Page 25 of Her Viking Saviour
"Was it Freydis?" she asked the raven, feeling silly for talking to a bird.
It gave her a look that spoke volumes. Freydis had been here and now Freydis was gone.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Torben cursed his luck as he scanned his surroundings, hand shielding his eyes.
Where was Freydis?
He had slowly started to realise that Freydis was no longer in the settlement. As he spoke to his people one by one and heard reports from Ragnav and Leif, it became clearer. Freydis had run away. Someone would have seen if she had been taken. But to run away without anyone noticing? That Freydis could do. She knew the settlement inside and out. Torben began to pace while he tried to piece it together. It was unlikely she had gone on foot, but none of the horses were missing. Ragnav had checked.
"Torben, I have news. Not good, I am afraid," Leif said regretfully as he ran over. "I went through Freydis’s room and things are missing; her clothing, comb, and jewellery."
"She was more upset than we realised. How did I miss this?"
The settlement was his responsibility, but his family–his blood–was his life.
"You cannot blame yourself, Freydis oft fell into dark moods. They came and went as did the sun and moon every day," Sven offered as he came in behind Leif.
His cousins offered words of comfort and logic, but even he could see they were worried.
"Actually, Torben, you know who we have not asked? Gunhilda," Ragnav said slowly, "She keeps a few horses and if you make your way past her home you leave the settlement behind."
Ragnav was right! But what would Gunhilda's role in this be? She and Freydis were not particularly close.
"I must find Wynflaed and gather supplies. I think you are right, Ragnav. She and I will go to Gunhilda’s and from there we will follow her tracks."
Ragnav nodded and went to speak, but Leif cut him off.
"Should one of us not come with you?"
Torben shook his head. "I will not be parted from Wynflaed. And I want you and Ragnav to wait two sundowns before pursuing–Freydis may come back, but if she does not, you can catch up to us. Sven will take care of the settlement.”
All three men nodded without any further questions.
"Torben! Torben, I believe Freydis has run away," Wynflaed said, running up to him. As soon as she was close enough, he pulled her into his embrace.
"I know, we are of the same mind. I want you and I to follow her. Let’s pack supplies. Ragnav will ready horses for us. Can you ride?"
"I can make do. I will be coming with you regardless." She tugged at his tunic with fierce determination.
The gesture made his heart swell with pride at his feisty Valkyrie. They shared one thought, one mind. They were each other’s equals. He bent down and pressed a hard kiss to her forehead.
"Come, let us prepare."
Torben had tasked Olga with gathering food supplies while he and Wynflaed packed belongings. It was especially cold at night, and they needed to ensure they kept warm. He grinned while she laid out her supplies on the floor, speaking out loud.
"Comb, soap, underdress, eating knife, woollen hose…" Her muttering trailed off as she reached for her hooded cloak.
Olga returned with their food and a small waist belt that she handed to Wynflaed.
"Tie for you, knife, drink," Olga gestured, as Wynflaed took the leather strap and tied it around her waist.
Very clever of Olga. He nodded his approval and went to his own belongings. He chose a slight, sheathed dagger she could hang from her belt, along with a drinking flask and eating knife.
"Resourceful thinking, Olga. Keep this dagger at your waist for your protection, Wynflaed."
Wynflaed took the dagger without hesitation and balanced the weight in her hand.
