The final hirdmen had left the room. The door thudded shut at the far end of the hall. Only Dag the Sword-Bender remained, a wispy visage in the shadows behind Hardar.
"Now that we have our privacy," Hardar began, "we can talk."
Halla raised her chin and crossed her arms. But her stomach clenched and a hundred different disasters flooded her mind. She felt abandoned before her father. Even Dana had been dismissed. She only had her mother for support, and she would not look at her.
"I will be direct with you, daughter. You are nineteen years old, well past the age to be married."
An ember dropped into her gut. She started to tremble and her throat dried out. Hardar said a few more things before he paused. Instead of listening to him, she predicted his next words. Now he forces Vermund on me. That wretched man, that murderer.
"Jarl Vermund is my old friend, a wealthy and important man. He has expressed an interest in courting you, and I've approved."
Halla's head swam. She was being given away to an old man, no doubt to be his prized possession along with his favorite ring and sword. For a moment the room sounded as if it were filled with a cloud of flies. She touched her head, hoping to clear her mind.
"You're very reserved," Hardar said, one brow cocked. He glanced at Ingrid, who still refused to look up. "Nothing at all like the last time. I suppose you've matured. Good!" He slapped the table as if matters were settled.
"What if I don't find Jarl Vermund suitable?" She had found her voice, weak and thin and disgustingly timid.
Hardar fell back in his chair, face stuck in a half-smile. "Your thoughts don't matter. As long as Vermund is pleased, then you shall be his wife. I wonder where you get this notion of independence?" Hardar frowned at Ingrid. "Your role in this family is to increase its status by marrying well. That's been the whole purpose of feeding you all these years. Do you understand? Produce grandchildren, boys, and you will have done the work Fate has set for you."
Balling her fists, she infused as much iron into her voice as she could summon. "Then I will see to it that Vermund be displeased. I will not be wed to a monster."
Hardar pushed himself straight in his chair, his meaty hands loosening his collar. His eyes drew to slits as he peered down at her. "You are too old to play this game. Vermund is my choice for you, and a fine one. You can make it difficult on yourself if you'd like. It won't change my mind."
"He's a murderer! How can you send me to him? He strangled his wife and threw his only son into the ocean. What will happen to me?" Halla leapt forward, ferocity replacing the timidity. Tears flowed over her cheeks. "I am your daughter. You should protect me."
Shooting up from his chair, Hardar knocked the table forward and set the mugs tumbling to the floor. Both Ingrid and Halla jumped as he roared. "I'll not tolerate vile slander spoken in my hall. How can you even think this? Vermund had differences with his wife, but he did not kill her. He is a victim of Fate's weaving. Where did you hear this filth?"
Halla fell silent, not wanting to name a man who had tried to help her. Hardar stood glowering at her. When he realized she would not reply, he supplied his own guess. "Was it from your mother? We've already discussed this matter and she agrees with me. It wasn't from her, then, was it?"
Ingrid looked up and Halla covered her mouth in shock. Her mother's face was red and swollen, and her left eye hid behind puffy and blackened flesh. Both eyes glittered with tears. Halla immediately understood the so-called discussion she had with her father. Whenever his mother had defied him, he ended the disagreement with his fists. Halla winced with a sympathetic pang, but also felt emboldened. Her mother had stood up for her. She could do the same for herself.
"It only matters that I've heard it, and I believe it. You cannot force me to love a man like Vermund."
Hardar clapped his hands and fell back laughing. He toppled into his seat, his belly rippling with his laughter. Halla felt her face redden. At last Hardar wiped a tear from the corner of his eye. "I will have to remember that one. I'll never force you to love him. May Freya strike me blind if I ever do."
"You are blind already." She wanted to say more, yet even in her anger she had more sense.
"Mind your words, girl! There is no more to discuss. I've arranged for you to meet Vermund here in two days. Get yourself together and prepare to charm him. The future glory of my name depends on a good marriage. Now leave me."
Halla shook, her mind running over a hundred things to say. But she bit back her anger. Instead she gave him a sharp bow and strode out of the hall. She did not look back.
Outside the air hung still and muggy. She stalked away, going nowhere. Dana appeared from a shadow, asking if she was all right. Halla waved her hand to show she wanted to be alone. She followed the slope down to the where grass gave way to rocks and the sea. Waves purred on the beach as she stood looking out to the blue gray waters.
She thought of Toki. He could protect her from Vermund. Despite enjoying the constant sex and attention he paid her, she had not decided on what part he played in her future. The thrill of secret love-making with a handsome and confident man had been enough for her. But now she began to consider him more than a romantic diversion. He could save her from the trap her father had laid. Her father would not dare seek her in Ulfrik's lands, not with all of Ulfrik's warriors to oppose him. Eventually, her father would have to accept defeat and allow her freedom to choose her own husband.
A smile came to her lips. Toki was due to meet her the next day. She would ask Dana to prepare them to leave. Toki also would have to rescue Dana. She did not doubt he would take them both; he had talked often enough about it. Her only regret would be leaving her mother. But Halla had to be practical, or else she would end up worse than her mother. Brushing a strand of hair from her face, her smile broadened. By tomorrow, she would be away with Toki and have left her old life for freedom.
Toki and Bork rowed the choppy waves north. Neither had spoken much, but both grunted with the hard work. Bork complained when Toki shortened their rest breaks. Toki did not tell him what he planned. He barely understood it himself, following his instincts to meet Halla a final time.
The skies had threatened foul weather. Toki quailed at the winds gusting off the water. He feared the gods would drown him for breaking his oath. Clusters of gray clouds traveled above them, and both he and Bork stole glances skyward the whole trip.
Now they glided into the secret landing in the crevice. The water sloshed their ship back and forth. Toki's feet were sopping with seawater washed over the low sides of their boat. They angled for a series of flat rocks to make their landing, but an urgent voice called his name from the darkness. Both he and Bork pulled in their oars and searched for the source. Toki spotted Dana's slender form waving from an outcrop. "Lord Toki, please listen. Come closer."
"What's this?" Bork asked in a low growl. "Do you want me to stay?"
"I do. She seems afraid. Wait for my word after I've spoken with her."
Bork opened his mouth to reply, but rain drops started to patter on their heads. Both men scanned the clouds again, and Toki dreaded the storm he saw forming. A raindrop hit his eye and he jerked his head back. Dana hissed his name again.
He picked a path to the slave, and reaching her he noted she held several sealskin bags. She held them out. "Take these to your boat. Lady Halla and I will be leaving with you. Now that you have arrived, I will fetch her."