9

Thork didn't laugh for long. When Esle came to his sleeping chamber at the palace that night, he turned her away. Too many thoughts plagued him. He'd been careless. Tonight, for the first time ever, he'd passed over that fine line he'd drawn long ago for his relationships with women. Risks He'd talked about taking risks with Ruby. !y the blood of all the gods, what had he been thinking of" His own danger concerned him little. #eath rode ever at his side, a constant companion, but he cared too much for Eirik and Tykir to $eopardi%e their well&being. 'nd Ruby" He knew that involvement with him would endanger her, as well. #id he care" Thor's blood (f course, he did. The seductive witch had wedged her way into his heart like a $agged splinter. He closed his eyes in self&loathing and weary recriminations. )t had to stop immediately. *urely it was not too late. Thok no ri+ por mucho tiempo. ,uando Esle vino a su recamara en el palacio esa noche, el la recha%+. #emasiados pensamientos lo atormentaban. Hab-a sido descuidado. Esa noche, por la primera ve% en su vida hab-a traspasado la fina l-nea .ue hab-a tra%ado hac-a mucho tiempo para sus relaciones con las mu$eres. /Riesgos Habpia hablado de tomar riesgos con Ruby. 0or la sangre de todos los dioses, 1.ue hab-a estado pensando" *u propio peligro le preocupaba poco. 2a muerte iba siempre a su lado, una compa3era constante pero le importaban demasiado Eirik y Tykir para poner en riesgo el bienestar de ellos. 14 Ruby" El sab-a .ue su relaci+n con el la pondr-a en peligro tambi5n. 12e importaba" /0or la sangre de Thor 0or supuesto .ue si. 2a seductora bru$a se hab-a abierto camino hacia su cora%+n como una astilla dentada. El cerr+ los o$os con auto desprecio y cansadas recriminaciones. Ten-a .ue detenerse inmediatamente. *eguramente no era muy tarde. )f nothing else, his more than ten years of 6omsviking had taught Thork self&discipline. !y morning, he had himself under control, firmly determined to keep his distance from the tempting wench. Women abounded to warm a man's bed. He needed nothing more. !ut the sight of Ruby's attractive bottom bouncing up and down on her pony in front of him as they began the first leg of their $ourney caused his throat to dry. Even the dark tunic she wore for traveling could not hide her graceful neck, nor the slimness of her waist and hips. 7reya's bloody flu8 he swore silently, then dug his heels into the sides of his mare and rode to the head of the small entourage. He refused to look at Ruby as he passed. )t was for the best9the only course of action a man of honor could follow. Still... *i nada mas, sus mas de die% a3os con los 6omsviking le hab-an ense3ado a Thork autodisciplina. 0or la ma3ana, estaba ba$o control, firmemente determinado a mantener distancias de la tentadora mo%a. 'bundaban las mu$eres para calentar la cama de un hombre. :o necesitaba nada m;s. 0ero a la vista del atractivo trasero de Ruby rebotando hacia arriba y aba$o en su pony en frente de 5l mientras comen%aban la primera etapa de su via$e le causs+ .ue se le secara la garganta. )ncluso la oscura t<nica .ue usaba para via$ar no pod-a ocultar su elegante cuello, ni la esbelte% de su cintura y su cadera. /=aldito flu$o de 7reya 6ur+ en silencio, y luego clav+ sus talones en los costados de su yegua para ir a la delantera de su pe.ue3a escolta. *e rehus+ a mirar a Ruby mientras pasaba. Era para me$or > el <nico curso de acci+n .ue un hombre de honor pod-a seguir. An as

*** Thork's cold demeanor had cut Ruby deeply that morning as the horses had been saddled and panniers had been placed over the small ponies' backs, overflowing with clothing and accessories for (laf's family and the others in their traveling caravan. 't first she'd been unable to fathom the abrupt change in Thork's mood from his laughing e8it the night before, but then had rationali%ed it as reaction to the chaos that had overtaken (laf's barnyard. (laf had roared out an order to his seven daughters, including Tyra, who'd been running off to chase a wayward duck. ?)f any of you moves a hair's width from the spot on which you now stand or speaks one more word, that person will be left behind with @lf. Heed me well, for ) have had enough of screeching, giggling, wandering, waspish children for one day, and it not yet begun.? He'd sworn at *elik then when he'd defied him by making cross&eyes at Tyra. Ruby had almost doubled over with laughter as they'd ridden only a short distance to the edge of 6orvik and Tyra had asked her mother, ?'re we almost there"? and soon after had whined, ?) have to use

the garderobe.? !ut Ruby's laughter died now as Thork rode by her and gave no greeting. Encased in leggings, his muscular thighs guided his large horse e8pertly. He held his head high, with supreme self&confidence, but a tense muscle $umped in his stubbornly $utting $aw as he deliberately snubbed her. El fr-o desd5n de Thork hab-a cortado a Ruby profundamente esa ma3ana mientras los caballos hab-an sido ensillados y alfor$as colocadas sobre las espaldas de los pe.ue3os ponys, sobrebordandose con ropas y accesorios para la familia de (laf y los otros en su caravana via$era. 'l principio hab-a sido incapa% de comprender el abrupto cambio en el humor de Thork de su alegre salida la noche anterior, pero entonces lo hab-a racionali%ado como una reacci+n al caos .ue hab-a tomado el corral de (laf. (laf hab-a rugido una orden a sus siete hi$as incluyendo a Tyra, .uien hab-a estado escapandose para perseguir a un d-scolo pato>. *i alguna de ustedes mueve si.uiera un cabello dentr+ del sitio en donde est;n de pie ahora o dice una palabra m;s, esa persona ser; de$ada atr;s con @lf. (idme bien, ya .ue he tenido suficiente de los chillidos, risitas y distracciones de ni3os mordaces por un d-a y a<n no ha comen%ado>. 2uego le hab-a gritado a *elik cuando lo desafi+ haciendole o$os vi%cos a Tyra. Ruby casi se hab-a doblado de la risa cuando hab-a cabalgado solo una corta distancia al borde de 6orvik y Tyra le hab-a preguntado a su madre > 14a estamos all-" >y poco despu5s se hab-a .ue$ado> Tengo .ue usar el inodoro. 0ero la risa de Ruby muri+ ahora .ue Thork pasaba por su lado y no le dio un saludo. Revestidas cal%as, sus musculares piernas guianban a su inmenso cabello con e8perticia. El manten-a la cabe%a en alto, con suprema auto confian%a pero un tenso m<sculo saltaba en su testarudamente apretada mand-bula mientras deliberadamente la desairaba.

