He pulled out a hook attached to a short rope and moved closer to the riverbank. Many decent sized fish swam in the clear running water, for the moment unaware of the intruders on the bank. Not for the first time, he wished for a harpoon, for his aim was excellent with the tool, but carrying such an implement had early on proved difficult. Not that he lacked skill using the line, for he'd often dined on fish, catching plenty for both his immediate and future needs. But the extra time involved in using the hook had always left him uneasy and on edge. Perhaps because he so wanted to end his journey. This time, however, he felt no such agitation. Because his justice was close at hand? He refused to consider any other reason.
He crouched and dug into the muddy dirt of the stream bed, turning over a large handful. Several worms squirmed and he caught one and quickly jammed it onto the hook. He flung the baited rope into the water, holding tight to the end. It didn't take long before a tug forced him to tighten his grip and he pulled the rope back in, pleased with the size of his catch. The fish flopped wildly on the bank for a few moments.
Ari laughed. "Look Gyllir! Thora and I will feast on the fat fish in this stream!"
He removed the hook from the fish's mouth and secured the creature in a pouch on his pack. Bending to grab another worm, he repeated the process, several times, until a half dozen fish filled the bag.
While he fished, his thoughts veered toward The Thing. In a few short weeks, he would finally have his reparation, his name once again honorable. The runes carved into the daggers and pieces of tree bark in his pack contained testimony from the men who would not meet him in Tingwalla. Those who agreed to attend would verify all of Hersir's foul deeds and the way he had set Ari up for banishment. Ari imagined the surprise on his brother's face when he and his fellow witnesses stood before the high council and presented the facts. He would be reunited with his clan, his mother and sister, and Hersir would face justice for his crimes.
It seemed he'd waited his entire life for the day of reckoning. The last three years had stretched out endlessly, one lonely day after another. He'd been welcomed in several towns, taken his pleasure here and there, but he longed to be back among friends and family. In his imaginings, an additional person remained near. Thora.
Now why would he think she might want to stay with him? And why did he find the idea of her doing so more than appealing? He'd known her two days, had shared two incredibly passionate nights, incomparable to anything he'd experienced before. Surely it was only the lust she inspired, with her delectable curves and passionate responses. The idea of taking his pleasure with her for years to come grew stronger. What would she look like, large with his child? With silver streaking her dark hair? With crinkles of laughter around her mouth and eyes?
"Bah! I am a fool, these wishes are nothing more than bards' nonsense!"
Gyllir whinnied, almost as if he laughed at Ari. Ari scowled.
"Silly beast, mocking me will not get you any treats." Again he had the sense the horse found his concerns humorous. "Be careful, or I'll let Thora's wolves have you."
Gyllir shook his head and Ari's chuckle burst free. Truthfully, he would never endanger Gyllir in such a way. The steed had been his only companion for all of his travels, and the animal showed more loyalty than some of Ari's friends.
Catching one more fish, he put the flopping creature into the sack and sealed it. Striding to Gyllir, he mounted and guided the horse back into the forest. Again his thoughts focused on Thora, waiting for his return. A smile formed as he recalled her passionate responses to everything that passed between them last night. She'd seemed stunned at the way he'd positioned her the first time he took her. But soon her passion had taken over. When he'd woken to take her again, he'd bound her, stretching her arms up over her head, allowing him to explore every inch of her trembling body. The thought of her stretched out beneath him, helpless to his whims, hardened his cock faster than when he'd first touched her. He shifted in the saddle, the glaring sun dimming as he rode into the forest and headed toward their small camp. He looked forward to another night of similar pleasures.
He leaned over and patted Gyllir, hoping to stem the never-ending tide of recollection. Her needy pleas had spurred him, savoring the way she'd called his name, begged him to bring her completion. Only once he was deep inside her had he allowed that, rewarded with the blissful sound of her screams of completion. Those he heard most clearly, as if she shouted now, crying his name while caught in the throes of her climax. Instantly he knew it wasn't just his imagination. Those shouts were real!
Thora.
He cursed loudly, hating how easily, and not for the first time, the recollection of her passion distracted him, made him careless. He kicked the horse into a lope, ducking to avoid low-lying branches, desperate to get to her.
Why did the sound of her shriek spur such a fierce and desperate need to protect her, almost to the point that he disregarded the goal he been striving for these last three years? How had his priority fallen to the wayside? He'd think on it later. No time now to focus on his own plans. At the moment, he had only one goal.
To save Thora.
CHAPTER EIGHT
"Well, well, well. If it isn't the runaway daughter of our esteemed jarl."
Thora's hands froze where she stroked Kata's head. She turned, her stomach rolling. Muli, a member of her clan. One of her father's adversaries. While Muli always managed to avoid being banished for his dishonorable deeds, he'd always sworn to exact revenge from Kori Thorfinsson. Thora had heard only hints of what had caused the animosity between the two men, and it had started around the time Kori had claimed Thora's stepmother, Geira.
She momentarily raised her eyes toward the heavens, thanking the gods she'd dressed once Ari had left the camp. With a hand resting on the axe in her belt, she rose.
"I don't care that you've found me. I'm not returning home."
Lips pulled back in a feral grin, he chuckled. Beside her, Kati gave a low growl. Some of the amusement left Muli's gaunt features. He spit on the ground and sneered at Thora and her wolves.
"I have no intention of returning you to Grindafell. Not yet, anyway. You are the key to my vengeance."
Dread formed an icy shell around her heart. She pulled the axe free. Though she shouted the command to attack several times, Kati responded at the first, leaping toward Muli, teeth bared and snarling in warning. The tall man had barely seconds to react, not even enough time to draw his own weapon before he turned to run. The wolf latched onto his shoulder, the momentum of the animal's attack driving him to the ground. Agonized screams echoed around her, accompanied by Muli's desperate attempts to free himself from Kati's mauling. Thora shouted encouragement to the wolf, falling into a momentarily stunned silence when Kata appeared beside her, half-standing and leaning against Thora's legs. The she-wolf gave a menacing growl. Only Thora's hand on her neck stopped the wounded yet determined animal from the frail attempt to leap into the fray.
Hoofbeats thundered behind her. She turned at the moment Ari reined in his steed and leapt from the animal's back. He rushed to her side, sword drawn and ready. He skidded in the dirt, stopping short to watch the wolf's attack.
"I heard you scream."
He never looked at her, focused on the wolf and man engaged in battle. Thora turned back just at the moment Muli finally yanked free of Kati's jaws and ran, pleading with the gods to call off the beast. Kati chased for a few yards, barking and growling. Once he stopped, Muli slowed as well and turned.
"I'll find you again, bitch and I'll kill your mangy dogs!"
He turned, his bellowed threat fading along with him when he disappeared into the trees. The excitement from the encounter left Thora's legs weak and wobbly when she turned to Ari. He met her stare with amusement twinkling in his eyes. Despite the scare of moments ago, she found herself smiling, then a giggle escaped. When Kati trotted over to them, she knelt before him and ran her hands affectionately in his fur, allowing him to lick her chin.
