Snorri grimaced, scurried to Ulfrik's side and touched the handle. He shook his head, and looked plaintively at Ulfrik. He sunk back on the grass and watched the sky. Tears still leaked and his eyes felt like rocks had been stuffed beneath his lids. Without Runa and Gunnar, it mattered little what happened now. He had claimed his victory over Hardar, and it tasted like blood and dust.
Ulfrik lay on his bed, feeling hot beneath the stack of blankets and furs Runa had piled atop him. Beads of sweat formed upon his head. A rooster cried and he realized it had awakened him. Runa had slipped from the bed, leaving a warm emptiness at his side.
Boosting the heat beneath the blankets was Gunnar pressed to his side. Ulfrik smiled at him now. Only months ago he would have cursed the boy for being so weak. But having come through the empty death of believing him lost, Ulfrik could not suffer to let his son from his sight. He would never forget the moment Gunnar and Runa entered his bedroom. Ragnvald had been true to his word, delivering them immediately to Ulfrik's hall. Though Ragnvald stayed only long enough to wish Ulfrik a good recovery, it mattered little to him. His family had rejoined him and tears and joy flowed in a torrent unlike anything he had ever experienced. Any concern, any thought, any other feeling flooded away in that reunion.
The morning darkness lingered now that summer had fled. A lone candle guttered on a small table, freshly lit. From the hall beyond he heard Runa's murmuring. It grew louder as she returned to the door. Stepping inside, she placed a second candle on the table along with a bowl of water and pile of bandages. The room bloomed with an orange globe of light from the dual flames.
"Every time I look at you, I remember why I'm alive." His voice filled the room, and Runa started at the suddenness.
"Get well so I can kill you for all you've put me through." She moved to the bed, perching on the edge and careful not to disturb Gunnar. He snored lightly, seeming tiny next to Ulfrik. Runa stroked her son's dark hair. "He was brave, Ulfrik. For a child, he never cried or fussed. He wanted to be strong for me."
"He's my true blood." They both admired the sleeping boy for a few moments. "Who were you speaking with?"
"Gerdie. She is worried about Einar taking so long to return."
Ulfrik yawned, rubbed his still swollen face. "He has a full crew with Gunther's men. He'll be back with Toki and Halla today, I expect. Tell her not to worry."
"She only tells her worries to me. Doesn't she have a husband for that?"
"Snorri doesn't listen to worries." Ulfrik and Runa laughed, and drew together over their son. They kissed, and Ulfrik's skin tingled. Her scent was as intoxicating as the strongest drink. Gunnar grew fitful and Ulfrik pulled back. "I had never hoped to kiss you again."
Runa's expression became serious. Her eyes flashed in the low light. "Never again, Ulfrik. We will not part again. I would rather fight and die next to you than be parted."
Ulfrik laughed, but Runa held his gaze. He recognized her resolve, and he felt a pang of shame for the terror he had bought to her. He leaned forward to kiss her again, but the pain in his leg flared and he cried out.
"Let's have a look at that wound. I have to change bandages. But Gerdie should be here for this." Runa stepped around the bed to work on his leg.
After the battle, Gunther had men with the tools to remove the knife and stitch the wound. Were it not for his swift work, Hardar's knife would have remained stuck. Ulfrik had known men to die from bits of iron left in their wounds, or from the lockjaw that followed the cuts of some blades. He originally feared the blade had ruined the bones of his leg. But astoundingly he was able to move it and stand, for a short time, following the treatment. Now Runa and Gerdie tended his wounds and were far more gentle and skilled in it than Gunther's man.
As she unwound the bandages, the cool air felt wonderful on his hot skin. He spoke to keep his mind off the pain as she washed injury. "Gunther took good care of my leg."
Runa grunted as she patted down the wound with a damp cloth. A cloud passed over her face, and he understood what it represented. He voiced her concern.
"He also took every bit of silver we had. I'm not sure what is worse, being unable to walk or being poor."
Ulfrik flinched as Runa pushed too hard on his wound, closing his eyes and laying flat.
"Don't be foolish," she chided. "You can make silver anytime, but you can't get your leg back."
"True. But a poor lord attracts no men."
"Well, it seems like Gunther is happy to remain longer than anyone would like. You have no worries with men."
Ulfrik groaned. It had only been a week, but Gunther was already an issue with Runa. His men consumed food and drink Nye Grenner could hardly supply. "Without his aid, Hardar would be lying here instead of me."
"And now Gunther should leave with our thanks. There are one hundred men on his ships. They are eating away our winter stores. Doesn't he know?" Runa put down her cloth, and Ulfrik opened his eyes. Her brows were knit. "I'm not ungrateful. But if he cannot do more to care for his own men, he will end up killing us over the winter."
Ulfrik fell into silence. He knew the words were true. "When Gunther returns, I will speak to him. He will be reasonable."
Runa continued to work, and the morning passed with Ulfrik resting. Soon Gunnar awakened and wanted to go see his friends. Ulfrik gave him permission, but he seemed hesitant to leave. "Will you need me to help you walk?" he had asked. Ulfrik struggled to match his son's seriousness when he declined; he laughed when Gunnar trotted out of the room.
By midmorning word had come that Gunther's ship had returned. Ulfrik insisted he stand and greet Toki in the hall. It was an effort to reach the high table, but it was an improvement. Everyone else had gone to greet the ship, only Snorri remaining with Ulfrik. The two shared a companionable silence as they waited. He heard them approaching long before they entered. Ulfrik shoved to his feet, bracing against the table.
The group swept into the hall. Halla and Ingrid's brilliant hair caught Ulfrik's attention. He saw Runa, tears glittering in her eyes. Only then did he realize Toki stood between Runa and Halla, each woman holding one of his arms. They stopped at the far end of the hall. Toki's gaunt and haggard face told Ulfrik of all the suffering he had endured. The gods had clawed him, dragged their price out of him in blood and soul. Their eyes met, and Toki immediately forced out any hint of his pain. He pulled his arms from the women at his sides and straightened his back.
"Gods, it's killing me to stand. Come here, Toki!"
Toki ambled as fast as his wounds allowed, and stepped onto the high stage where he and Ulfrik hugged.
"Ulfrik, will you forgive me?"
"For saving my family and friends?" He pulled back, a quizzical look on his face. "I'm afraid I must remain grateful for the rest of my days."
"No, for failing you, Ulfrik. For breaking my oath. For lying on a bed while you fought for your life. For not following your plans and endangering your family."
"Be silent, Toki, and be welcomed. We are brothers, and there is nothing to forgive." Ulfrik turned to the small group of familiar faces. The remainder of people filling the hall belonged to Gunther One-Eye. "With Toki and Halla returned, my home is whole again. Let us celebrate."
Men cheered and shouted agreement. Runa shot him a frustrated look, but Ulfrik merely smiled. He had a duty to provide entertainment and generosity to his people, especially after all that had happened. So he sat gingerly on his bench, and laughed.
Later in the day when the sun mounted the top of the sky and the last of the fog had rolled off the plains, Ulfrik and the remnants of his hirdmen gathered by the sacred stone. Snorri had lent his support to Ulfrik's weakened stride. Pain seared his leg, but he believed exercising it was better than allowing it to stiffen and wither. He now leaned against the rock, restraining his agony behind a straight face and tight clamped lips. He needed to appear strong and confident.