"That's the inlet," Gunther shouted, bringing Ulfrik back from his reverie. Ulfrik confirmed it as the entrance to Jarl Ragnvald's shores. Gunther's ship led, and the second ship followed in line. The ships had taken down their dragon heads to signal peace. But to be certain of no tragic misunderstandings, Ulfrik asked to leave the second ship at sea until he had spoken with Ragnvald.
Their approach was not unnoticed. Men hurried down the slope to form up on the small beach of rocks and sand. Gunther expertly navigated to the shore and moored his ship on the beach. Ulfrik jumped into the surf with him, taking all his effort not to run up the slope. He did not want enthusiasm mistaken for hostility.
"Jarl Ragnvald, it is Ulfrik Ormsson." He kept his hands up and left his sword on the ship. He was confident of his reception. He searched for Ragnvald, but hoped for Runa.
Ragnvald stood directly before him, neatly blending in with his men so Ulfrik's gaze swept past him. But when they set eyes upon each other, both men broke into a smile. Ragnvald strode forward with both arms thrown open. "Were it not for your smell, I would say a ghost made landfall on my shores."
They collapsed together in an embrace. Ulfrik felt a hot dampness at his eyes. Ragnvald was not a dear friend, or even a particularly close friend. He was a reasonable man whose company he had enjoyed and who seemed to feel the same for Ulfrik. But after everything that had happened, to Ulfrik it was like meeting a lost brother. They pulled back and Ragnvald sized him up.
"You're thinner, hungrier looking than when we last met." He swept his gaze over Ulfrik's shoulders, regarding the men and ships behind him. Snorri already appeared at Ulfrik's side. "There must be a story worthy of a song for what I see."
"More than can be told standing here. The other ship stayed back to put you at ease. Truth of it is, we are without a home and must beg from old friends. Runa would've told you as much. May we pull up on your shores for a while?"
Ragnvald's brow furrowed but he agreed. Gunther waded out to wave his other ship forward. The ship already on the beach dropped a gangplank, and Ingrid appeared atop it.
"Is that your wife?" Ragnvald asked, his eyes fixed on Ingrid. Hrolf had treated her well, dressing her in fine clothes and gifting her with a silver chain. She had regained a measure of composure since she and Ulfrik had reached their agreement. She had become more regal, and despite the ravages of slavery, more beautiful.
Ulfrik laughed at Ragnvald's joke. "She is a wife, but not mine. That story is maybe the strangest of all. She is Hardar's wife, Ingrid. She will no doubt speak better of her tale than I could."
Ragnvald's expression was incredulous. "The day grows stranger still. And these other men, they are not yours? Rumors said you left with only a handful of men."
"Take us to your hall and I will reveal everything. But, no, these are not my men. They are part of the story I must tell you."
"Then let's not waste time." A smile renewed on his face, and he clapped Ulfrik's shoulder. Ulfrik, Ingrid, his crew along with Gunther and his hand-picked men followed Ragnvald and his hirdmen to his hall. He spoke animatedly of all the rumors surrounding Ulfrik's fate. Most of what he told had predicted Ulfrik's demise. "But I knew you would return, and many others did, too. And now here you are."
"Has my family given you much trouble?" Ulfrik asked as they entered the hall. Though a large size for these lands, it felt much smaller after the spaciousness of Hrolf's.
"I have not seen your family, Ulfrik. Last word was they vanished along with you."
Ulfrik stopped just inside the door. Snorri bumped into him. "I sent them here before I went to Hardar's trap. They were to seek aid from you. Did they never arrive?"
"No, and I've heard no more of them."
Snorri put his hand on Ulfrik's shoulder. "They may have went elsewhere first. It does not mean they are lost to us."
"But summer is nearly done. Surely by now they would have been here, or Jarl Ragnvald would've heard news."
He saw Ingrid waiting beyond the door. He realized she could become difficult if she knew Halla was missing. So he agreed with Snorri and decided to not speak of his fears within her hearing. He followed Ragnvald further into the hall.
Once they had settled into the hall and mead and cheese served, Ulfrik shared his tale with Ragnvald. He omitted nothing, including his plans to strike back at Hardar. Throughout, Ragnvald and his household sat in rapt attention. He stole glances at Ingrid at each mention of Hardar's name. Ingrid sat in stony silence and betrayed nothing.
"I came here directly, in hopes Runa and Toki had come to you first. But I see they must have traveled elsewhere." Ulfrik felt a burn in his stomach as he spoke, doubting their situation was so prosaic. Ingrid's gaze turned cold, for she had been expecting a reunion as much as he had. "I'm sure I will catch up with them. You've heard no news at all?"
"None, but we stay close to home now. Men don't dare travel when war is near. So we hear little news; it is possible they could've went even further north. Though they would find less sympathy there."
"So you've heard nothing of Hardar, I assume?"
Ragnvald spread his hands wide and smiled. "I know more about that. Ill news always finds an audience. He has taken your home for his own. Not long after his mercenaries left, more men came to him from the north. Cousins who are rebuilding his hall. He even sent ships out that have but recently returned with more men."
Ingrid gave Ulfrik a sharp look. It was as she had said it would be. The loss of family and home seemed to have not slowed his ambition. "He has no shame."
"I have often wondered what held him back," Ragnvald said.
"He must be bought to account. His attacks on me are only the start. He is sending for more men. What purpose can he have in that? Which one of the jarls are next, you Ragnvald?" Ulfrik's eyes flashed with anger. Ragnvald's hand reflexively covered his chest.
"I know he has been unkind to your people, Ulfrik. Many have been put to death."
"He broke his oath to treat my people as his own!" Ulfrik slammed the table, his voice a snarl. "You must join me in putting him down. We must wipe his threat from the land."
Ragnvald shrank in his seat. He did not roar back agreement as Ulfrik expected. Instead, his eyes faltered and he looked aside.
"What is this? You do not agree, or is there something worse yet to reveal?" Ulfrik glanced about the table; every face seemed as confused as he felt.
"Hardar's attack on you was wrong. But he has not threatened anyone else."
Ulfrik sputtered his laughter. "Of course he hasn't. Once he is certain of victory he will sweep out and attack. He's hiring foreign swords. What else do you need to see?"
"I see you have done the same." Ragnvald suddenly no longer seemed small. He sat up, crossing his arms. "You bring the warriors of a foreign king, who is allied to Harald Finehair even. When you finish Hardar, who will rule those lands? You? And what have you traded for your new allies if not an oath of loyalty?"
Gunther chuckled deep in his throat. He leaned over to Ulfrik. "You promised the men of these lands had fight in them. I can tell you this one does not. Let's be gone and see Hardar's army for ourselves. My warriors would equal ten of his, and are hungry for battle."
Both Ulfrik and Ragnvald open their mouths to speak. But Ingrid spoke sooner.
"Calm yourselves. We are here as guests, and Jarl Ragnvald has been kind. Let not our doubts strain the bonds of friendship, which have been long and true."
"Lady Ingrid is right," Ulfrik said, his head lowered. "I have been a poor guest."