"He will be jarl here one day." Runa raised a brow at Konal. "And before that, I rule here."
"You mention that every day." Konal belched a second time, then banged his bowl on the table for a refill of the porridge. Elin nodded and sent a girl to collect the bowl.
His dismissive response irked Runa, but she declined to push. Months ago she had realized Konal truly ruled here. The men were his, the ships, the weapons, and the gold. No one could prevent him from claiming every flock and field. To worsen matters, the villagers loved him. He had fed them, brought men for their widows and daughters, restored their honor and defeated their enemies. Some of the more superstitious folk claimed he had walked out of the sea and then summoned his ships with magic.
Whether she wanted it or not, Konal was the new jarl of Nye Grenner.
He smacked his lips as the second bowl slipped onto the table. He grabbed the girl's hand, startling her, then he stroked it and released her. The girl blushed at him, and he winked as she returned to the hearth. Runa's bowl sat cooling beneath her.
"She is only thirteen," Runa said, attempting to keep the edge out of her voice.
"Then she should be married soon. Better she learn how to handle a man now. Her husband will be grateful."
Runa turned away before he could see her grimace. He was becoming the man she had suspected he was. Heat grew on her face, and she bit her lip. She stood to leave, feeling stupid and embarrassed. As she rose, he snared her arm.
"Come now, it was only play. Sit. Eat your breakfast."
Runa hovered, his strong grip tugging at her. Yanking her arm free, she returned to the bench. Konal continued devouring his porridge as if he had not noticed Runa's anger. Ulfrik would have read her in an instant, but then Ulfrik would never have flirted so brazenly with a freeman's daughter. A rumbling stomach forced a surrender of her icy stand-off.
Over the top of the bowl, she glimpsed Halla sneering at her from across the room. Since becoming her hostage, she had spoken only when commanded, otherwise she prayed and glared at everyone around her. Runa regretted not killing her when she had the bloodlust for it. Now, even with Toki dead, she could not bring herself to harm Halla for no reason. Instead, she waited for Halla to give her cause, and suspected that day would be soon.
"Winter is not far off," Runa said, turning to face Konal. "I must know if you intend to stay or return to your family."
Konal's face fell, and he slowly shoved away his bowl. He leaned on his elbows, and studied the few people finishing their meals in the hall.
"You have been gone from your family over a year now. It's time you return to them."
"Don't tell me when it's time for me to do anything." His face pulled into a frown, and his raised voice drew shy glances. "That family is my father's doing, not mine. I've no love for them."
"Your own children?"
"Brats, I've told you. Mad like their mother and grandfather. Kell and I have always been happier at sea than trapped with those madmen."
Runa drank from her bowl again, using the pause to consider Konal's words. Was she a distraction for him, a reason not to return home? Did Kell seek the same excuse, chasing after an escaped slave they had no chance of locating?
"And if you stay with me, will you be satisfied as a farmer? Locked into another winter of darkness on a rock of an island that no willing person visits?"
"You make it sound horrible."
"Isn't it? All my enemies are defeated. Ingrid is old and mute. Skard and Thorod are slain. My riches lie in hay and wool, nothing to bring raiders this far north. What does the great war leader Konal do here besides tend flocks and settle arguments over grazing lands?"
Konal folded his arms, his face collapsing into a thoughtful frown. Runa snorted a laugh, a derisive puff filled with her anger. Taking him to her bed had been a mistake. No man would ever replace Ulfrik. Konal was clearly inferior to him in every regard, and she had contrived to overlook it all.
"I must help Elin and do some good for this hall." She wobbled to her feet, and Konal let her go.
She busied herself with gathering dishes and collecting scraps into a bucket. Elin kept silent but her expression spoke her exasperation. Elin had been a vocal opponent of Konal's men lingering after their need was gone. She called them leeches, and Runa had begun to agree.
After an hour of work, Konal had departed and Runa remained with Elin and the women. As she wiped down the high table, sweeping crumbs into her cupped hand, Konal returned.
"The trading ships have arrived. I thought you said they wouldn't come for another month."
Runa stood straighter, sharing a worried glance with Elin. "You're sure they're traders? They are too early."
Konal nodded. "They're not hostile ships. No beast heads on the prow and shields still on the rack. They're approaching the docks now."
"Thora, keep the children in the hall," Runa said. Dropping her cloth to the table, she and Elin joined Konal. Halla even roused from her murmuring prayers to follow them. From the top of the slope, Runa saw two ships gliding to the docks. A man from the lead ship leapt the rails to land on the dock with a rope to tie off the small boat.
Runa's vision hazed and she nearly fainted. Konal caught her.
"What is it, Runa?"
Halla answered for her as her pale hand pointed at the ship. "It's Raven's Talon. That is Toki in the prow."
Konal steadied Runa, but she spared him not even a glance. She limped after the others who had already began running for the arriving ships. Gunnar was in the front, squealing with delight. Men were jumping into the surf, equally delighted at the homecoming. A thin, older man in a ragged gray shirt stood apart from the others, wading ashore on his own. Gunnar charged straight for him, and the old man crouched and threw his arms wide.
Runa also began to run, sharp needles of pain lancing her foot, but she did not care. The old man was swinging Gunnar around in his arms. He was crying and laughing. Gunnar laughed, a sound so sweet and so long unheard that Runa's eyes teared.
She stumbled the final distance, and the old man let Gunnar down, though he remained clutched to his side. Runa stood facing them, the ocean sparkling behind the old man.
"Snorri!"
Collapsing into his arms, he clamped her tight. In that moment, worry and fear flowed out with her tears. She repeated his name, and Gunnar forced his way into their embrace.
"Aye, girl, we're finally home."
Nye Grenner's hall had emptied and only Toki and Snorri remained with Runa at the high table. A bonfire outside flickered yellow light between the gaps of covered windows, and low voices of guards seeped through every wall. The night was cold, and many of the guards clustered at the fire burning in the field behind the hall. Runa waited as Toki and Snorri completed their meals. Even after three days, all the returning men still ate as if they would not eat again for weeks. All of them were thinner and more haggard than Runa remembered, especially Toki.
"More ale," Toki said, pushing his mug out without lifting his head from his bowl.
Runa hefted a jug and poured ale until it ran over the sides. She stared at Toki, who hardly acknowledged her since his return. He had become someone else during his time away, more confident and aloof. Even Gunnar, who had spent his childhood at Toki's heels, was held at a distance. Whatever had happened in his time in Frankia had changed him. She knew nothing of the story, but would find out all she desired this night.
"And why are we three sitting here in this dark hall alone and silent?" Runa poured more ale for Snorri, anticipating his need. "If you've nothing to say, Brother, then I will be leaving."
"Stay." Toki still did not pause in devouring his meal, lifting out a lamb bone and gnawing the meat from it. Once he had filled his mouth, he dropped the bone and leaned back. He stared at Runa, who felt as if Toki were looking at her for the first time. Grease glistened on his beard and his dark eyes sparkled with the low hearth light. At last he wiped his mouth with the back of his arm before speaking. "We have family matters to discuss, as well as issues of rulership."