Page 113 of Shared By the Vikings

Surprisingly, Raud allowed it to move an inch.

“What treasure? Ukrit knows nothing.”

Erik swept his arm to the right, knocking over a stack of matt clay tankards sitting by a potter’s wheel. “Don’t start that nonsensical talk, Ukrit.”

“You were seen,” Tali said. “Seen taking what is ours.”

“Ukrit did not know it was yours. It was on a boat, Ukrit did not know whose boat.” He paused and widened his eyes, the whites visible. “Strange boat, odd length, simple shape.”

“It brought us home from the west,” Tali said. “And from there we brought treasure.”

“And I won’t ask again,” Raud said. “Where... is... it?” He repositioned his sword tip.

Ukrit gulped. “There.” He flicked his eyes toward a shadowy corner.

Beside a low bed covered in rumpled blankets stood the barrel. A silvery fur had been draped over it, half hiding it.

“Thor has had mercy,” Gunnvar said, swiping the fur to one side. He pried off the lid.

“Is it all there?” Erik asked.

Tali rushed to Gunnvar’s side. They plucked out the heavy candlestick, a cross, and a handful of gold plates.

“I think so,” Tali said.

“Did you take anything?” Raud directed at Ukrit. “And think very carefully how you answer me. Do you want to meet Odin and Loki, Freya and Thor this day?”

“Ukrit took naught,” Ukrit said. “Ukrit swears that.”

“I think he speaks the truth,” Gunnvar said.

“He is too simple to lie,” Tali said.

“But not to steal,” Erik added. He placed his hand on Raud’s shoulder. “Leave him be, my friend.”

“We should kill him for what he has done.” Raud’s back and shoulders tensed as did the muscles in his arm.

“No,” Erik said. “Ukrit’s father was a fine warrior. When he died in battle to protect this village from northerners, he asked one thing, and that was his son could remain part of our community, creating his pots, living quietly.”

“Did he ask for mercy if he became a thief?” Raud asked.

“He knows not what he does.” Erik tapped the side of Ukrit’s head. “There is something missing up here.”

“Ja,” Ukrit said, still eyeing Raud. “Ukrit have something missing. Ukrit crazy, this is why Ukrit do stupid things like take what is not his.”

“But you won’t do it again, will you?” Erik said.

“No, Ukrit promises.”

Raud lowered his sword, then sheathed it.

“The gods will look favorably on your merciful heart,” Ingrid said, linking her fingers with Raud’s. “It’s clear this man acts then thinks, which is not how a true man, a warrior, like you behaves.”

Raud turned to her, his eyes bright and his breaths coming quick. He’d been prepared to battle, prepared to kill.

She reached up and pressed her lips to his. “Come, let’s take our treasure and go.”

Tali and Gunnvar had already lifted the barrel and were carrying it out of the hut.

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