Page 57 of A Song of Ravens and Wolves
I nodded. That was the very first time that I felt it. It washed over my skin. In all my years of prayer on my knees before the altar of God, I had never been saved. I was told that it had been God’s will when those men had come to our bed chamber at night. That I was blessed because He spared my sister, and they took me. That this evil had existed to test my strength. Looking around that hall, I could see those that were truly blessed. Those that lived their lives without fear. That loved. That slept soundly in their beds at night.
Eventually, I would do what their God could not. I would take my revenge. I would cut down the men that had haunted our bedchamber and I would send every one of them to Hel to be eaten by the dragon Nidhogg. He would grind their bones between his teeth on the shores of Niflheim for eternity. Even that was not long enough for what they had done.
‘I think you are forged from the steel of Mjollnir. Look at what you have done with our lands while I have been gone. Ourherds are plentiful.’ He took a sip of the mead from his horn. ‘You even brew good ale. Perhaps I shall marry you all over again.’
‘Have you not done enough already?’ I rubbed my ever-growing belly. ‘Perhaps one wedding was enough? We have still not received the gods’ gift from our last wedding.’
Sigurd laughed. ‘Beneath those fine breasts and that gown, I think you are a Jarl at your heart.’
‘I think inside that thick head of yours you would like me to be so that you have an excuse to go off raiding again.’ I looked at him suspiciously. ‘Do not try and sweet talk me dear husband I want you here to see our child born.’ He held the ale horn to his mouth and nodded and I could see by the look on his face that my request was being dutifully ignored. ‘I do need to speak with you?’
‘Thorkell told me of your father’s visit–’
Before he could carry on, Ligach arrived carrying two bowls. ‘Jarl Sigurd.’ She gave one to me and one to Sigurd and refilled his ale horn, something I would come to regret her doing later.
‘Won’t you join us?’ I said, hoping that she would stay so that I might avoid talking to Sigurd about my father. ‘It would be no trouble.’
I felt his eyes upon me. ‘Thralls cannot sit with us to eat. She is not a free woman.’
‘And yet you say I am Jarl?’
‘No, I will not interrupt you.’ She disappeared into the crowd.
We sat in silence for a long while. I ate, although the broth tasted good it appeared it was not to my child’s satisfaction. Now the Jarl’s men had returned, Ligach would not be safe from them. I could not keep her safe from them. The slave girls did not have the same rights as the free women. There was only one move to be made.
‘Free her,’ I commanded. ‘You say that I am your equal. Show me.’ I placed the bowl down on the table before me.
Sigurd laughed. A hearty noise that infuriated me. I felt the anger creep up my throat.
‘You are unbreakable in spirit.’ He stared at me, chewing lazily on the sinewy meat. ‘Like a mare waiting to be tamed.’
It was not a no.
‘You heard my words.’ I folded my arms. ‘Let me free her.’
‘This is how it has always been done. We have always traded in thralls. Maybe you should leave the thinking to the men.’
‘Was she not my bride gift?’
He nodded and gave me a curious look. ‘She was.’
‘Then I claim her.’ I could hear the petulance in my voice, but I did not care. ‘I will not see her harmed. She is my sister, not my thrall. I say she is free.’
I felt my whole-body tremble. I look back and wonder if my courage came from the child growing in my belly because if I had spoken to my father in such a way he would have taken my head from my shoulders. I always was my husband’s weakness. I was lucky he was a kind man.
‘What will you have done with her?’
‘She will be free. I will have her as my handmaiden, of her own free will. Just like she has been all these months when you have been raiding, dear husband.’ I never could hide my irritation. ‘She can marry a Dane. Set roots here. I wish the same for my sister.’
I let out the breath I felt I had been holding. The words were out now.
‘Your sister? As well as the thrall.’
‘That is what I wish to discuss.’
‘The sister I almost married?’
‘My father intends her to marry another Dane, a man that has been raiding his borders. At first, he wished you to send mento fight with him but Thorkell refused. My father was not happy. He consulted with his priests and his monks and now he believes that only the marriage to my sister will bring about peace. We have been asked that we attend the wedding next week’s end.’