Ruby wouldn't have been surprised at his coldness after his tirade in (laf's hall yesterday if he hadn't come to her room later and laughed about the scene at *igtrygg's palace. His hot, then cold, changes of emotion were driving her cra%y. 0utting aside her hurt feelings, Ruby turned to Ayda. ?)'m sorry for all the misery )'ve brought you, especially the way (laf spoke to you.? Ayda clucked her tongue at Ruby's words. ?) want naught of your apologies, girl. 2eastways, ) have not laughed so much in years, nor has (laf or Thork, though ne'er would they admit it. #id (laf and ) mishear Thork in your room yestereve"? Ruby told her about Thork's account of the events at *igtrygg's court. When she ended, Ayda giggled with delight, then embellished the story with more from (laf's version of the court activities. ?The funniest part was when they first arrived at the court, and *igtrygg raged at them all, shoving this gray wrinkled thing into Thork's hand, asking if he knew what the thing was.? ?(h, no ? Ruby no se hubiese sorprendido de su frialdad despu5s de su diatriba en el sa+n de (laf ayer si no hubiese venido a su habitaci+n despu5s y se hubiese re-do de la escena en el palacio de *igtrygg. *us calientes y despu5s fr-os cambios de emociones la estaban volviendo loca. 0oniendo a un lado sus sentimientos heridos, Ruby se volte+ hacia Ayda>. *iento toda la miseria .ue te he tra-do, especialmente el modo en el .ue (laf te habl+. Ayda chas.ue+ la lengua ante las palabras de Ruby 9. :o .uiero ninguna de tus disculpas, chica. 0or lo menos no me he reido tanto en a3os, ni (laf o Thork, aun.ue ninguno lo admita. 1(laf y yo confundimos a Thork en tu habitaci+n la noche de ayer" Ruby le cont+ sobre el relato de Thork sobre los eventos en la corte de *igtrygg. ,uando termin+, Ayda se ri+ con deleite, luego adorn+ la historia con mas de la versi+n de la (laf sobre las actividades de la corte9. 2a parte mas divertida fue cuando llegaron al principio a la corte y *igtrygg les grit+ a todos, empu$ando esta cosa gris arrugada en las manos de Thork preguntando si sab-a lo .ue era. 9/(h no

Ayda laughed out loud now. ?4ou will never guess what happened ne8t. The thing *igtrygg handed him9'twas 7reydis's condom, the one with red and gold embroidery, and, Ruby... ,? Ayda sputtered, having to stop to control her giggles, ?oh, 'twas so funny. 4ou see, 7reydis had added tassels to the end.? ?:o&o&o&o ? Ruby e8claimed. Ruby rode back to help with the children. *he couldn't help but notice the do%en armed men flanking their traveling party at the sides and rear, with Thork, #ar and (laf at the front. *he tied her horse to the back of the cart and crawled into the straw with the children. 7or the ne8t few hours, until they stopped to eat at midday and water the horses, Ruby had amused them with stories and catchy songs. The only children's songs she could think of were ,hristmas carols, so the children's voices on this sunny, late summer day rang out incongruously with ?6ingle !ells? and ?#eck the Hall with !oughs of Holly.? Thork glanced her way several times as she, Ayda and the children sat on a large boulder eating their cold fare. #id he feel the bond between them" Even if he didn't believe her stories of the future, of a life they shared together, surely he didn't deny this instant chemistry that ignited every time they touched. !ut Thork's blank face betrayed nothing of his feelings, and Ruby felt sadly forsaken9again.

