When her hand slipped from his, he turned. She walked to the edge of the market, to an empty space among several of the stalls. She knelt on the ground and her two wolves soon sat before her. She stroked each of their heads, laughing at the lick she received from Kata.
"Go back to Leif. You must hunt for your meal, and I am safe with Ari."
Tails wagging, both Kata and Kati gave little yelps and pranced around their mistress. As always, Ari found himself enthralled by the sight of Thora and her pets. The understanding between the three also roused a hint of jealousy if he were honest with himself. Yet, he knew the animals trusted him, had done so from the very first day. Knowing he had saved their mistress had earned him their loyalty. When Kati trotted over to him and gave his hand a lick and a rub of his head, Ari knew he had truly been accepted. Thora stood watching the beasts until they disappeared from view before she turned to face him. Sadness lined her brow and he drew her near, pressing a kiss to her forehead.
"They will be fine."
She nodded. "I know. It's the first time I've been away from them since they were pups. But it is better for them this way. The crowds are afraid of them, and they draw too much attention."
"Come, the sooner we have our meeting and a meal, the sooner we can return to your pets."
It seemed they walked for hours before reaching the large public longhouse near the center of the town. Behind it sat the private longhouse where the kings and jarls and other nobles resided. Two smaller public houses bordered both.
The crowds grew denser, shouts and laughter and ribald insults rising to a cacophony. Thora resisted the urge to cover her ears. Instead, she hesitantly searched the crowd for familiar faces, torn between wanting to see someone she knew and hoping she found only strangers With more relief than she expected, the only people she recognized were Karsi and Alarr, standing a short distance from the longhouse's entrance. Several other men gathered with them.
Thora pressed close to Ari. Finally, they broke free of the throng and stood before Karsi. The other men greeted Ari warmly and he went to each one in turn, thanking them. When he finished, he motioned to Thora to join him. She did so hesitantly, aware of many gazes upon her, but refusing to meet any of them.
"When this is over, I will be taking Thora as my wife."
Cheers erupted from the men and heat scorched Thora's face at the crude congratulations they offered.
"Ari, she looks to give you a fine ride!"
"He's already claimed her, you fool!"
"How can she bear to look upon your ugly face?"
More laughter rang among them.
"Thora, if he doesn't treat you right, I'll be happy to take his place!"
Ari's arm slid around Thora's shoulders. "You'll have to fight me to the death."
"Ari! Don't encourage them!" she protested
"She's already giving you orders, Ari."
Ari chuckled. "She knows I am the one who gives the orders. And what happens when she doesn't obey."
Once again, fire seared her cheeks at the pointed stare he gave her.
More ribald shouts and laughs filled the air before Ari sobered and drew the men in close. Hearing their tales revealed just how much they had suffered under Hersir's brutal quest to be jarl. She listened closely, knowing that Jarl Drengr's plan to publicly name Hersir as his heir would be destroyed once Ari and the others spoke before the council.
She lifted her eyes heavenward.Let my father hear and know the truth of the man he would trade me to.
A few moments later, an odd peace shivered through her, calming her fears. A sign the gods favored her, intended to spare her despair and brutality? Would reward her with a lifetime with Ari? She chose to interpret the sensation that way. Aware of Ari giving her a curious glance, she merely smiled.
"What secrets do you hold now,ástin minn?"
She shrugged. "Speaking aloud may work against us. I will share it with you when all is over."
***
Ari stared, wondering what Thora knew and didn't share with him. Later, when they had returned to their small camp, he would ask her what had brought that satisfied expression to her lovely face.
His excitement over finding all of those he'd sought during his exile here in Tingwalla soon had him forgetting what intentions Thora possessed. By this time tomorrow, he would see his brother tried and punished for his crimes. Part of him regretted what was to come. He still held the memories of his childhood, before their father had been slain in battle. Hugi's honor in dying so valiantly had trickled to Ari and his brother, but Hersir had grown vindictive and hateful soon thereafter. If Drengr hadn't taken them in as his own, raised and trained them as their father would have done, Ari feared Hersir would have become even more of an unstable destructive force. Only Drengr had possessed the power to rein in Ari's brother from his cruel desires. But Hersir had fooled the other man, convinced him it was Ari who sought power by whatever means possible. Yet, if Drengr had fully believed, Ari would not be here now, about to reclaim his honor. That knowledge had been the beacon of hope that carried him these past years to this moment. A sacrifice in thanks must be made to the gods.
He leaned in close to Thora. "I will purchase a goat or a hog and we will sacrifice it to Odin tonight."
