"Konal Ketilsson, I've gathered us here to express my gratitude for all you've done in service to my sister and the people of this land." He waved Konal forward, and reached his hand back to Halla who stood directly behind him. She placed a gold band into his palm. "For saving the life of my nephew, accept this gold with my thanks."
Konal glanced at Runa as he received the band, inclined his head slightly before speaking. "He is a fine boy and warrior. It has been my pleasure to know him. I accept your gift, but truly I owed my life to both Runa and Gunnar for pulling me from the sea."
Gunnar and Hakon stood behind Runa, and she felt Gunnar tugging at her skirt. She batted his hand away, knowing he wished to speak but not countenancing interruptions.
Men on both sides cheered Konal, and he rotated with the armband held overhead. The pink morning sun blazed on the gold as he fixed it to his arm.
Toki cleared his throat, checked Runa for reassurance before he started his next speech. She offered a slight nod, confident all would turn out well.
"Konal and Kell, your men have been welcomed guests in the lands of my lord, lands given to me to safeguard. But winter is coming, and it's time for you and your men to leave."
The crowd stirred and Runa grimaced at the ill-tuned words. Toki had many things to learn, foremost being diplomacy. She thought of the honeyed words Ulfrik would have employed to ease the tension. A sneer replaced the forced-smile on Konal's face.
"Give me a gift then kick me out, is it?"
"It's not that way," Runa interjected. Toki frowned as if to protest but she flashed her eyes at him and he sensibly tucked his head down. "The men of Nye Grenner have returned, along with all your men here already. There is not enough to sustain so many throughout winter. You know this is true, so don't pretend otherwise."
Konal's flush informed her she had carried her rebuke too far, yet he had to concede to her reasoning. "True as it is, there is still time to send for supplies and to prepare. It is not as impossible as you say."
"Possible or not, there is no other way," Toki said. "We are not prepared for guests, unless you wish to join with us. There are lands to the north that you cleared, and these places need settlement. Swear loyalty to me, and I will grant you that land and their people."
A grumble circulated through the assembled warriors, a mixture of consideration and skepticism. Runa held her eyes on Konal's and she read the mischief twinkling there. He spoke before she could.
"You will grant me the land? It was my men who cleared it of enemies. You've no claim on it at all. In fact, I've a mind to retire there for the winter."
Toki pressed his lips tight, marshaling his temper, and Runa jumped into the gap. She stepped forward to Konal, squaring her shoulders to him.
"I led the men, and you fought under Nye Grenner's banner, even if only in spirit. That land belongs to me."
"It belongs to the ones strong enough to hold it." Konal's growled rebuttal drew angry shouts from both his men and Nye Grenner.
"Forget that land," said Runa. "It means nothing to you. But I have a secret I've long withheld. Bring Kell near, and I will tell you."
Konal stared at her, his face inscrutable, then searched Toki and the others. At last he raised an arm and waved his brother forward. "Kell, there's something you should hear."
Confusion stirred in the gathered men, who wavered like windblown grass. Runa ignored them, and focused on Kell as he jogged up to his brother's side. Both of them now looked expectantly at her. She let the moment linger, then finally spoke.
"Ulfrik has the slave you've been seeking. I can prove it to you."
Kell's face dropped but Konal stared at her, appraising her words with hooded eyes. Confident she had his attention, she described Ulfrik's raid, whom he found and the lack of treasure, then of Humbert's capture and his promises. Every moment Konal's face grew more stern and more sober. By the end of her tale, his jaw muscles twitched and his face was taut with anger.
"And you're sure you found no treasure with him, nor any treasure in Paris?"
Runa shook her head, along with Toki who had joined to corroborate the story. "Whatever he stole from you is lost. He had nothing but rags when he arrived here."
Konal and Kell stared at each other as if in conversation only they could hear. The gathering of men had drawn closer, straining to hear Runa's story. Finally, Konal folded his arms and sighed.
"We must still find our slave, if only to learn what he did with our treasure." He glanced at Kell, and shook his head in disgust. "We cannot waste time, and must travel to Frankia. If what you say is true." He raised his chin in challenge and Runa met the gesture.
"I swear before all the gods it is. And you will have the best reassurance of my honesty, since you will be taking me and my sons to meet my husband in Paris."
"And you'll be taking me too," Snorri added. Runa whirled in surprise, but both he and Toki stood calmly awaiting Konal's acceptance. She had expected Snorri to remain to guide Toki. Yet as she regarded her brother standing confidently, hand resting on the pommel of his sword, she realized he would succeed without him.
"It is a dangerous journey, as your brother can attest," Konal said, his voice gentler and a faint smile on his lips. "I cannot guarantee your safety."
"I will be armed," Runa said. "As will my son. We will care for ourselves, and you need only steer your ships. What do you say, Konal Ketilsson?"
"I say it will be a pleasure to reunite you with your husband."
The group laughed, but a chill wind fluttered across them as the Fates gathered loose threads into their bony hands and began to weave.
CHAPTER THIRTY SIX
October 17, 886 CE
Ulfrik awoke tangled in the furs and blankets of his bed. A still, darkened hall rumbled with the snoring of dozens of men. The hearth had burned low, the man tending it slumped over either drunk of bored into slumber. Tenuous morning light reached in from the smoke hole, and Ulfrik decided to rise before the guards changed for the night. Sitting up, rubbing his face to push the blood into his cheeks, he tried to recall his dreams. Fragmented images of Runa, Gunnar, and Hakon swam through his waking thoughts, but that had been no different from every morning since arriving at Paris.
He roused himself, running a rough comb through hair and beard before throwing his wool cloak across his shoulders. Picking between the people sleeping in the hall, he made for the exit. Einar opened an eye at Ulfrik's passing, but Ulfrik waved him back to his dreams. He wanted to enjoy the dawn alone and without the worries of command. Hrolf had been gone raiding, bored like everyone else, but was expected to return this morning. Ulfrik had served as his commander during that time-his name an honor restored after delivering Henry's head-and he wanted to ensure camp was in order for his arrival.
Outside the fresh scent of cooking fires curled beneath his nose. Hesitant pink light streaked the eastern skies, rising above the golden leaves of autumn trees. Black-and-white feathered magpies hopped along the ground before the longhouse, and leapt into the sky when Ulfrik stepped near. He inhaled and held his breath, exhaling when his eyes dragged across the black walls of Paris. The Seine began to sparkle with yellow light as the sun climbed, and the tops of the towers burned in the dawn. Along the near shore, beached ships leaned like toppled stacks of firewood. The wretched skeleton of Sigfrid's great siege tower had collapsed into timbers pointing skyward. The catapults stood at attention, abandoned and broken. Everything had broken but for the walls of Paris.
The city still squatted in mute defiance. Hrolf's ambition and pride were equal to the size and strength of its walls. Both would resist the other until one collapsed. One more month would mark the anniversary of the siege. This tract of shore had become his entire world. Shaking his head, he strolled from the longhouses across the field to the trenches. Men clambered out as the sun climbed, eager to end their night watch of the tower entrance to Paris.