“I will wait until we return to Lagavulin,” he said. “I wish my brother to be a part of that ceremony.”
The blot was sacred to his people. It was a blood gift offered to the gods in exchange for good fortune and Magnus was not about to perform it without Gunnar’s blessing as well.
“You’re returning to Islay?” Freydis asked.
“We are,” he said. “As soon as the celebrations are complete here. I want us to be settled before the snow flies.”
“Have you spoken of this to Elspeth?” Vigdis asked.
“Ja, have you told her?” Saga asked.
“I have not had that chance, but I believe she will be in agreement. I can start preparing materials for our new home easier if I’m already on Islay.”
Saga sat back while folding her arms across her chest and grinned.
“What?”
She shrugged. “You’re making plans without consulting your future wife. That’s very brave of you.”
The turn of the conversation was something he’d not expected. There was no reason to believe Elspeth would disagree with his plan and it would afford her some distance from her brother Kenneth who had also returned in the last couple of days. The more time Magnus spent with him, the more he disliked him. He couldn’t quite put his finger on it, but something was not quite right about the man.
“Would you like us to broach the topic with her when we help her prepare for the ceremony?” Vigdis asked.
“That will not be necessary,” he said. “I will speak of it with her as soon as we are wed. I am sure she will agree.”
“If you return to Islay, I wish to go with you,” Freydis said.
Saga turned to her quickly. “You will not stay with me?”
“My purpose here is coming to an end and I am needed elsewhere,” she said looking directly at Magnus.
Why did the woman have to be so cryptic? At least she appeared to be supportive of them leaving this place. Not that there was anything wrong with being here, and he supposed there would be time spent here in the future, but they would be better off on Islay at the moment.
“And who will keep me company when my husband is busy with his business and I am too fat with child to hunt or train?”
“I will,” Vigdis said. “I wish to be closer to my betrothed as we too have a wedding to plan.”
“There it is all settled,” Magnus said and stood. Osgar had said he wanted to speak with him before the ceremony and he intended to seek him out, then prepare himself.
“Don’t be late,” Saga said.
Magnus rolled his eyes at her then left the hall. While he loved his sister, she could be irritating at times. Now was one of those times. He hadn’t considered for a moment that Elspeth would oppose travelling to Islay as soon as the wedding responsibilities were satisfied. She wanted a lavish ceremony, and he was happy for her to have it. But there were more pressing things on his mind, including having to lie to everyone that they were not already man and wife. In his mind, they were just that.
“Magnus, wait for a moment.”
He turned to see Freydis running to catch up to him. Something inside his guts twisted a little. He didn’t like the look of concern crossing her face and the urgency in her stride.
“What is it, Freydis?” he asked. “I do not want to be late for my own wedding, and I have to make ready.”
“I just wanted to let you know that all will be well.”
“Freydis, I appreciate everything you are trying to do, but to be honest, it’s all a bit too much.”
“I know. I mean, I know everything. I spoke to Elspeth last evening, and well,” she said with a smile, “I will let you find out on your own. I just want to wish you both many happy years together and you know I wouldn’t say that if I had not seen that possibility.”
“Thank you, Freydis. And if you wish to return with us, it will be so.”
He leaned down and let her kiss him on the cheek and watched as she turned and climbed the stairs to the upper chambers. He shook his head and made his way to the kitchen. Osgar had spent much time in there over the past couple of days overseeing the preparations for the feast.
