The man smiled, but the older man frowned and rubbed his scraggly beard. Toki trusted their down-trodden appearance would convince the men to be hospitable. The old man, despite his distrusting looks, welcomed them.
"It's a sad tale, but not an uncommon one. Living by the sea brings us these stories often enough. I am Isleif, and this is my son Sigvid. My other sons you will meet when they come home with their catches."
Toki bowed low, offered the names of the others. Gunnar proudly proclaimed himself Ulfriksson, which made Runa smile but Toki wince. He knew he overreacted; Ulfrik was not so widely known or so pursued.
They gathered into the main hall, swept in to a welcoming hearth with fat, square women tending the stew leftover from the morning. They welcomed Toki's group to be seated along the wall benches. The once-barking dog now ran among them, tail wagging and snout pushing into everyone's legs. Light from the open smoke hole placed a large square of white at the center of the hall, and it filled the rest of the single room hall with a pleasing glow.
Isleif assured safety for their ship, and that the local Hersir who King Harald installed had eliminated banditry. "I don't much care for the high king's tax, but we are loyal to Jarl Rognvald. Been on these lands since Odin made the world with Ymir's flesh. So we do what we must to stay."
Eager for news from the world, Isleif and Sigvid pressed for details. Toki had to invent more news, to cover his story. But somewhere he must have given a conflicting report, as he noticed Isleif and Sigvid exchanging confused glances. So he hurried his point. "Truth is we want to be back at sea as soon as we can and return to Denmark. We need supplies. Food mostly. There's little left to trade, but I carried some silver bits with me to buy food. If you can help us, I would appreciate it."
"We can help," Isleif said without delay. "Silver is good in summer, so they say. Can't eat it or burn it in winter. But what is the rush? Certainly you want to refresh yourselves. Stay for a meal."
"We couldn't impose like that. We are simple traders and must be gone soon. Families in Denmark must know their husbands are lost to the sea."
"But yet their families are here," Isleif said, his face smiling but his voice carrying the accusation.
"All right, I will be honest with you." Toki looked at Einar then Runa, and both nodded. The other women huddled together, frightened. "We come from the Faereyjar Islands. Our lord is enslaved there, and we seek fighting men to aid us in freeing him. But we were blown off course, and we do need supplies. The men we seek are far from here. I will pay generously for food fit for sea travel. Then we will be gone and never heard from again. I promise this is the truth."
Isleif's face creased in a smile. "That hardly seems something worth lying about. But it sounds a good deal more like the truth. Most of what we can spare will last you at sea. But still you must at least eat one good meal. My wife and daughters should cook for the gods. And you should meet my other sons. Share your news with us. Fishermen can take your words far, and maybe bring more help to your cause. Plenty of men in these lands are looking for a good fight now that King Harald has conquered everything."
"It's true," echoed Sigvid. "I know men willing to sail for the right price."
"I can offer some silver upfront," Toki said. "But there is not much, and they would be fighting for a take in the spoils."
"If the spoils are rich, then at least a few might be interested in joining."
"He's speaking of himself," Isleif shouted. "He's long been a widower, and his last child died in winter. He's also useless in every way. Why not take him?"
Toki's pulse quickened, excited to find potential crew. "There is gold in the north, and the enemy we face has captured much of it."
"Good, I'll think on it. But stay for a meal. We will need time to arrange for your supplies."
Toki scanned the others in the room. Runa seemed appeased to make some progress, while Halla and Dana seemed uninterested. "Then we will accept your offer of a meal. Such generosity is unexpected but much appreciated."
They began to discuss the details of what Toki needed for the return journey. He liked Sigvid and Isleif. Their homes were simple communities, innocent of any concerns beyond making a living for their families. He hoped Sigvid would make good on his promise to persuade other men to join them. Toki felt like his luck had begun to turn.
Halla kept away from the others, using Dana like a shield between her and Toki. She could not face him, not with what she planned.
She was leaving at the earliest possible moment.
Isleif's hall was overcrowded with his multitudes of family. Thrand and Njall had returned with other fishermen. Isleif summoned all his sons, daughters, grandchildren, and daughters-in-law. They all joined a raucous feast proclaimed as a welcome. Halla appreciated hot food again; after a few days of rations, even leather would taste sumptuous.
Sigvid was loudly bragging of his old life, then inexplicably offered a toast to Toki. Halla was not interested in them. She only considered the exit an arm's length away. Unfortunately the door was shut or she could have already sneaked away. Dana pressed against her right side, while her left side hung at the edge of the bench. The table where the remains of dinner now lay locked them in place.
"Lady Halla," she whispered. "You are not serious?"
"I've already told you. There's a larger village to the north. The women say the jarl there is stern but fair. We just follow the road a short while."
Dana remained silent, then crunched a chicken bone in her mouth. "It's dangerous to travel roads alone."
"You will protect me." Halla had never seen Dana fight, but her father had insisted she was a good brawler. Thinking of her father summoned a wave of anxiety. This whole trip, everything was bent toward killing him. He was not a good man, she knew. He beat her mother, beat her, and treated them like possessions. But he was her only father. It felt wrong to be aiding people set on killing him, even if he had earned their hatred.
"What about Lord Toki?" Dana asked. They both glanced at him with the mention of his name. He was laughing with Runa and Isleif.
Halla's face crumpled to a frown. "His sister rules him, and his sister is a witch."
"But don't you love him?"
Halla elbowed Dana and she dropped her head in silence. Halla did love him, or had loved him. She no longer knew; everything had become overwhelming. He was a patient man, gentle with children, brave and smart. He had confident and strong features. But so much had happened. In his heart he must blame her for his troubles. He might say otherwise, but surely he knows none of this would have happened without her. One day that knowledge would turn against her. One day, he would drink too much, dream of all he could have done, and blame her. Then the beatings would begin and a life of misery ensue.
She could not let that happen. Starting over elsewhere was her only hope for a better life.
The sun set early in this land, so that by the end of their feasting twilight fell. She heard Toki informing Sigvid he would sail the next day.
"Our hall is crowded," Sigvid said. "But you are welcome to sleep in the barn."
Toki shook his head. "We should sleep with our ship. Thank you for the fine meal."
As they returned to the ship, Toki attempted to speak with Halla. She limited herself to a few nods and no words. She dared not speak, fearing she would abandon her plan to leave. Toki gave up once they arrived at the ships, drawing a thin sigh of relief from her. Sigvid and Isleif, who had guided them, said farewell and promised to return at first light.
Halla knew she had to flee this night, and shared a wide-eyed stare with Dana.