‘But she still helped you? And she still helps the people here, too?’
‘Yes. She’s a healer. She says it’s what she has to do.’
‘All right, but then why did she come here with the pendants?’
‘To help me.’
‘And why did she speak to me earlier? She could have kept silent and nobody would have been any the wiser.’
‘Because...’ He frowned, aware that he was beginning to repeat himself. ‘To help me.’
‘Exactly. Even if she doesn’t trust people, those aren’t the actions of a woman who doesn’t care. She wanted to save you more than she wanted to keep away from people.’
‘But she still wants me to go.’
‘Think about it, Danr. She lost everyone she cared about once. Maybe she’s afraid of that happening again? Maybe that’s really why she wants to be alone. If she were only afraid of being physically hurt, then wouldn’t it make more sense to keep a warrior around?’
‘So you think she told me to go because she cares about me?’
‘It’s possible.’
‘That makes no sense!’
‘So many women and so little understanding.’ Hilda lifted her eyes skywards. ‘It must feel strange to be rejected by a woman for a change.’
‘Mmm.’ He glared at her. ‘It’s not a pleasant feeling.’
‘No, but it’s about time you felt it. Are you really going to give up so easily?’
‘I’m respecting her wishes.’
‘Then you’re a stubb
orn fool.’ Hilda made a scornful sound. ‘So what will you do instead?’
‘I’ll go to Eireann and tell Brandt what I’ve found out.’
‘And then?’
‘Then I’ll go with him to confront Thorfinn.’
‘And after that?’
‘Do you really care?’
She pursed her lips with a thoughtful expression. ‘You know, Joarr’s been talking about building a hall of our own, maybe a whole new village. He’ll need good men. Warriors.’
Danr sat back and stared at her with disbelief. ‘Are you asking me to come back? To live here on the same island as you?’
‘I suppose so.’ She looked almost as surprised as he was by the idea. ‘Maybe I’ve taken leave of my senses, but I owe you some kind of amends.’
‘I must have taken leave of my senses, too...’ he shook his head ‘...because it actually sounds tempting. A new village is a good idea, but I just told you, Sissa doesn’t want me back.’
‘Maybe she needs time.’ Hilda stood up and looked down at him. ‘You know, pride was another of your father’s weaknesses. He would never have risked being rejected by a woman. Fortunately, you don’t want to be like him any more, do you?’ She smiled. ‘Go and talk to her, Danr. Find out the truth at least. Second chances are hard to come by.’
Chapter Twenty-One
‘May I join you?’