Season of the Sun (Viking Era 1)

“Take the one over there for your men’s lust, but leave Zarabeth here. Let her go. She will survive or she will die. I care not what happens to her now. Let us go, Orm, and be free of this land and of my father.”

“But you wanted me to avenge you. You begged me to sell this woman, for she had deceived Magnus and thwarted you. Your woman’s words confuse me.”

Ingunn got to her feet. “I will take her into the forest now. I too must have some privacy.”

He shrugged, not moving when they left him.

“He will rape me, Ingunn. You know he will. Do you want him to do that?”

“I won’t listen to you. Hurry now or he will come.”

“You’re afraid of him. There is something wrong with him, Ingunn, surely you see it.”

“Hurry!”

But he was there soon enough, watching as the two women straightened their gowns.

“It is time for Zarabeth’s punishment. Should you like to watch, Ingunn?”

“You will beat her?”

He shook his head. He was smiling, that strange calm smile. His eyes glittered in the dim midnight light.

“What will you do to her?”

“I will have Kol take her. Is that sufficient punishment?”

“Kol is ill from the blow she gave him.”

“Ah, then Bein.”

“He cannot. He raped the other slave. He is old and has not sufficient powers.”

“Then I am the only one left. She really must be punished. Go back to the camp, Ingunn. I will bring Zarabeth back when I am done with her.”

Magnus knew they were close, but not close enough. Already Orm and his party would be boarding his vessel. Perhaps they were pulling on the oars this very minute. Perhaps they were already sailing due south to Hedeby. He closed his eyes against the pain of losing her. So much loss. Too much. Where would Orm take her? Magnus knew he hadn’t protected her as he had pledged to when he made his vow to her.

“By Thor, I don’t believe it!”

Magnus turned at Eines’s shout.

“Come here, Magnus, look! They’re close, very close, not more than three hours ahead of us. Look at these tracks! Is the man a fool?”

“Aye,” Ragnar said. “A stupid fool. Does he not care that someone could be following him? Does he think you a coward? Has he lost all his wits?”

Magnus felt fierce purpose fill him.

Ragnar said quietly behind him, “Ingunn is with them.”

“Aye, I know. Our horses are blown. Let them rest, but no longer than an hour.”

They were all exhausted, their muscles cramped and stiff, but not one of them complained. They hunkered down and ate dried beef and hard flat bread.

“What will you do with Ingunn?” Ragnar asked as he chewed the tough beef.

“I will give her back to my father. It will be up to him to decide what is to be done with her.”

Ragnar looked at him, and his voice was firm and strong. “I will take her, Magnus, if your father agrees to it. I will beat her, doubt it not, if she behaves churlishly. I can control her.”