“You dislike that tree?” someone lightly asks.
Turning around, I see Bodil, a young Viking warrior. However, it seems she met a better fighter than herself. Her injuries indicate that the brawl was recent. I wonder who got the better of this skilled warrior?
“I do not like most things, Bodil. You are aware of this. You, however, I may make an exception for.”
She laughs, and I think she has believed my lies for now.
“What brings the elusive Skarth the Godless out of hiding?”
“I was hardly hiding,” I correct, standing my ground. “Merely minding my business.”
Something is bothering Bodil. I knew of her family, but I did not get to know her well. But it is evident she is unhappy.
“You are akin to Odin to himself these days,” she continues with a smile. “A god walks amongst us.”
“Mind your tongue, Bodil. There will be consequences for insulting the gods.”
“I fear I have already faced those consequences.” She is no doubt talking about her injuries because her ego seems bruised as well.
“Our meeting is not by chance. What is it that you want? I do not have time to waste.”
Bodil smirks, but it’s not of a pleasant nature. “I believe when I tell you what I know, you will give me whatever I wish for.”
I stand still because in the silence, she can read my annoyance at her game playing.
“I have information that you seek. These wounds I am marred with, they were bestowed upon me by your beloved.”
I don’t doubt her because she would not lie and tarnish her honor this way. “What do you want?”
“I will tell you what I know, but in return, I wish for my honor to be replenished.”
“How am I to do this?”
“Our people listen to you,” she says, walking forward while I stand my ground. “You will spread the word that I am the one who has been helping you save our kin from the Saxons.”
I scoff because she believes that our people deserve to be punished if caught. But she has what I want, so I nod.
“You have my word.”
Bodil has the upper hand and knows I will stick true to my word because nothing is more important than Emeline.
“Your precious Emeline rides to Wessex to seek you out. Ulf the Bloody is with her.”
Her words stab at me with a million swords as I know what this means. But I focus on what’s important.
“Why does she leave England unprotected?”
“I do not know, but it’s been said she seeks you out as her kingdom is challenged. She rides with Ulf as he protects her.”
Bodil knows what her words do to me. She chooses them with intent because I know Ulf, and his riding in to save Emeline is a ploy to bed her and ensure he stays there for all the days to come.
“How long ago did you see her?”
When Bodil hesitates, I place my sword at the hollow of her throat. “Do not test my patience.”
The fear in Bodil’s wide eyes is evident. “Only shy of a day. If you act with haste and ride north, you will find her. She will be keeping to the shadows and away from eyes as she is no longer safe in her country—from the Saxons or the Danes.”
This is worse than I thought.
