Kjotve straightened himself and wiped his face with a meaty hand. As he choked off his laughter, he placed his hand on Ulfrik's shoulder. "I will admit that you've made a fine attempt for your men. Your argument, however, needs more work." He burst out laughing again, as did the others.
"I still have treasure buried in my lands. You know I wouldn't keep it all in my hall. If you free them, I will show you where it's buried. It will compensate for them, and you still keep me as your slave." Ulfrik expected more laughter, but instead Kjotve grew serious. His eyes darted back and forth as he thought. Ulfrik knew he had captured his interest.
"You probably do have treasure stuck away someplace," Kjotve said thoughtfully. "But the only twist in this story is that you're willing to show it to me for the lives of your men. Everyone else in your position always has hidden treasure to show me, only they promise to reveal it for their own freedom."
Kjotve smiled, a deep crease of shadow spreading across his face in the gathering darkness. Ulfrik did have treasure hidden, and no one but he and Toki knew its location. He would have done everything he promised, and hoped some chance for escape would show itself. He sagged between his two captors, his last plan played to no avail.
"I'm not a man to gamble, not with gold. I like the sure thing of sending all these strong-backed men to the slave block. They'll fetch me a good sum, as good as what you've dumped in a hole on your island of grass and sheep." Kjotve glanced out over the sea and rubbed his face.
"We're nearly to Dublin now. I cut you down so you can heal. You need to look healthy on the block. So starting tonight you'll be fed well and get rest. Bright eyes and a straight back will help sell you for the best price. Now get down with the others and no tricks. If you risk my investment, I'll have you skinned. I've got a man who can keep you awake the whole time he's peeling off your flesh. You don't want to find out what that's like, do you?"
Ulfrik shook his head. They dragged him down the gangplank and deposited him among the other slaves. Snorri and his other crew huddled around him. He looked up into their faces, a mixture of hope and resignation showed. Ulfrik swallowed hard, then closed his eyes, whispering, "I've tried all I know. I really tried."
No food tasted good to Ulfrik, though it was an improvement over the gruel impatient hands had spooned to him while tied to the mast. He sat in a circle with Snorri and the others, which now included Hardar’s and Vermund's people. Divisions held no meaning. They were all captives, all frightened, all worried for the future. They ate in silence. The night had turned ugly blue before darkness settled.
Beyond their ring, guards kept spears leveled at them. Kjotve had taken Ingrid and several of the better looking women and raped them. Then his men had their turns. Some of the men slaves, who had probably known the women, tried to rescue them. They were beaten down, but one persistent man ended his life on the point of a spear. While the rape continued unabated, Ingrid and the women screaming beneath one man after the next, the waiting men savaged the corpse. He was hacked into pieces and his head placed atop the spear that had slain him. His head overlooked the slaves now, ensuring no one moved.
Ulfrik closed his eyes as he chewed. Ingrid's screaming jabbed at him, setting him on edge. He tried to blank it out. Undoubtedly Kjotve had been serious about flaying him if he caused trouble. Ulfrik wondered if Kjotve might change his heart at the last moment and flay him anyway.
Once Kjotve had slaked his lust as many times as he could, the women's screaming stopped and turned to whimpering. It filled the night, a terrible comparison to the jovial talk and laughter of Kjotve's crew. Despite knowing Dublin was near, Ulfrik fell asleep easily. Exhaustion pulled him into the blackness of dreamless slumber.
The next morning they were herded aboard the ship. Kjotve ensured all were tied securely, but gave no order for rowing. They were to remain seated on the deck, bound to each other by seal skin ropes. Ulfrik and his crew were placed on Kjotve's ship, along with Ingrid. He observed Ingrid, her clothes dirty and torn, hair flying wildly in the sea breeze. She folded her arms over her chest, as if she wore nothing, and hunkered down against the gunwales with a few other women. Her expression was blank, as if she had no thoughts in her head. Ulfrik had barely known her, and she was the wife of his bitter enemy, but pitied her condition. She had seemed a decent woman to him, undeserving of this horrid fate. But so it was for all the others in captivity.
Once the ships had launched past the incoming tide, Kjotve ordered one to scout the way ahead, with the other ships following.
"Do you think he still expects trouble?" Snorri asked. He sat across from Ulfrik.
"The way to markets are always lined with thieves and pirates. I'd do the same." Both men drifted into silence as the ship swayed beneath the blue sky. Gulls cried merrily above them, as if mocking their captivity.
"Do you think Einar and Gerdie will be all right?" Ulfrik asked Snorri. The thought came to mind as soon as he had asked.
"Yeah. Gerdie is strong and Einar smart. I was just a man to fill the hole in their lives for a while. They don't need me now."
"Don't say that, Snorri. You are a great man, and they needed you."
"It's better to forget the past. We'll be in Dublin tomorrow morning, and probably on the slave blocks a few days later. No use thinking about whatever went before."
The men nearby grumbled their agreement with Snorri. He looked at the others and smiled. "Maybe we'll find a home with a kind master who needs help milking his cows and tending his flocks. I wouldn't mind it, to be honest. As long has he doesn't try to beat me. If that happens, I'll be hanged for strangling the bastard."
"We won't be tending pigs," said another. "We're too strong, too good for it. We'll row a trader's ship all across the world, then be captured and resold. It'll go on until we die."
No one argued the prospect. Everyone silently accepted the prediction, fearing the worst. Ulfrik felt a lump growing in his throat. He cleared it, scanning the men as he waited for their attention.
"I am honored that you followed me to this fate. No one could have asked for more loyal men. Fate is strange and still hidden from us. If ever there is a way for me to repay you, I will do so. No matter how we die, it will be how we lived that matters. Each day lived, even in slavery, is proof of your honor and bravery. Your battles will be fought with your hearts, and not with swords. The gods know it, they see it now, and will welcome you to the feasting hall when you die."
Heads bowed and nodded, a few attempted to conceal their tears. Ulfrik met Snorri's gaze and his old friend smiled. "You have never let me down. Not since you were a boy. I am proud to have kept my oath to you."
Ulfrik did not know what to say. He flashed a quick smile, then studied the deck.
Hours passed. The worry among the captives kept them pensive. The crew were at their tasks, ever scanning the horizon. The constant sway and gentle winds lulled Ulfrik into drowsiness. His head bobbed several times as he fought to remain awake.
He glanced around, seeing they were passing an island close on the starboard side. Over the port side, the stern faces of the Orkney cliffs frowned in the noontime sun. The sails were full and snapped in the wind. Their pace was steady, inexorable he felt, ever drawing them south to Dublin. He craned his neck and saw the lead ship ahead.
"Enemy ships!"
Ulfrik heard the call from another of Kjotve's ships. Suddenly everyone, crew and slaves, were on their feet and seeking the source of the warning.
Fearsome, high-sided ships streamed out from behind the small island on the starboard side. Their crews rowed furiously, the oars flashing manically as they stroked the waters. The lead ship had a dragon's head on the prow, and dark figures bristled in the forecastle.