell.

  To Ruby's relief, Aud had convinced Thork to leave Tykir with her and Dar for the time being, promising they would guard him every minute. Heated arguments had flown back and forth for two full days, but finally Aud had won out, aided by Tykir's tearful pleadings. Eirik was traveling with them to Athelstan's court where Thork reluctantly had agreed to place him for fostering with his young uncle Haakon, but only on the condition that two of his servants remain with him as bodyguards.

  Thork's decisions relating to the two boys represented a compromise in his long-standing refusal to present the boys openly as his sons. As much as she had encouraged Thork to do so, Ruby hoped their safety wouldn't be jeopardized.

  Selik waved to her from one of Thork's other ships as they eased out of the harbor. They would head southward down the Ouse to the Humber, then eastward to the North Sea, and south to their first stop, Kingston, just southwest of London.

  As the crews raised heavy masts that must have weighed more than five hundred pounds and hoisted colorful red and black checkered sails, Ruby watched Thork in fascination. Expertly, he directed the giant men who moved like lightweight ballerinas as they maneuvered the ropes attached to the yardarms and square sails, hoping to catch the late-August winds.

  The serpentine ships, with their richly carved wood prows, sliced gracefully through the water like the fierce dragons they represented. In shallow waters, the men lifted the lightweight boats out of the water and carried them on their shoulders while Ruby walked the shoreline.

  Ruby hadn't had much chance to talk to Thork since they set sail, although he'd smiled enigmatically at her whenever their eyes happened to meet. His expression spoke volumes of the unfinished business between them. But he did not seem angry with her, just determined to exact some revenge.

  At another time, Ruby might have thrilled to think what that might be. She'd won a victory of sorts at the Althing, but it had been at Thork's expense. There was no question that a reckoning would come eventually. But all she could think about was Thork's decision to marry Elise. She glanced miserably at him now and saw the heavy betrothal ring gleam in the bright sun as he worked the sails.

  A heaviness of spirit weighed her down at what she considered his betrayal. Ruby knew all the reasons why Thork felt it was necessary to secure an alliance with Elise's family. She told herself she was being irrational and selfish. After all, she might return to the future at any moment.

  Ruby's mind accepted the logic. Her heart was a different story. Despite everything, she wanted Thork for herself.

  Ruby shook her head free of the sad thoughts and turned back to the activity surrounding her. Thork acted the helmsman to his crew, moving the tiller on the steering oar to change direction, guiding them around treacherous rocks. The sixteen sailors on each side of the ship sat on large wooden chests, which held all their personal belongings, as they strained mightily, rowing the long wooden o
ars. Another thirty-two men stood ready to spell them or to assist, two men to an oar, during times of danger. Heavy battle shields gleamed in the sunlight from where they hung compactly along the outside of the boats.

  Thork loved this sea life. Ruby could see that as he threw his head back often, inhaling deeply of the tangy air, and smiling. How could women, or children, compete with the exhilaration this life-style gave the Vikings? Ruby wondered.

  "You should stay under the canopy," Thork advised, coming up behind her. He pointed to a canvas shelter that had been erected for her in the center of the ship near the mast pole. "By midday the sun will bake your fair skin."

  "I'm too excited to sit down right now, but I promise I won't get in anyone's way," Ruby said woodenly, knowing she needed to avoid contact with Thork as much as possible.

  "Best you do not," Thork advised gruffly. " 'Tis easy to fall overboard, especially when we hit the open seas."

  "When will that be?"

  Thork shrugged. "We camp tonight along the Humber. The next day, winds willing, we will reach the North Sea and camp on its shoreline."

  Thork stood with feet widespread to counteract the rocking motion of the ship. His sun-bleached hair, like that of his sailors, had been braided to keep it off his face in the wind.

  A reluctant smile tugged at the corners of Ruby's mouth.

  "My appearance amuses you in some way?"

  "No, I was just marveling that I could be attracted to a man who wears braids."

  "You are attracted to me?" Thork asked in a low voice, leaning closer to her as they both rested their arms on the rail.

  Ruby slanted her eyes sideways at him. So now he chose to talk to her—when it was too late.

  "What do you think I've been trying to tell you since we first met?" she replied wearily. "As much as I hate the dark side of your nature, the one that could possibly blood-eagle a man, as much as I disapprove of your militant life-style, I recognize that you're the other half of me."

  Thork inhaled sharply.

  Ruby wanted Thork to understand why she was so hurt and why his actions had sealed her future—a future without him in it. "We are soulmates, Thork. Whether you accept that we knew each other in another life or not, I believe you and I were meant to be together just as much today as we were in the future. At least, I did before you announced your wedding plans."