Ayda se ri+ en vo% alta en ese momento9. :unca adivinaras .ue paso despu5s. 2a cosa .ue *igtrygg le entreg+ 9era el cond+n de 7reydis, el del bordado ro$o y dorado y RubyB 9escupi+ Ayda, teniendo .ue detenerse para controlar sus risitas 9 (h fue tan gracioso. Ces 7reydis le hab-a agregado borlas al final. 9/:oooooooo 9e8clam+ Ruby. Ruby calbag+ hacia el final para ayudar con los ni3os. :o podia evitar dares cuenta de la docena de hombres armados flan.ueando a su partida de via$e en los costado y la retaguardia, con Thork, #ar y (laf al frente. Ella at+ su caballo a la parte trasera del carro y gate+ hacia la cabina con los ni3os. 0or la siguientes horas hasta .ue se detuvieron para comer a mitad del d-a y darle agua a los caballos, Ruby los hab-a entretenido con historias y canciones pega$osas. 2as unicas canciones infantiles .ue pod-a recordar eran Cillancicos, asi .ue las voces de los ni3os en esta soleado d-a de avan%ado verano sonaban incongruentemente al ritmo de D:avidad, :avidadE y B Thork mir+ hacia en donde estaba ella varias veces mientras ella ,Ayda y los ni3os se sentar+n en una gran roca comiendo sus refrigerios fr-os. 1*ent-a 5l el v-ncuklo entre ellos" )ncluso si no cre-a su historia sobre el futuro, sobre una vida compartida $untos, ciertamente no pod-a negar la .u-mica instantanea .ue se encend-a cada ve% .ue se tocaban. 0ero el rostro carente de e8presi+n de Thork no le dec-a nada sobre sus sentimientos, y Ruby se sent-a tristemente abandonada 9de nuevo. They e8pected to be at #ar's manor before nightfall, but the long, tiring $ourney had turned the travelers weary and listless by midafternoon. The fortunate Tyra slept soundly in one corner of the cart after hearing Ruby repeat the nursery rhyme about the old woman who lived in a shoe si8 times. Everyone $olted out of their complacent lethargy with surprise when a group of si8 horsemen thundered out of the woods and headed off #ar, who rode with *elik near the end of the human train. The horsemen had to have been trailing them for a long time to have caught #ar at $ust that vulnerable moment when he'd left his grandson's side at the head of the caravan. ?=ove the women and children off the road,? Thork shouted an8iously to the tune of some vicious swear words directed at the hesirs who'd failed to see the enemy approaching. ?*elik, stay here with Eirik and Tykir and guard the women.? Arim&faced, Thork and (laf galloped off with si8 of the men. 7or more than two hours, which seemed like days, Ruby wept and prayed and worried over #ar's fate, as well as the safety of Thork and his men. When the somber&countenanced party rode back into the hastily made camp, Ruby .uickly counted. They'd all returned, including #ar9thank Aod 9who appeared unharmed, e8cept for a grimy face, torn tunic and baggy hose. Esperaban llegar a la mansion de #ar antes del anochecer, pero el largo y e8tenuante via$e hab-a puesto a los via$eros cansados y desganados para la mitad de la tarde. 2a afortunada Tyra dorm-a silenciosamente en una es.uina del carro despu5s de oir a Ruby repetir siete veces la nana sobre la anciana .uien viv-a en un %apato. Todos saltaron de sus displicentes letargos con sorpresa cuando un grupo de seis $inetes saltaron como truenos de los arbustos y se separaron a #ar, .uien cabalgaba con *elik cerca del final del tren humano. 2os $inetes tuvieron .ue haber estado siguiendolos por un largo tiempo para haber atrapado a #ar $ustamente en ese vulnerabloe momento cuando de$+ el su sitio $unto a su nieto a un lado de la carabana. 9=uevan a las mu$eres y los ni3os fuera del camino 9grit+ ansiosamente Thork al ritmo de algunos viciosos insultos dirigidos a los vigias .uienes hab-an fallado en ver al enemigo acercandose9. *elik, .uedate a.u- con Eirik y Tykir y protege a las mu$eres. ,on e8presiones sombrias en el rostro Thork y (laf galoparon con seis de los hombres. 0or mas de dos horas, las cuales parecieron d-as, Ruby llor+, re%+ y se preocup+ por el destino de #ar, como tambi5n por la seguridad de Thork y sus hombres. ,uando la compa3-a regreso con un semblante sombr-o a su precipitado campamento, Ruby rapidamente cont+. Hab-an regresado todos incluyendo a #ar 9/gracias a #ios 9 .uien parecia intacto, e8cepto por un rostro sucio, t<nica destro%ada y unas cal%as holgadas.

)n addition, two bloodied strangers rode in their midst, arms tied behind their backs, wearing pants and nothing more. #eep whip welts covered their bare backs and chests. ' sword wound in one man's shoulder bled profusely, and an enormous bruise swelled on the other man's forehead. They had obviously been beaten after their capture to obtain information. When their horses came to a halt and they dismounted, Thork addressed *elik. ?Two dead, two escaped.? ?'ny information"? ?:ot yet. They will talk afore morning, though, that ) promise.? Thork's steel&blue eyes bla%ed with a cold&blooded fury that frightened Ruby. These enemies of Thork's would get no compassion. ?Will they die"? Ruby asked Ayda fearfully. ?That they will and not too soon, ) wager. =ayhap they will torture them with the blood&eagle.? (ddly, Ruby saw no womanly distaste on Ayda's face for this barbaric behavior. True, the men had done a horrendous thing by kidnapping #ar and might have harmed him, but the threat of death did not fit the crime. ?What is a blood&eagle"? 'demas, dos ensangrentados e8tra3os cabalgaban en entre ellos, bra%os atados detr;s de sus espaldas, usando pantalones y nada m;s. 0rofundos verdugones hechos por l;tiga%os cubr-an sus espaldas y pechos desnudos, una herida de espada en el hombro de uno de los hombres sangraba

