Foretold Read online

  “Come in,” she ushered the dark-haired woman into her home. “What brings you here?”

  “I heard you were a healer. Is that true?” the woman asked as she stepped inside.

  “Yes,” Dara lead the woman to the stool at the table.

  “My Pegeen, here, she’s very sick.” The woman pulled the wool blanket tighter around the small child cradled to her chest, sat and rocked her back and forth.

  “Hold still so that I can take a look.” Dara gently brushed back the child’s hair, noting the fever on her forehead; the child’s skin pallid, her eyes rimmed with red and a bluish tinge to her lips. She pulled back the blanket, leaned down and placed her ear to the child’s thin chest, listening to the gurgling that accompanied each shallow breath. She recovered the child with the blanket.

  Dara stood and looked down to the woman, noting that she appeared very thin and pale herself. “How long has she been like this?”

  “Pegeen took ill two nights ago, but turned worse this morning.”

  “You can give her some of the porridge to eat, while I look to find some remedy.”

  “Will it help?”

  “It should strengthen her body to withstand treatment.” Dara walked over to her book of healing arts to find an herbal remedy. Intermittingly, she watched the two strangers from the corner of her eye as she searched her book.

  She glimpsed the child eating a few spoonfuls of the porridge her mother held up for her, before laying her head down against the mother’s chest. The woman set the spoon into the bowl, cradled her daughter, just slowly rocking and comforting the child as best she could. Dara listens as the mother hums a tune to the child, remembering her own mother doing the same when she was small.

  Dara closed her book, walked to the chest for the bottle of borage flowers to grind up for the child and her mother. Dara picks out the bottle and closed the chest.

  Walking past the woman, Dara heard the child take a deep breath and let it out.

  Silence.

  Dara inhaled quickly, stopped and set the bottle on the floor next to the stool. Placing her head against the girl’s chest, she tried to hear a heartbeat, or her lungs fill with air.

  Nothing.

  “Goddess, bless and welcome this child, Pegeen.” Dara said over the girl’s head.

  “Why are you saying that?” The woman looks wide-eyed at her, then back to her daughter. She started shaking the child to wake her, but there was no movement.

  “Witch! Sorceress!” she yelled clutching her child to her chest. “You killed my daughter with your black magic, and you tried to poison me as well. Murderer!” She held the child and ran to the door just as Park and Serle opened it. She rushed past them, carrying the child into the forest.

  “WHAT WENT ON HERE?” Park asked.

  “The woman blames me for poisoning her child with the porridge.”

  “The same porridge, Lothar gave us?” Park asked.

  Dara nodded.

  “You tried to poison us too then!” Serle fumed, pushing Park out the door in front of him, then slammed the door behind him. “You stay in there, witch,” he yelled, then turned. “Park, guard the door.” Serle commanded. “If she tries to escape, use any means necessary to keep her here. I’m going to inform the king, and bring the garrison.”

  RETURNING TO THE HUT, Lothar saw Park outside the door. “You better have a good reason to be out here.”

  “I’m guarding her.”

  “Good.” He walked to the door.

  Park refused to move. “I’m waiting for Serle to return with orders from the king.”

  “You’re not making any sense.” Lothar shook his head. “Now move, or you’ll have another bloody nose.”

  Lothar watched Park swallow hard, then step aside from the door. Lothar looked down at Park as he walked past him, opened the door and closed it behind him. Dara was at the table with her hands over her face. He walked to her, knelt, then rubbed her back.

  “Dara,” he said softly “tell me what happened to make you cry.”

  Dara sniffed, then raised her head to face him. “A woman accuses me of killing her child.”

  “This cannot be true. Tell me everything that happened.”

  “She came here carrying a small girl who appeared to have consumption. She looked so fragile, but she had a peaceful look on her little face. I didn’t even have a chance to treat her. The mother said I’m a witch and that I poisoned the girl with the porridge, then she ran out with the child in her arms.” Tears were welling in her eyes as she recalled everything that happened.

