"You will what? Leave with me? That won't be possible. I mean, well, what's going on?" Toki felt his face grow hot. He had fantasized about running away with Halla, but now the promise of it brought him confusion rather than joy.
"You must speak to Lady Halla." Dana's voice was final, then she dashed up the rocks like a mountain goat. Toki opened the two bags, finding clothing, combs, jewelry, and other personal items. He cinched them shut and bore them down to Bork.
Bork had dragged the boat onto a wide, flat rock. But the sea grew rougher and he fought to keep the boat from sweeping off. "Damn this wind, Toki. I think I'll be staying with you until this blows over. We need to get this boat up on the grass or we're facing a long walk back over the mountains."
"Halla and her slave are leaving with us." Toki's tone was lifeless. He was so preoccupied with his thoughts, he didn't try to help Bork. "We are leaving as soon as she arrives."
A large wave sloshed the boat toward the water, and Bork nearly lost his footing. "Gods, Toki! Some help, please!"
Together they heaved the boat back onto the rocks and held it against the rising wind and waves. The rain started to fall stronger, and soon the storm would hit in force. They decided to carry the boat onto the thin strip of rocks against the cliff sides. If the storm worsened, they had to get it up the cliff or surrender it. Toki didn't like either option.
They waited in nervous silence as the rain held to a drizzle. Toki pumped his leg restlessly waiting for Dana's return. If Halla truly needed help, he could not refuse. She would not flee her home without cause. He decided Vermund had to be the trouble. His arms trembled at the thought of that thin face hovering close to Halla's. The man was a murderer, and a danger to all he loved. He could not let Halla be his next victim. Finally Bork spoke up.
"Why don't you tell me what's going on?"
Toki hung his head, water running into his eyes. "I'm sorry, my friend. I have been poor company." He explained how he had been caught and forbidden from meeting Halla. "But I needed to tell her myself. Now it seems she's in trouble."
Bork smiled and wiped the rain from his face. "That's why old Bork has kept himself a single man. Life is less complicated."
The reappearance of Dana at the top of rocks interrupted their shared laughter. She called Toki's name then paused for a breath. "Get the boat on the water. Lady Halla is close behind, and is pursued."
"Pursued? What is going on? Is she in danger?"
"We're all in danger. Please, prepare the boat."
"On these waters, my boat will struggle with four people. Can your woman swim?" Bork didn't wait for an answer, but flipped the boat onto its keel. Toki helped him with it, slipping down the thin ledge as he did.
They fought to hold the boat steady against the slapping waves. Toki used a free hand to toss in Halla's bags while Bork replaced the oars. Once they finished, Dana was helping Halla down the steep path. She was covered in a sealskin cloak. Her pale hair splashed from the shadows of her hood. Dana walked backwards, holding both of Halla's hands. Lightning flashed in the gray skies behind her. She slipped with a squeal, then managed herself down to Toki's level.
"You must save me from my father. His men are right behind. Take me to your home, protect me!" She lifted her gray skirt with one hand and ran into Toki's embrace. He crushed her to his chest, and all resolve to honor his oath vanished. He felt her trembling under his arms and knew she needed him. The reasons did not matter to him, only that she had to be defended.
"I will protect you, Halla." She glanced back up the cliff, then Toki guided her to Bork who struggled with the boat. "Get aboard first and hold the sides. Dana, you go next."
The two women slipped easily onto the short benches, their skirts sucking up the seawater that already puddled in the boat. Bork jumped in and gestured Toki do the same. The women sat between them as they dipped oars into the water.
Lightning flashed again, and this time thunder rolled in the distance. The small boat flopped on the waves like a leaf spinning on a pond. The two women screeched. Toki pulled hard on the oars and tried to point the boat toward the exit, though the incoming waves fought them.
"My father's men!" Halla pointed up the cliff and Toki saw the shapes of three men appear on the ridge. Their cloaks flapped and hair blew in the wind. One man started down the slope while another unslung his bow. One man cupped his mouth and shouted.
"Turn back! You are kidnapping Halla Hardarsdottir. You'll be hunted to the edge of the world!"
"Kidnapping?" Bork shouted over the women's head to Toki. "This is a bit more serious than I'd hoped."
"Row, you dog! They've got bows!"
The men on the ridge took their shots. Toki knew it was a waste of arrows, as the wind would blow them down and the rain would swell their bowstrings. It was an idle threat but he didn't want to be close enough for a lucky shot. Whatever they let loose did not reach the water.
"Does your father know you're with me?"
Halla shook her head. "I think he had someone following me. Only Dana ever knew about you."
Toki felt relieved, hoping he could evade Hardar's suspicion. The men were distant enough to make recognizing him difficult. Only his direction would give them a weak clue.
They finally broke out of the crevice and caught the open sea. The waves would shove them toward the rocks, and so they pointed farther out to safety. Hardar's men ran along the ridge, but soon they would be out of sight.
The first gust nearly capsized the boat. The rain began slashing down in strength. Everyone screamed as waves slammed into them. Toki spit the seawater onto the deck. He looked up and Dana covered Halla with her body. Bork was shaking his head like a dog coming out of a lake.
"We only have to get ahead of them. There's a shingle we can pull into not far from here. Wait out the storm there," Toki shouted across to Bork. "I think we made it away from them."
Bork nodded with a smile. Then Toki spotted a black shape emerge behind his shoulder. The man who had scrambled down the slope had fought to the mouth of the crevice, and now clambered up a rock. Waves crashed all around him, threatening to sweep the fool to his death. Toki saw him line up his bow. The wind and rain would foil the shot, even though he was not too distant. Toki nearly laughed.
Then the wind died. The bow twanged.
Bork's smile never faded as he fell sideways out of the boat. His oars slipped into the water. The wind gusted again, and without Bork's strength Toki fought to keep the vessels under control. He wanted to scream, but rain and spray hit him in the face. Halla and Dana both cried out. He looked again and Bork was gone, swallowed into the thrashing, foamy waves. They were already being blown around a bend and beyond sight of their enemies.
He rowed but was still driven to the rocks. He had to put Bork out of mind and focus on saving themselves. They were blown into a shallow cove, filled with only rocks and cliffs. But they were shielded from the wind and waves. Toki hoped to idle in this spot until the storm passed.
He searched once more for Bork, hoping that against all reason he would pop out of the water. He knew his friend had paid Fate's price for helping him. Toki shuddered, knowing the gods had only just begun to exact their vengeance.
CHAPTER EIGHT
The hall sat in leaden silence. Ulfrik drained his mug, savored the last mouthful, and swallowed. He carefully set it on the table. He folded his hands and wrenched a smile to his face. An insincere smile was better than expressing the rage beating at his temples. Nothing would be achieved in rage.