Page 41 of A Shield Maiden's Earl
Chapter Seventeen
Freya
Despite a smallstorm near the Orkney Isles that slowed us, the winds remained in our favor, and we drew closer to a woodland area I’d seen in my dreams a little over a week after we left home.
“We will lay anchor here and then you will bring me ashore tonight,” I told those traveling with us, looking at them in warning. “Despite my sister’s presence here, ’tis best to consider this enemy territory, so tread carefully.”
It was far too risky trying to hide my boat and those traveling with me ashore while seeking out Soren, so this was our only option. I had wanted them to drop me off alone, but Ivar refused to let me go by myself, reminding me that he was there to protect me and my child.
“How does Soren fare?” Ivar asked me softly, joining me at the front of the boat. “Have you sensed him or heard from your sister?”
Thankfully, Ivar and I had come a long way on this journey, and he was no longer wary or distrustful of me. Rather, we’d spent ample time talking and got along better than we thought we might.
“I sensed Soren, but our moments together in dreams were fleeting, as if he were only partially with me.” I swallowed my emotions because now was not the time for them. Now was the time to stay strong, think clearly, and get to his side as swiftly as I could. Either help nurse him back to health with Astrid or haveone last chance to say goodbye. “Little from Astrid other than her urgency that I get there.” Inhaling deeply, I tried to keep fear from my voice. “That time is limited.”
Ivar said nothing to that, but I didn’t miss the concern in his eyes when his gaze swept over the distant shoreline. “If anyone can survive the sort of wound you fear he suffers, ’tis Soren.”
“And he will,” I vowed.Prayed.
Fortunately, although blustery and cold, the waves were not overly big, and the storm brewing in the distance had yet to reach us by the time we made our way to shore. The chilled air smelled of wood smoke from distant fires, and the trill of bagpipes echoed on the wind, but they were far enough away that we need not worry.
After our men dropped us off, followed by Sten when he jumped out after us, Ivar and I kept to the shadows until we were under the cover of trees.
“Now we wait,” I whispered when my pendant warmed. Recognizing them from a vision, my gaze drifted to two trees leaning against each other. “Astrid will come from that direction.”
Ivar remained silent with his blade at the ready lest someone other than my sister happen upon us. Sten stood at attention, his gaze trained on the woodland and his ears perked forward. Thunder rumbled closer, and the wind picked up as we kept watch and prayed Astrid appeared soon, and that we were not too late.
When my pendant grew warmer still and an overwhelming sense of urgency surged through me, I tried not to panic. Tried not to fear the worst, but it was difficult. All I knew was that I needed to get to Soren soon. Right away. So, when movement ahead caught my attention, I started walking despite Ivar grumbling that I shouldn’t.
“’Tis her.” I was certain of it. “’Tis Astrid.”
Moments later, a slight figure with a dark, hooded cloak appeared through the trees, and our gazes locked on each other. Never so relieved, I rushed to my sister and we embraced, holding on tightly.
“’Tissogood to see you, Freya,” she whispered. “I’ve missed you and Tove so very much.”
“And I you.” Fearing the worst, I met her eyes. “Please tell me Soren still lives.”
“He does, but barely,” Astrid said, her tone urgent. “You must come straight away.” She shook her head and gestured at Ivar and the wolf. “But they cannot. ’Tis far too risky.”
“Freya goes nowhere without me,” Ivar growled, shaking his head as well. “’Twas the stipulation of allowing her to come to begin with.”
“Whilst Freya will be safe enough, I cannot guarantee the same for you,” Astrid returned. “Clan Mackay puts themselves in a difficult enough position already with the Scottish king placing a bounty on Soren’s head. Whilst they owe a debt to Soren, they won’t feel the same about you. And one look at the wolf will mean his certain death.”
Ivar frowned. “How does the king know Soren is still here?”
When Astrid looked at me in warning and shook her head that we did not have time for this, I knew Soren was doing poorly indeed.
“There’s no time for questions right now.” I shot Ivar a look he had gotten to know well on our journey. It meant I knew things he did not.Feltthings he could not. “If we don’t do as Astrid says, I won’t be taken to Soren, and Imustgo to him before ’tis too late.” I rested my hand on his shoulder. “Please, my friend. We are nearly out of time, and his wife and daughter should be with him. Save him if ’tis a matter of us being there that keeps him with us.”
“You cannot ask this of me, Freya,” Ivar said through clenched teeth.
“Yet I must,” I replied. “You need to stay here and await our return, whether Soren makes it or not. We need to bring him home, and I can’t do that if the Scots get their hands on you. Worse yet, if it draws attention to our boat and men.”
Ivar considered me for a moment, clearly conflicted and weighing his options. What the best move here was before, thank the gods, he finally said what I needed to hear. “Be safe and bring him back, Freya.” He nodded once, solidifying the divide we had finally crossed together. “Bring him home, my friend.”
I nodded once in return and looked at Sten. “Take care of each other. We’ll see you again soon.”
While there was no way to stop Sten if he were determined to follow, it seemed he understood how important it was to remain with Ivar because he remained by his side when I followed Astrid into the woodland. Yet when I glanced back and caught a glimpse of my gray wolf peering at me from the darkness, I suspected Sten followed its bidding, too.