  “And Park is guarding the door, not to protect you, but to keep you inside.”

  Dara sniffed and nodded.

  “I know you didn’t harm the child.” Lothar held Dara to his chest, stroking her hair.

  “Please take me away from here before Serle arrives with men to take me away.” Dara pleaded between sniffs.

  Placing his hands on her shoulders, he gently pushed her back, then raised her chin.

  “Running away from this accusation will only make this worse, Dara. You have to see this through.”

  “But if I’m found guilty, they’ll burn me.”

  He closed his arms around her. “We will think of something, my Valkyrie.”

  “YOUR MAJESTY,” SERLE bowed. “I request to take men from the garrison to bring back a killer.”

  “Who is this dangerous person?” Malachy asked.

  “Your daughter.”

  “Do you have proof?”

  “She tried to poison me and Park.”

  “You seem to be very healthy for a dead man. What other evidence do you have?”

  “A woman came to her home carrying a child, then a short time later left screaming that the witch killed her daughter.”

  “Lies!” Malachy slammed his hand against the arm of his chair. “You’re still angry about Vaughn being caught seducing my daughter, attempting to gain my favor. He drowned because he was drunk and decided to go swimming.” Malachy narrowed his eyes. “So, until this woman comes forward, you will stop with these accusations.”

  “Yes, King Malachy.”

  “And you and Park will stay and guard her.”

  “For her protection or ours?”

  “Out!”

  Serle bowed, pivoted, then departed the chamber.

  “Where’s your other half?”

  Serle turned to see Lloyd carrying a satchel of eggs to the kitchen.

  “Park is guarding someone.”

  “Who, the witch?”

  “How did you know?”

  “Rowena came running in my house to see my wife, and told her about her Pegeen. Are you here to get men to bring the witch to justice?”

  “The king said Rowena has to formerly accuse her, until then I’m to guard the priestess.”

  “Rowena’s livid. I’m not sure she wants a trial. I’ll tell her when the time is right.”

  Chapter 24

  “Ulin!”

  Ulin turned his head from the female on his left when Ivarr barged into his chambers. “Not now.” He grabbed the breast and squeezed the nipple of a female on his right, while he went back to the female on his left, licking her just below the ear, causing her to moan as she stroked his shaft.

  “As you wish,” Ivarr said. “I guess you don’t want to know where I got this.”

  Ulin glared back at Ivarr for interrupting his afternoon dalliance. His eyebrows shot up, noticing Ivarr holding out Lothar’s cuff and turning it. “Everyone out!” he commanded, pushing the women aside then pulled up his leggings. He waited for the two women to quickly gather their garments then depart.

  “You have completed your task, Ivarr.” Ulin held out his hand.

  Ivarr placed the cuff in Ulin’s palm.

  “How did you come upon it?” Ulin turned the cuff over for inspection.

  “A tax collector received it as payment.” Ivarr smiled. “I relieved him of his burden.”

  “Where is the other one?�
� Ulin placed the cuff on his wrist and twisted his lips in satisfaction.

  “Lothar wears the other.”

  “At the bottom of the sea in the sea god’s kingdom, it’s just as well. As long as I have this one...”

  “I didn’t say he was dead.”

  “Alive? You were to make sure he died.” Ulin started pacing. “My plans to be chieftain are ruined because of your incompetence.”

  “After stabbing him and his ship being torn in half by the storm, I didn’t expect him to live,” Ivarr explained.

  “You survived,” Ulin said gritting his teeth and turning the cuff on his wrist. “This will have to suffice. The people will recognize this was Lothar’s, the heir’s right to become chieftain. Since he no longer has it, they will obey me when the time comes.”

  “And your father, what will he say?”

  “He is near death. This will send him to the other side.”

  “How will you do it?”

