Page 88 of Shared By the Vikings

He frowned at the barrel the young man was hiding behind. “We should take something from here.”

“You have torn all the sacks, they are useless to us.” She gripped his elbow. “Come on.”

The last thing Ingrid wanted was Tali to find the scared man while he was furious. He would use his sword to draw blood and give his anger an outlet.

The young man didn’t deserve to die because she hadn’t obeyed an instruction.

“There is no treasure in here,” she said, urging Tali to the door. “Let us see what the others have found.”

Tali appeared rooted to the spot.

Panic went through her. “Tali, please. We have to go, listen... the bells have stopped. Erik will be looking for us. Perhaps an army is on the way to protect these people.”

“Ja, you’re right.” Suddenly he moved, swiftly for such a big man carrying a heavy shield on his back and sword in his hand. “Come on.”

He wrapped his free arm around her waist and urged her outside.

She blinked in the bright light and rushed forward, arrow primed again.

Erik, Gunnvar, and Raud were marching back toward the archway. They were laden with sparkling loot.

“Get down here,” Erik called when he spotted them.

“Down the ladder,” Tali said, glancing over his shoulder. “Now.”

“You’re coming too.”

He paused, stared once more at the grain store, as if considering going back in.

“Tali.” She stilled. “Come on.”

“Maybe I should—”

“I need you with me,” she said. “Tali, I need you.”

He frowned.

“Tali, now!” Erik shouted as he reached the archway.

“There’s naught in there,” she said. “Please, let’s get back to the beach.” Her heart was thumping.

He nodded and stepped onto the ladder.

Thanks to Thor.

Quickly she rushed down; when she got to the bottom, Raud was there by her side. “Are you well?”

“Of course.” She sent her gaze over him, checking for injury.

“We’re in good health.” He laughed. “Not even a dagger thrown our way. It is rich and easy pickings here.”

Gunnvar was grinning broadly. He held a huge ornate golden cross set with red and green stones. The base appeared heavy and solid. “They do not even bury their treasure, they leave it out on a table beneath bells that direct to its whereabouts. How stupid they are.”

“We should go,” Erik said. “We have much to load before the tide turns.”

“Ja,” Raud said, swinging a last look around the courtyard that was now deserted. “We have what we need.”

“It is a gift from the gods,” Tali said, lowering his sword and smiling. “We will be rich men in this life and the next.”

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