"Not as of yet. My daughter is not returned."
"Not my worry." Kjotve lumbered forward. Hardar watched Ulfrik twist around, then stagger back. Kjotve chuckled. "Seeing ghosts, are you, Ulfrik? Someone left for dead, surrounded and cut off on a little island, has now returned to see all debts paid."
"You died at Hafrsfjord. Everyone said so. The island was surrounded, cut off." Ulfrik's voice diminished. Hardar enjoyed watching Ulfrik stripped of all bravado. He was like a frightened boy, and Kjotve's hulking size made even the statuesque Ulfrik appear child-like.
"No thanks to oath-breakers like you, I lived. And I've rebuilt. There's much catching up for us to do."
"There is no Kort the Gray." Hardar didn't understand Ulfrik's dejected statement, but Kjotve and his followers roared in laughter.
"But there is. He's just not me." Kjotve now turned to Hardar, his voice becoming a low threat. "I take him and this crew as my payment. Then I'm done here."
"But we agreed just on Ulfrik. I need hostages to ensure my daughter is returned."
"Do you think my services were not worth the price?" Kjotve's yellow and black teeth showed in his smile. His followers stood forward, reminding Hardar how desperately he was outnumbered. He shook his head and looked away, but Ingrid flew at Kjotve like a gull to a fish.
"My daughter was kidnapped and still hasn't come home. You can't do this!" Ingrid snatched a mug from the table, but Hardar clamped his hand atop hers. Kjotve smiled at the whole scene.
"You will find her, Lady Ingrid. But Ulfrik and his crew have been long in tracking down. The gods granted them to me, to see justice done. So I will be taking them now."
Hardar shoved Ingrid behind him. Halla didn't matter now that her chastity had been compromised and Vermund killed. He wanted her returned as a point of pride. "Then take the lot of them, Jarl Kjotve. Well worth it for the help you've given me."
Kjotve growled in pleasure. "Wise choice. And you, Ulfrik, might recall a time when my son took you as a slave to save your life. Well, that happens once in a lifetime. I'm making you slave and plan to whip the skin off your back while you row my ships. How does that sound to you?"
Eyes wide, Ulfrik did not answer. His jaw moved in wordless shock. Hardar shuddered thinking what the monstrous Kjotve planned, though his largest regret was missing the chance to witness it.
Ulfrik's plan went awry at the first step. Everyone had come to send him off. Somber faces surrounded him. Many begged him to stay, others said nothing. He suspected a few came merely to see the spectacle of leaving his family. The throng of observers prevented him from secretly launching his family in a ship. Instead, he had to devise a ruse to cover.
Heavy clouds filled the skies, appearing as plowed fields of ash. The sea lay flat and gray, waves lapping as if the ocean had lost its strength. Fjord Runner and Raven's Talon swayed placidly at dock. At least his treasures had been loaded to Raven's Talon before the crowds had gathered. Now people formed a line down the slope to the ships. He noted how many were middle-aged women, their head covering flapping in the breeze. This brief, brutal conflict had created an abundance of widows. He faced the burial mounds in the field behind the hall. He gave silent thanks for the bravery of the men interred within, then started down the line.
Runa and Gunnar awaited him at the end. With every step he grew more numb. His hands grew cold and his eyes watery. He trembled with fear and sorrow. An image of Runa's face from the first time they made love came to mind. They had owned nothing, nothing more than hope. But their love had been fierce, and the years had only increased their passions. They had given so much to each other. Now, a thread of hope was all he was leaving her.
People touched him as he shambled down slope. Some thanked him, others merely nodded, some turned askance as he neared. The faces filed by in a blur. As he passed, they fell in behind and followed him to the ships. At last he arrived at the end, where Runa and Gunnar stood. They both stared at him, both keeping emotion off their faces. A weak smile trembled on his lips, realizing they were better at hiding their feelings than he was. Toki and Halla, Snorri and his family also came forward, along with the crews for each ship. He turned to address the gathered people. Rows of sullen faces spread up the slope, and hardly a sound above a lone bird call was heard.
"I will surrender to Hardar and demand the best terms for all of you. I cannot guarantee you what he will do. He could kill me and burn all of your homes. Whoever will lead you now, my advice is to stay ready. My family will accompany me as will those still sworn to my service. What happens next is for Fate to decide."
Ulfrik's words created the stir he had intended. He knew no one had thought of a replacement leader. They started to mumble. He took the moment to whisper to Toki. "You will have to follow me for a while, but then break way. The men aboard my ship, I can only hope they will be loyal once they return."
Toki gave him a sad smile. "The men on your ship have no intention of returning without you."
Ulfrik began to protest when Thorvald emerged from the crowd. He squared off with Ulfrik, jaw set and face inscrutable. Then he embraced Ulfrik. "I am sorry that it has come to this. I am your man, if ever you return."
Ulfrik pulled away and said nothing. He wondered if Thorvald was excited for the chance to lead Nye Grenner. He didn't care anymore. Instead, he approached Runa and took her hand.
"Trust in my plan. Turn the others against Hardar, then come with haste. We must endure time apart."
She tried to look away, but failed. Her eyes glittered as she groped for words. Ulfrik pressed his finger to her lips, sparing both of them the pain of good-bye. She kissed his finger, as tears pressed out of her closed eyes.
Ulfrik knelt down to Gunnar. He met his son's flinty eyes. As much as he resembled his mother, the resolve he saw in Gunnar's face resembled Ulfrik's father. His chest filled with pride. "I will be gone a while. You must obey your mother. Time for play is over. Now you are on an adventure, and must be brave. Can you do that for me?"
Gunnar nodded. Ulfrik smiled and ruffled his son's hair. He wanted to say more, but had to stand before tears overwhelmed him. Breaking down before Gunnar would not help anyone. He unhitched his sword and offered it to Runa. "Keep it for Gunnar. It's not the best I've ever owned, but it's a good weapon."
"I don't plan to give it to him." She hesitated a moment, then snatched it from him. She unpinned her cloak, and held out the antler pin on her palm. "It's poor enough that even Hardar won't want it. I've owned it since we met. Take it."
Accepting it, he pushed it into his own cloak. There was nothing left but to leave. Snorri stepped forward and guided him down the dock to Fjord Runner. "Get aboard and let's get this started."
Ulfrik turned to watch Runa and Gunnar board their ship on the opposite side. Toki assisted Halla aboard. Einar and Gerdie waited for Snorri. Once Ulfrik was aboard, a crew of twelve men joined him. Some were young and others old, but all had followed him from Norway, the last of his original crew. Ulfrik's tears flowed anew at their loyalty.
The ship lurched as it pushed away. The crowd gathered at the end of the dock were as still as lichen-covered standing stones. The dismal sky and thin fog painted the world gray. Ulfrik watched Snorri kiss Gerdie and hug Einar before helping them aboard Raven's Talon. Then his gray-haired friend made a running leap onto the deck of Fjord Runner as it was about to leave the dock.
"Damn you, Snorri! You're to be on the other ship!" Ulfrik felt his head grow hot. "Who is going to lead them?"