Page 18 of Merciful Salvation

“Only what you’ve now admitted—you do not love him as a man. Your heart and mind are elsewhere.”

By Odin, hadn’t she concealed her interest in Aaron well enough to keep anyone from seeing it? “Who else—”

“Be at peace, milady.” The maid patted her arm affectionately. “Tis my duty to keep watch over you. I’m no muddleheaded girl.”

“I know.” Truth be told, Amelia had always been her favorite. Nearly ten years separated them, but Amelia’s sisterly affection added happiness to her life. She ran her father’s household so efficiently, Erik valued her above most warriors. Her husband had perished at Stamford Bridge, along with so many others.

“A girl’s wandering eye is hard to miss at a feast. That Scottish rogue is handsome as the devil, but not as tempting as Marteinn.”

That observation made Kara blush. “I would never compare them.” She covered her mouth, ashamed of her near confession. “I’ve revealed too much.”

The older woman smiled. “Passion.”

“I don’t like how it feels.”

“Aye, you do.”

Kara smacked the table with her palms. Since she’d opened her big mouth, why hide anything? She needed someone to talk to. “Before I met Aaron, I never felt the slightest inclination to know a man intimately. Now my insides are churning.”

“When a girl meets the right man, the tiniest spark between them ignites the fiercest flame. There are no words to describe it. One night you go to sleep a girl, the next day, you wake up a woman. I felt that with my blessed husband.”

Halfway across the room, Gunter stood glaring. “Has my sister suddenly blossomed into a woman?”

Four days of riding with Erik the Bald as your companion could inspire a man to fall on his own sword. At first, Aaron suspected he’d joined them to undermine everything he had planned. But they’d picked up twenty more recruits along the way, relying on contacts the elder jarl had in the region. And fifteen more from Floro. Grudgingly grateful for Erik’s assistance, Aaron could hardly ask the man to leave. But telling him to shut up was another thing altogether. Why did he insist on engaging in conversation at full gallop? And if Aaron didn’tanswer his questions, the jarl called him a rude bastard.

Along with his present issues with Erik, Aaron also contemplated a location for their permanent encampment. He finally selected a spot near enough to the coastal village of Alesund, where they could regularly buy supplies. A seasoned rider could make the round trip in two days.

The tents were pitched along the edge of the forest, where the soldiers would find relief in the shade. A large clearing provided ample space for training. Archery targets were constructed on the far side. The female thrall’s quarters consisted of two tents segregated from the men’s.

A hundred yards inside the tree line, Aaron constructed an altar for the pagans to sacrifice on. Although his Christian captains disagreed, Erik approved. It was the first of many actions Aaron intended to use to demonstrate that this was a collaborative effort. King Olaf might kneel to the cross, but he valued all of his subjects equally.

The night before Erik the Bald’s departure, Aaron invited him to share a meal in his tent. “I cannot say I’ll be sorry to see you go.”

“It’s good we understand each other now,” the old man said with a broad smile as he scooped some fish onto his plate, then sat on a stool across from Aaron.

Mutual toleration doesn’t equate to friendship. But Aaron preferred this version of Erik over the one he met in Lagenheim. “When your eldest son heals, I’ll be sure to send for him.”

“Why?” There was a long pause. “Haven’t I been generous enough?”

“Rest easy, old man. Marteinn is worth his weight in silver. If your sons want to serve the king, I’d welcome them.”

Erik poured himself another measure of wine. “To the gods.”

Aaron raised his cup. “Aye,” he said. “And to King Olaf. May this country finally flourish under his tender care.”

Chapter Six

Soldiers

Kara’s father hadbeen gone for weeks, not days. She should have found a level of comfort in his absence; however, after Gunter overheard her conversation with Amelia, his treatment of her changed. He accused Kara of having a secret lover and assigned a guard to follow her wherever she went—day and night. Geilir was too weak with fever to intervene on her behalf. Nothing felt right. With no word from her sire, the only solution she came up with was to visit her cousin in the north. Of course, if she crossed paths with Jarl McNally during her travels, all the better.

At midnight, while most of the household slept, Kara dressed in her armor and grabbed her small leather bag of provisions. The world wouldn’t wait for her—she must catch up withit. She opened her bedchamber door and was pleased to find the bodyguard gone. Amelia had promised to speak with Gunter and convince him he was wrong about what he’d overheard in the great hall. Perhaps she had succeeded. She stepped into the hallway, then closed the door. Everything was quiet. She walked slowly to the stairs. Wall torches provided the light she needed to safely make it downstairs. Gazing dazedly around the great hall, she was pleased to find no one about.

Amelia was waiting for her outside with two horses.

“You’re amazing,” Kara praised. “How did you manage—”

“Never mind what tactics I used... thelonger we stay here, the more likely we are to get caught.”