Page 46 of Haakon's Fate
“Yes.”
Matilda had explained where her village was and they knew it would take them two days to get there, even though they had horses. It would have taken her husband Gundulf the best part of a week on foot to reach the farm where he had decided to leave Osberga. This amount of effort was surprising. But perhaps that had been the whole point, and he’d wanted to ensure that the little girl could never find her way back and his wife could never visit on a whim. As to how he had known about such a remote place, Gytha couldn’t begin to fathom. But unfortunately, evil always found a way.
She hoisted herself into the saddle, more determined than ever to finally see Matilda and her daughter reunited.
Night had startedto fall when Haakon and Gytha entered the forest. Immediately, they heard music and laughter, an incongruous sound in the dark, slightly gloomy surroundings.
“What’s that?” Gytha whispered, echoing his thoughts.
“I know not but it sounds like a large group of people so I’d rather they did not see us,” he said, bringing his horse to a halt next to Bear. He had no idea how many people were there and was reconsidering crossing the forest at that time. Even if thenoises coming from the camp did not suggest anything other than merriment, one could never be too prudent.
Gytha nodded her agreement and looked over her shoulder. “Let’s get out of the forest and ride along the edge instead,” she suggested.
Yes. Or even better, retreat back to the village they had just left behind and spend the night there. They had hoped the trees would provide protection against the drizzle but he’d rather be wet than risk being assaulted.
“Over here, two travelers!” a voice called out before they could turn around.
Damnation! As brief and discreet as their discussion had been, it had been enough to attract someone’s attention. A young boy of barely ten summers jumped down from the tree where he’d been hiding and shouted that they had company. Placed where he was, he was blocking the narrow path. Short of running him over, there was no way they could retrace their steps.
A moment later half a dozen children had come running, followed by two men who walked at a more sedate pace.
“Stay in the saddle,” Haakon breathed to Gytha, wishing they could speak Norse and keep their conversation secret. But the people surrounding them were unarmed and they didn’t ask for anything. Indeed they were smiling and throwing admiring glances at the horses. This was not an assault, or if it was, it was the weirdest one he could have imagined. Music and feminine laughter were still heard in the distance, indicating the camp was not made of ruffians about to pounce but families having a pleasant evening under the cover of the trees.
A man wearing an oddly patched jacket and a gold earring addressed them. “Welcome, friends. Our troop has sought shelter in this forest for the night. Will you join us?”
“Your troop?” Haakon asked, ignoring the question.
The man spread his arms in a grand gesture. “Aye, we are musicians, traveling from fair to fair, delighting the passersby with our music and wondrous tales. We always welcome the chance to hear new stories from strangers, stories we can weave into our own to renew our supply of magic. In exchange for this boon, we provide our guests with a hot meal.” He winked. “I’m sure that will be welcome on such a miserable night.”
It would, but Haakon hesitated. Could they agree? Then Gytha threw him a glance. There was such hope in that glance that he knew he would accept the man’s offer. She was tired and hungry and this might be the opportunity they had been looking for.
“I thank you,” was all he said.
The man nodded and led the way to a nearby meadow where the camp was set. A dozen men were sitting around a huge fire, almost as many women, and the handful of children they had just met were chasing each other in the shadows.
Haakon allowed himself to relax somewhat. The group certainly seemed accommodating. Perhaps this was a godsend. After all, such a large group would provide protection from ill-intentioned people on the lookout for lonely travelers. And, as the man had said, they had hot food.
He jumped from the saddle and watched as Gytha did the same. The way she staggered when she hit the ground told him how tired she was. And no wonder. They had traveled all day almost without stopping, something she would be unused to.
He reached out to Bear’s reins and nodded to a fallen log to her left. “Wait here while I make the horses ready for the night.”
To his relief, she didn’t protest. Leaving her to get settled, Haakon led the two animals to a nearby bush surrounded by luscious grass. Once they were tethered, he set about removing their saddles. No need to rub them down, he decided. They had barely broken a sweat and it was not cold. He was pleased tosee that under the cover of the trees the drizzle could barely be felt, even more pleased when three children brought him a basin of water and some oats for Bear and Sleipnir. Though the troop didn’t have any horses with them, they did have mules to carry their equipment, so would be used to tending to animals’ needs.
“Thank you,” he told the three imps, who ran away giggling to themselves.
When he joined the group again, a young man had started to talk to Gytha. He looked just like a younger version of the man who had invited them to join the camp.
“We are the best troop around,” he was saying, an obvious effort to impress their beautiful guest. Damnation, perhaps they should have pretended to be husband and wife. Then the pup might have thought twice about sniffing around her. “We entertain craftsmen, sellers and fair-goers alike with the best stories and the best music they are ever likely to hear.”
Gytha let out a laugh Haakon found particularly charming. “You’re very confident in your ability.”
The man didn’t take offense, quite the contrary. “We can be, as we have a special weapon at our disposal, something the people will never have seen or heard before.”
“You do?”
She was curious and did not try to hide it. Haakon found her guilelessness endearing. He started. He’d found her charming earlier, now he was finding her endearing… He had to stop thinking such things. Soon he would find her lovely, or worse, irresistible.
“And what is your special weapon?” she asked when the musician kept silent.
