"You compliment me, but I am no larger than any other man. But I do know how to inflict hurt, and so I have taught Ulfrik. Now, honor me with your name, friend, for I believe you and I may have common cause against Ulfrik."
The leader coughed a dry laugh and shook his head. "My name is Konal Ketilsson and I lead these men, who have followed me into banishment and disgrace. I do not deserve their love, but never have there been better companions."
A few of the men nodded as if embarrassed, though most others folded their arms and set their legs wide in challenge. Throst grunted agreement at Konal's sentiments. "That kind of loyalty is something Ulfrik does not understand, would you say?"
"That I would. Curse that man to a dog's death. He has my son, held from me just as surely as you hold Hakon from him. Did that help him understand why I must be reunited with my only kin? Of course not! Instead, he shamed and banished me. Years ago I served him, risked my life for him. I once saved his eldest son's life, and do you know that meant nothing to him? One drunken night and a few loose words and now I am a bandit as low as you."
The frown passed from Throst's face in an instant, but the jab rankled him. Two of the men laughed at Konal's derision, and Throst noted who they were. If he ever got control of these men they would learn better respect, but for now he looked to the sky as if checking for rain and hopefully conceal the flush that heated his face.
"So do you have Hakon still, or is he dead?" Konal continued, picking up a stick to stir the embers of the fire.
"He is alive and well, and in fact I have plans for him that will make me and my men quite wealthy."
Konal paused in stirring the fire and shared glances with his men before turning to Throst. "So you're not satisfied with the silver you nabbed the first time. You plan on taking more than that?"
"Far more, and I am certain he will pay me all I ask. He will have no choice. But I speak overmuch, for while you have been a fair host, you are no ally of mine. At least, you are not yet." Throst smiled and leaned closer. "For what I plan, I will need more fighting strength than I currently possess. Finding you camped here, so obviously abandoned like many who have served that arrogant lord of Ravndal, is a great boon. If you were to join with me, I could offer you a part in my plan and the riches that will follow. But best of all, I could reunite you with your son. As I have shown, I have a way to get at his children."
Konal shot to his feet with such suddenness that Throst fell back and reflexively grabbed the hilt of his sword. The other men crouched as if to spring into action. Yet Konal did nothing more than stand with both fists balled until his knuckles turned white. His fierce face glowed with hate and rage and his yellow teeth were bared.
"Aren is my son and none other. If you promise me my boy, then you will have my sword and the swords of my men at your service."
Throst laughed, a nervous thing he detested for its show of weakness, but his heart pounded at the base of his neck. Konal had exploded like a lightning bolt and could have easily killed him in one stroke. Such explosive power had to be managed carefully, and for a brief moment he wondered whether to enlist this man. Yet Konal's rabid hatred and desire would make him pliable, and Throst needed his men.
"Consider your son as good as restored to your side." Throst did not know why Konal believed Ulfrik's child was his own. He did not know Ulfrik's history and knew nothing of Konal other than his usefulness. Perhaps he was mad. He would learn Konal's details soon enough, but for now securing his oath was paramount.
"Then I will give you my word to serve until that day. But Konal Ketilsson will never again be a bondsman to anyone. We will split the riches and I will have my son, then you and I will part ways."
"It is a fair deal," Throst said as he stood. "Once I hear your oath, then I will take you to where Hakon is kept and you will see that I have the power to grant what you most desire."
Konal smiled wickedly, deep lines forming in the thin flesh of his burned face. "I desire justice, and a good measure of revenge."
Both men laughed and Throst again felt his heart race, this time with the thrill of knowing he had concluded one more step on his path to greatness.
Chapter 28
The thin crescent of the moon did not throw much light and Throst's torch guttered in the night breeze that tore at his face. Winter would be harsh this year, and he vowed to live in a proper hall before it began. On the low hill with the single, thick oak tree, he saw the ball of orange light from a brand. Though certain of being unseen, he still searched over his shoulder for followers. He had made sure no one observed him slipping away, but caution was always necessary. No one could be completely trusted.
The oak had carpeted the base of the hill with dead leaves that rolled in the wind with a sound like rain. He protected his torch from the wind, turning to cup his body around it while the breeze died, then trudged up the hill to meet his contact.
"Throst, my love?" came the sweet voice of the dark shape hidden by the wide oak trunk.
"Astra, it is me," he said, mounting the final steps.
She was a plain-faced girl but with skin perfect and unblemished as polished stone. She wore a heavy gray cloak, hiding her pleasing shape in a lump of shadow, but she threw her arms wide to accept his welcome. Both embraced and were it not for the awkwardness of holding aside their torches they would have done so with more ardor. Her face swam with flickering shadows thrown by the torch and her eyes gleamed with yellow points as she searched him.
"But it has been too long! When will you let me join you?" She pulled away, and Throst regretted the loss of her warmth and scent. Hiding in caves and ruined halls with sweaty men had heightened his appreciation of a woman's comforts.
"Very soon, my soul, you will live with me in a hall of our own, but for now there is little time to entertain dreams. You have news for me?"
"News of all kinds," she said with an impish smile. "Ulfrik had a falling out with some of his men a few days ago. One of them claimed Ulfrik's youngest was his own, and it led to him and his men being banished."
"And his name is Konal Ketilsson; his face is badly burned." Astra stopped in surprise and he saw the smile grow on her face in the darkness. He told her how he had spied on Konal's camp and then recruited him. "I hoped you could prove his tale, and you have."
"Oh, I witnessed it with my own eyes. Since that day Ulfrik has taken to drink and his wife has become a horrible shrew. They fight every day over his inaction and Ulfrik has taken to sleeping under the table in his hall. His friends don't know what to do, and Gunnar feels cut off from him. It's perfect!"
Throst nodded in deep satisfaction. "A pity he won't suffer like this for long, but I cannot give him too much time to figure out my plans. I have met with Clovis since we last spoke, and as I guessed he did not want Hakon but greatly desires Gunnar. I assume you have captured his attention?"
Astra's voice quaked with barely controlled laughter. "He is hooked like a fish and does whatever I suggest. I swear I could make him fall on his sword if I promised to spread my legs for him."
"But you haven't given him that much?" Throst seized her thin arm without thinking, and Astra drew a sharp breath. Feeling his face warm with shame, he dropped his hand which drew a smile from Astra.
"Of course not, and he's not brave enough to take it for himself. Ulfrik is raising a gutless puppy. He's already a man, but he's not even allowed to piss without the leave of his father. Gunnar hates him for it, but he can't confront him."