Clay gave a slight bow to Thomas, but shot me a look that said I had better behave.
We had been riding for a little over two hours when we heard the trumpets announcing the arrival of the Tara’s king and his entourage. I pulled my horse to a halt, looking back at the palace I’d called home for eighteen years. My chest tightened as the reality of my situation began to set in—in a month’s time. I was leaving for good. Even though I’d always hoped to leave—that was not in question—this was not the way I’d imagined. I wanted to leave without a king for a husband in tow.
“Should we go back?” Dayna asked, sounding as if she thought this was the worst idea ever.
“Why?” Thomas asked. “It is not like he is going anywhere. You have a month to endure his wooing. He will still be there when we are finished with our ride.”
“Father is going to be a right pissed boar,” Dayna said with too much delight.
“Language.” I snapped at her. “If you do not clean up your mouth, how will a young man ever want to kiss it?”
“I will not change my ways just to suit a man. He can take me as I am—dirty mouth and all—or he can find a wench in a tavern willing to do his bidding for some change.”
I shook my head as I pinched the bridge of my nose. “And Father thinks I am the unruly one? Do not speak of such women. You have no idea the hardships they face or what has led them to such a life.”
Dayna’s shoulders drooped under my scolding. It was not my intention to upset her, but she needed to learn to be considerate of others before she unleashed that loose tongue of hers.
“You are right. I do not know such things,” she said and then perked up. “You are going to make a wise and compassionate queen, sister mine. I only wish it was of our kingdom and not that pig of a king’s kingdom.”
Thomas chuckled. “I still do not see why you both assume he is an ugly beast. Just because he is older doesn’t mean he isn’t fit, charming, and handsome.”
“Are you just saying that to bolster my spirits?” I asked him, raising one of my eyebrows, as if that small action would cause the truth to spring from his lips.
He stared back at me for several seconds and, for a moment, a thoughtful look passed over his features, but it was gone just as quickly. He nodded his head. “You’re right. He is most likely a disgusting creature with a personality to match.”
“Never mind. I liked it better when you lied to me.” I jested.
“No, you do not,” Thomas said, suddenly serious. “You like a person who is straightforward and does not attempt to placate you. Its one of the many things I will miss about you.”
I quickly turned my head away from him, feigning that something in the trees had caught my attention as I fought back tears. Why does doing the right thing hurt so badly? Just cinch up your petticoat and do what you need to do.
“Are we going to finish this ride?” Dayna asked, a distinct challenge lacing her words.
I turned to look at my youngest sister and narrowed my eyes. “King be damned! Not even the gods shall stop us.”
Dayna sucked in a breath with a huge grin plastered on her face. “Language, Allete.”
After giving my horse a quick squeeze and pat on the flank, the beast took off, bolting past my shocked sister and dumbfounded cousin. I refrained from looking back to see if they had recovered—I was too busy absorbing what little freedom I had left. The wind whipped the hair that had escaped my braid and my eyes began to water as I pushed my horse faster. Perhaps with every step farther away from the castle she took, I felt my chances of outrunning my fate were growing. Somehow, I thought, every furlong galloped was leading me closer and closer to freedom.
Only later would I realize what a foolish thought that was. No matter how fast I ran, I could not escape my fate.
“I do not know what lies ahead of me. I do not know what the outcome of this battle shall be. All I can do is hope that we end up on the side of good.”
* * *
~ Torben
I stood, watching as each of the long ships came ashore and the warriors scurried like ants onto the land. The relief on their faces mirrored my own, but it would be short-lived. Magnus was already setting up a tent for his temporary dwelling, which meant he intended to do just as he’d said. We would stay in England a full month to spy on the king, looking for weaknesses in his court and placing our own men inside the castle by relieving the king’s guards of their duties, or more accurately, killing the king’s men to take their uniforms.
I wondered how long we could pull the charade off before someone found out and the tides turned. Magnus had many flaws, but one would be his downfall—Magnus believed his intelligence was superior to all others. He could not fathom his foe strategically besting him. I, however, was under no such illusion. There would be loss on both sides, and whether we would be successful was yet to be seen.
Brant walked over and stood next to me, his large arms folded across his chest. His eyes were filled with alert intensity. “Is this a mistake, Torben?”
I clenched my fists at my sides, and I felt as though the weight of the world had been lowered onto my shoulders. “No,” I began, “this is not just a mistake. This is the first of many.”
Suddenly, a loud horn was blown and all eyes were on our leader. Two more notes and all the warriors were headed for the spot where Magnus stood.
“Why is he blowing that damn horn?” Brant muttered under his breath as we began to walk toward the gathered men. “He is going to bring all of England down upon us.”
“He does not care if they know we’re here.” I explained. “He is daring them to make a move.” Brant started to say something but I held up a hand to stop him. “A few of his sympathizers are close by,” I said as a couple warriors positioned themselves close to us. Brant nodded and pressed his lips closed.
“Torben!” Magnus bellowed.
I pushed through the crowd until I was standing next to my jarl.
Magnus held up his hand to silence his army. “We will spend the better part of a month here.” He projected his voice to carry over the troops. “Torben will be choosing small contingents of men to go in and gain access to the palace as well as information.”
“What is the goal?” Halvard asked.