"I'm going to die today," his mother stated. Throst had no fear for his mother, and simply patted her shoulder before leaving her to continue complaining to Tora.
He picked his way over the rough cave floor, squeezed between a tight crack, then popped into the main cavern where all his men huddled in darkness. Only a crack in the cave roof allowed the faintest illumination to brush a milky outline over them. The largest man, Dan, stood as he entered while the others huddled miserably on the cold floor.
"Is it safe to move on now?" Dan asked, his gruff voice made fuller with the echo of the cave.
"I want to wait another day before we return home," Throst said as he joined the circle of men. "Let Ulfrik find it empty and so discount it in the future."
"Look, I'm as happy as anyone to get the ransom for Ulfrik's brat, but it's cold and wet and I'm living worse than a rat in this cave." Olaf, who had been eager to leave Ravndal and join him, now led the complaints for Throst's men.
"The caves were an incredible idea, and have saved our lives," Throst countered. "Ulfrik must think we've disappeared from the face of the world."
Several men chuckled, but Olaf's head dipped and he ran his fingers through his hair. No matter what he or the others thought of living in a cave, it was key to the entire plan. No one knew of these small caves but for one of his own men, a local Frank who had braved exploring them in his childhood. It was no small feat, for even now grown men of his gang hesitated to enter, fearing dwarfs or worse living in the darkness. It was unnatural to live beneath the ground, and so it was yet another reason these caves made a perfect place hide from Ulfrik.
"All the same, we can't remain here forever," Dan said.
"Clear out your ears, you oaf. I never said we'd stay here forever. Odin's balls, did you think snatching Ulfrik's son and robbing him of his silver would be a simple thing? You expected to go home like returning from a day of hunting? Ulfrik has twenty men for each of us at his command, so do some thinking on that. We can't hit him in the face and expect nothing to follow."
Throst surveyed the shadowy forms of his men and none met his eyes. Dan, chastened, settled back to the ground and lowered his head. Throst let his words settle on them, then he shifted his sight to the back of the cavern.
"And speaking of the brat, is he still alive?"
"Sure is," answered one of the men. "The shit-licker bit my hand when I took off the gag to give him some water. See if he'll get any more from me."
Muted laughter spread among the men, and Throst smiled as he picked his way to where Hakon lay bound. The small form of the boy was a gray lump in the darkness curled into a crack in the wall. A torn and muddy cloak covered him against the damp. Throst noticed glints of light reflecting at him, Hakon's wide eyes brimming with tears and studying him.
"I'm going to remove your gag, and you'll not scream or bite or I'll crack your head with a rock. Do you understand?"
The small head nodded, and Throst untied the saliva soaked rag that served as his gag. Hakon immediately spit on him, a thin glob landing on his hand.
Throst laughed, "Well, I didn't tell you not to spit. I see I'm going to have to be clearer."
His backhand struck Hakon's cheek with a crack, snapping his head to the side and collapsing him against the cave wall. He did not cry out or scream, but took the blow in silence, which Throst admired. It seemed Ulfrik at least raised one strong boy, not that it mattered now.
"You should know I'm holding back so you won't be too damaged for what I intend. But if you tempt me, little man, I will pop out your eyeballs with my own thumbs. Do you want me to do that?"
Throst smiled and in the darkness he barely discerned Hakon's terrified face staring back at him in silence. Throst bowed his head as if suffering, entwining his fingers behind his neck. "When I ask a question, you answer me. If you don't then I get madder and madder until the jelly of your eyeballs are smeared all over my thumbs. So, do you want me to pop your eyes?"
"No," Hakon said quickly, backing farther into the cleft in the wall. "But Odin protects me, and you won't hurt me."
Throst unfolded his hands and looked up in surprise. A few of the men behind him hissed through their teeth. "Why do you think Odin protects you? Did I hit your head so hard you've gone mad?"
"Odin has seen me and smiled upon me. He has other plans for me."
A few men laughed and others grumbled, but Throst faced Hakon with his mouth open and no words to meet such a ridiculous statement. Hakon sat up straighter, as if he had won a contest. In a way he had, for Throst could only laugh and not answer. The gods were capricious and gave their favor where they pleased. If Odin had shown himself to the boy, it made no sense to Throst's mortal mind. Rather than hear any more, he replaced Hakon's gag.
Returning to the circle of men idling in the darkness, he sat beside Dan. He felt his stomach rumble and gestured that Dan break out the dried fish and bread for a meal. Food had become the highlight of their days, with nothing more to do than hide in the caves and allow enough time to pass before exiting. Now as the dried fish made the rounds, spirits lifted and more animated talk began.
Once all were tearing into their shares, Olaf renewed his complaints. "So, now that you've tricked Ulfrik once, how do you plan to trick him again? We've still got his kid, and you've got plans for him. Suppose you tell us what those are."
"In time," Throst said. "We have to pass this trial first, and then begin the next part of my plan."
Olaf snickered, then tore at his strip of fish with his yellow teeth. "You don't respect us enough to tell us the next part? Who do you think you are, keeping us holed up in a cave with nothing more than a promise of a better future."
"Watch your tongue," Dan growled. "Show respect to your leader."
Warm satisfaction spread in Throst's chest, for Dan had become Throst's enforcer. The death of Pepin had been such a release for the giant man, who apparently had grown to detest his former boss, that he eagerly transferred his allegiance to Throst. Now anyone who rivaled Throst would have to deal with Dan's mighty strength as well.
"It's fine, Dan," Throst said with false magnanimity. "Olaf has a fair point."
He scanned the hard faces in the dim light, each one craggy and scarred from a hard life of fighting. That he commanded their loyalty amazed Throst, and in such a moment as this, with every eye searching him for leadership, he felt as strong as a giant. Though he only had eight men in his gang, it was the seed of greatness. With the right reputation and a solid cache of wealth, he would attract more followers and forge himself a destiny.
"I still have designs on his eldest son, Gunnar, and he is still in reach, even if Ulfrik would believe otherwise."
Heads turned to face each other, but Olaf was the fastest to ask the questions. "Even I believe otherwise. I was your man inside, and if you think the others left behind will risk so much for you, you're a fool. Some may not like Ulfrik's ways, but I don't think they'll like yours better."
"Thinking was not what I wanted from you when I accepted your oath," Throst said, and a few of the quicker-witted men laughed. "Just know that Gunnar's freedom is at my pleasure, and I can pluck him from Ravndal at any time."
The boast drew laughter from all but Dan, who glared at the others. "He didn't let us down so far, did he? If he says he can nab Gunnar, then he can."
"I can," Throst agreed. "After one more day hiding, we will return to our base. And then, I want to increase the pressure on Ulfrik. Once we have returned, I will contact Clovis who will pay in more than gold to get his hands upon Gunnar." He clapped and laughed at the idea. "Ulfrik will not know which way to turn."