Away from the unreasonable family, it didn’t take Sven long to explain the situation.
“I’m not asking for anything other than a chance to prove Eahlswith’s innocence,” he concluded. “But I need to protect her from harm while I go in search of the real culprit. Will you detain her here for me? Keep her safe? I don’t trust the family not to do justice by themselves.”
The man tilted his head in consideration. He seemed almost amused. “You know, you’re the third son of Wolf’s I’ve had to deal with since I was elected three years ago. How many more are there? I’m starting to worry I will have to help one of you every year until someone else replaces me.”
“I’m the last one. Then there is just our sister, Eyja.” Sven’s mouth quivered because the imp was worth two men, and he wouldn’t be surprised if she ended up having to ask the reeve for help herself. But that was not why he was here. “Please. Eahlswith should not be punished for a deed she is innocent of and there is an easy way for me to prove she didn’t do anything wrong.”
The reeve nodded. “If you find this other woman, then Richie’s parents won’t have any other choice but to accept you are telling the truth. Now. Who is she to you?”
How to answer this question? And why was the man asking it?
“It matters not who she is to me, all that matters is that she is innocent.”
“Indeed. Indeed.” The reeve’s eyes gleamed. Hewasamused. “Come,” he said again, this time leading the way back into the hall.
To Sven’s relief, Eahlswith appeared unharmed. She was even smiling a little. It wouldn’t surprise him if she had half-convinced the family of her innocence already. Certainly they seemed calmer than before. He placed himself next to her while the reeve announced his decision.
“This woman will be detained here until Sven the Norseman brings proof that she didn’t commit the crime she is accused of. Does that satisfy you?”
“Aye,” the father said without hesitation. “But if he’s not back before the month is out, we’ll consider he’s lied and disappeared to have to avoid proving the veracity of his claim. Then the woman will have to pay. It’s only fair.”
Sven’s blood shot straight to his skull. Why was the man so determined to think ill of everyone? “For the last time, I’m not lying, you piece of?—”
The reeve raised a hand. “It is agreed. Sven, son of Wolf, you will bring us the proof of this woman’s innocence before the end of the month. In the meantime, she will remain here, under heavy guard.”
The family started to thank the man for what they took as a form of punishment but Sven ignored them. Eahlswith was looking at him with eyes shiny with emotion. Was she grateful for his help? Worried he wouldn’t make it back in time?
“Don’t go. Please, don’t go all alone, not for me.” Her voice was little more than a breath. “It’s not safe. I couldn’t bear it if anything happened to you.”
Ignoring the people around them he drew her into a fierce embrace, stopping just before he could kiss her. She was thinking of Edwin, who’d been set upon on the road and killed. But he wouldn’t let anything or anyone stop him. She wouldn’t have to carry the burden of a second death, he would make sure of it.
“I will be careful. And I will be back before the month is over, I swear.”
21
In the end, it took Sven almost a week to find Ealawynne.
Asking everyone along the road if they had seen a dark-haired Saxon, he had no difficulty establishing her route, but to his intense annoyance she had traveled much further north than he’d thought. It seemed that she had thought it prudent to put as much distance between them as possible. A wise precaution, but it wouldn’t be enough. She had to pay for what she had done to poor Richie.
When she saw him appear through the mist one morning, determination evident in his every step, she fainted dead away. Sven smiled to himself grimly. She had just made his job twice as easy.
Marveling at her resemblance to Eahlswith when malice was not distorting her face, he lifted her into his arms and onto Gulltoppr’s back. When she came to a moment later they were already riding back. It would take another week, maybe slightly less, to reach town. There was not a moment to lose. He would not let Eahlswith in her cell a moment longer than necessary. Not that she would be mistreated, but still.
As soon as she saw where she was—and who with—Ealawynne started to scream. Sven ruthlessly clamped his hand over her mouth, having no intention of alerting anyone to what was happening when he was in a hurry. “Hush. I’m not here to hurt you.”
She threw him a panicked look. Why are you here then? The question was plain to see in her dark eyes. He answered it, hoping that knowing she had nothing to fear would put an end to her protests.
“When you left town with your lover and your damned cart, you ran over a young man and broke his leg in the process. I believe you know what I’m talking about?” It would have been impossible for her not to notice Richie’s screams or his parents’ shouts. She gave no indication that she knew who the man was, however, or that she felt guilt over the accident. Why was he not surprised? The woman was as evil as her sister was kind. “Well, when Eahlswith and I rode back into town in the same cart, the young man’s family obviously mistook her for you and demanded retribution. I’m here to ensure they do get it, but from the right woman, the one actually responsible for the youth’s injury.”
He relaxed his hold over her mouth, hoping she would have understood by now that she had nothing to fear from him, since he needed her. To his relief, she didn’t utter a sound and for a while they traveled in silence.
They soon reached a stream. Having had to cross it the day before, Sven knew it was shallow enough to allow them to ford it without mishap while staying in the saddle. He slowed Gulltoppr right down, ready to guide him through the rocks. Taking advantage of the fact that his attention was wholly on the managing of his mount, Ealawynne jumped down to the ground before he could stop her and caught a large stone in her hand. With a cry of rage she threw it at his head. It missed him by aninch but hit the stallion’s right ear. The beast reared, more in surprise than pain and by the time Sven had him under control, Ealawynne was running toward the bushes.
Silly woman. Did she really think he would let her escape now? With a roar Sven jumped down from the saddle and gave chase. Seeing he was coming, Ealawynne changed her mind and headed toward the river, her intention clear. Not knowing it was too shallow to swim, she meant to use it to escape.
He caught her before she reached the water and pinned her against his chest.
“Try anything like this again, injure me or my horse in any way, and I will break your puny neck,” he hissed in her ear. “The reeve and the family of Saxons need to see that Eahlswith does indeed have a twin sister so they let her go. But you don’t need to be alive for them to see that. Your corpse will suffice. I believe you know exactly what I mean, having meant to use your sister’s corpse to your own end.”
