Nena by Ann Boelter (digital book reader txt) 📕

get word back to Tryggr and my men. They will be worried about what has happened to me, and I cannot have Tryggr screwing things up now by storming the cliff gates. Even though I gave express orders for that not to happen, I can very well see him doing just that if I do not return.”

“My father will not release you to speak with them, nor will he risk them killing an emissary.”

“There must be some way. If they have no word, I cannot guarantee what he will do,” Jarl warned.

Nena thought briefly about the wild tempered, flame-haired giant and secretly agreed with him. “You said Altene is there?” she asked.

“Yes.”

“Then I have an idea.”

Nena went immediately to share Jarl’s concern and express her plan to her father. She was disappointed to find Lothor there.

“It is madness,” Lothor voiced his disapproval when she was finished. “They will kill her, or capture her and demand an exchange. Maybe that was his plan all along.”

Nena seethed at her brother’s presumption that it was up to him to decide, but controlled herself. She could not allow his words to goad her into an imprudent response. Lashing out at him now would only ensure that her father declined her request. When she spoke her voice was even and steady. “The Northman’s second in command is hotheaded and impulsive, driven by emotion and rash thoughts of revenge.” She looked pointedly at Lothor. “He will not hesitate to endanger his people without thinking beyond that. They have a Dor woman. I will present the banner. She will explain to them what it means,” Nena added.

“The Northmen have no honor. They will not respect the banner,” Lothor exclaimed. “They attacked the Eastern Plains tribe during a tournament The protection banners were flying then. They are savages,” he said, his nose wrinkling with contempt.

“They did not know our ways. They have learned much since then,” Nena countered.

“Do you think they will care if it means getting their leader back? No. I will not allow it,” Lothor said.

Nena turned on him then, her voice icy. “You are not yet chief, Lothor, and I do not require your approval, nor your assent in this matter.” She looked back to her father who had watched their interchange closely. He gave a small nod as he made his decision.

“I think you both allow feelings to taint your judgment where the Northmen are concerned. Your brother has made valid points, but I agree that a messenger bearing the banner should be sent.” He studied Nena for a long moment. “I do not think it should be you—but I will not forbid it. You understand what is at stake, but you also know them better than anyone else, so I will leave that decision up to you.”

“It’s been three days,” Tryggr muttered as he paced in front of the fire. “I say we go in. Even with high casualties, some will make it. We’ll get Jarl—assuming he’s not dead, maybe even get the damn woman for him and get the fuck out of here.”

“That was not Jarl’s wish,” Gunnar said. “To go now would be nullifying his own risk, and defying his direct order. For all we know, things are going according to plan.”

“You’re one to be talking about following orders,” Tryggr snapped. “He ordered you to take the army to port and yet here you stand. And Jarl hasn’t exactly been himself lately, now has he?”

“I think he’s seeing things more clearly than he ever has,” Gunnar said.

“Oh, you and that ‘woman in your blood’ crap. You’re as much to blame in this as anyone. Filling Jarl’s head with that nonsense. Does a clear-thinking man take off his armor and ride straight into the hands of the enemy?”

“A clear-thinking man evaluates all his options and chooses the best. That was the best option Jarl had. If you had a better one, I sure didn’t hear it.” Gunnar spoke calmly, refusing to be drawn into a heated debate.

“The best option was to pack up and leave this gods-forsaken place and go home. How’s that for an option?”

“I can tell you from my own experience, for Jarl that was never an option at all,” Gunnar said.

“So how long do you think we should wait?” Tryggr grumbled. “If it’s too much longer, we might as well make plans for it to be a long time. The rivers in Rusland will be frozen, and we’ll be far better off being stuck here for the winter than somewhere along the way.”

“I don’t know. They haven’t produced his body, or his head on a spike. I haven’t seen any smoke from a great fire like they had burned him or were celebrating. But I’m not really sure what they would do with him if they killed him. One thing I do know, with us camped here, it will be difficult for them to move their own forces to go raiding, and even if they have other ways out, they won’t want to leave their village unprotected. I would think they would want us to move on as soon as possible. Surely they will give us some sign if he is dead.”

Nena stopped at the base of the great cliffs, just outside the entrance to the canyon and reined in the mare. Though the temperature was warmer here in the full sun, she shivered. The Northmen camp sprawled before her in all directions. She’d seen it many times before, but here, so close to her home, their numbers were even more intimidating. She felt exposed, even though she hadn’t yet ventured far enough beyond the canyon that she could not easily retreat back to the safety of its walls. From here she was still protected by Teclan warriors above, but that would not be for long.

She pushed the mare forward and did not stop again until she was well outside the Teclan bow range. She halted the mare once more and sat perfectly