Page 84 of Summer of the Viking

‘And what did you decide with this man?’ the king asked into the shocked silence.

‘Valdar Nerison is a good man. He was a friend to all Northumbrians. He has never given me reason to doubt it either. He is the one who saved us. Lord Edwin only managed to capture a boy, but not stop the men who burnt down the farm.’

There was a round of laughter at her remarks.

‘I bet he looted churches in the past!’ Lord Edwin cried.

‘Do you have proof?’ Alwynn asked. ‘In Northumbria, we demand proof.’

‘Answer my cousin, Lord Edwin,’ the king thundered. ‘Where is your proof?’

Lord Edwin’s cheeks flushed under the king’s intense gaze. ‘I have none.’

Valdar laid a bag at the king’s feet. Gold and silver coins spilled from it, along with a twisted gold torc. But there were no crosses or looted treasures from a church.

‘This is the bounty from my trading venture,’ he proclaimed. ‘I went and discovered the ship the outlaws had hidden. It should be used to ransom the lad and the rest can be claimed by you as bounty as the ship was on your lands.’

Lord Edwin looked as if he had swallowed a sour plum.

‘And what should I do with booty?’ the king asked. ‘Give it to your countrymen when they next come calling?’

‘The Viken who raided Lindisfarne are not my countrymen any more than they are yours. My people have fought many battles against them.’

‘And have you won those battles?’

‘An uneasy truce exists, but I know how to make places safe from men such as the Viken. I have spent my life doing it.’ Valdar stood proud. ‘You need someone who knows how to make your land safe.’

The entire court gasped as the king eagerly leant forward. ‘If I allow this boy to go, will you enter my service? Will you help to make this country safe?’

‘Give me the hand of Lady Alwynn and I will consider your request.’

The king turned a livid red. ‘You dare ask for my cousin’s hand. Do you covet her lands as well?’

‘I have estates in my own country, but I have grown to love yours. Let me serve you. Let me show you that I am worthy.’ Valdar’s voice was a soothing balm. ‘And if I prove worthy, then maybe you will see fit to give me the greatest prize of all—the Lady Alwynn.’

‘And what does Lady Alwynn say?’

Alwynn stared at Valdar. He was willing to do that for her? Give up his country and his land? Protect Northumbria against the Northmen? All for her?

One look at him and she knew. He would. He was not some figment of her imagination, but gloriously real. He might not be perfect, but he was all she wanted. It didn’t matter where he was born or what he’d done in the past, what mattered was what they did together in the future.

‘Your Majesty,’ Lord Edwin said, pushing forward, ‘I must protest. This man is a Northman. He is a pagan of the worst sort.’

‘This warrior cut the Northmen down. We have the testimony from the villagers.’ Alwynn glanced over her shoulder and saw Oswy. ‘Oswy the gristmiller was there. Ask him to speak the truth if you will not believe my version.’

There was a pregnant pause while Lord Edwin glared at Oswy.

‘Aye. I will vouch for him,’ Oswy said, glancing at his son. ‘He fixed my roof as well as killing them there pirates. I don’t care where he is from if he is willing to fight for us. And we do need help.’

Others joined in, saying what Valdar had done for them as Edwin looked more and more sour until it appeared he had swallowed an entire basket of plums.

The king reached down and picked up the pouch. He weighed it in his hand. ‘I accept the ransom. Release the boy. I will not spill your blood today, lad, but if you ever raise your hand against my country, I will not hesitate. Do you understand?’

‘Yes, sir, I do.’

‘And Lady Alwynn’s life?’ Valdar said. ‘She did nothing except save mine.’

‘Her life is not in danger. It never has been from me. I would never issue such a law.’ The king stared hard at Edwin. ‘It is instructive to see how people truly behave in the face of danger, though. You have done me a great service. I am willing to count you as my friend and a warrior pledged to me. I take it that you would be willing to join the Northumbrian nobility.’

‘I would be honoured.’

The king held up his hand. ‘However, my cousin must make up her own mind as to her future. Will you have a husband, my lady, or will you continue to rule your estate as you see fit?’

‘May I speak to Valdar on my own?’

The king smiled. ‘Naturally.’

* * *

The small storeroom smelt of dried herbs and old straw. Alwynn was acutely aware of Valdar. She wanted to touch him to make sure that he was real, not some fevered imagining.

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