Page 55 of Viking Warriors: Vol. 1-3
I nodded, choking back tears that threatened to bubble over. “It was much worse, and I had the fever, too.” It was relief I felt most of all—relief that I was healing. But it was more than that. The algae would change so many lives. My own recovery was proof of it.
“We’ll soon have you feeling like yourself and, when you’ve some food inside you, it won’t seem so bad. You can tell me everything when you’re ready.”
I did my best not to wince as she eased the damp tunic over my head. My shoulders were wrenched from the arduous climb, my arms still sore. Astrid tutted as she passed the warm flannel over my skin, so tenderly. There were other patches of skin, upon my back, which looked a little red, she told me, but none had blistered like my palm. I assumed it was my eating of the algae that had helped, preventing them from fully erupting.
Astrid soothed me as she worked, bathing gently where I was most bruised until the grime of days past was washed away. She wished even to spoon the broth to my lips but I insisted on doing that for myself. It was thick with vegetables and meat; with each mouthful, I felt my strength returning.
“I knew you couldn’t be dead.” Astrid stood behind to comb my hair. “Though you don’t look far off it, I have to say!” She wetted the slatted wood, doing her best not to pull.
“I rowed the boat,” I began.
“I know about that.” Astrid dropped her hand to my shoulder. “I went down to the harbour before dawn—before the fishermen, even. I couldn’t see you by the pier. Then, I realized it was gone—the boat. You told me, Helka took you out, and I remembered. No one else would have dared to take it.”
A clutch of fear seized me, for if Astrid knew then everyone did, surely. Why hadn’t they gone searching? Wouldn’t Gunnolf have commanded it?
She must have felt me stiffen. “There’s no need to worry. Some would see no harm come to you.” Taking up the comb again, she continued freeing the tangles.
“Anders suggested that we say his son found you disappeared and took Helka’s boat, to see if your body were drifting. Everyone knows Halbert’s headstrong. He’s always been one for mischief. Halbert agreed immediately, telling his friends he lost the boat on the rocks, sailing too close to the cliffs, then swum back. Some have raised an eyebrow but a piece of the hull washed ashore not long after.”
My throat tightened again. The blacksmith, Anders, and Halbert. They were loyal to Eirik.
“What about the others? They still say I’m a witch?”
Astrid sighed. “Some do. Some don’t. Some say the gods took you in punishment; others say they saved you. They spoke of little else, for a while…”
“And now?”
Pulling her fingers through my hair, she separated the lengths, making ready to plait them. “None can know the jarl’s mind, but he’s not himself. They’re saying he’s out of favour with the gods—that he’s not the man he was and not worthy to lead us.” Astrid leaned closer to my ear. “He’s forbidden anyone to speak of…” she hesitated, dropping her voice lower, “thedraug.”
It wasn’t a word I’d heard before but a chill passed over me. I turned, searching Astrid’s face.
“The restless spirit in human form. I told you of it, Elswyth.”
She had, and the story had haunted me. After all that had happened, I had my own tales to tell, but those would wait; now was not the time.
Astrid began passing strands of my hair over and under, her fingers working methodically as she spoke, following the rhythm of braiding that required little thought. “Others have seen her, at the top of the hill. No one wishes to venture out after dark.”
“No one?” I frowned. “I thought I saw people around the longhouse.”
“Why, yes; today’s different!” Astrid exclaimed, then her hands froze and there was an abrupt silence. “Forgive me, Elswyth. I thought this was why you’d come out of hiding. Because you’d seen. Because you knew.”
My heart jolted in that moment. I was aware of her fingers resuming their tidying of my hair, briskly forming a central plait and smaller ones either side.
Only when she’d finished, securing all with a strip of linen, did she again look into my eyes, offering me the truth though she knew it would pain me. “Eirik and Helka have returned to Svolvaen, with fine visitors. There’s talk of marriage.”
I’d grieved and prayed, despaired and believed again, that Eirik would return. He had, but not for me. If his bride were with him, my hopes were futile. However, I endeavoured to pull my thoughts away from Eirik. Whatever secret wish I’d harboured, it was my discovery that had driven me back to Svolvaen. Despair would only hinder me.
I pointed at my bundled apron, discarded on the floor, long strands of green spilling out, and indicated my palm again.
“I had to come back, to show you. It’s the remedy we’ve needed all along. “It’s from the cave I sheltered in. The algae will help. I know it will!”
Astrid’s hands flew to her mouth. “You found a cure!” With a sob, she threw her arms about me.
Over Astrid’s shoulder, I saw that Ylva was looking at us. As usual, she sat some distance away but she’d heard everything. I’d never known her without her affliction. Perhaps, once, she’d been talkative and carefree. If so, she’d soon be again. My own hopes for happiness had been crushed but hers might yet be recovered. I’d think of Eirik later. For now, I had a debt of friendship to repay.
I eased Astrid away from me, knowing it was time we got to work. I’d endured much but it hadn’t been in vain. The gods had kept me alive, had given me time to reflect and the will to recover my courage, to escape my dark prison. Just as Eirik was performing his duty, I’d do mine.
“We’ll make the treatment together. I’ll show you.”
