“I will be the eldest only after you die of old age, now go before Celiese takes command of our ship and leaves you behind.” Andrick drew Olgrethe into his arms with a joyful hug, grateful he was not a great fool like his brother. Mylan was too proud by far, but he hoped his dear brother would lose neither his life nor his love on a voyage that was sure to be filled with adventure.
Chapter 18
Hagen met Celiese and Mylan on the path to the docks. He was out of breath and frowning apprehensively as he greeted them. “The Torgvalds have gone, but they were arguing so heatedly amongst themselves I do not see how they could give enough attention to sailing to reach their home.”
“Let us pray they do not, then,” Celiese remarked softly, the bitterness of her comment surprising the two men.
“We will not be rid of them so easily as a few rats we might toss into the sea, but should they sink from the weight of their own evil deeds, I shall not miss them.” Hagen turned to join the attractive couple on their way to the beach, his stride long and sure. “Most of our crew was near enough to summon. I had spoken with them of the possibility of this voyage, but they had not expected it to begin so soon.”
Mylan cast Celiese a sidelong glance, but she did not seem embarrassed by Hagen’s admission he had planned a voyage to France. That she would have sailed with his brother, simply gone away without once thinking of telling him they were making so dangerous a journey or bidding him farewell, pained him greatly. Apparently she lived entirely for herself, without ever considering how her actions affected others. Why he could never seem to remember how faithless she had been he did not know, but she knew how to bewitch him as no other woman ever had. He hurried her along the path, still anxious to depart before any further danger overtook them.
“You found adequate provisions so quickly?” Mylan turned his attention from the distracting young woman at his side to concentrate on the details of the voyage.
“I had not expected to spend the entire summer at home, and had gathered our stores,” Hagen replied crossly. “We had other plans until Andrick found he could not bear to be away from his bride for more than half a day!”
Rather than remark upon his brother’s cynical view of marriage, Mylan kept still, apparently feeling the same way. Celiese envied Olgrethe greatly for having married a man with so devoted a nature as Andrick had proved to have. She turned back to look at the Vandahl home. She had been terrified when she had arrived to become Mylan’s bride, and she felt no more confident now. The imposing stone structure was silhouetted against the rising sun. Although she could not see any of the inhabitants watching their departure, she was certain many were.
“Did you forget something?” Mylan had noticed Celiese’s pensive mood and backward glance and thought perhaps she had just recalled something important she had not thought to bring. He would not let her return for it, however, no matter what it was.
“No, I’ve left nothing behind.” She lifted her skirt carefully so as not to step upon the hem as she continued down the path. “I wish I had had the time to make another suit from one of yours, it would have been ever so much more practical than this gown will be for a voyage.”
“Your clothes are the least of our worries.” Mylan chuckled at her comment, and then assured her he would not put her to work. “You will have no more to do than sit and enjoy the view. Your gowns will be adequate for such a relaxed pastime.”
Celiese smiled at his teasing. He had been so stern with her she was relieved to see his mood improving as the sky brightened with the light of the new day. As long as the view aboard his ship included him, she would be content. “I will be glad to assist with whatever duties there might be. I do not mind doing my share to make the voyage a smooth one.”
Mylan glanced over her head at Hagen and saw him wince. It would be a difficult voyage in all respects, but he doubted he would need to call upon a pretty young woman to help him complete it. “I will be content if you will but follow my orders, Celiese. It will be service enough for me.”
Her green eyes sparkling with the mischief she made no effort to hide. “As you wish, Captain.” She moved aside as they reached the ship and the two brothers conferred with the crew. Unlike the Dragon, which Raktor was fond of sailing, this vessel was broader and deep enough to carry a sizable cargo or livestock in the center. That area was now rapidly filling, as about a dozen men tossed in the provisions they would require and their own belongings to keep the deck clear for working the large sail.
A knarr was too heavy a craft to row, so there were no holes cut below the rail for oars. When Vikings went raiding, they preferred the slender warships that could navigate the shallowest river, while the sturdier knarr sailed the coastal trade routes Andrick and Hagen favored, or the long voyages of discovery Mylan loved to make.
This knarr had a surprising beauty, however. Celiese had been so distraught on the voyage home from Kaupang that she had noticed little about the ship, but now it seemed most attractive to her. The graceful prow, as well as the stern, was decorated with intricate carving of an ornate swirling design, while the large white sail was trimmed with red to make a handsome diamond pattern. She thought the vessel a beauty and wondered if Mylan’s was so sleek and impressive a ship.
When Mylan was satisfied he had all he needed to complete a successful voyage, he went to where Celiese stood watching them prepare for departure. “It is time we left. Come, I will help you aboard.” He extended his hand and she placed her small hand in his. She had very beautiful hands; he thought suddenly, her fingers long and slim, and so delicate that her slightest gesture was filled with grace. That once in France he might be able to discover her true identity intrigued him enormously, for her background provided no end of puzzlement to him. She was certainly not of peasant stock, but was she really a member of the French nobility? He was so curious he could scarcely wait to discover the truth, and he vowed to himself that he would not leave her homeland before he did.
“What is the name of your brothers’ ship, Mylan? It is very handsome and I have been wondering what it is called.” Celiese smiled shyly, not daring to hope his more agreeable mood would last for the entire voyage.
“This is the Surf Falcon, and while mine, the Raven of the Sea, is her twin, the two ships handle differently, and I wish I had not been so foolish as to let my own vessel go unattended.” That he would not have his own ship to sail pained him greatly, for he knew the Raven as thoroughly as he knew himself and trusted her to do his bidding no matter how rough the weather. That he would have to push the Surf Falcon to its limits when he did not know it well presented another needless problem.
“I have sailed aboard this vessel once, Mylan, and Andrick and Hagen seemed to make her fly. I am confident you can make her even more swift, if that is your desire.” Celiese was sincere in her compliment, but she saw Mylan stiffen, ready to argue. Then Hagen came to his side, and Mylan did not speak whatever thought he had intended to impart.
“I want to come with you.” Hagen stood in a relaxed pose, not demanding or hostile, but determined in his request.
Mylan looked back toward his home, hoping the flurry of activity upon the docks had not yet been noted.
“There is no time for argument; you must stay behind. If I do not return, divide what is mine
among you and Andrick with a smaller share for Erik. Andrick will then inherit our father’s house, and my farm should go to you.”
Hagen backed away.” I will not discuss the division of property while you are alive.”
Mylan spoke crossly, “I mean what I say, Hagen. I should return before winter, but if the summer comes again and I have not come home, you will know what is to be done with my possessions.”
“Your chance of survival will be more than doubled if I am with you,” Hagen interjected hoarsely. He had expected to have to plead his cause and was ready, but he was not encouraged by the fierce gleam of Mylan’s gaze. It was a glance he had learned to fear as a boy, and he had not meant to provoke the response ever again.
“No.” Mylan shook his head, his decision firm. “Busy yourself with refitting the Raven. If you still wish to ferry your farmers to Hrolf’s land in the spring, then go. This voyage is mine alone to take.”
Scowling fiercely, Hagen wasted no more time arguing with his brother when he was in so obstinate a mood. Mylan had always been the leader, his commands obeyed, and he would not disregard this one now. “If you have not returned by the time I sail for France, I shall scout the entire country for you, and you better have a ready explanation for your failure to return.”