Page 20 of Shared By the Vikings

“Ja, that is where we last saw them.” Tali sat on his other side.

“But how can you know that was north?” Gunnvar said. “Our vessel was spinning on the waves.”

“The sun.” Tali sat and pointed up at the scatter of stars.

“The storm clouds were thick as a pelt; even a larvikite couldn’t have found the sun,” Gunnvar retorted.

“I could see it.”

“No, you couldn’t.” Gunnvar reached for a skewer holding a rabbit. “You had no idea.”

“They can’t be far.” Tali also reached for a rabbit and held the stick it had been cooked on aloft. “And if we stay here they’ll walk past us, either from the north or the south.” He bit into the animal’s leg. “Only one route and that’s coastal.”

“You could have a point.” Erik snagged the chicken and sat on Ingrid’s left. “And when the tide is out, I’d bet a good axe that headland will be passable.”

Ingrid took the final rabbit.

“Here.” Erik handed her the mead. “Sup.”

She took it and drank the warm sweet liquid, then passed it on to Gunnvar. Perhaps it would be okay. Maybe Raud would find her. For all she knew, morrow he could walk right around the headland and onto the beach.

Chapter Six

“There’s a river backthere,” Tali said, tossing his skewer and rabbit bones behind himself.

“Is there?” Ingrid glanced at the darkness. Only the first few trees were visible in the moonlight then it was black. “How far?”

He shrugged. “A hundred paces perhaps. Means we’ll have drinking water.”

And some place to wash.

Ingrid set aside her rabbit—she’d eaten most of it. She tightened the fur around her body and stepped up to her clothing. The base of the pelt rubbed gently on her knees and the inside of it was cozy. She’d be glad to get her clothes back on, though, so she wouldn’t feel so vulnerable to the elements. But they were still damp even though the fire was doing its job.

Gunnvar leaned forward and threw a chunky log on the flames. Sparks showered upward and she was appreciative of the warmth.

“You finished your meal?” Erik asked her gruffly.

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