profusamente, y una enorme contusi+n se hinchaba en la frente del otro hombre. (bviamente hab-an sido golpeados despu5s de ser capturados para obtener informaci+n. ,uando sus caballos se detuvieron y desmontaron, Thork se dirigi+ a *elik9. #os muertos, dos escaparon& 91'lguna informaci+n" 9'<n no. 'un.ue hablar;n mas en la ma3ana, eso lo prometo9. 2os o$os a%ul acero de Thork ardieron con una furia fr-a y sangrienta .ue aterrori%+ a Ruby. Estos enemgos de thork no obtendr-an compasi+n. 91=oriran ellos" 9le pregunt+ con temor Ruby a Ayda. 9Fue lo har;n y no muy r;pidamente puedo apostar. Tal ve% los torturar;n con el ;guila sangrienta. E8tra3amente, Ruby no vio desagrado femenino en el rostro de Ayda por este barb;rico comportamiento. ,ierto, los hombres hab-an hechos cosas horribles al secuestrar a #ar y pudieran haberlo herido pero la amena%a de muerte no enca$aba con el crimen. 91Fu5 es un ;guila sangrienta" ?Have you heard naught of it"? a surprised Ayda asked. ?Well, is not practiced so much anymore. 'Tis what the three great #anish brothers, Halfdan of the Wide Embrace, @bbi and )var the !oneless, did to Ging 'ella some fifty years back to avenge their father Ragnar's death. 'Twas 'ella who threw Ragnar into a snake pit and watched gleefully while the vipers stung him to death. ? 'Tis said 'ella bragged thus, 'The piglings would be grunting if they knew the plight of the boar.' Well, Ragnar's sons proved 'ella right, because the piglings did truly avenge their father boat's death with the blood&eagle on him.? ?What e8actly is a blood&eagle"? Ruby choked out. ? 'Tis the slowest and most tortuous death of all. The Cikings tie the enemy to a tree and split his backbone so the ribs spring apart like wings, e8posing the heart. The breathing air bags are pulled out to lay across his back, also like eagle wings,? Ayda e8plained in gruesome detail. ? 'Tis considered a noble sacrifice to (din.? ?'nd you think Thork would do that"? Ruby asked, gagging at the image. Ayda's forehead' creased in confusion over Ruby's .uestion. ?Why would you doubt it" He is a 6omsviking, but any man would do as much or more to protect his family.? Ruby tried not to dwell on the grotes.ue images called up by Ayda. *he noticed that Thork ignored her still. )n fact, #ar's near&fatal e8perience seemed to have reinforced some determination in Thork, which Ruby didn't understand but sensed had implications for her. 91:o has oido nada sobre ella" 9pregunt+ sorprendida Ayda9. !ueno, no se practica ya mucho. 'un.ue fue lo .ue los tres grandes hermanos #aneses, Halfdan del amplio abra%o, @bbi e )var el #eshuesado le hicieron al Rey 'ella hace tal ve% cincuenta a3os atr;s para vengar la muerte de su padre Ragnar. 7ue 'ella .ui5n empu$- a Ragnar en un foso de serpientes y mir+ alegremente mietras las v-boras los mord-an hasta la muerte. 97ue dicho .ue 'ella se pavone+ con esto D2os cerditos estar-an gru3endo si conocieran la situaci+n del $abal-E. !ueno los hi$os de Ragnar probaron .ue 'ella ten-a ra%+n, por.ue los cerditos ciertamente se vengaron de la muerte de su padre el $abal- con el ;guila sangrienta. 91Fu5 es e8actamente el ;guila sangrienta" 9pregunt+ ahogadamente Ruby. 9Es la m;s lenta y tortuosa muerte de todas. 2os Cikingos atan al enemigo a un ;rbol y le abren la columna para .ue las costillas se dividan como alas, e8poniendo el cora%+n. 2as bolas para respirar son sacadas y yacen en la espalda tambi5n como las alas de un ;guila 9e8plic+ Ayda los detalles horripilantes9. Esto es considerado un noble sacrificio para (din. 914 crees .ue Thork har-a eso" 9pregunt+ Ruby, teniendo arcadas ante la imagen. 2a frente de Ayda se arrug+ en confusi+n por la pregunta de Ruby9. 10or .u5 lo dudar-asH el es un 6omsviking, pero cual.uier hombre har-a tanto pata proteger a su familia. Ruby trat+ de no pensar en las grotescas im;genes .ue con$ur+ Ayda. :ot+ .ue thork a<n la ignoraba. #e hecho, la e8periencia casi fatal de #ar parec-a refor%ar alguna determinaci+n en Thork, la cual Ruby no entend-a pero sent-a .ue ten-a implicaciones en ella. !ecause of the delays, dusk already shadowed the land when they rode onto #ar's huge estate which lay in the midst of the fields and fells famous for its 4orkshire wool. *hepherds with crooks in hand and yapping border collies at their feet worked efficiently to herd bands of sheep into a distant pasture. )t was still light enough to see bonders and freedmen who seemed well fed and happy as they came in from carefully tended fields, waving to their $arl. Ayda had e8plained to Ruby earlier the Ciking class systemI high&kingsJ petty kings or noblemenJ rural aristocracy of $arls or earlsJ lesser nobles called hesirsJ bonders or farmersJ freedmen or cottagersJ and finally, at the bottom, thralls. 't first, Ruby had trouble sorting it all out until she learned to connect names with titles. Ging Harald, was, of course, high&kingJ #ar and Thork were $arls, even though Thork disdained the titleJ (laf and *elik were hesirs. The houses in the village they passed through were of the Ciking style9long, rectangular buildings of neatly interwoven wattle and daub from forty to one hundred feet long, topped with thatch roofs. The dwellings lay in an orderly street pattern near a small river. !arns and other outbuildings stood outside the village perimeter. 2eaving the village, they approached the manor on a flat&topped hill Ayda referred to as a motte and entered the gates of a high, stockade&style, wood fence where many Ciking hesirs stood guard, watching diligently over the countryside. )t resembled a palisaded western fort, rather than the castle& and&moat&style, stone castle Ruby had envisioned. #ebido a los retrasos, el anochecer ya hab-a oscurecido la tierra cuando llegaron a la inmensa propiedad de #ar la cual yac-a en medio de los campos y monta3as famosos por su lana de 4orkshire.

