It would pass them by.
Men shouted now, all around them, giving the alarm. Quarrie stood transfixed.
It could not be her. It could not. At this time of year, with the full of summer upon them, scores of Norse boats might pass by. So long as they did not stop…
This one looked as if it would not. Indeed, it made a fine, braw show as it slid past the rocks that guarded the settlement, showing itself. The sails were plain brown. The dragon head at the prow showed stubby teeth in a grimace. The shields ranged along the side facing the shore showed a wealth of bright colors, as if newly made.
So close did the boat pass that Quarrie could see the people aboard. Most of them rowing. Someone at the tiller. Another figure striding the deck.
Nay.It could not be. He could not know her at such a distance.
Only he did. His spirit leaped to the knowledge, and his heart.
She stood gazing directly at him as the vessel slipped by, her eyes finding him on the wall. Fancy, surely. It could not be so.
The morning light made flax of her fair hair. He couldfeelher.
“Showing himsel’ to us,” Borald murmured. “D’ye think there are more?”
“Mayhap. Yet they are passing us by,” Quarrie managed to reply.
“Aye, so, there may be others in hiding. This one may be taking our measure.”
“Mayhap.”
Had she returned with the promised—threatened—fleet?
“Prepare the guard. Keep watch.”
Neither order was truly necessary. The men prepared on their own as word spread. But though they kept watch long after, no other boats appeared and the one slid away to the south, leaving not so much as a trail behind.
She had wanted him to see her. Quarrie could not dismiss that thought from his mind. All this while, had she held him inher mind even as he held her? Had he imagined it all? No proof that had been Hulda he spied on that deck.
Only he knew.
Later, when he returned to his parents’ chamber, he found word of the sighting had penetrated even here. Da, now awake, knew of it, and they were the first words out of his mouth.
“A longboat? But one?”
“But one, Da,” Quarrie reassured him.
“Showing itsel’ to us, aye? But why?”
That was the question that remained in Quarrie’s mind. He could think of only one reason. “Taking our measure, no doubt. Must ha’ decided we look too strong to tak’ on.”
“There is danger everywhere. I maun get to the walls.” Even though night had not yet come, a fitful flush already stained Da’s face—the fever flaring. He groaned. “If only I was no’ in so much pain. Son, help me up.”
When Quarrie did not move to obey, his father directed a stern look at him. “Lend me the strength o’ yer shoulder.”
“Da, I will not.”
“Eh?”
Ma slipped past Quarrie and sat on the edge of the bed. She laid a restraining hand on her husband’s chest.
“My darling, my dear one, ye ken how I love ye.”
That stilled him and caused him to fix his gaze to her face.
