Her Viking Saviour (Lore & Love Trilogy #1)

Chapter 23

Chapter Twenty-Three

Wynflaed held the attention of the whole table as Sven, Leif and Ragnav waited for her to answer the question. She looked to Torben, who nodded for her to continue.

“Freydis asked me about the events that led me to be here, and in sharing this tale with her, I divulged the name Guthred. She then shared with me her tale.”

Leif and Ragnav groaned in unison.

“She must be steeped in a very black mood. You are right. We should find her. I will. You and Torben finish eating,” Sven offered. He stood and pointed to Ragnav and Leif.

“You two, with me.”

Wynflaed found herself alone with Torben again and she leaned over and placed a kiss on his cheek. A smattering of bristly hair tickled her mouth.

“What was that for?” he asked before he returned her kiss. She tasted fruit and honey on his lips, so she pulled closer and threw her arms around his neck.

“I am worried I will soon wake up from a dream, Torben. Being with you seems too good to be true.”

"Trust me, Wynflaed, this is real. My love for you is more real to me than anything else. More real than this food we eat, this air we breathe. You are my all.”

She released his neck so they could finish eating and pondered the word love and what it meant. It was not a feeling she could have explained herself, but the simple way he explained it made all the sense she needed. This wonderful man loves me , she thought as she savoured the last few warm mouthfuls of her repast. She needed to find Hilde and Cynewin, they would share her joy. And Freydis. She hoped she would, too. They were becoming close, closer then Freydis and Torben were right now, and perhaps she could be the salve they needed to mend their broken past.

"Should I be concerned, Elskling ? You look so deep in thought," Torben asked with mock worry as he stroked her hair gently.

She ignored his question and gave him a deep roll of her eyes. "What does that word mean?"

"It is an endearment, like darling. Do you like it?" He tugged on a strand of hair.

"I like it very much. I need to think of something to call you, I shall take my time in coming up with the perfect name." She tapped him on the nose with her finger, her smile impish.

"I need to do my duties around the settlement, Elskling . What will you do today? Can you come with me?”

"I must find Hilde and Cynewin. And I hope to find Freydis, partly to share the news with her, but more so to see how she fares."

Wynflaed felt dread in the pit of her belly when she thought of Freydis. Something is not right .

Torben raised his hand to her face and she felt his fingers gently brush her cheek.

"What troubles you, Wynflaed?" His blue eyes searched her face.

"The more my mind wanders to Freydis, the more a troubling sense of unease brews."

Torben's brow furrowed as he nodded.

"I share your unease, but we are both vigilant people, Wynflaed. It could just be our heightened senses."

Wynflaed forced a smile to spread across her face. He was right, and they had the choice to either feed into each other’s fears or pray for the best. Whichever fate came to be, they would be side by side.

"Wynflaed, how nice to see you looking so well. Your skin glows when you are happy, did you know that?" Hilde exclaimed as they embraced.

"I did not, but I will not contest the matter because I am indeed very happy Hilde. Torben and I are in love!”

"I knew this would happen, my child. There was a fiery passion, fierce as a tempest, between you both. During that moment in the market, something passed between you and Torben and it bonded you, fated the love you share. Perhaps it was the works of their gods, as un-Christian as it is for me to say. But our forebearers also believed in many gods once, and who knows? Perhaps they are all the same. What I do know is a love like yours will go from strength to strength but only if you overcome challenges together, my child."

Wynflaed was awed. These were the most words she had ever heard Hilde speak and they had an undeniable wisdom veiled in warning and hope, whether intended or not. A shiver ran up and down Wynflaed’s spine when she heard birds squawking. She looked up and saw a raven in the closest tree. It held her gaze before it took flight.

"Wynflaed, are you well? I did not mean any harm in my words," Hilde asked fretfully.

"No, no, Hilde. Your words were beautiful and heartfelt, I took no offence," Wynflaed assured her. "It just made me think of Freydis. We have not seen her today, and it could be nothing to be alarmed about, but I also have a sense of dread. Have you seen her, Hilde?"

"No, no, I have not, but I will help you look. Let us go ask Cynewin."

Wynflaed linked arms with Hilde. Her touch provided motherly comfort as they walked together to Cynewin and Cola's hut. The settlement was abuzz as it normally was at this hour. Lots of work, lots of noise. It was all normal, yet Wynflaed’s foreboding grew.

Cynewin sat outside her hut with her loom. Her smooth brow wrinkled in concentration as she bit on her lower lip. She strung the threads firmly but gently and Wynflaed hated to interrupt her, so she placed a finger to her lips to signal Hilde to stay quiet and wait. When Cynewin finished the section, her face broke out into a pleased smile.

"It looks lovely, Cynewin. You have a true talent," Wynflaed said.

"Oh, Wynflaed, Hilde," Cynewin said with pleased surprise as she looked up. "Come, sit. Can I offer you refreshment?"

Cynewin clearly revelled in having a place of her own. Sooner or later Cola would marry and that would sadden Cynewin, so Wynflaed promised herself to keep her in this hut until she was ready to wed as well. They sat down together and Wynflaed began to share her news about Torben, which drew happy squeals from Cynewin. She threw her arms around both Hilde and Wynflaed. There was great strength in her small frame and Wynflaed laughed.

"Your joy for me warms my heart, Cynewin. We have all been blessed following the moments of darkness we endured. But I also came to find you and ask a question–have you seen Freydis?"

"Why no, I have not. Is all not well?"

Wynflaed saw the panic flare in Cynewin’s dark brown eyes and decided not to share any more with her. There was no point in upsetting another when Freydis could be home any moment.

"No, no, not at all. I have not crossed path with her today, is all." She squeezed the young girl’s hands in assurance.

"Perhaps she is praying, finding a moment of solace with her gods. She likes to do that when she wants to be alone," Hilde offered.

Why didn't I think of that?

" That is true, Hilde, thank you. I will leave you both to your day."

She picked up the folds of her skirts and hurried towards where she knew the Ulfsons worshipped the gods. Freydis had shown her on one of their walks, and it was not too far from the settlement. She was on the outskirt of the settlement that led into the woods and shortly she would turn to the west and see the three large rock formations, the stone etched with faces of Odin, Thor, and Freyja. As she neared, she could see straight away Freydis was nowhere in sight, but the stones seemed to call to her so she approached cautiously, feeling the air thicken the closer she got.

The rock in the middle was the largest and the carvings on it depicted Odin, with Freyja and Thor to his sides. Wynflaed heard a squawk and looked up to see a raven overhead that landed to perch on Odin. She eyed it warily. She did not care much for birds with their beady eyes and sharp beaks. And this one made eye contact. The air still felt thick and she observed the offerings. Fruit and flowers for Freyja, mead and weaponry for Thor. Odin got all of that and more intricate wood carvings of runes, painted ravens on cloth, and a shield with the Ulfson's clan raven. There was also a deep bowl with feathers poking out and she inspected it closer to find a chicken–neck slit–and its blood pooled at the bottom.

Someone has been here recently to make a sacrifice.

"Was it Freydis?" she asked the raven, feeling silly for talking to a bird.

It gave her a look that spoke volumes. Freydis had been here and now Freydis was gone.