2os pastores con sus cayados en las manos y sus ruidosos border collies a sus pies traba$aban eficientemente para arrear bandadas de ove$as hacia distantes pastos. '<n hab-a suficiente lu% para ver a los terratenientes y hombres libres .uienes parec-an bien alimentados y felices mientras ven-an de sus cuidadosamente atendidos campos, saludando a su 6arl Ken lengua escandinava, el equivalente al ttulo de conde o de duque) Gyda le haban explicado a ruby antes el sistema de clases Vikingo: altos reyes (Un lto !ey es aquel que tiene una posici"n de superioridad sobre un grupo de otros reyes, sin el ttulo de emperador), reyes menores o nobles# la aristocracia rural de $arls o earls# nobles menores llamados hesir; terratenientes o gran$eros# hombres libres o aldeanos# y %inalmente, al %ondo los esclavos& l principio !uby tuvo problemas clasi%icandolo todo ha'ta que aprendi" a conectar los nombres con los ttulos& (l !ey )arald era, por supuesto un alto rey# *ar y +hork eran $aras, incluso aunque +hork despreciaba el ttulo# ,la% y -elik eran hesirs& .as casas en el poblado mientras pasaban eran de estilo Vikingo /largos y rectangulares edi%icios de cuidadosamente entrete$idas ca0as y barro con desde doce a treinta metros de largo, completados con te$ados de pa$a& .as moradas yacan en un ordenado patr1on de calles cerca de un peque0o rio& (stablos y otros edi%icios exteriores se encontraban en el permetro de la ladea& l de$ar la villa, se aproximaron a una manci"n en una colina plana a la cial Gyda se re%era como montculo y entraron por las puertas de un alto con estilo empali'ada cercado de madera en donde muchos hesirs Vikingos se encontraban en guardia, vigilando diligentemente sobre la campi0a& -e pareca a una %uerte empali'ado de vaqueros mas que al estilo castillo2y2%oso de piedra que !uby haba imaginado&

)nside the bailey or courtyard were scattered stables, fowlhouses, kennels, smithy, armorer's shed, bakehouse, a separate kitchen, storerooms, open hearths and other assorted buildings, while the two&story manor house held stately prominence, resembling a small castle. The newer sections of the manor were stone, attached stylelessly to the older wood parts. ' number of well&dressed men and women stood on the steps of the keep awaiting the arrival of the weary group. The gray&haired 'ud stepped forward first to greet her husband, #ar, with a warm clasp of the shoulders and a .uick hug. Then she turned to Thork and embraced him as well. #ar dispatched the two prisoners to one of the small, separate buildings made of solid stone. 'ud looked at them and back to #ar .uestioningly but held her .ueries for later. ?Well met, Thork ? ' young, dark&haired woman sprang forward and leaped into Thork's arms, greeting him with a sound kiss on the lips, before pulling back and smiling invitingly up at him. With dimples indenting her wide smile, she cocked her head and said loud enough for those closest to hear, ?Have you missed me near as much as ) have you"? ?Tsk&tsk ? Ayda said disapprovingly of the young woman's forward behavior. ? 'Tis wanton of 2inette to behave so in company,? 'ud told Ayda. ? 'Tis more like a lowly thrall she acts than the well&born Ciking widow.? !ut then Ayda traitorously conceded, ? 'Twould be nice to see Thork settle down and leave off the wanderlust. Even if it be with such as 2inette.? #entro del 'nd Thork9the two&timing pond scum9didn't seem to mind the widow's attention a bit. )n fact, he kissed her back9with relish The brute Ruby blinked to hold back the tears of hurt and $ealousy. *he couldn't let Thork see how much his infidelity bruised her heart. )n answer to 2inette's .uestion about missing him, Thork s.uee%ed her shoulders and replied, ?=ore =ore than you can know, dearling ? Then he looked directly at Ruby to make sure she'd heard his words. Dearling! *o this was why Thork had ignored her all day. He'd known what awaited him here, and she was apparently no longer of any interest, if she had ever been. Ruby $umped out of the cart with the children' in as dignified a manner as possible under the circumstances. Her weary muscles screamed from the long ride, and she walked like an aged cripple when she attempted to move. With a heavy heart, she dusted the bits of straw that clung to her dark dress, knowing she looked a sight. Eventually, in the confusion of dismounting horses, greetings, unloading of baggage and orders being given to servants, #ar introduced Ruby to 'ud. ?Welcome to my home. ) have many .uestions to ask you later about the interesting undergarments ) hear so much about.? 'ud's eyes, so like Thork's, twinkled merrily. Ruby had brought a set of lingerie to give 'ud later as a gift. !ecause of the large number of guests to be housed in the manor, Ruby would sleep with three of Ayda's oldest girls on temporary pallets in one small chamber. 's they walked into the building, headed at 'ud's direction toward that upper room, Ruby noticed that Thork and 2inette were absent. )t was going to be a long three weeks Ruby fell asleep the minute her head hit the uncomfortable bed, heedless that it was little more than a board covered with a straw&filled sacking. Emotionally and physically e8hausted, Ruby needed the restorative powers sleep would give her. The girls awakened her with their chattering early the ne8t morning. (laf had already warned her not to leave the manor without permission. *he presumed $ogging would be out of the .uestion9for at least the time being. 'fter refreshing themselves with soap and water, they visited the garderobe at the back of the manor, then went down to the great hall, where only servants moved about, and helped themselves to bannock and cold meats. #ar's enormous great hall combined elements of both :orse and *a8on decorations. 7ierce& looking battle helmets, shields and swords covered one whole wall, reminding visitors that Cikings welcomed guests but would brook no insult to their homes or families. (n the other long wall, tapestries