  Ulin backhanded Ivarr. “Never ask me that again. Loki must be near and I cannot wait until the gods take the man.”

  Ivarr rubbed his cheek. “He is your father.”

  “But I wasn’t treated like his son; Lothar was always his favorite,” Ulin spat. “I was never good enough; I was coddled by the women folk while Lothar went hunting, fishing even trading in far off lands.”

  “Lothar is five years older than you,” Ivarr reasoned.

  “It should not matter. I wanted to be his champion. Even now Lothar is gone on an adventure and I am stuck here while the man lies dying.”

  “He has you to take charge when he does journey on. It should be a relief to him, that his son will see his passing.”

  “No, I’ve seen the disgusted look in his eyes every time I’m near. I refuse him a sword so he will not journey to Valhalla. Once he is gone, I will claim my right as chieftain even with one cuff,” Ulin sneered. “So where did you leave Lothar? Frankia? Mercia? Wessex?”

  “He’s on Hibernia, not far from the area that we attacked last year. Come next season, I will lead a raiding party and crush...”

  “No!” Ulin interrupted. “He will not be able to make it back home until spring. Thank Odin for that.” Ulin rubbed the wolf design on the cuff. “We have to prepare quickly.”

  “For his return? Are you giving up your temporary rule?” Ivarr questioned.

  “We will attack as soon as weather will allow. I want to surprise him,” Ulin stated. “Any other survivors?”

  “I saw Aric swinging in the small village near the river.”

  “Good. That will rile the men into wanting to attack to avenge their countryman,” Ulin concluded. “How wide is the river?”

  “A drakar ship could easily slip in and launch an attack.”

  “I want complete information about the village.” Ulin placed his arm on Ivarr’s back, leading his taller friend to the table and set of chairs.

  “There is a fortress overlooking the river and a church nearby.” Ivarr sat on the lower chair.

  “All worth a raid. Draw a map of the area, showing the locations of market, fortress and church; and have it ready by Thorsday,” Ulin ordered.

  “That is only two days from now.”

  “Plenty of time. We need to prepare the ships.”

  “That will take some time,” Ivarr reasoned.

  “With a promise of land, riches and a direct attack on the church,” Ulin countered, “the men will work themselves into a frenzy in preparation for our attack.”

  “What of Lothar?”

  “He’ll just be one of the many left in our bloody wake as we rage up the river to raid unsuspecting villages along the way.”

  Ivarr nodded in agreement.

  “Odin be praised for your fortunate return with useful information.” Ulin clapped and rubbed his hands together.

  “There is more.”

  “Let’s hear it.” Ulin sat back in the chair.

  “I witnessed Lothar in the presence of a local woman.”

  “Of no concern, he’ll be dead soon.”

  “She is reported to possess magical powers.”

  “Thor’s balls.” Ulin slammed his hands down on the armrest of the chair. “Are you afraid of a woman?”

  “No.” Ivarr straightened to his full height in the chair. “I am a Norseman.”

  “Lothar has his hands full then.”

  “I’ve also seen him in conversation with another.”

  “Another woman? No matter.”

  “A monk.” Ivarr said. “He didn’t draw his sword on the man.”

  “Lothar, a converter, more reason to have him executed for treason against all we hold true to our Gods. Odin’s wrath will reign down on him and may Thor’s hammer, Mjolnir, strike the final blow to such a traitor against us,” Ulin raged.

  “Some of the men may not sail against Lothar.”

  “Then send them to our new allies to the southeast. Their caliph has asked for warriors to do battle against the Byzantine emperor.”

  “The same caliph we traded with this season?”

  “They will be warriors for hire. The money will compensate our men and our village, it matters not which side we fight.”

  “What if they refuse to go?”

  “Raise their taxes, and have them understand that in return for being a warrior, their families will be under the protection of the chieftain.”

  “But your father is ill.”

  “By tomorrow, we will be lighting his funeral ship pyre while setting him out to sea, then I shall be chieftain.”

