****
That evening, gathered around the oak table in the private solar with Ylva, Gyda, Úlvhild, his Viking warriors, and the knights ofChâteaufort, Skårde related the tale of his six week sea voyage toHeiðabýr.
“We were granted an audience with my father—thanks to the letter from the wealthy Count of Lisieux—to present ourFrisian Royal Fleeceto King Harald Bluetooth. Armed guards escorted usinto the royal longhouse to display our exceptional wool to the king. Although we were disguised as shipping merchants, my father immediately recognized this ring, which he had given me when he proclaimed me the Dragon of Denmark.” Skårde flashed the dragon ring with glittering emerald eyes which he proudly wore on the index finger of his scarred right hand. “I was able to get close enough to my father to speak quietly in his ear. I told him that Sweyn was imprisoned in the royal palace of Paris, that Richard and I would free him, and that we would bring my brother here toChâteaufort.”Skårde took a long pull of mead and eyed Björn and the knights seated at the table. “He informed me that King Lothaire of West Francia had ordered him to attackChâteaufort,and that he would set sail for Normandy on the autumn equinox.”
“That was a week ago.” Björn shot an uneasy glance at Esulf, his second in command. “We need to fortify the castle immediately.” He spun his attention back to Skårde. “Richard has requested reinforcements from three of his allies. Enguerran has gone to meet with the knights sent by the Count of Anjou and position them east of Fécamp. We could bring them here instead to defendChâteaufort.”
Skårde shook his head, swallowed a gulp of mead, and set his goblet down. “My father is amassing an army from Norway and his allies along the Baltic Sea. He’ll make it seem as if he has no choice but to comply with Lothaire’s orders and attack me. But he’s not sailing forChâteaufort.He’s going to help us retake Fécamp.”
Gunni grinned above his thick red beard. “We attack from the sea. Richard attacks by land.”
Úlvhild’s velvety voice floated like mellow notes from a harp. “And Haldor Falk attacks from the sky.”
All heads spun toward the enigmaticvölva.
Golden eyes aglow in the incandescent light, she flashed a cunning feline smile. “He is a master of flying magic. A powerfulvitkiwho commands all winged creatures. He can summon ravens, owls, hawks, and falcons—even stinging insects. With wasps, hornets, osprey, and gyrfalcons swooping down to gouge the eyes and sting the faces of the castlearchers and defenders along the ramparts, you will be better able to eliminate the enemy and infiltrate the fortress.”
The Norman knights and Viking warriors around the table shared incredulous glances and grins of astonished delight.
Skårde raised his goblet of mead, prompting others to follow suit. “To Haldor Falk, Falcon of the Faroe Islands. May Odin guide us to victory at Fécamp. Or the glory of Valhalla.”
Amidst shouts of “Skál!”, everyone toasted to triumph in the upcoming battle.
Ylva glanced around the table at the familiar smiling faces. Although Lugh and Olvir had departed fromChâteaufortand returned toÁlfheim—the realm of theLjósálfarLight Elves—there was one pale, luminous face she had expected to see seated amongst Skårde’s men. “Where is Ildris? Did he not return with you on theSea Siren?”
Viggo’s deep voice reverberated through the room. “He insisted that we leave him in the port of Thyborøn, in the north of Denmark, where we stopped to replenish supplies on the return voyage.”
Eyebrows furrowed with incomprehension, she looked at Skårde for an explanation.
“We encountered aDökkálfaras we were leavingHeiðabýrafter seeing my father. Ildris recognized himas Nithrak, one of the two proprietors of the Sapphire Chalice Tavern in Dorestad, founded by King Lothaire of West Francia. Nithrak had most likely been sent toHeiðabýras a spy for the Frankish king. We couldn’t allow him to report back to Lothaire, so Ildris used thegildirstarstone in his brooch to turn theDökkálfarto stone. We disposed of the petrified statue at sea.” Skårde downed a gulp of mead and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. “Ildris explained that Nithrak’s brother Guldur would undoubtedly come toHeiðabýrand find traces ofLjósálfarmagic, which would enable him to track Ildris. Since he did not want to lead Guldur to us here inChâteaufort, Ildris remained in Thyborøn. Apparently, he was able to cross the Bifrost bridge intoÁlfheimfrom there.”
“Guldur can’t follow him toÁlfheim.Only theLjósálfar—or those withLjósálfarmagic—can cross the Bifrost bridge.” Úlvhild’samber eyes gleamed with otherworldly wisdom as she firmly held Ylva’s incredulous gaze.
An icy shiver crept down Ylva’s spine as comprehension dawned.
I have the magic of nen glir. Perhaps one day, I will need to cross the Bifrost bridge.
She looked at Skårde. And recognized the same realization in his profound, perceptive gaze.
“Lugh and Olvir have promised to aid us in defending thePays de Caux. They’ll cast powerful, protective shields aroundChâteaufort. And—if the gods grant us victory over the Franks—around Fécamp, once you have reclaimed Richard’s fortress.”
“To the Dragon of Normandy! May Skårde the Scourge lead us to victory! Or the glory of Valhalla!”
****
The following day, as gulls cawed and waves of the Narrow Sea crashed against the craggy white chalk cliffs, Ylva and Skårde made love in the early morning light. Wrapped snugly in his sinewy arms, her head resting over his thundering heart, she heard the bellow of the castle sentinel waft on the salty wind through the open window.
“Vessel approaching! Ship sighted in the harbor!”
Her father and the Falcon had returned toChâteaufort.
Chapter 31
Royal Request
“Guldur has arrived, Your Majesty.” The royal valet Ragno bowed before Lothaire, who was seated in his carved gilded chair in the Frankish castle of Lâon.
“Send him in.” The King of West Francia arranged his ermine-edged blue velvet cloak and straightened the golden crown embedded with sapphires proudly perched atop his regal head.
