Giric tried not to make too much noise as he released some of the breath he’d been holding.
“Their ship has twelve oars, six per side. Four and twenty men are needed to sail it. Not six and twenty.”
“Very clever, sister.”
“There’s more,” she said. “Bjorn was stabbed many times in his belly. That is not what one man would do if he were to engage in a drunken battle. It looks like—” she stopped and swallowed hard. “—like he was held down and stabbed.”
“And you do not think these men are capable of that?”
She looked directly at Giric. “I have seen no dishonour in these men. I do not think they are responsible for this crime. And besides, Einar is the obvious culprit.”
Gunnar nodded and placed his hand on Saga’s shoulder. He leaned in toward her and spoke something in her ear inaudible to Giric.
“This is a dangerous business to which we aspire,” Osgar said.
“Aye, but they came to the correct conclusion,” Giric said quietly.
“This time.”
Gunnar turned back toward them. “I trust you do not take offence of my need to eliminate you?”
“Not at all. I would have done the same. Can we offer any service to you in helping flush out the man responsible?”
“Nay. You and your men will stay here along with my sisters.” To Saga, he said, “I will find the earl and secure him. He can’t have gone far.” Then to Giric he said, “I have naught but the benches and chairs to offer you for your slumber, but I trust you will make the best of it.”
“Do not worry about us, Gunnar. Find the man.”
Gunnar nodded. “Oh and Giric?”
“Aye?”
“Keep an eye on the door leading to my sister’s chamber.”
Giric grinned. He’d known all along. “Aye, Gunnar. I will do that.”
Saga nodded to her brother as she made her way to the back of the hall and toward her chamber door. Giric caught up with her just before she opened it.
“Might I have a quick word with you, before you retire?” he asked.
When she turned he caught the full sense of the impact the night’s events had on her.
“You are close to Bjorn,” he said.
She met his gaze. “We have trained together since we were but six summers.”
Giric reached out to touch her shoulder. “I will help your brother find the man responsible. You have my word.”
“That is twice this night you have given me your word,” she said. “I hope it is as worthy as it appears to be.”
“I know of none more reliable,” he said. And he meant it. He would do everything he could to help sort the mess out, for her sake.
“Then I bid you a good night and good dreams, Giric of Alba.”
Giric grinned at her but said nothing. Her gaze dropped to his mouth for a moment then back to his eyes, having taken on a softer look.
Giric leaned forward slightly to see what she would do. To his delight she leaned toward him as well, their mouths only inches apart. His back shielded her from the rest of the hall so there was no chance anyone would see if he simply closed the distance and kissed her.
Giric leaned closer. She did too, her breath now fanning his face.
