"Who are these men?" Hemming asked.
"They were once part of my clan, but they left us. I never knew why."
"Because Hersir threatened us when we refused his request to commit murder in your name."
Karsi's announcement brought another round of muttering from those gathered in the courtyard. He took the evidence Ari held and brought it to the dais.
"Lies, all of it! He has convinced others to speak untruths against me!" Hersir continued to rail until Drengr once again ordered him to silence.
The jarl studied the items, showing them to Hemming and the others before facing Ari once more.
"What are these?" Hemming asked.
"They are claims from those unable or too afraid to come and speak before you," Ari explained to the king. "But I think you will find what these men have to say even more compelling."
After Karsi and Alarr related their tales of Hersir's intimidating pressure, the way he'd menaced them and their families if they didn't carry out the crimes he wanted, other men stepped forward and shared their tales. One after another, they described how they'd been either coerced into committing crimes, then driven from their homes when Hersir threatened their families, or threatened when they refused. In two cases, Hersir had even raped the men's wives. By the time the last man had given his account of how his children's lives had nearly been lost when Hersir had stolen them away, letting them loose in the forest on a particularly cold night, the crowd was completely silent.
The fury emanating from Drengr was almost palpable, the heat of his rage hovering over the assemblage. Thora again twisted in her father's grip. Skin ashen, he stared at the man he'd intended to be his son-in-law. His hold finally slackened and she pulled away.
"Do you see how despicable he is?" she whispered.
"I am sorry, Thora. He hid his crimes well." The bleak despair in his dark eyes shattered the icy anger she'd directed toward him.
"No longer." Her attention returned once more to Ari, who stood proudly before the council, flanked by his men. She would never get enough of the sight of him. She only hoped there would be time to look at him for years to come.
"Liars! Every one of you!" Hersir's shrill screams sent another apprehensive shiver along Thora's spine. She inched closer to Ari, determined to stand beside him. When her father's hand again landed on her shoulder, she paused and turned. This time, he joined her instead of holding her back.
"Hold your tongue!" The echo of Drengr's roar echoed over the crowd for several moments. His eyes blazed with rage and he signaled to Hersir to stand before him.
Hersir continued to mutter threats toward the witnesses who exposed his crimes. His sword remained poised and ready, as if he anticipated an attack, or perhaps planned one of his own.
"It's quite clear you have committed many grievous crimes," King Hemming said. "I find it difficult to believe all of these men are lying."
"They are!" Hersir's shout held notes of madness, his face red with fury. "I've done nothing wrong! They envy me, my position, my wealth!"
Hersir turned, his enraged stare focusing on Thora for a few moments before landing on Kori then returning to Ari. Eyes narrowed, he looked positively evil.
"This is my bride, is she not?" he demanded.
"No longer. I am breaking the contract," Kori stated. "Had I known the truth before, I never would have agreed."
"You can't do that!" Hersir screamed. His face reddened further, spittle flying from his mouth. "She's mine!"
"I can and I have." Her father faced the dais, bowing to the council. "Jarl Drengr, I am sorry, but I cannot see my daughter wed to this... this –"
Drengr held up a hand. "I agree and I cannot blame you. I am sure King Hemming will not enforce the contract."
"I will not," the king agreed.
"Now that I know the truth," Drengr continued, "we must decide on Hersir's punishment."
Hersir's maniacal ranting continued, screaming about injustice. Thora wanted nothing more than to be beside Ari and headed toward him. Before she reached Ari's outstretched hand, Hersir ran over and grabbed her, pulling her tight against him as he backed away.
"She is to bemybride! I will wed her now."
Thora fought against the iron grip Hersir had around her waist, elbowing him in the gut. It had little effect, for his hold only tightened, forcing the breath from her lungs. Heart racing in panic, she clawed at the arm pinning her.
Swords drawn, both Kori and Ari lunged toward them, halting abruptly when the tip of Hersir's blade pointed at her neck. Thora tilted her head away from the danger, her breath caught in her throat. Surely the gods wouldn't betray her this way, not after all they'd put her through. A sob lodged in her throat but she refused to let it free.