depicting the :orse gods Thor and (din contrasted sharply with one of the ,hristian *t. Aeorge slaying a dragon. 't one end of the hall, a massive stone fireplace in the *a8on manner dominated the entire wall, sharply different from the usual Ciking household with its large open hearth in the center of the room. =any armchairs, now empty, were situated in clusters near it, for heat and conversation. ,ooking was done in the separate kitchen she'd seen when they'd arrived yesterday. The girls went off to find their mother, and Ruby was about to e8plore the manor when she stopped in surprise. ?Rhoda ) didn't know you were here This is wonderful ? Ruby e8claimed. The stunned Rhoda&person looked behind her to see whom Ruby addressed, then stepped backward in fright as she reali%ed9it was the strange woman from the docks talking to her. ?=y name... my name be Ella,? she sputtered out. ?Why do you address me by that other name"? Ruby hugged the shocked thrall, who backed farther away, and said, ?4ou look like my cleaning lady Rhoda. )'m sorry if )'ve frightened you. )t's $ust so good to see someone from home... well, someone ) thought was from my home.? ?,leaning lady"? Ella whimpered weakly. ?The woman who cleaned my house two days a week.? ? 'Twould seem a poor household, indeed, what only has one thrall to keep it clean,? Ella muttered. ?#o you not have a cook and stableboy, as well, and bonders to till yer fields"? Ruby smiled. ?:o, ) mostly do my own cooking, and we have no horses that would re.uire a stableboy.? Ella eyed her dubiously, obviously thinking her not the high&born lady she'd been led to believe from Ruby's claims of ties to the #uke of :ormandy. Ruby saw 'ud, with a huge ring of keys hanging from a circular brooch at her shoulder, enter a door which led to what seemed to be a weaving room. *he gave Ella another .uick hug and told her, ?We'll talk later.? *he followed 'ud into the room where an eight&foot&high loom with soapstone weights took up most of one wall. Huge baskets held shorn wool, and spinning wheels stood ready with their spindles for making the celebrated 4orkshire yarn. ?Aood mom,? 'ud greeted her. ?Have you broken fast"? ?4es, and was about to e8plore your home a little if you don't mind.? ?:ot at all. ,hores ) have pressing me now, or ) would accompany you, but mayhap if you would seek out 2inette she would give you the tour. Her chamber is the last on the right, at the end of the main hall on the second floor.? ?0erhaps ) will.? Not bloody likely! ?Where is everyone"? ?The women are still abed. The men have been up since dawn, out with the two prisoners, ) warrant.? Ruby departed, going upstairs first to get a shoulder mantle for her dress. The crisp morning air chilled her, as much as 'ud's reference to the prisoners and Ruby's too&vivid image of their probable fate. 'fter emerging from her room, Ruby's curiosity drew her to the end of the hall where 2inette's door stood slightly a$ar. *he would $ust peek in a little, Ruby told herself, but when she saw it was empty, she stepped boldly inside. 'pparently the manor was not so crowed that the fair 2inette could not have a chamber to herself, one four times as big as the cubicle she and the three girls shared. 'nd opulent ' soft (riental carpet covered the cold rushes, and lightly colored embroidered tapestries brightened the stark walls. ' canopied bed held center stage on a short raised platform, with rich handwoven hangings ready to enclose her when she slept. !eautiful dresses, mantles and hose lay about in disarray. Ruby decided she'd better make a .uick e8it before she was caught snooping. !ut then she chanced to look out the small, glassless window that overlooked the courtyard. Her mouth opened to scream, but no sound emerged. Ruby saw the two prisoners lying in the courtyard near the gatehouse, blood pouring in streams from the gaping sword wounds in their backs. *lapping a palm in horror over her mouth to stifle her screams, she noticed Thork and (laf standing dispassionately with short swords in their hands, while one of the prisoners was still screaming out his death throes. Ruby couldn't bear to watch this cruelty and fled blindly from the room. Heading toward her sleeping chamber, Ruby staggered, losing her way in the misty shroud of her tears. Thork had killed a man with his own hands His sword dripped another human being's blood9not in the heat of self&defense, but cold, emotionless rage. *he didn't know this man How could she have thought she did" Ruby pushed open the ne8t door, thinking it was hers, and immediately saw her mistake. ' naked 2inette lay sleeping in the middle of a massive bed. The room was as large as 2inette's but starkly masculine with heavy carved bedstead, chests and chairs before a cold fireplace. The hairs on the back of Ruby's neck prickled, and, like falling dominoes, the ominous sensation flickered down her spine to her toes, up to the top of her head and out to her fingertips. Ruby's eyes flew desperately around the room, and her heart lurched in recognition of the dark tunic and mantle Thork had worn the day before. )t was Thork's sleeping chamber. 'nd 2inette had slept here with him last night. Ruby felt as if someone had kicked her in the stomach. *he shouldn't have been surprised, but somehow in her subconscious she must have hoped that Thork had put on the spectacle with 2inette yesterday for her benefit. What a fool she was Ruby sobbed miserably and turned to flee. ?Who goes there" What do you in Thork's bedchamber"? 2inette screeched as she sat up groggily, pulling a sheet over her naked breasts. ?'re you the bothersome thrall Thork brought from 6orvik" #o you spy here, too"? Her sultry eyes narrowed viciously. ?(r mayhap you sneak into Thork's private chamber to poison his wine.? This was all too much for Ruby.

