For several moments, nothing happened. Then the horse renewed its efforts to be free, bucking and twisting and succeeding in tossing the saddle from its back. He shook his head and gave a loud whinny, stomping a front hoof. Hradi and Kori laughed.
"He's scolding you, brother," Kori said.
"He's going to be even angrier when I put it back on." Hradi strode to the saddle, the woolen pad caught underneath. He pulled the pad free and once more set the saddle on the top rail of the fence, before approaching the stallion with the pad and starting the process over again.
Seven more times, the horse threw the saddle from his back, and seven more times, Hradi returned it. On the eighth attempt, the animal appeared to understand that the routine would continue, no matter how much he resisted. He finally stopped fighting and stood still, albeit trembling, a thin coat of sweat shining on his furry flanks.
Hradi rewarded the animal with another carrot and took up a position beside his brother. "Now to tie the saddle on."
"May the gods be with you when you attempt that. If he was angry before, he'll be ready to trample you."
Hradi nodded. "I should put on my armor first."
Kori chuckled. "And you will have to return to the longhouse to retrieve it. Katrin may be there."
The woman had not been far from his thoughts all during the time with the stallion, though focusing on his work had kept his fanciful imaginings at bay. Now an image of her face took over all else, accompanied by the recollection of her lips melting under his. His cock stirred. Damn his brother for ending the brief respite of discomfort.
"Do you wish me to beat you?" he growled.
"For what? Reminding you of what you must do? Tonight will be your first chance to find out if Gunilla is planning to betray us. At the very least I think she means to obtain some of our wealth for herself. But I cannot be sure she intends to help us in any way. I fear she may be working with some of our enemies."
"Who?"
Kori shrugged. "At this point, there is no way to tell. But I trust you'll figure it out once you are alone with Katrin."
Silently, he worried Kori was right, that Gunilla and her retinue indeed meant harm to the clan. Some instinct told him Katrin did not share the same ill-intentions her mistress may possess. Was he a fool? He'd been proven one before, hoping he might find a similar passion with his slave, just like his brother had. Instead, he'd been publicly humiliated. Embarrassment from that day still lingered.
Disgusted with the path his thoughts had taken, he turned back to the horse, intent on continuing the task of training the animal. By next spring, he expected the beast to be one of the best warhorses he had ever owned. He wondered what Katrin would think of his skills.
Slapping his palm against his forehead, he let loose an oath that would singe her ears had she heard it. His brother scowled.
"Do not let your lust for her get in the way."
Hradi pierced Kori with a fierce stare. "She is innocent, and likely a pawn."
His desire for her had nothing to do with his insistence, or so he tried to tell himself. That insistent gut feeling persuading him Katrin was not capable of the treachery of her mistress grew stronger. Despite her fiery hair, something about her seemed light and innocent. Genuine. Several times he had seen exasperation etched into her expression when listening to Gunilla. Surely that meant she was not completely under the older woman's sway, in spite of her outward appearance of loyalty.
Kori spoke again. "Then think of this. Not only will you ensure we are not being betrayed, you will save her as well."
How had he not realized that? Suddenly, the urgency to return to her, to earn her trust, became more than using her as a conduit of information. He could save her from a possibly miserable life serving the old witch. What trick did the gods play with him now, making him think like a besotted fool? His only concern should be protecting his family and his clan. No one else.
Hradi fixed a steady gaze on his brother. "I promise you, if the witch and her attendants mean us harm, I will make sure they do not succeed."
He ignored the inner voice taunting him about the desire heating his veins.
CHAPTER FIVE
Katrin placed her last two tunics into the sack. Grooming and personal items had already been stored in the inner pockets of the cloak, and her other belongings were soon also secured inside the satchel. Packing them had taken less time than she'd hoped.
She turned to face Gunilla, sitting on the bed in the small hut behind the longhouse. Thankfully, no one joined them here. The idle wondering of the other girls passed through the disjointed thoughts tumbling in her head.
"I will see you every day."
Gunilla stood. Katrin noted the sheen in her eyes. Her own burned at the sight. The older woman took her hands.
"You don't remember the day I took you in as mine." Gunilla's voice wavered. She closed her eyes and lowered her head for several moments, her grip on Katrin growing tighter. A deep breath lifted her slender shoulders and she once more met Katrin's gaze.
"I knew the moment I laid my eyes on you that you possessed a special gift. I was right. And your mother knew it as well."
