Norse Hearts by Robynn Gabel (ebook pc reader .TXT) 📕

"Tell her to cease," Einar said to the lanky warrior beside him.

"Why? You can speak Angles just as well as I can."

Einar glared at him. "Do it."

Stepping up, the young man spoke quietly in the girl's language. "Ladye, if you do not cease your struggles, Einar will bind and gag you."

Taking his hand away, Einar's fingers grasped her arm in a tight grip. The girl stilled, staring at the warrior who had spoken. "How is it you speak as I?"

Dagfinn pull his shoulders back and straighten. "I was born in this land and once was a slave to the Norp weg. I am now called Dagfinn, shield hand to Einar Herjolfsson, your new master."

Her eyes opened wide as she gaped at the youth for a few seconds. "I…I am no one's property! I will not be a slave. Tell your lord to slay me now." She drew herself up, squaring her shoulders, and stared into the dark holes of Einar's helmet, seeking out the eyes behind it to convey her defiance.

Einar chuckled. "She is worth more alive. Quite dramatic, is she not?"

"Ladye, Einar refuses to slay you. A dead slave brings no profits," Dagfinn said, a smile quirking at the edges of his lips.

"Lord Landis Forthred will pay him if this is about silver. I am to be married tomorrow. My dowry is substantial, and my father will meet his demands," she said, standing straighter, pushing her chin out.

Einar's intense gaze sized her up.

Gunnar joined them, leaning against the side of the boat. "If what she says is true, several Forthreds are related to the King of Northumbria. They can well afford a large ransom, but we have to meet with Roald in a fortnight, and he may not appreciate the problems she brings. Or did you think about any of that before you spared her?"

Einar shrugged. "We held our end of the bargain. She is gone—Allard does not have to marry her—but he did not hold up his end, so she will pay his debt, one way or another. You would pass up a chance for increased profit?"

"I think she would make a wonderfully obedient wife; do you not agree, Gunnar?" Dagfinn replied with a wolfish grin.

A scowl darkened Einar's face. "Boy, if your sword arm were as quick as your wit, I would not need half of my men."

Silence fell as they stared at her. The girl shifted, her hands twisting in the bindings. Einar barked out, "We need to go."

 Dagfinn translated quickly. "We are leaving. He will consider your offer."

She beat her bound hands against her skirt, the fingers laced and white as she spit out, "Did you not tell him I am to be married tomorrow? The lout can speak to my father now!"

Einar grabbed the leather lead; she pulled back against it, stomping her foot to emphasize her words. "I will not go. I must marry Lord Allard tomor…."

Turning her around suddenly, Einar grabbed a length of leather from his belt, and his brawny forearm crushed her against his chest. She started to scream, but he shoved the rough piece of leather into her mouth. He nodded to Dagfinn, who tied it off behind her head as she thrashed. Einar was amazed at her strength. A privileged landowner’s daughter should be soft, but she had a solid frame and muscles she was using well. Trying to shriek around the gag, she choked. She brought up her elbows, shoving into his gut. He caught his breath, scooping her up and pressing her against his chest, squeezing the air from her lungs.

"Move it, boy!" Einar bellowed. "I am tired of her beating me like a dog!"

Gunnar's laughter rang out as Dagfinn quickly tied another piece of leather around her ankles while she kicked, hampering the efforts. Einar lifted the squirming bundle up to several of the men in the ship, and they dumped her against the wooden mast.

Einar heard the muffled echo of wood clacking against wood in the fogged air as his men hung their shields along the gunwale of the ship. Nimbly vaulting up and into the vessel, he went to the bow, meeting the glare of the bound and gagged redhead. Seating themselves on wooden trunks, his crew set the oars on end, waiting for his signal. The captives knelt with their hands bound, their faces reflecting misery, fear, and shock in the holding area at the base of the dragon ship’s tall mast.

He raised his hand, and, as one, the crew slid the sculls out into the water. Einar watched the ghostly forms of trees moving past the dragon ship as it slipped through the fog. The mist rolled around them in a moist caress as the bow disappeared into the gray.

Text: Robynn Gabel
Images: Rachel A Olson, No Sweat Graphics
Editing: Chryse Wymer
Publication Date: 01-13-2014

All Rights Reserved

Dedication:
To the family and friends who encouraged me to be what I am, a writer. Book Cover designed by No Sweat Graphics by Rachel A Olson