Page 114 of Shared By the Vikings

Erik followed, then Raud.

“You,” Ukrit called as Ingrid stepped to the doorway. “What is your name?”

“Ingrid Baardsen.”

He pushed from the wall and wound his long fingers together beneath his chin. He grinned, slightly manically, and jigged from one foot to the other. “These men are yours.”

She said nothing.

He cackled. “And what will you call the son growing in your belly, Princess?”

“How did you know I was a princess?” The words spilled from her mouth, as his words sank into her brain. She pressed her hand over her lower abdomen. “How do you know—?”

He tapped the side of his nose. “Ukrit doesn’t know much, but some things he does know. The gods whisper in his ear.”

“Ingrid,” Erik called. “Come.”

She glanced out the door then back to Ukrit. “A son?”

“A great warrior son, the first of many, your own army.” He hopped over to his potter’s wheel and sat. He began to pump his foot, spinning the dusty plate.

“Ingrid. Now.”

The command in Erik’s tone was clear. She gave Ukrit one last look, then rushed into the sunshine.

A son. An army of sons. Was that really her future?Her destiny?

Chapter Twenty-Four

The mirror-clear fjordto Ravndal was wide with lush forest dripping into its banks. A lingering marine wind tickled through the oak and pine branches. Dippers with white throats sat on charcoal-colored rocks where the water became shallow by pebbled coves. An elk and calf made the most of a drinking hole and stared with nervous curiosity as Ingrid and her men sailed past.

They towed with them another boat, packed with Gunnvar’s goats, several baskets of chickens, and the harvested hay. Anything else of use, from pans, bowls, and Erik’s smithing tools had also been dropped in.

Ingrid stood at the helm of the lead boat, dressed in her new gown and with her hair carefully plaited and piled high, secured with small iron combs she’d found on Erik’s work bench. She wore a necklace from the barrel, and had darkened her eyes and rouged her lips. Pulling in a deep breath, she smelled home. It filled her lungs and her heart.

She just hoped her father would be pleased to see her alive.

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