?Why, you ignorant bimbo... ,? Ruby started to berate 2inette, then waved her hands in disgust. What was the use *he swiveled and ran from the shrieking 2inette. ?,ome back here, you ugly wench, or ) will have you beaten,? 2inette threatened to Ruby's retreating back. ?#isobey me, will you" 6ust wait, thrall, you will learn to heed your betters.? Ruby didn't care what they did to her. Her eyes had been opened that morning, and she didn't think she could be hurt any more than she already was. )n her chamber, Ruby's body shook with wild weeping. *he wept for the brutality she'd witnessed in the bailey. *he wept for Thork's ?adultery? with another woman. Then a long&delayed reaction to 6ack's desertion set in. The pain of her upcoming divorce racked her, as well as the loss of her old life and e8ile to this cruel, foreign land. Ruby finally cried herself out and reali%ed that her binge of self&pity had $ump&started another reaction. *he was angry. Who did these people think they were9Thork, or 6ack, or 2inette, or the whole bunch of stupid Cikings9to trod over her roughshod" I am Ruby Jordan. I am not going to sit down and die. I am a sur i or. I will get through this nightmare. Ruby couldn't believe her so$ourn in this time warp was a permanent one. 'll she had to do was stop making waves and wait out her time here, she reasoned. *he had no one9absolutely no one9on whom she could depend. *he knew that for certain now. Ginship with the #uke of :ormandy was her strongest protection. *he must convince these people that he was, in fact, her ?grandfather? so they wouldn't dare harm her. )t would be impossible, though, if she kept letting her emotions get in the way. !a"e it# girl# you were starting to $all in lo e with the damn %iking . Ruby curled up in a ball on her little bed and slept away her weariness from the trip and the mental anguish she'd suffered that morning. *he awakened several hours later, thankful that no one had disturbed her. They were probably too busy killing people, Ruby thought, her lips curling in disgust. 0ouring the entire pitcher of water into the bowl, Ruby gave herself an all&over wash with a s.uare of linen and soft soap. Then she searched her new Ciking wardrobe for something presentable to wear down to the great hall for dinner. *he chose a cream&colored velvet tunic with dark green braiding to be worn over a $ade, long&sleeved chemise. Ayda had been generous in allowing her to alter clothes that no longer suited 'strid. (ver her neck, she slid the magnificent emerald !yrnhil had given her, then reali%ed she had forgotten to return Thork's dragon brooches. With absolutely no guilt, she pinned them on the shoulders of her garment, vowing to keep them until asked for their return. =aybe she would never give them back. The three girls came in, talking e8citedly until they saw Ruby, and then they turned strangely silent. Ruby helped them find more water and to dress, all the while pu%%led by their aloof attitudes. ?What has happened" What have ) done now"? The girls looked at each other sheepishly but wouldn't answer. The only thing Ruby could think of was that 2inette was causing trouble. Well, so be it, Ruby thought. )t was her against the Cikings, it seemed. 'll of them 'ctually, it fit in with her new plan to form no attachments with these people. They went down to the crowded hall together, then parted. Ruby went to the end of the table, well below the salt, hoping to be as inconspicuous as possible, while the girls $oined their parents closer to the dais where #ar, 'ud, Thork and 2inette sat with several hesirs and their wives whom Ruby hadn't met. Ruby knew immediately that some new trouble had landed at her door. Everyone turned from her coldly. Ruby ate in peace, ignored by the lowly hesir at her side. *he hadn't eaten since her meager breakfast and was famished. !ut a clock ticked in her head the whole time. *he knew it was only a matter of time before she would be informed of her latest crime. Ella, her Rhoda&like ac.uaintance, gave her the first clue, whispering in Ruby's ear, ?The prisoner confessed,? as she filled cups of ale along the table. Ruby looked up sharply, then reali%ed that Ella didn't want to be seen speaking to her. Ella fussed, stacking some empty wooden bowls in front of her, then murmured hastily, ?They came from )var. *ome traitor in our midst informed )var of the traveling route.? With those words, Ella left, carrying a load of empty trenchers to the kitchen. Ruby glanced .uickly to Thork, wounded once again, even though she'd vowed not to care about him or his people. How could he think she would hurt #ar" When Thork stared down at her in stony censure, Ruby's heart dropped. He thought $ust that. *** Thork had watched Ruby enter the great hall before the meal, shaken by the day's information and renewed in his determination to keep his distance from the mysterious wench. 'll clues pointed to her as the informant, but he could not believe she would deliberately harm his father or the boys she likened to her own sons. =ayhap the plan had gone beyond her control. =ayhap )var's men had been directed to kidnap Thork but had been unable to do so. Then they had chosen #ar instead, without Ruby knowing of the change of plans. !ut that would mean that Ruby plotted his own downfall. Thork's spirits plummeted. ,ould Ruby care so little for him" Truly, he upbraided himself, why was he surprised by the ever&constant duplicity of women" #ar and (laf wanted her tortured for information, goaded on by 2inette's claim that Ruby had entered his chamber that morn, intent on murdering him. *he told a convincing story. Then Thork and #ar had gone up to Ruby's chamber to confront her with their suspicions and found her rolling back and forth on the pallet in a troubled sleep. The words that had spewed from her mouth in sleep condemned her even more, ?#ead They killed those poor men (h, my Aod The cruel barbarians *o much blood *o unnecessary 7orgive them, Aod. 0lease... please... make them stop ? )n truth, the wench had condemned herself. Thork and #ar had let her sleep, e8iting the room silently to discuss this new information in private. ) mislike this whole affair,? #ar had said. ?'ll clues point to the wench, and yet ) am not

