“My father will see that she comes to no harm. He has always protected his own people.”
Elisedd stared at her. “Lord Cadell, he… Lady Ula makes most of the decisions now. Father Bricius advises her. And she knows of your friendship with my mother. She wishes to punish her for it, I think.”
Aoife gasped, then turned away from Tormod. He tried not to be disappointed that she had not turned to him for help.
“Ulf! Unchain the boy,” Tormod said, stepping forward. Ulf did so but stopped him from running towards Aoife.
Aoife looked at him, a pained expression on her face.
Then Tormod spoke in Norse to ensure all the villagers understood. “The boy did not set fire to the field, but he knows who did so and he tried to put it out. That is why he has burns on his arms–burns just like Håkon’s. The Britons wish for you to turn on my wife. Are you going to give them their wish? Or shall we all work together and make the true culprits pay for their transgression rather than an innocent child?”
There was a lot of murmuring around the circle. None of the villagers sought to enter the circle challenge the judgement. Perhaps the first flush of anger was wearing off, and they were beginning to realise the unlikeliness of this one child having bested them and their defences.
“The boy walks free this day and none of you shall harm him. Do we all agree?”
There was a general, if unenthusiastic, shout of agreement.
“Do we all agree?” Tormod repeated loudly. He would brook no disagreement about this.
A louder shout was more reassuring.
“What will you do with the boy?” Aoife asked, looking down at Elisedd.
Tormod turned to the farmer. “Håkon, will you take the boy in?”
“Take the boy in?” Håkon glared at Tormod.
“There are not as many burns on your body as there are on this child. Perhaps you did not try as hard as the boy to put out the fire in your own field,” Tormod said, relieved when there was a ripple of laughter from most of those gathered around the circle. “He did more to try to put out the fire than anyone else. And he will recognise these men if they return.”
“And if he causes any more damage?”
“Then we will deal with him as we would any proven traitor.” Tormod stated. “And when we find those who attacked us in this way, they will be dealt with. You have my oath on this!”
Around the circle was a general murmur of agreement.
Tormod hoped they would find out who had done this, and quickly. His people had to believe he had only their interests at heart. Which he did, but he also knew they could not survive here surrounded by enemies that they were only going to antagonise and not at least attempt to work beside. He could only hope that the attack had been a one off. Somehow, he doubted it.
Lord Cadell had lied. Or perhaps it was, as the boy claimed, that Lady Ula made most of the decisions there now.
“Björn, arrange a better watch on the eastern coast at night. Get the boy to tell you where he crossed Loch Garw and where he landed. Håkon, I take it you have searched and found no sign of a boat?”
There was a long pause and some shuffling of feet, then Håkon took a deep breath and sighed. “No,herre.”
“So, there is no way that the boy acted alone.”
“No,herre.” There was silence for a moment, then Håkon continued. “Herre, if the boy proves to be a good worker, I will be happy to take him in.”
Tormod nodded at the man. Inwardly, he breathed a sigh of relief. This could have been disastrous, however, it seemed there was a chance it would work out for them all.
“Swear this to me,” Tormod ordered.
Håkon stepped forward and swore the oath to Tormod.
“Justice has been served!” Tormod shouted.
The other villagers nodded, not overjoyed, but satisfied.
“Håkon will take the boy in and give him a home in exchange for work,” Tormod explained to her.
