‘Of course,’ she snapped, squinting up at the smoke hole and realising the sun was higher than she had expected.
‘You were sleeping like the dead.’ He glanced pointedly over at her bone cup and spoon on a nearby table, which she’d used to mix her sleeping draught.
‘Did you think I’d poisoned myself? Sorry to disappoint you, but I would never leave my daughter willingly.’
‘True. But for a moment, I wondered…’ he admitted and she scowled at his lack of concern. ‘But then I heard you snoring like a drunk and knew you were fine.’
Horrified, Skadi threw aside the covers and got out of bed with an outraged shriek. ‘I donotsnore!’
‘If you say so…’ Agnar gave a wicked smile that caused flames to rush up the sides of her neck. He stood up and left without further comment.
So much for him finding her attractive…although, had he really been concerned about her?
Confused, she stomped behind the screen and dressed in her training clothes, a thick blue-wool tunic over a linen one, with matching soft woollen trousers and brown fur-lined boots. She didn’t bother with a cloak, as her training would keep her warm, and she belted her practice sword around her waist and strode out into the pleasant autumn day. She doubted there would be many dry and sunny days left—when winter came to the island it was always swift and brutal.
* * *
She’d agreed to meet Astra at the training yard with Brenna, so after eating a quick breakfast she made her way there, knowing Astra would have already started without her.
The training area was a fenced-off square, a few hundred feet from the hall. The ground had been flattened and covered with a layer of sand. The armoury building was also within the square and when she walked through the gate, she nodded at many of her warriors, who were training within. She suspected they were bored.
Many of them were locked in combat with one or two others, using wooden swords and shields, while others practised archery with straw targets or wrestled bare-chested. They were accustomed to her presence and knew not to stop training just because she’d entered the yard.
Agnar’s men still lined the battlements and took turns taking the watch. She wondered if she should speak with Agnar about re-introducing her men into their defences. There was no way of knowing how long Olaf’s men would remain with them and it would be unwise of Agnar to not use the local warriors, especially as bored young men often left to seek new adventures and very rarely returned.
That had been the problem with Heimdall—he’d insisted on going raiding every summer with Sven. But his travels had put a strain on her own defences, as the young men always left with him and often settled in new lands or died in battle.
In contrast, Agnar seemed keen to learn about the island and, if it hadn’t beenhim,she might have been impressed to have a husband so willing to ensure the survival and prosperity of Thrudheim… Except that had always been her domain in the past and she was unwilling to give it up.
It took a moment to spot Astra and Brenna among the warriors. Usually, Brenna embroidered or knitted while Astra practised her sword swings. But today, the basket of crafts was left ignored on the floor, and Brenna stood anxiously wringing her hands.
It didn’t take long for Skadi to realise why. Astra was wearing her usual helm and similar clothing to Skadi’s training outfit, but she usually practised her sword swings and shield blocks on the large fighting post.
Today, she faced Agnar and he looked like a giant against her daughter.
Skadi broke out into a run.
‘What are you doing?’ she demanded, only slightly relieved to see that Agnar was no longer carrying a steel blade, but a wooden sword and shield. However, he still had a weapon strapped to his belt, the throwing axe he carried around with him everywhere he went. Its presence made her nervous, despite the blade head remaining firmly in its leather holder.
Brenna’s shoulders visibly dropped with relief when she arrived. ‘He insisted!’ she declared, although there was anxiety and apology written in worried lines all over her face.
Agnar’s eyes locked with hers and he shrugged. ‘I am teaching her how to protect herself against a bigger opponent.’
Skadi’s jaw tightened and she was about to yell at him when Astra declared cheerfully, ‘Look Moma!’ and she stepped forward, her shield raised high, and Skadi’s heart stopped.
Agnar gave Skadi what she assumed was meant to be a reassuring smile, then he swept his sword down to smack Astra’s shield with a force that Skadi was far from comfortable with. To her surprise, Astra shifted out of the way at the last moment and struck down with her sword point against Agnar’s boot.
‘Ouch!’ Agnar grumbled, hopping up and down with far more energy than seemed realistic for the light blow he’d suffered.
‘Sorry!’ giggled Astra, without a speck of regret, and Skadi forced herself to smile.
‘Well done, Astra. That is an interesting technique. I had thought to move on to counter-attacks when you were confident with holds and swings.’ She gave a meaningful glare at Agnar, hoping he would understand that she’d intended Astra to be confident with the basics, before she moved on to complicated defensive manoeuvres.
However, Agnar seemed oblivious to the importance of her process, because he said dismissively, ‘What is the point of her knowing all the thrusts and strikes when she doesn’t have the power to use them? Much better to teach her wit and cunning, so that she can disarm her opponent quickly.’
Skadi frowned. ‘Ather age,I do not want her fighting an opponent. We are learning the basics with the sword and shield. We will move on to more complicated things when she isstrong enough to handle them.’
Agnar shook his head, oblivious to her growing temper. ‘She will be dead in less than a heartbeat if she gets into a true fight. Those techniques are useless without strength and height. You saw how quickly I disarmed her before.’
