Gråskegg, Haldor’s loyal captain, had raced up from the beach. Breath heaving, he hollered to theBlóðsmiðrcrew down on the shore. “Ready the ship! We sail with the tide!”
Njörd removed his white wolfskin cloak, thick with the scent of blood, battle, and smoke. He handed it to Haldor and dropped to a crouch on Úlvhild’s opposite side. “We’ll carry her in this.”
Together they bore her and her moonstone staff down the slope toFreyja’s Falcon, the wind whipping their wild hair and tugging at their beards, the silent sky dull with smoke and ash.
After Gråskegg quickly gathered blankets and created a mock bed for her in the stern, Haldor laid Úlvhild gently onto the deck, He returned the wolfskin cloak to Njörd.
TheWolf of the Nordic Seasdraped the white fur over his shoulders and secured the clasp as Elfi knelt and kissed Úlvhild’s brow. “We’ll return to thePays de Cauxto greet Thorfinn and bury Dag with his Elven blade.” Njörd turned to Skjöld. “Do you sail with us?”
“Nei. I sail with Haldor.” Skjöld inclined his head, fierce loyalty blazing in his warrior eyes. He stood with Skadi, who had shifted back into herLjósálfarform, strands of her long blonde hair whipping in the salty wind. Their left palms were tightly joined, fusing their souls through thedroplet offrostfireflame.
Skjöld eyed his new captain and continued speaking to Njörd. “Hjálmarr and I will sailDragonfireback to Norway alongsideFreyja’s Falcon. We’ll seek lodging in Vågan, where I can obtain supplies for Haldor and Úlvhild.” The blue dragon inked around Skjöld’s thick neck glowed as he grinned at Haldor. “And deliver them by sled during the winter.” He turned to Skadi, his gaze fierce. “Do you know the cave atop the Vågakallen Mountain?”
She flashed him an impish grin. “Of course I do. Why do you think it’s called theDragon’s Leap?” Skadi traced the glowing stone on Skjöld’s Dwarven shield. “It’s near the portal toJótunheim—where Dvalinn found thisHrímsúlgem.” She kissed Skjöld’s blond, bearded lips. “I’ll come find you soon in the villagelonghouse in Vågan. After nine or ten days have passed, to give you time to arrive in Norway. And settle Úlvhild inside the cave.”
Skjöld nodded and hugged her tight, whispering a private message into her ear. When he released Skadi and glanced down at Úlvhild’s still form, concern clouded his compassionate gaze. He spoke quietly to Njörd and Elfi. “Gods willing, we’ll all sail home in the spring.”
A grim thought gripped Haldor.
To face the Frankish army of King Lothaire.
Haldor rose from Úlvhild’s side and clasped Njörd’s forearms in farewell. He kissed Elfi’s cheek and watched as Njörd escorted her from the ship onto the shore.
Hjálmarr hopped down from the deck ofFreyja’s Falcon,strode across the black sand, and climbed aboardDragonfirewhile Skjöld lingered with Skadi.
Skjöld pressed bearded lips to her pale hands, then headed toward the ship. On impulse, he ran back, swept her into his arms, and kissed her deeply while theÚlfhéðnarwhistled and howled. Reluctantly, he let her go, dashed across the beach, and jumped onto the deck of his ship.
Haldor waved to theÚlfhéðnar,Ljósálfar, and warriors gathered along the shore. As the skilled crews maneuveredthesnekkjaanddrakkarout of the harbor and unfurled the sails,he wrapped hervölvastaff in blankets, furs, and sealskin, securing it alongside the deck ofFreyja’s Falconas he sat down beside Úlvhild. He stroked her long black hair, pouring seiðrmagic into her through thesoulboundrune. Haldor leaned down to kiss her pale cheek. “I love you, Úlvhild. Stay with me.”
From the hull of his ship, Haldor watched the village of Ólafsvik disappear, as he clung tight to Úlvhild’s cold hand.
I pray that Freyja heeds my call.
And heals this wounded völva that I love with all my soul.
Chapter 22
Dragon’s Leap Cave
After nine arduous days at sea,Freyja’s FalconandDragonfirefinally docked at the Norse village of Vågan, where they had just met theBlóðsmiðrcrewless than a month ago, before sailing to the Faroe Islands at Úlvhild’s urgent summons. Now, here they were again—returning to the same port where the crew would pass the winter, because the seas would be too icy for travel to Normandy until the spring.
Haldor was physically, emotionally, and magically depleted, having sustained Úlvhild through theseiðfjáðrbond during the voyage. Although she was able to drink sips of water when she stirred, she had not fully awakened since the battle in Ísland.
While Haldor remained with Úlvhild—he dared not leave her side, since he was keeping her alive through theseiðrfjáðrbond— the crews unloaded supplies and procured lodging and work to last throughout the winter. Haldor stood on the deck ofFreyja’s Falcon, Úlvhild securely wrapped in warm blankets and thick furs by his side. The frigid sea breeze tugged at his heavy woolen cloak as he watched Skjöld and Gråskegg enter the longhouse to speak with Knút Eiriksson, chieftain of the Norse village. From inside the vast timbered hall, the inviting aroma of herbed woodsmoke, roasted meats, and freshly baked bread promised a welcome respite from autumn’s cold, briny bite.
Inside Úlvhild’s trunk on the deck of the ship, he fetched the items he would need for the ritual. Her silver chalice, embedded with gems and etched with runes.Freyja’s Whisper,her sacred dagger. Her leather belt, with its pouches of herbs, bones, and runes. And—wrapped in sealskin leather and furs for the sea voyage—her carved moonstone staff. He secured the smaller items inside hisown satchel, and laid it near the staff at her side.
When the three men emerged from the thatched roof hall, Haldor recognized the tall, broad-shouldered Knút, whose majestic reindeer cloak and finely embroidered woolen tunic reminded him of his foster father Jaskka. From where he now stood near the prow, Haldor overheard Skjöld negotiating with Knút for a sled to transport Úlvhild and supplies to theDragon’s Leapcave.
Knút gestured to two brawny men, who brought forth an empty sled from inside a storage shed near the longhouse. The runners scraped lightly against the rough stone under the light layer of snow as they pulled it forward with strong leather straps looped over their shoulders, carefully setting it down before Sköjld and Gråskegg.
As Skjöld ran a hand along the frame, Knút said, “Made of fine ash, slicked with reindeer fat. It’s sound and sturdy. This will carry her through the mountain snow. With supplies tucked in around her.”
When Skjöld nodded in approval, Knút sent his men to fetch cargo from a storehouse near the large hall. He motioned for two other men to fetch a pair of reindeer from the stable.
Gråskegg made a move to follow, but Knút lifted a hand.“My hall, my burden,” the chieftain said simply. “Let my men see to it.”
Haldor’s captain gave a respectful nod and stepped back beside Skjöld, watching as the preparations unfolded.
