Her Viking Saviour (Lore & Love Trilogy #1)

Chapter 8

Chapter Eight

Torben stood by the raven figurehead, giving his thanks to the gods for another voyage that had brought them safely home. He rubbed the carved oak and breathed in the sharp, clean air that only the mountain-surrounded bay could create. One of his men sounded the horn, two short blasts and one long note to let their people know they would soon arrive. This familiar ritual always filled him with calm.

Ragnav came to stand by his side, inhaling sharply as well.

“Nothing smells quite like home, does it, brother?” He sighed contentedly next to Torben.

“Any absence makes me all the more grateful when I see it,” he replied with a nod.

“I could never leave here. Why do the Norse want to live anywhere but here?” Ragnav said with a shake of his head. “Our people are going to be surprised by the four we’ve brought home."

“Yes, but they will adjust. We have good-hearted people. Tell me brother, how does Wyn—how do the women fare?” Torben cursed inwardly at his slip of the tongue. Ragnav seemed not to notice and spoke on.

“They are well, but eager to land. I have been regaling them with tales. Wynflaed has taken to stories of the Valkyrie, especially the tale of Brunhild.”

Torben smiled, unsurprised that the fiery beauty’s interests aligned with those of the shield-maidens.

“She would make a fine shield-maiden, don’t you think, Ragnav?”

“With all that courage she would, she is a fierce one,” Ragnav agreed enthusiastically. “That Wynflaed, she is also a beauty. The men will be eager to meet her. I think I shall make a claim on her.”

Torben spun to face his brother.

“No, you will not!” he said furiously, feeling the blood rush to the surface of his body. It receded just as quickly when he saw the twinkling mirth in his brother's eye. Torben sighed. He had been baited and fallen for it like a fool.

“Come now, Torben, you are enthralled by her. Why do you never allow yourself any pleasure?”

“Being Chieftain gives me little time for pleasure and, in any case, after you are done enjoying all the pleasures in life, there is little left for me.”

Ragnav laughed, enjoying their exchange.

“Was that a jest you made, Torben, or do you give insult to my lack of responsibility? Whichever way, I welcome you stepping outside your serious self.”

“I think it was a little of both. I can admit I do envy you, Ragnav, just a small bit. But then I hear of your latest lover’s quarrel and I am glad to not be you.”

“You will never see me sorry for my ability to please women well enough they will fight for another chance to lie with me,” he replied with a wink.

Torben was unable to hold back a smile. He truly loved his brother's passion for life. It would never be his path to be so carefree. Ragnav was a strong and able warrior, but he had never wet his sword or swung his axe in the same battles Torben had. Torben Hel-Bringer, that is who I am . He would never shed that moniker.

He heard female voices and turned to see the women had come on deck to watch the sights as they drew closer to Klavik. The mountains rose high on each side of the bay and the water became calmer and clearer, the shades of blue swirling invitingly. Torben watched Wynflaed’s face alight with wonder as she took in the top of the mountains, snowcapped and sparkling where a waterfall flowed. The beauty she saw in his home was the same beauty he saw in her, radiant and unadulterated. He felt a pull on the thread that seemed to tie her to him. He missed the sound of her husky voice and her sharp wit. Unable to keep his distance, he called out to her.

“Wynflaed, come to where I stand and see Klavik as we approach.”

She raised a mocking eyebrow and he knew she had noticed his distance on the voyage. But it had done nothing to assuage his interest while he brooded over her. He crooked his finger at her and a smile spread across his face.

She came over slowly but surely, holding his gaze till she stood beside him, her posture defensive.

“I wondered if you would ever speak to me again, my lord .”

He felt satisfied that his distance had raised her ire.

“I have been busy navigating my ship, Wynflaed, but it warms me to know it bothered you so.”

This brought a blush to her face, and he savoured the sight.

“I am not bothered by it at all, Torben .”

He threw back his head and laughed at her tone. In the corner of his eye, he saw the men closest to him lift their heads in surprise at hearing him laugh this way. They were close enough to Klavik now to hear his people cheering at their return and he swept his arm across the front of his body.

“What do you think of Klavik so far?”

“It is very beautiful. It almost does not seem real.” Any ire in her tone had vanished and he could only hear awe at the imagery before them. Having been to Northumbria, he tried to see it through her fresh eyes. He knew these sights differed vastly from her homeland.

“We have many long houses, many trade fronts. I am very proud of what my people have built over years of hard labour.” She nodded. They were close enough to see the edge of the town that lay beyond the piers where the ships docked.

“Have you thought any more about what you might do here?” he asked her.

“I have been thinking, though I am still unsure.”

Her posture was tense again, her voice guarded.

“Do not worry, Wynflaed. I think I know what you can do here.”