He stepped to the end of the wall and took something from a crate, holding it up.
“What is that?”
“Something the Norse left in the boat they deserted that I took. It enhances your vision.” He squinted as he looked through the device. “Two men. Headed directly to Ulva. Here,” he said, handing him the odd shaped object. “Look for yourself.”
He lifted it to his eyes and pointed it out to sea. “Och, this is impressive. Two men and I don’t like the looks of them. Do you know them?”
“I do not. What’s the fastest way to Ulva? Boat from here?”
“Nay. Take your horse down the second path until you see the small port. It’s the closest to Ulva. You’ll see fisherman there, and you can take a boat across for a coin or two. The sea is a bit rough to go from here. It’s a short distance from the port. Have you any coin?”
“Aye. I’m leaving. Tell Jowell and Paden to follow.”
Thane clasped his shoulder. “Godspeed. For both of your endeavors.”
Hagen found his mount and headed down the path, reaching the spot Thane indicated with no problem. Two men stood guarding the boats, but as soon as he chose the one he wanted and paid coin for it, Jowell and Paden came behind him.
Paden said, “You and Jowell go. I’ll watch the stallions.”
Hagen and Jowell climbed in, heading toward Ulva just as he heard a scream. And it was definitely a young lass’s scream.
“Not Brynja,” Jowell said. “That was Hildi.”
Hagen feared what they would find. “I have to agree.” He glanced over his shoulder and said, “The boat I saw that held two men is sitting on the edge. Do you recognize the man in it?”
Jowell peered at it and replied, “Nay. But he’s waiting for the one running down the path. He must be after the girls.”
When they reached the isle, it was nearly deserted, so Hagen jumped out, grabbing the sheathed weapon he’d set in the bottom of the boat so he could row faster. “I’m going that way.”
“No need,” Jowell said, pointing. “He’s dragging Brynja behind him. Ready yourself and I’ll take care of the man in the boat. I hope Hildi’s not here too. I’ll go look around once I’ve taken care of the man.”
As soon as the man in the boat heard Hagen jump out and unsheath his sword, he set off in the water, yelling at his friend. “I hope you can jump because I’m not coming closer to those two blades.”
Jowell and Hagen made it to shore, Hagen saying to his cousin, “Stay with the boat. I’ll get her.” Then Hagen took off toward the man dragging Brynja.
“Let her go or die!” Hagen bellowed, heading straight for the fool who let go of Brynja, shoving her down a steep embankment toward the sea. And a short distance away, another body lay near the water, not moving.
Hagen dropped his sword and ran.
Chapter Eleven
Dyna
Dyna sat on the rushes in front of the hearth, her head in her hands. Sandor ran in circles, sobbing, “Unca Shakee, come an’ chase me.” Then he ran in a circle, falling down and bursting into tears when nothing happened. “Mama, I wan Unca Shakee.”
“Uncle Jake, please!” The lad had been doing the same thing for half the hour with no success. Sandor had grown quite fond of his games with the ghost of his great uncle, Jake Grant.
Her father said, “He’s not here, Sandor. Shakee is sleeping.”
“Good try, Da.”
Sylvi said, “He’s not sleeping, Mama. He’s helping someone else.”
Dyna nodded, frustrated with all that had happened of late.
Maitland came in from the tower, Grant strapped to his chest while Maeve followed. “Maitland, mayhap he’d like some apple.”
But the lad knocked it out of his mother’s hand. Maitland stilled the lad’s hand and said, “We do not hit your Mama, Grant. Nay. We love Mama.”
