Ragna laughed. “I’m not sure that they see it that way. My sons follow you because you are a good leader, the right man to lead this village. They would not do so if they did not believe in you.”
Tormod heard her words but struggled to allow himself to believe them. “Every time I look at Arne… Every time I see Einar… I am reminded of how I allowed myself to be deceived and the consequences it nearly had.”
“But you have learned,” Ragna assured him. “You will not make the same mistake again. I do not believe you have.”
“And if I have? Who will die this time? All of us?”
“Aside from those who attacked us in the Norselands, the only one who died last time was Ingrid.”
“Arne almost died.” Tormod was unable to meet his aunt’s gaze. “You nearly lost your son because I refused to believe him when he told me she did not love me.”
“But I did not. And if I had, it would have been Ingrid who was to blame,” Ragna said firmly. “It was not you who lay in wait for him at that hut. Ingrid knew her lover and his friends were waiting there to attack whoever followed her.”
“It should have been me.”
“Arne may have nearly died in your place that day, Tormod, but he would do it again. He would be happy to give his life if it meant keeping you alive. You are his jarl and he considers it an honour to protect you.”
Tormod swallowed. Ragna’s words were shifting things in his mind.
“And besides,” Ragna said firmly, “this is no longer relevant. Ingrid deceived us all, but that does not mean Aoife is the same.”
“But what if she is?” Tormod asked. “I forgave Ingrid for lying to me about the child. Let her live even after her family attacked us and Arne—”
“That was a long time ago and in another land,” Ragna said.
“My father told me back then that I did not deserve to be jarl. What if he was right? How can I be jarl when I am so easily deceived? Maybe I do not deserve to rule.”
Ragna smiled and gently squeezed his arm. “You do deserve to be jarl. Never doubt it. Everyone in this village followed you here because they believe in you.”
Tormod frowned. “Perhaps if she is with child, it is the lesser of two evils.”
“Two evils?”
“She spoke of the animals dying,” Tormod said. “Of fire and more death.”
“How odd.” Ragna pursed her lips. “Our animals are well. Perhaps it is nothing more than a bad dream. Pregnancy plays funny tricks on a woman at times.”
“She dreamed about the fire in Håkon’s field as it happened. What if she dreamed about it because she already knew it was going to happen?”
“Tormod. She is not like Ingrid. I am sure of it. You must speak to her and ask her. If she is innocent, she will answer you with no hesitation. Think about how you would make a judgment ifit was for another instead of for yourself. Perhaps you will see it more clearly then. But do not base your judgment on the actions of another. Look to the future.”
“I have more than just myself to keep safe,” Tormod said. “I have the whole village to think of, the other settlers who will follow.”
“I know, but I am sure you will come to see the truth as it should be seen. Perhaps your wife can help you. She is carrying your child. Do not let the past cloud your decisions.”
Tormod watched as Ragna went back into the hall, then he went into his room. Aoife was asleep, her face more relaxed than he had seen it before. His stomach clenched at the thought that she might be lying to him, but as he watched her sleep, her features relaxed and she appeared even more beautiful than when she was awake. He sat beside her and stroked her face. She smiled in her sleep and moved towards his touch.
Then he pulled off his clothes and slid into the bed beside her. Tomorrow he would confront her and she would answer him without hesitation and put all his fears to rest. After that, he would put his past with Ingrid behind him and look only to the future.
The next morning he was woken by someone hammering on his bedroom door. He yanked open the door to find his three cousins on the other side. “What is it?” Their expressions were dark.
Ulf pushed his way past him into the bedroom and stood in front of Aoife, his arms folded. “Elisedd came to the village this morning. Håkon’s animals are dying,” he announced, eyeing Aoife. “Just as Lady Aoife said last night.”
“Out!” Tormod grabbed Ulf by the shoulder and marched him towards the door. “I need time to speak to my wife. Wait for me in the hall. Do nothing until I come.” Ulf opened his mouth to argue but Tormod slammed the door on him and leaned against it. He watched Aoife’s face carefully as she pushed herself to an upright position then he sat down beside her, causing the mattressto shift. She groaned and hugged her knees, trembling. “How are you feeling?”
Her eyes closed for a moment, then opened again. “I’ve been better.”
“What will you do with me?” Her voice was small and tired. She sniffed, then held herself stiff and straight and reached for the drink before taking small sips.
