‘What was it like?’
Agnar shrugged. ‘Hot and strange.’
She laughed. ‘Is that all you have to say?’
Agnar smiled and his gaze lingered on her mouth for a few moments. ‘It was not where I wanted to be. As you get to know me you will realise that I am as obstinate as a mule, especially when it comes to my goals, and I saw those places as stepping stones, a way to reach my ultimate ambition…’ He paused and his eyes locked with hers. ‘I wanted to be here…with you.’ As if embarrassed by his confession, he looked away from her towards the mine, his jaw flexing as if he were fighting some inner turmoil and regretted his words.
Skadi’s face flushed and she struggled to think of a response.
Surely he didn’t mean it like that?He’d been building his army and wealth, not…yearning to be by her side. He’d only been a boy when he’d left—no man would be infatuated with a memory from his childhood, especially for all that time! Perhaps he meant simply that he’d wanted the land and kingdom that he’d been promised. Which meant she was still a trophy to be won and owned…Yes, that’s what he meant!
Skadi cleared her throat and pretended he hadn’t spoken. ‘We also produce lead and copper here and in greater quantity to our silver. But it is not without risk or hardship. This…’ she pointed to the steep path with its pulley and thick rope ‘…is the safest way down for the ore. There is no danger of mudslides as there are on the other path. It is too rocky for that, but the path is unbearably steep. We use winches, pulleys and strong mules to safely transport it to the smelting furnaces at the bottom of the mountain. The miners are rewarded well for their dangerous and hard work, but sadly we still lose men occasionally. There’s always the danger of a mine collapse, or even bad falls from on the mountain path.’
Agnar moved closer to the steep drop. ‘I will not benefit from another man’s labour and sacrifice until I have experienced it myself. When things are settled, I will inspect and work these mines to see if there are any improvements I can make to safety.’
A warm glow of appreciation spread through her body. ‘That is admirable. I did the same when I was younger, but I welcome any and all improvements to safety. The mountain is treacherous, but it is also our greatest protection. As you learned yourself, the landscape of Thrudheim makes it difficult to sneak up on us, or conquer our lands. You were indeed lucky to do so without coming to any harm.’
‘It will be even harder now,’ Agnar replied and then explained by pointing up at the peak of the highest mountain. ‘I will be creating a series of beacons around the island. Once enemy ships are spotted, they will be lit and it will warn us of any unexpected arrivals.’
‘Impressive. I did not have enough men to do that before. It is good that you are rectifying those gaps in our defences.’
Agnar seemed pleased by her confession and he turned towards the entrance of the mine. It looked more like a troll’s cave, the area around its entrance dusty and well worn from so many carts being pulled back and forth to the smelting furnaces and workshops below in Thrudheim.
They walked over to the clearing around the mine’s entrance. There was a small stone cabin close by for the miners, its timber roof tarred and painted green to keep out the rain and any eagle-eyed Vikings watching from the sea.
The horses they’d ridden joined the stock of hardy mountain ponies in a loosely fenced pen to enjoy the alpine herbs and bushes. The encircled ‘pasture’ was more of an encircled piece of the forested slope, but there was still a small amount of grass for them to enjoy despite the increasing cold.
Astra was already inside the fenced area, patting the ponies and feeding herbs to the greedy goats. Skadi pointed out the small replica of the cabin with a smile. ‘That’s for the chickens and goats, so that the miners can have fresh eggs and milk. They have limited supplies up here, but I’ve tried to give them a few home comforts. I’ve told them they can return to Thrudheim for winter now. The weather has started to turn and there’s no point them carrying on if the frost and snow come.’
She frowned.
‘What is it?’
She was reluctant to admit the truth, but she knew it would give her a clear insight into Agnar’s true nature. ‘We only mine for a short time each year, late spring to late autumn, when the weather is reasonably dry and warm enough to dig. They could work for longer, I suppose, through the winter and spring. But to do so could put the men at risk, especially in the wet and cold months. The land shifts—occasionally we’ve come back after a stormy spring to find a tunnel collapsed or the path blocked by fallen trees.’ She paused, watching his face closely. ‘But to mine throughout the year could significantly increase our production…and our wealth.’
She didn’t mention that Heimdall had tried many times to convince her of mining throughout the year. She’d managed to avoid it by pointing out, or exaggerating, some recent disaster or struggles the miners had faced that year. Luckily, he’d not been interested enough in running the kingdom to question it.
Agnar’s top lip lifted in a lopsided smile and her breath caught in her throat, not only in anticipation of what he would say, but in an unexpected flood of desire. She found his gruff features more handsome every day, particularly when he had that knowing smile on his face, as if he knew some dark and wicked secret of hers.
‘Do you not have enough wealth already?’ he asked mildly, ‘You bathe with exotic soaps, eat honey and spices daily and drink Frankish wine from a glass chalice… What more could you want?’
She stared at him, this scarred and fearsome warrior who so easily dismissed increasing his wealth, when any other man’s greed would lead the way. Glory and treasure were the reason Norse men became Vikings, so that they could raid and gather more treasure. Heimdall had not been content with his hoard, he’d searched and raided every year to increase it. Wanting to enter Valhalla with a sword in one hand and the glory of a mountain of silver in the other.
What more could she want?She dared not even think about it for too long. To do so felt greedy and all she could think of was Agnar’s warm arms wrapped around her in the training yard, that lingering look to her mouth just now and his confession that he’d simply wanted to be with her.
What would it be like to kiss him? To make love to him?
She’d hoped that she might be able to seduce him…but was she foolish to think she could manipulate a man with something so fleeting as desire? And was he the one actually manipulating her? She couldn’t be sure either way, as her attraction towards him seemed to be growing despite her better judgement.
She turned a little to watch her daughter squeal with delight as the goats hopped on logs and boulders around her.
Agnar was dangerous.She couldn’t forget that, or the way he’d held her daughter’s life in his hands only a few days ago. ‘I want nothing more than my people to be safe and well fed.’ She looked back at him, her tone serious. ‘Wealth allows that.’
His eyes met hers and the green of his eyes shone with understanding—it was as if he could read her thoughts, her fears and doubts. ‘It does… But you are not safe…not yet. However, I can help you with that. Wealth is of no use without that, especially if you are only mining it for another. Please show me everything, I wish to learn.’
His willingness to listen to her was surprising, but she did as he asked. She began to run through the process, reciting what she’d learned from her father. Explaining everything there was to know about the mines and production of the ore. His interest seemed genuine and he regularly asked questions to clarify points, never once appearing bored or disregarding her opinions as Heimdall so often had.
As they were preparing to enter the mines, Astra joined them and she included her in her teachings. It was an important part of Thrudheim that she needed to know as its heir. Although Skadi refused to let her enter the mine without all of them first putting on the battered helms many of the miners wore to protect their heads.
