“I agree,” Vigdis said. “And we will suspend the festivities until we can return. I will join you and care for her on the trip.”
“Aye, I agree too,” Osgar said. “The sea is calm today. I will rouse the men and have them prepare the galleys. We should be able to push off in a few hours.”
They both left the chamber again leaving Magnus alone with Elspeth. He sat there for a time stroking her hair. Someone cleared their throat from the doorway. He knew who it was without even looking.
“You may enter. I trust Gunnar has told you why you’re here?”
“He has. Magnus I’m sorry for earlier. I have no excuse and I hope in time you can forgive me. But for now, I must examine the lady. I do not have Freydis’ skills, but I can tell if she was poisoned.”
Magnus stepped away from the bed allowing Yrsa to move closer and examine Elspeth. She lifted her eyelids to peer into her eyes, touched her forehead, and lifted her hand out from under the furs to look at her fingernails. She listened to her breathing for a time. Yrsa held Elspeth’s hand and placed her palm on the woman’s forehead and closed her eyes.
She sat like that for a while and was still in that position when Vigdis returned a while later. His sister gave him a questioning look to which Magnus shrugged.
“She has not been poisoned,” Yrsa finally said after what seemed like an age. “In fact, I can find nothing physically wrong with her. Freydis taught me how to listen to a person’s body to find the source of sickness and I can tell you with certainty this woman is in perfect health.”
Yrsa stood and approached Vigdis barely glancing at Magnus. “I can do nothing for her.” With that she left the chamber.
Magnus was both relieved and further worried. He was pleased Yrsa would not be needed any further, but having no insight into what was wrong with Elspeth gave him an uneasy feeling in the pit of his stomach.
“I will gather what we need for our journey and you must do the same. There is no guarantee we will return here until the spring, Magnus. Pack what you can. I will sit with Elspeth until the galleys are ready.”
Magnus nodded and left the chamber to head to the armoury. He hadn’t unpacked his sea chest with his belongings from the galley as he spent most nights sleeping below deck. The ship’s rocking usually lulled him into slumber whenever he needed rest so the only things he needed to stock up on were hand made from Ragnar the blacksmith.
As soon as he stepped inside he was struck by the memory of Elspeth and the aroma of cloves which was fast becoming a welcomed familiar scent.
He stared at the spot where she’d stood staring up at him with uncertainty and curiosity in her eyes. Magnus shook his head. He needed to stay focused.
With an armful of axes, Gramr, and a few smaller daggers, Magnus headed to his galley and stored them below deck with his other belongings. He usually sailed with a large crew to help navigate the northern sea, but for this voyage minimal would be best since he did not know when they could return.
Once his men were rounded up and preparing the rigging, he left the galley to check on Vigdis and Elspeth. To say he was shocked to see her sitting up in bed upon his return would be a gross understatement.
“How do you feel?” he asked as he came to her side and grasped her hand.
To his joy, she did not try to retrieve it, rather held on.
“I am feeling a little better,” she said. “And looking forward to journeying home.”
He couldn’t agree more. Once she was in familiar surroundings, he was certain she could get these episodes under control and most importantly, be safe.
“Are you ready for another sea voyage?” he asked.
“Aye, Magnus, I am.”
Magnus helped her out of bed and walked with her to his galley. He lifted her on board, a little surprised at how light she was. He was further surprised when she walked straight to the galley’s prow and perched behind it, wrapping her arms around its neck. He’d thought to make the offer for her to spend the journey below deck, but clearly she had other ideas. Shaking his head, he retrieved two large thick furs and wrapped them around her and grinned. She had courage, he’d give her that.
* * *
Elspeth closed her eyes and leaned forward loving the fresh salt air on her face and the occasional spray from the sea. The waters were calm with little swell making for a pleasant journey thus far. She loved how the galley rocked to and fro and was convinced she was meant to be a sailor.
She’d always felt happy when near water. Nana Besse, the old woman from the village who used to visit her, told her how each person was connected to one of the four elements, wind, water, earth, and fire. In Elspeth’s rare case, she was connected to all elements and must respect them for a time would come when she must call on them for aid. The wise raven would guide her when the time came.
The story had always intrigued her, not that she believed it, but it made for some interesting fantasies as a wee lass. She used to envision herself riding a giant raven and conjuring up sea creatures to join her army in the fight against the powers of darkness who threatened to conquer their lands and claim all the maidens and lock them in a tower for all time.
Aye, the imaginings of a wee lass were best left in the recesses of her memory. The present was far more pressing, like how she was currently on board of the galley belonging to a Viking warrior to whom she was convinced she had some connection on a level she could not fathom. That same warrior offered a safe haven in the storm twice now when she’d needed it. How exactly did he quell the turmoil in her mind and body when the episodes were upon her? And why were these episodes not followed by visions like she normally experienced?
She sincerely hoped the Viking healer could provide insight. Vigdis spoke quite highly of her and was convinced they would become fast friends. Elspeth hoped so. She wasn’t comfortable around people who had anger in their hearts. They made her feel uneasy and it took time to wash the feeling from her soul. Mayhap that was why she didn’t like stitching with the other ladies. They gossiped and were overall relatively miserable in their own existence. Elspeth always left their company feeling drained.
“How do you fare?” Vigdis asked from beside her. She’d drifted off not long ago and had curled into Elspeth’s side at the prow. She sat up and stretched.
