The hours passed quickly. Ari enjoyed the company of his friends, even Alarr, who though he remained mostly quiet, joined in the laughter at some of Karsi's ridiculous tales. Thora sat beside him, snuggled up against his side. Her head rested on his shoulder, and every now and then, he felt her yawn. A few moments later, her body softened as she slipped into slumber. He tightened his arm about her shoulders. Tonight he would be content to simply hold her.
***
Thora jolted awake, gasping for breath, fear gripping her heart in its tight fist. Ari's arms immediately tightened, easing her back against him. The fire had dwindled to a few flickering flames amid a pile of embers, casting a dim light over the camp.
"What's wrong?"
His sleep-heavy whisper against her ear sent a wisp of heat along her spine. She blinked to clear her slumber-dusted thoughts, the panic fading at the reality of the haven of Ari's embrace.
"I... I had a dream. But I can't remember it."
She tried to recall her nightmare, but the images hung just out of clarity's reach. Still, an uneasy chill swept over her.
"It was only a dream. You're safe now. In a few days, we'll be in Tingwalla, and all this will be behind us."
The realization she would soon see her father again roused another shudder of apprehension. Facing him, beside Ari, before all the clans gathered at The Thing, terrified her more than the elusive dream.
"Ari, what if my father... I fear he may try to make me return home."
His lips on her forehead both soothed and stirred her. The soft reassuring caress of his hands along her back chased the fear of the coming days.
"He can try, but you are staying with me."
She wanted to ask him if he meant to wed her, but bit her tongue to keep the words from escaping. He loved her and that was enough, really. Her dreams for the future seemed to be coming true, yet she couldn't help thinking Odin and his cohorts had more tests ahead for them to endure.
"We must make a sacrifice."
"What?"
If she wasn't so worried, she might find the confusion in his voice amusing.
"And it must be more than the meager hares and fowl we've offered. It must be worthy enough to truly assuage the gods, so they will stop playing games with us."
"Thora, the gods are on our side. We've overcome the many trials they set for us, haven't we?"
She pondered his point. Still, the worry would not go away.
"Perhaps. But we must ensure it. What of one of the horses?"
The silence that hung hung between them was broken by a harsh snore from one of the men on the opposite side of the fire. Ari's chuckle rumbled through Thora.
"We can discuss this in the morning," he said. "Go back to sleep."
She leaned her head back into the crook of his shoulder, savoring the warmth of his body against hers, his arms tight about her and holding her near. She yawned, her worry somewhat appeased.
Still, a nagging concern kept her mind racing.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Ari reined Gyllir in atop the small hill overlooking Tingwalla. Crowds filled the bustling market leading to the massive longhouse near the shore of the river. His redemption lay in that teeming town. Thora's squeak of protest told him his excitement had resulted in a too tight embrace.
"Sorry." He pressed a kiss to the top of her head.
"We can't ride into town," Karsi said. "Should be a stable along the edge of town."
Ari nodded. "It's been a long time since I've been among so many."
"For all of us," Leif replied. "It will be good to return home."
