Vikings from Mars

“How did so many of you manage not to be captured or killed?”

Raine’s sad expression had them all pausing in eating.

“One of us was—Dobbs. He was killed the first day Lucas and Dobbs went out to check and see if it was safe for the rest of us to go out.”

“I see this saddens you.” Thorsen filled her chalice from the gold pitcher.

“He was a very sweet man.” Blinking back tears, Raine reached for her chalice.

Skars’ brows rose when his wife finished the drink off in one swallow. He wasn’t the only one. The whole clan was filled with amusement while watching Raine toss back her drink as if it were water. Despite his mirth, Thorsen wasn’t diverted from his questions.

“You all went to this vault for shelter?”

“Some of them did.” Raine nodded toward the end of the table where her friends were eating. “Some of us worked there.”

“Doing what?”

“I was a teller. Lucas managed the bank. Milly was … she was a customer service representative.”

“Did this place have computers?”

“Yes, it did. All our work involved using computers.”

The information bought her a beaming smile from Thorsen.

“You know how to use a computer?”

“Very well,” she bragged, helping herself to the pitcher to refill the chalice.

Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Lucas and the women’s expressions as Raine bragged. Milly’s face had gone so purple that he began to think she was choking to death. Not intervening in the hopes it was Oden’s gift to him, he returned his attention to Raine and Thorsen.

“My ship has a computer. Do you think you would be able to work it?”

“I don’t know.” Her confidence seemed to be replaced with doubt.

Thorsen refilled her empty chalice.

“I’m sure I could if whoever is in charge of the computer teaches me how.”

That wasn’t the answer Thorsen wanted. “You would have to be taught?”

Raine kept them waiting for her answer as she downed her third drink.

“Oh, yes … Running a computer is difficult. I’m sure your computer runs on a different language and commands than what I’m used to.”

“Would any human be able to use our computer without being taught?”

Raine turned her head to the end of the table again. “Lucas would know better than me. What do you think, Lucas?”

Lucas was staring at Raine the way he imagined he had stared at Milly when she was choking. Lucas did not want to share the information Raine was asking for. He wasn’t the only one who noticed it, either.

Thorsen cast Lucas a look that let him know he expected an answer.

“I wouldn’t know of anyone personally …”

The human was lying.

Rubbing his knuckles over his lip, Skars cocked his head to the side, as if thinking. “What gift would you give to the person who told you of someone capable of working our computer, Chieftain?”

“Depends on the value of what he wanted for the information?” Thorsen’s glance went to the same man who his was still resting on.

Resolve crossed Lucas’ features. “You already know what I want.”

“Your brother,” Thorsen stated.

“Yes.”

“Who is this person, then?”

“I’ll give you the name when I get my brother back, not before.”

“I give you my word your brother will be returned.”

Lucas was unaware of what Thorsen was offering.

Skars couldn’t help himself from going rigid. King Jurzed had demanded what he wanted for Piper’s trade. Thorsen’s word was his bond. He had never broken it, nor would he ever. By offering Lucas his word, Thorsen meant to keep it, which meant he would have to meet King Jurzed for Xioarius. His brother had already sworn a vow to kill Xioarius. How was he going to now fulfill Lucas’ demand, and then his own vow to the clan?

An unamused smile came to Thorsen’s lips. “I will gain your brother’s release, but be aware, if the person you say can work our computer fails and isn’t up to my expectations, you will wish he had remained with King Jurzed.”

“Are you saying you’ll kill Piper?”

“Would you be happy with our bargain if only half of your brother was returned?”

“No.” Lucas turned a sickly pale.

Thorsen shrugged. “I expect to be just as happy when our bargain is met.”

“You will be.”

“I’m sure I will be.” Thorsen raised his chalice. “Everyone fill their chalices! Skars, your woman meets with my approval. I will instruct Reva to prepare for a wedding ceremony. I will make a sacrifice as my gift to you so Odin can share in the festivities.”

“Sacrifice?” Raine choked out.

Skars helpfully patted her on the back.

“Já!” Thorsen bellowed.

Skars echoed the bellow, “Já!”

Appalled, Raine whispered to him, “I don’t want your brother killing animals at our wedding.”

Thorsen beat him to reassuring her. “Animals?” Thorsen frowned. “Do you think us barbaric? My brother is getting wed; only the best will be sacrificed for his happiness!” Thorsen used his chalice to point down the table. “I will allow you to choose which one to send to live in Odin’s domain.” Thorsen tilted his head to Raine’s to mutter aside, “Please pick the young one. You can choose whichever, but Skars and I prefer the other one.”