convinced.? ?:or ).? ?)t seems so reasonable, and yet ) still doubt she is a spy.? ' part of Thork wanted to believe Ruby innocent. Had she flummo8ed them all" His head pounded with all the conflicting information it had been fed that day. #uring the evening meal, Thork's eyes shifted to Ruby often, taking in her fine attire, highlighted by his own $ewelry. He smiled wryly. The bold wench waded neck&deep in the most serious danger, and she bra%enly flaunted his borrowed ornaments, like a bloody .ueen. *itting at the bottom of the table, she wa8ed more regal than the proudest royalty. ?Will you torture her"? 2inette whined, hanging on his arm. ?Will you, Thork" Will you"? Thork shrugged her clinging hands off distastefully. He'd slept with 2inette the night before and made good use of her body, but something rankled. 'lready he'd lost interest, as he did with all women. Her irritating mewling hastened the process. ? 'Tis my decision to make, not yours,? Thork snapped. ?Halt thy waspish tongue :o more do ) wish to hear.? 2inette turned peevishly to the hesir on her other side. When the tables were dismantled and folded neatly away into their wall enclosures, Ruby stood alone, ignored by those around her who made rude remarks loud enough for all to overhear. Thork ground his teeth at his fellow Cikings' ill treatment of Ruby. ' part of him wanted to $ump to her side so she would not be so defenseless. He restrained himself with a reminder of the maid's hypocrisy. ?*hall we call her forth and interrogate"? #ar asked. ?:ay, ) will handle this myself,? Thork answered with resigned foreboding. 'll eyes followed Thork as he walked purposely toward Ruby. He held her haughty eyes the entire time, challenging her to bolt in fright or crumble in fear. To her credit, she did neither. ?,ome,? he ordered when he stood in front of her. His heart slammed miserably against his chest at the wide, hopeful eyes she turned on him like a damned doe. !loody hell What did she e8pect of him" 7orgiveness" 'ngrily, he took her arm and led her toward the courtyard door, turning once to those who would follow, commanding, ?'lone. We go alone.? (utside, Thork drew Ruby toward the two dead prisoners who still lay on the ground, their lifeblood already soaked into the ground. Ruby scuffed her feet in reluctance. ?We are surely watched from the windows. #o naught to shame me or yourself,? Thork advised through gritted teeth. He dragged her toward the bodies and told her to look at the men. When she refused, he took her chin in pincerlike fingers and made her look down. The eyes of the two men bulged wide open in horrified agony, even in death. Ruby gagged and vomited at his feet, spattering both of their leather shoes. *till Thork would not let her go. ?#o you know these men"? he grilled her, forcing her to look down again. Ruby pulled her face out of his grip and glared at him coldly, her green eyes gla%ed with contempt. *he refused to answer his .uestion. )nstead, she asked softly, as if afraid of what he might answer, ?#id you do this, Thork"? ?What" Gill them"? he asked in surprise. ?4ea, ) did. They were trying to escape.? *he blanched at his words and retched again. ?#o you sicken over the fate of your friends" (r were they your lovers"? Thork tasted bile in his throat. *omehow he could not stomach the thought of Ruby with another man. Holy 7reya he chastised himself. The woman was making him weak. ?:o, )'m $ust revolted that you would do such a barbaric thing,? Ruby replied, regarding him sadly as she wiped spittle from her lips with the back of her hand. ?!arbaric"? Thork e8claimed. ?These are my enemies. They tried to kidnap my grandfather. They would have, no doubt, killed him.? ?They are human beings first, Thork. 7or you to do this?9she indicated with a wave of her hand the two corpses9?makes you less human.? ,oldly, defensively, Thork told her, ?:o man threatens my family and goes unpunished. )t is the Ciking way. ) would be less the man to do otherwise.? Ruby's icy eyes stabbed him accusingly. ?These men came from )var,? he said defensively. ?) know"? ?4ou know"? Thork roared. He grabbed her by the shoulders and shook her. ?4ou know 4our words condemn you, wench. Gnow you that"? Ruby's upper lip curled contemptuously. ?4our Ciking $ustice stinks, Thork. ) know they came from )var because Ella told me so.? ?Ella"? Ruby sighed. What difference did her e8planations make" They wouldn't believe her anyway. ?' servant in the hall.? Thork blinked. *he had an answer for everything, the cunning wench did. ?)f you know they came from )var and you are already accused of being a spy, then you must be aware that all in #ar's hall think you guilty and would have you killed, as well.? 7ear flickered in Ruby's eyes for a moment, but she .uickly masked it with lowered lashes. ?Would you kill me, too"? she asked softly with strangely saddened eyes. Thork's heart hammered loudly in his chest. ,ould she hear it" He searched her face for answers she hid too well. Ruby was the accused, and yet he felt oddly guilty. ?=ayhap,? he finally admitted wearily. ?=ayhap you would force me to do so.? Ruby's eyes filled with tears. *he opened them wider to stem the flow. #evastation wracked the weepy wench, and tore at Thork as her fragile heart seemed to splinter at his cruel words. 2ike his own, damn her soul What had she e8pected of him" 0rotection" !etrayal of his people" &loody hell! ?) don't know you, Thork,? she whispered bleakly.

? 'Twould seem you never did.?