Page 88 of The Caged Viking

Thorkel winked at her.

“This is all amusing, Thorkel, but you are needed to split that moose. Heft half onto the table and hang the other half in the smoking shed.”

Thorkel went off, giving Signe a little wave. “We will discuss this further this evening, my fair Signe.”

Signe just shook her head at Thorkel’s hopelessness, but Hauk could see that a smile was twitching at her lips.

Hauk took Signe by the elbow and led her away from the others. “So, Signe, tell me what happened to Kirstin.”

“I do not know. She was here one moment and a short time later she was nowhere about. I think she may have gone with Egil.”

“What makes you say that?” The last night he’d spent with Kirstin had been wonderful, for both of them. He was shocked that she would leave him, without warning, after that. But he had to ask, “Did she say anything to you that morning? Was she unhappy?”

“Nay. If anything, she appeared to have a secret smile on her face.”

Of course she did. In truth, I had, too. “What makes you think she went with Egil then?”

“Well, she did go down to the boat before Egil left. Actually, she spoke to Egil out in the courtyard. She seemed to be alarmed about what he said, then ran into the keep and into the bedchambers to look for something. A short time later, she was screaming at Egil, who was already on the longship, as she ran toward the fjord, demanding that he let her board.”

“All this you witnessed?”

She shook her head. “Some I saw with my own eyes. The rest I pieced together from what others said.”

“And she left with Egil on the longship then?”

“I think so, but I wasn’t watching at the time. I’d gone back into the keep to gather laundry.”

“Did anyone actually see her on the boat as it left?”

“I do not think so.” Signe furrowed her brow as she searched her memory. She frowned then. “Another thing. My Lady Kirstin was excited about the soap-making we were planning for that afternoon. Why would she leave if that was her intent?”

“Mayhap it was a last-minute decision,” he offered.

“Egil should be back any day now. You will find out then.” She shrugged and went back to the racks where she’d been hanging strips of venison for drying.

In truth, Hauk was hoping that Kirstin had gone to Hedeby with Egil, for whatever demented reason she might have, like a sudden need for beeswax, or fine fabric to make her strange undergarments, or more poultry to make chicken slop.

Otherwise, she was gone. Really gone.

His heart ached so much at that prospect he had to bend over to catch a breath. It had only been a few sennights since he’d first met her. How could he be so affected?

If this was love, he wanted nothing to do with it.

* * *

Who let the dogs out?...

Kirstin felt Hauk kissing her face. Wet, sloppy kisses. Playful.

She smiled.

What a way to wake up! She kept her eyes closed and turned her face a bit, giving him better access. She’d been sleeping and was only half-awake now. Hauk must have returned from the hunting trip.

She stretched and yawned, feeling that continuing ache between her legs, a not unpleasant reminder of last night. She hoped Hauk ached, too, if that was possible for a man. She smiled some more.

Just then, she noticed an odd odor. Well, Hauk had been on a hunting trip and was no doubt a little ripe. Maybe they could go to the bathing hut together, like they had that other time.

But no, this wasn’t BO.