Page 159 of Into the Isle

Eirik Halldan exited his dwelling with a shirtless Gryphon behind him, as if the two had just been getting into their own early-morning festivities.

“What in all hells is going on?” Eirik asked the Huscarls.

“Look at the student, Drengr!” the Huscarl snapped, shaking his sword at me. “She’s a fucking shell!”

Eirik received elevated respect from the soldiers of Vikingrune than most other second-years, because of his position as “Drengr,” a warrior title he received last year for being first-in-class in Combat & Strategy.

Eirik muttered, “Grim . . .”

I growled, shaking my head. “I did not do this, Eirik.”

He exited the longhouse doorway. “I believe you, old friend.”

No, he didn’t. Otherwise, he would have never abandoned me last year when something like this happened the first time. I could see the doubt in his face, and it hurt to know someone who had been so close to me my entire initiate year could desert me so swiftly at the first sign of impropriety.

Eirik took his rules and regulations seriously, to a fault.

“Don’t fight them, Grim,” Eirik said, hesitantly approaching at the same time as the Huscarls closed in on me from the opposite direction. “It will only make matters worse.”

My instincts were telling me to shift and flee the academy. To take refuge in the woods, where I might be safe. Live as a loner, as I had my entire life before coming here.

Except now I have someone I don’t want to leave. Someone I care about. Someone I could build a community with, and toss aside my self-imposed solitary confinement.

I loved Ravinica. It had taken this moment to realize it. I did not want to leave Vikingrune Academy anymore.

Not without her.

Slowly, I lowered my fists and straightened my stance.

“I will vouch for you,” Eirik told me. “Go with the Huscarls and give me some time, Grim. I’ll get to the bottom of this. I promise.”

I didn’t know if I could believe him. I wanted to, desperately. I hoped his connection with Ravinica would spur him to discover the truth and do the right thing. I knew I had a tumultuous history working against me.

“Fine,” I said at last. “I’ll go peacefully. For the sake of your sister, Eirik, I hope you’re being truthful.”

The relief on the Huscarls’ faces was clear. One of them walked up, still nudging his sword in my direction.

“Grim Kollbjorn, you’re under arrest for the murder of . . . who in all hells is that, anyway?”

“Astrid Dahlmyrr,” Eirik pointed out helpfully.

The soldier nodded. “You’re under arrest for the murder of Astrid Dahlmyrr. Come with us.”

Chapter 45

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