Page 62 of Her Dark Viking
"His lady? You mean Fiona?"
"Aye. The Jarl is to wed her. Today, I believe."
"Today?" Mairead reeled under this latest news. At least, though, this was something she had seen coming and could welcome, though she would have loved to be present at the feasting. Still, if Fiona had seen fit to offer some sort of explanation for this latest twist of events she was glad of it. "Never mind the wedding. Tell me what Fiona said."
"She said that the Jarl seeks a place of safety for his family. He has no appetite for a prolonged and bloody feud with Olaf Bjarkesson and fears that this war will not end until all are dead and our lives in ruin. He wishes to avoid that outcome, and has decided that might best be achieved by moving somewhere else."
"He is letting Bjarkesson win?"
The man shrugged. "There are those among us who see it that way, though most agree with the Jarl. It is a senseless quarrel, not worth the sacrifice of all we have. Another place might be better for us. And if we can find a place to settle where the winters are not quite so long, the nights not quite so dark..."
"You are leaving the Norseland?"
The man nodded. "We are, lady. The Jarl does not know where we shall end up, but he will send word when we are settled."
Her husband returnedto Gunnarsholm just a few days after the astonishing news from Skarthveit. Mairead had been torn between the urge to rush back to Ulfric's settlement to find out exactly what was happening, and the need to wait at home forGunnar's return. She had opted to remain where she was, not least because she doubted her husband would be best pleased to learn she had made another headlong dash across the countryside in the early stages of her pregnancy. Better sense had prevailed and she had stayed put.
Mairead had not expected him for another week at least, so was delighted to spot the group of Vikings galloping across the hillside in the direction of their village. She recognised Gunnar at once by his dark leather attire and the huge black stallion he always rode. Something warm and soft unfurled in the pit of her stomach, and for once it had nothing whatsoever to do with the usual inconveniences of pregnancy.
She had missed him, in their bed most of all.
"Quick, we shall have feasting this night. Aigneis, Weylin, we must make ready. The Jarl is back."
There was barely time for the roasting fires to be stoked before the men of Gunnarsholm clattered into the village, their smiles and shouts of welcome suggesting a successful trip. Mairead cringed, she really did not wish to hear tales of conquered peasants robbed of their possessions, their food stolen, their crops and homes wrecked. Marriage to a Viking was not without its complications, but she could not resist throwing herself into Gunnar's arms the moment he dismounted.
"What is this, my sweet. Am I to think you may have missed me? Shall I go away more often if it earns me a welcome such as this?"
"No, you should not. I prefer you to stay here with me." She reached up to whisper in his ear, "An empty bed is much too cold at nights for my liking."
"Then I shall have to warm it for you. Shall I do that now or might we unsaddle our mounts and perhaps eat a bite or two first?"
"The bed must wait, I fear. I... I have much to tell you."
At once the smile faded from his features. "Is all well with you? The babe...?"
"Yes. Yes, we are fine, all of us. The news is from Skarthveit."
"What has happened? My brother...?"
"He is well, they all are."
"There is news of Brynhild?"
"Sadly, no. Please, come inside and be seated and I will tell you all."
Gunnar listenedin near silence as she recounted what she knew of Ulfric's decision, his displeasure visibly mounting. As soon as she finished her account he stood and paced the hall, his expression stony.
"So, he has gone, with not so much as a word to me."
"He did send word, Gunnar."
"Send word." Her husband's derisive snort told her what he thought of that. "He should have come here himself, discussed his worries with me. We could have sorted matters out with Bjarkesson, somehow."
"I do believe he has done what he felt was the best, for his people, his family."
Gunnar whirled on his heel and slammed his fist into one of the central props which supported the roof. "I am his family. He should have waited until he could speak to me."
Mairead cringed at his thunderous tone. "I am sorry. I only?—"
