"Raiders make bad mercenaries," Snorri said, chuckling.
Ulfrik slumped on the bench. All the tension of the day had left his limbs dead and heavy. The few hours of summer darkness had turned the formerly bright hall into brown murk. Smoke from the guttering hearth searched for the hole on the ceiling. Only a few whale oil lamps still guttered in halos of orange light. His inner circle had changed in the space of a day. With Ari's death, Ulfrik called upon Einar, Snorri's stepson. Thorvald's defection baffled Ulfrik; he normally was as solid as the iron he hammered in his forge. But with him gone, Ulfrik invited Runa to counsel. She sat between him and Toki.
"The prisoners are terrified farmers who want to return to their homes-levies. They'll remain hostages until I can free them. I don't expect trouble. Do you all agree?" Ulfrik scanned the faces for approval. Runa nodded grimly; having been a slave herself she reviled reducing freemen to slavery.
"Good, now we should all rest. But Toki, I have one final matter to discuss: you and Halla."
Toki stared at Ulfrik. He glanced around at the others, who all looked equally surprised. "What do we need to discuss?"
"Is she my hostage or is she your lover?" Ulfrik leaned his face on his palm, and watched Toki blush. He would have found the reaction humorous if it wasn't such a grim predicament. Toki dropped his gaze as everyone waited on his reply. Ulfrik yawned. "I assume your lack of an answer means she's my hostage. I'm sorry to hear that for you, though it plays out easier for me."
"This has all happened so fast. She has never seen war before; she's frightened."
Ulfrik yawned again, ready to collapse. But he needed a solid answer and knew Toki was not going to provide it. "Bring her here and let's settle this tonight."
"But she is probably sleeping."
Ulfrik straightened himself and drove Toki back with his expression alone. Toki's blush deepened. "I'm afraid we didn't leave off in a good place. Runa, would you go? I think she will respond better to a woman."
Runa smiled and stood. "I'll go. But if you think I'm going to be gentle with her, well, you don't know your own sister."
"Bring her alive, wife. Toki, go with her and grant me some peace while you're gone. Snorri and Einar, you two may stay or leave as you wish."
Toki and Runa threw on cloaks against the night chill while Snorri and Einar decided to return home. Ulfrik found his bed and lay down next to his son, who snored beneath a wolf pelt. He drifted into a light sleep, waking short time later to Runa's cold hand on his shoulder.
Ulfrik jolted up, automatically reaching for his sword. Runa squeezed his shoulder and shook him. "They're all waiting for you now. Gunnar is still asleep?"
Runa adjusted the pelt over Gunnar's small body. Ulfrik wiped his eyes, stood, and kissed Runa's head. "Get some sleep."
"I want to see this too. She has a woman's body but a girl's mind. I think she'd be a better hostage than future sister."
Together they returned to the hall. Toki was throwing branches into the hearth to keep the weak fire alive. Halla and her slave sat on a bench positioned to face the high table. She was wrapped in Toki's wool cloak so that only her head showed. Next to her sat a thin slave, shorn hair growing back in uneven lengths. Ulfrik's eyes glided over the slave and settled on Halla. She held her chin up and wore an expression of mock bravery. He could see her trembling.
"Relax, Halla Hardarsdottir. You are not in danger." Ulfrik sat at the high table and Runa joined him.
"You have summoned me in the dark. How can I think otherwise?"
"Because if I summoned you in the light there'd be a line of people eager to seize you. Your father brought us grim business today. I've got twenty-seven men to bury and many more injured. Believe me, my word is all that prevents widows and mothers from ripping your eyes out. Do you understand?"
"I understand." She studied her feet and shifted beneath her cloak. Toki, finished rekindling the hearth, sat at the bench a respectable distance from her. Neither looked at the other.
"I'll come to the point. Up until a few days ago, the two of you risked everything to be together. Now it's all in the open, and you can have what you planned in secret. But it seems you've grown cold on Toki. If you are not his woman, then you are my hostage to your father's behavior. Is this adding up for you?"
Ulfrik let his words hang. He knew the girl was bright enough to comprehend. She appeared to think, then turned to Toki. "I have not grown cold on Toki, as you say Lord Ulfrik. I have been frightened, and I've been ungrateful. Toki has a kind heart, and I enjoy his company."
"I think you're the only one willing to say that these days." Ulfrik meant it in jest, but Toki snapped his head up and Runa elbowed his arm with a frown. "Sorry, I am tired. I'm glad to hear you say so, as I guess Toki is. But you came here seeking refuge from a man you feared. Did you know Vermund is now dead?"
Halla's eyes widened and her cloak unfolded as her hand raised to her mouth. "Dead? What happened?"
"I killed him in battle," Ulfrik said, shooting Toki a silencing look. Runa patted his leg beneath the table, and Ulfrik let a small smile grow. "That is what happens in battle. Men die, and Vermund was one. This time. Now here's another thing to ponder. Your father has taken arms against me. If you are promised to Toki, I can be lenient with him. But his pride is amazing, and he may yet return to fight again. If we meet on the battlefield, only one of us will survive. And I'm certain it will be me. Does this change your heart?"
Halla shrank beneath her cloak, her eyes widening and face growing pale. Ulfrik did not relent in his stare, silently demanding an answer. Panic, confusion, fear, all played out on her face. She seemed unprepared to make a decision, and Ulfrik's fist balled at her wavering. He inhaled to prompt her again, then she spoke.
"I don't want my father to die. But he makes his own choices, and if those lead to death, then I must accept it. That is Fate, which cannot be denied." She glanced around at everyone, including her slave. "I have chosen Toki and he has chosen me, also the work of Fate. All of this loss saddens me, and it cannot be for nothing. If Toki will have me, then I will be his."
Toki slid across the bench to Halla's side, eyes flashing and mouth quivering. Ulfrik shook his head and rolled his eyes at Runa, who simply smiled. Toki took Halla's hands into his own. "Of course, I will have you."
"By the gods it's late," Ulfrik said as he stood. "The last thing I need is to sit through this. So hear my words, both of you. I'm your jarl and you are sworn to obey me in all things. I am sworn to protect you and your property. Let neither side forget the duty to the other. Halla, you are no longer my hostage but part of my home. I cannot guarantee your father's life. But I demand your loyalty."
Halla's eyes brimmed with tears, not joyful ones, Ulfrik suspected. Her voice quavered as she answered. "Yes, Lord Ulfrik. My loyalty is with you now. But I beg you, be kind to my mother. If the worst happens, please allow her to join me here. She needs me."
"I make no guarantees. I will treat her fairly, on that you have my word. Now all of you leave and let me sleep."
When they had all left, Ulfrik offered his hand to Runa and helped her from the bench. "You don't agree with this, do you?"
"Where there are wolf ears wolf teeth are close."
"You think she will betray us?"
"I think she doesn't know what she wants, no matter what she just said. That can be dangerous to us."
"But Toki will keep her in line."
Runa laughed and hooked Ulfrik's arm to guide him to their bed. "Toki looks at her and sees only sunshine. I will keep her in line, you can count on that."
Ulfrik laughed, then paused to stretch. "Maybe I should give you command of a ship. I'm always looking for a strong leader."