Confrontation
Missing Randvior wasmore painful than being stabbed in the eye. Noelle cursed herself for mistakenly planting the seeds of lust in another man’s heart! She prayed desperately to see her bloodthirsty Viking come crashing through the doors to rescue her.
As if he read her mind, Sveinn tugged at her chin. “He will never find us.”
She didn’t challenge him, only followed his instructions perfectly because she didn’t want Aud’s family to suffer anymore. She dressed in three layers of clothing and packed her satchel. Before Sveinn collected her, she put on the gold bangle Randvior gave her, fearing it might be the only memento she’d ever have from him.
The curtains parted and Sveinn stared in at her. “You followed my instructions well.” He stepped inside. “Before we leave…” He tipped her chin. “…we will finish what we started weeks ago.”
Aud and Nessa and their beautiful daughters filled her head and she parted her lips willingly. Whatever she needed to do to keep them alive… his tongue slid into her mouth.
Blood pounded violently in Randvior’s head. Aud had just delivered the bad news. With his countenance on fire, he opened his mouth and screamed.
Men scrambled in every direction.
Randvior stormed across the great hall and grabbed his sacred axe from the wall above his throne. Reserved only for war, he considered this a fight for his life. He couldn’t breathe without her, much less be expected to live. He turned to his men and prepared them as if an invading force waited at his gate. Not only had he grossly underestimated Sveinn, he had failed to protect his beloved, again.
Prudence and admiration for Fald Ovesen had prevented him from killing his son before.Never again.The next time Randvior set eyes on him, Sveinn Ovesen would die.
Randvior shut his eyes and took a deep breath. “How long has Noelle been gone?”
“Nearly a day.” Aud tightened his weapon belt and checked his knives.
Randvior knew his loyal captain burned with hatred, too. He deserved avengement nearly as much as he did. The security of his home had been breached. Curse Odin for forcing him into this situation. Dangling a beautiful woman in front of him, then snatching her away in the middle of the night. If this was meant to test his faith, it did little to advance the god’s cause in his eyes.
Donning full armor, Randvior spoke to his men. “Sveinn Ovesen attacked our brother’s home and kidnapped my woman. Who will ride beside me and help deliver Odin’s justice?”
Every man in the hall volunteered.
Thejarlswelled with pride. “We shall take him alive if we can.” Adrenaline pumped through his body. Randvior slammed his fist against the metal armor covering his chest. “And then, I’ll pulverize his skull with my bare hands.”
He divided the guards into five groups. Three teams would search north, east, and south. The fourth would stake out Sveinn’s home. And Randvior’s team, which included Aud, would ride west, toward the sea.
After three days, weariness showing on his face, Randvior searched a broad area while his men made camp. Regrettably, his nemesis had covered his tracks well. He scrutinized everything between the ground and starry heavens above and still found nothing.
He burned for Noelle as badly as a drunk craves a bottle.
Two more bitter nights passed, and finally, Randvior got lucky. He sighted a fire somewhere in the distance. No one lived this far west. Riding ahead, he climbed steadily up a snow-covered hill. His stallion punched through the snow with as much ragged determination as he rode. A rare, blue full moon provided plenty of light as he crossed a shallow tributary and discovered fresh tracks on the other side. He dismounted. A shoulder overlooking the sea blocked his way west; the only direction left to go was up.
Randvior trudged another two miles before he came across a dilapidated cabin. An abandoned woodcutter’s shed, judging by the rusty tools and snow covered woodpiles. He circled the structure three times—relying on his hearing. He couldn’t see inside, the narrow windows were blacked out. His men arrived minutes later and Randvior directed his gaze heavenward.
“Grant us good fortune, great Odin.”
Upon Randvior’s signal, Aud’s heavily clad foot punched through the plank door.
Seven men were huddled around a metal brazier, sleeping comfortably with no weapons at the ready. Randvior spit curses at them as they scrambled to their feet, groping the floor for their swords.
“Your master left juveniles to guard his gate.” Randvior taunted.
“And your negligence cost you a woman.” The swarthiest of Sveinn’s guards wore a wolfish grin.
A torrent of rage rained down on Randvior. He lunged with his axe hefted over his head. The man who spoke so freely edged away. His words lost to silence. Thejarlbrought the blunt edge of his weapon down on the man’s skull. With his axe bloodied and Odin’s fury on his face, he turned his rage on the remaining men. They surrendered immediately.
Aud pounded his sword against his shield. “Kill them.”
Randvior lowered his weapon, eyeing Sveinn’s guards.
He should demonstrate mercy. “Pledge loyalty and I will spare your miserable lives.”
