“I am very well. I do so love the sea.”
“You look rested and at peace,” she said.
“Aye, I am when I’m aboard a galley sailing the seas.”
“You’ve the sea in your blood.”
“You’re not the first person to tell me that. Though my brother did not believe so when he eventually discovered me aboard his galley.”
“I cannot imagine. How did you remain undetected?”
“I hid below deck for the first day, but the seas came up on the second day and as I tried to get my footing, I accidentally knocked over a barrel. One of the crew saw me and started screaming. It took a punch in the face and a tankard of ale to convince him I wasn’t a sea siren.”
Vigdis tilted her head back and laughed so hard, Elspeth couldn’t help but to join in. Thinking back, it was rather mirthful. The crew member had given her a wide berth the rest of the voyage and when they arrived at Dublin, vowed he would not step foot on the ship with me on it again. And so Kenneth released him to find another ship.
“You were not offended by the accusation of being a sea siren?”
“Of course not. Such creatures have a purpose as do we. I always felt they were there to keep sleepy sailors more alert,” she said with a grin.
Vigdis looked out toward the land on the horizon. “Will you be glad to return to your home?”
“Aye. But I do not regret my adventure. And I am pleased to have finally met you.”
“And I you. Your brother thinks very highly of you.”
“The feeling is mutual. Osgar and I have always gotten on well. ’Twas Kenneth who stuck out as being different. Not that he was ever excluded from anything, but somehow being born second never seemed to sit well with him.”
“It is similar for Magnus. He has Gunnar’s shadow looming over him and sometimes he does not want to be told what to do.”
“Not while I am captaining my own galley, little sister,” Magnus said from behind them.
“How long have you been standing there?” Vigdis asked and looked over her shoulder with a grin.
“Long enough to know I shall always check below deck for sea sirens before sailing from now on.”
Elspeth turned. His eyes crinkled at the corners and a grin tugged at his lips. His face could express brutal fierceness or subtle kindness. The duality was no doubt mirrored by the many sides of him she’d experienced thus far.
“I assure you, I will not be stowing away in any galleys in the future. ’Tis too damp and dark below deck for my liking. I’ll take the clear sky and wind in my face any day.”
“I will note that,” he said with a grin and turned back to the crew, yelling orders about the sails and rowing.
Within a short time, they docked in Prestwick. She loved the bustling market here. As soon as the galley was moored, she practically ran down the gangway and approached a vendor selling all manner of trinkets for one’s hair.
“Have you ever been to Edinburgh?” Vigdis asked. “I wish to visit to view the fabric markets.”
“Then we shall travel there together in the spring. If ’tis fabric you seek, I can show you a small shop here in Prestwick, but the best selections are by far in Edinburgh. Come with me whilst my brother secures our transportation.”
Elspeth took Vigdis’ hand and led her a few steps toward a shop on the main thoroughfare of Prestwick. Magnus was not far behind them and she looked over her shoulder a few times just to make sure he was there. His size and the furs strapped around his upper body made him an imposing sight. So much, the villagers give him a wide berth. If anyone wanted to take issue with him, it would be easily apparent considering most people appeared to avoid him.
“The horses are ready,” he said to her after Vigdis had filled her arms with her purchases.
Together they returned to Osgar. He’d secured three horses and Elspeth could ride so she moved to the smallest of the three.
“You may ride with me if you wish,” she said over her shoulder. The invitation was intended for Vigdis, but before she could protest, large arms had encircled her waist and her body was lifted onto the largest of the horses. Magnus was behind her moments later.
“I can ride,” she said to the large block of man behind her. It was a few hours’ ride to her home and she wasn’t sure she approved of the proximity.
“I will not have you falling off your horse when I’ve sworn to protect you. Until you are in Freydis’ care, you will ride with me. Besides, you’ll be warmer here.” His last words were practically whispered into her ear. Tingles, good ones, spread from her neck all the way down to, well, as deep as tingles could go.