  “You will take care of their families while the men are gone? I don’t believe it.”

  “I will take care of the women personally. Whether they are willing or not makes no difference to me.”

  “That’s more like the Ulin I know.”

  Ulin smiled. “Why didn’t Lothar sail after you?”

  “I took the last ship available. Before I slit the man’s throat for not informing me of all the crew members, he told me that Lothar repaired and loaded the cargo in return for passage.”

  “That was very clever, Ivarr.”

  “Chieftain.” Acknowledging the compliment, Ivarr bowed.

  Chapter 25

  “Are you sure you want me to go alone, Valkyrie? You’ve been penned up for over a month now. Spending the day at market will be good for you.

  “I’m frightened, Lothar, that I’ll be swinging from the tree in the market square.”

  “Ah... Aric. You mentioned seeing him when I was tied up in your bed.”

  “I don’t want to end up like him. Or you either, you should stay. We could make the food stores last another month.”

  “Dara, my sweet Valkyrie, I know you need seeds and grain for your garden with the early warming of the season. I will go in your stead. Afterwards, I’ll meet Brother Michael for fishing.”

  “Will you be safe?”

  “Aye. The townspeople are getting to know me after what happened on tax day.”

  “I’m sorry about your cuff, Lothar. I wish I could ask my father to return it.”

  “That I couldn’t allow. Besides, He doesn’t have it. Ivarr does.”

  “You told me about him the morning after last month’s winter solstice celebration. Do you think he’ll return for the other cuff?”

  “It doesn’t matter at this moment; he’s no longer around here.”

  “Why are you going with Brother Michael? You usually just stab the trout.”

  “The last ones have been small and with the stab wounds, there has been little meat on them. He’s going to take me to his favorite spot where he’s caught larger fish and have me wait for them to get hooked.”

  “Let me get you a jar of honey for trading.” Dara walked over to the shelf and grabbed the jar of honey and a smaller container.

  “You can still come with me. I’ll protect you.”

  “No. I’ll prepare the garden while you’re away.” She scooped out some honey and placed it in the smaller jar.r />
  “No, have the two out there work the garden. Tell them what you want done.”

  “But it’s their last week.” She walked over and handed him the jar.

  “They can still turn up the soil and mix in some of the muck from the sheep and pony stalls for nourishing the garden this season.”

  “Will it help?”

  “I’d rather you have them do the dirty work, Valkyrie.” He reached down and kissed her hand.

  “HEY, YOU THERE, TELL me your price for these garden seeds,” Lothar said to the man next to the cart with his back to him.

  “Name’s Lloyd. What do you have to trade with?” The man turned around.

  “You!” Lothar watched Lloyd’s face blanch. “You’re the man with the chickens on tax day.”

  “I...I...I...” Lloyd stepped backwards. “Have mercy. They threatened me with higher taxes if I didn’t hand over your cart. I have a family to feed.”

  “I know it was Park and Serle who took Sinséar and the cart. They are working to pay off their debt for taking the mead.”

  “You can have the seeds, for my part. I truly am sorry for all that happened that day.”

  “You have a family, so I will pay you for the seeds, but I need some information.”

  “Thank you. What do you want to know?”

  “I seek a metallurgist.”

  “Guthrie set up his stall over towards the fortress wall. I’m sure he’s still there, if you hurry.”

  Lothar gave the man the small jar of honey. He smiled and shook his head when he heard Lloyd exhale as he walked away.

  Lothar gazed at the colorful market stalls selling cloth, herbs, live chickens, and vegetables from winter. He waved off the sellers, as he walked towards the fortress wall.

  “I was told the metallurgist is near here.” Lothar said to the man sitting on a stool, carving on some wax.

  “Name’s Guthrie. What are you wanting made?”

  “I want two rings, for a man and a woman. I want them to be made of silver, with spirals and a wolf’s head in the center.”

  “A wolf’s head?”