"Then we will feast tonight! Thora here is a fine cook," Ari said. "She and I have eaten well on our travels."
"Where did you find her, Ari?" Karsi asked. "She's a pretty thing."
Ari hesitated, holding Thora's stare for a moment before answering. "We met on the road through the forest. Some outlaws were... harassing her."
"Glad we are to have you join us, Thora," Karsi said. "It's nice to look upon something other than these two ugly faces."
The men all laughed and Thora gave a small chuckle. With a nod to Ari, she turned to tend the task of gathering kindling for the fire. Kati and Kata took up their usual positions beside her while she picked up twigs and small branches. Satisfied she had enough, she straightened, surprised by the sudden alertness of the two wolves. She turned, her heart sinking to her stomach to find Alarr standing a few paces away, his penetrating stare giving him a menacing expression.
"Did Ari send you after me? I was just about to return." She shifted the bundle in her arms.
"I know you."
"Excuse me?"
"You are Kori Thorfinnson's daughter."
She gulped, trying to dislodge the sudden lump in her throat. "Why do you say that?"
"I've traded with your clan. It was a few years ago, but you were there."
"You can't possibly –"
"It was you. How did you join up with Ari?"
"What do you want?"
He took a few more steps closer and Thora was reminded of her wolves stalking prey. Beside her, Kati gave a low warning growl. Alarr glanced at the beast and paused.
"I hear your father has sent parties in search of you. He is paying any who can return you to him with gold."
So that was his game. "If you think to claim his gold, you are mistaken. I am with Ari and if anyone has a right to it, it's him."
"Perhaps. But there is another who will also be interested to know where you are. And who you are with."
"It's none of your concern. Step aside and let me pass."
He didn't move, a slow, leering smile curling his mouth. "You are worth a lot of gold, Thora. A man would be a fool not to attempt to claim it."
"Are you saying you are intending to claim the reward for my return?" Her fingers shook and she tightened them around the sticks she held in an attempt to hide her agitation. Another growl from Kati, accompanied by Kata, echoed around her.
"Perhaps. Unless you wish to offer something else to convince me not to."
Her stomach rolled. Did Ari know the sort of man he called friend? That Alarr would betray Ari roused a rage she barely held in check. She would never give in to his demands. She shook her head.
"It will never happen. Now step aside and let me pass." She repeated the order, forcing venom into her tone.
He still didn't move, just continued to stare at her with that lecherous smile, one hand resting on the handle of the axe in his belt.
"Don't think to try anything. They will attack you and they will kill you."
"I'm not afraid of your wolves."
"Then you should be afraid of me."
Thora's heart leapt with joy when Ari appeared suddenly behind Alarr, who spun about, withdrawing his axe. He lowered it to see Ari's sword raised and ready.
"She is a runaway, Ari. There is a large bounty on her head."
