He turned, taking a step toward them, but Kori raised his sword. "Stay back."
Ari halted, his attention bouncing between Thora and the council. "Just a little while longer."
His assurance did little to calm her rising panic, but she nodded. He needed to finish what he'd come here for, without worrying for her. When this was all over, surely her father would be convinced and not insist on keeping them apart.
He turned and took several steps toward the dais. Hersir did the same until the two men stood only a few feet apart.
"What are you doing?" Hersir shouted.
"I have come to clear my name," Ari announced.
The strength in his vow sparked a surge of pride within Thora.
"Clear your name? None will believe you. You're lucky you weren't killed for your crimes." Hersir paced slowly, his smirk making him looking even more evil.
"They were not my crimes, and I am going to prove it."
Hersir laughed, a maniacal shout that sent a fearful shiver along Thora's spine. A moment of gratitude for her father's embrace was quickly chased by the reminder he intended to give her to this man. She tugged against the tight hands on her shoulders, but they held firm. She refused the urge to turn and plead with him to release her, folding her arms and taking several deep breaths in an attempt to steady her racing heart.
"You're nothing but a murderer!" Hersir sneered, his hand going to the hilt of his sword. "Everyone knows it."
"I demand an explanation for this!" King Hemming's booming voice rang out over the courtyard, sending the hushed murmurs into silence.
Drengr placed a hand on the king's arm and drew him into a conversation no one heard, not even Hersir who stomped his foot in a display of petulant anger. Thora shuddered. She finally dared a look at her father, but his bland expression revealed nothing of his thoughts. Did he know what his choice would cost her?
"I seek only to see you settled," Kori said.
She'd spoken aloud? Narrowing her eyes, she shook her head. "You seek an alliance for the clan, with me as the sacrifice!"
"He is wealthy and powerful and will be a jarl."
"He set Ari up to be executed as a criminal. Ari has the witnesses to prove it."
The skepticism in her father's eyes only grew stronger. Jaw clenched, glancing at the dais. The other jarls had joined the conversation between Drengr and Hemming. The case they had been hearing seemed to have disappeared. Had they issued a decision? A moment later, she sucked in a deep breath, her hand pressed against her lips to stifle a scream. Hersir stalked toward Ari, sword now drawn.
"Stop!" the king commanded.
Hersir's face mottled with rage but he obeyed and turned to face the council. "I merely mean to –"
"I don't care what you intended." This time Drengr's voice carried over the once again agitated crowd and their ever-growing murmurs. He faced Ari once more. "Tell me, boy, what you have come to say."
"I have proof that it was not I who commanded a murderer to kill you. It was Hersir."
Gasps and shouts filled the air. Thunder rumbled overhead, along with a flash of lightning, though the sun still shone bright. The crowd again fell silent. Clearly, the gods watched closely and none wished to draw their ire.
"You're a liar as well as a murderer!" Hersir's shout grew oddly high-pitched. He pointed his sword toward Ari, the blade wavering.
"Let me go!" she cried, pulling at her father's iron grip.
Ari turned and fixed her with a stern stare. "Stay."
The command in his voice, combined with his pointed stare, roused an immediate need to obey. She stopped fighting her father, closing her eyes against the threatening tears.
Ari returned his attention to the council, reaching into his pouch to withdraw several daggers and pieces of bark marked with runes.
"Along with this proof, I also brought witnesses." He turned and motioned toward his men.
"Karsi? Alarr? You too?" Drengr asked when the two men stepped forward.
