“Very well,” Tormod said, then aimed his next words at Gemma. “My brothers, Ulf and Arne, will accompany you to Perthawc and return with the reward. After they have received assurances from King Rhun himself of both your safety and that of Lord Caelin.”
“Thank you, Jarl Tormod. Please accept my gratitude for the hospitality you have shown me over the winter.”
The soldiers talked quietly in their group, then the captain stepped forward. “Jarl Tormod?”
Tormod barely glanced at the man before he lifted his drink and banged it back down on the table. “The decision is made.”
“Yes, my lord… Jarl… Jarl Tormod. I understand. I just wished to request that I and one other of my men travel on the longship. As an escort for the princess. And to ensure your presence is not… misunderstood.”
Tormod pushed himself to his feet. “Misunderstood? But we are your allies, are we not?”
“Yes. Of course… but…”
Then Tormod smiled. “Very well. Your men will leave now, and you may travel with Princess Maithgemm on the longship. It will readied immediately and depart as soon as the princess has gathered all her belongings and spoken to my wife. Lady Aoife was concerned about her friend and wishes to assure herself of her safety.”
The captain nodded curtly and the soldiers went outside, accompanied by some of Tormod’s warriors and Gemma headed towards her own room to pack.
Chapter Nineteen
As Gemma strode alongthe passageway towards her room, she heard the familiar noise of a baby’s cry. She broke into a smile as she hurried towards Aoife’s room instead, although she slowed as she approached the door. After she had left when she did, would Aoife even want to see her? She knocked gently and pushed open the door at the soft, “Come in.”
“Gemma! I am so glad to see you back. Why did you leave us?” Aoife asked. “You could have died in the storm!”
“I thought it was for the best at the time. When the fishermen arrived, both Rhiannon and Arne feared others would come looking for me. Soldiers in Ir Ysgyn had been offering a reward and I was worried...” She didn’t want to point out that someone in Kirkjaster might have betrayed them for gold.
“But you are under Tormod’s protection.”
“I don’t want to be the reason Rhun gives to break the alliance or attack the settlement. I thought we could go north, start over, but I now know that’s not possible, and Caelin deserves to inherit his lands.”
Aoife opened her mouth to speak but closed it again before nodding. “It may not be so simple.”
“I know, but I need to try. And I have no other options left, Aoife.”
Aoife sighed and looked down at the baby in her arms. A child of mixed heritage, but one whom Gemma knew would be loved and protected. “And Tormod has agreed to this?”
“Yes. I am to return to Perthawc with two of Rhun’s soldiers. Ulf, Arne and some of the other warriors will ensure I am safe and… and collect the reward Rhun has offered before they come back.”
A small sound came from the bundle in Aoife’s arms. “Isn’t she beautiful?”
“She is. Does she have a name yet?”
Aoife made a face. “They both have names. My husband is being difficult, however, and will not agree with them.”
Gemma smiled, remembering the first time she had seen Caelin’s sweet face. “I knew I would call my son Caelin as soon as I saw him. It took me longer to persuade my husband. How are you? Was it a difficult birth?”
“I do not think I ever want to go through that again,” said Aoife, shuddering. “The worst bit was that as soon as my son was born I had to go through it all again.”
“But it was worth it?”
“Yes,” she said, a soft smile brightening her features. “I am thinking up ways to make Tormod suffer, so we are even.”
The two women laughed and Gemma moved to sit beside her, and looked at the other baby who was sleeping beside his mother: Tormod’s son, the future jarl of Kirkjaster.
“Ulf and Arne seemed upset when I told them Ylva planned to call her son Hrafn. But I don’t understand why.”
“Arne should be the one to announce the name, after the child is born. It may be that – or because Arne was named after a bird and has been the unluckiest of all of them. No wife and little hope of one. Although he is wealthy,” Aoife said. “They all are, but there is little use for it here. It is not the scars which keep him away from women. It is the bitterness of the betrayal.”
“Ingrid allowing him to be tortured.”
