Page 47 of Mastered By the Viking King

He looked at her steadily. “I will take Viking warriors to Wessex and search for him.”

She was quiet for a moment. “Will you take me?”

“No, my love.” He leaned forward and kissed her cheek. “Because I wish you to soon be with child. You might be already. It would not do to have you at sea when you have my baby in your belly.”

She rubbed her stomach. She didn’t feel pregnant, but she hoped she would fall with child sooner rather than later. The prospect of carrying Njal’s third son filled her with happiness.

“King Njal.” Halfdan entered the Great Hall. “I have news from the boat maker.”

“Sune?”

“Aye, my king. He has nearly completed your new longboat. He wishes for you to inspect it.”

“At his boatshed?”

“No.” Halfdan shook his head. “It is moored at the pier.”

Njal stood, a grin spreading. “We will go at once. The queen and I are anxious to see this great longboat.” He grabbed her new cloak, a beautiful red fur complete with lined hood and ornate silver clasp.

She stood, and he wrapped it around her shoulders, fastening it snugly. “I am excited for you to see this longboat. Sune is a master at his craft. When it is ready for the ocean, we will make a sacrifice to Njord, the god of the wind and the sea, to ensure it stays on the path of its fate—even in storms and high waves.”

Tove was caught up in her husband’s excitement as they strode through the town together, cloaks wafting behind them. Townsfolk smiled and nodded, stepping out of their way. Tove noticed a few curious looks; she was still a new queen, and they were getting used to her.

A horn blew, signaling the king and queen were arriving at the pier. Njal wrapped his arm around her waist as they stepped to the end.

A beautiful longboat with towering dragonheads and a gleaming oak hull bobbed against the pier. The masthead reached into the heavy, dark clouds with a red flag whipping from the end. The sail was strapped tight, and shields lined the sides of the boat, above the oar holes.

Sune sat on the end, one leg over the side as he ran his woodworking plane down the rail one last time, blowing away the curling shavings.

“You have done it!” King Njal said.

Sune looked up, and when he saw the king he smiled and leaped to the pier, plane in his hand. “It is nearly complete. I await an anchor from Erik, and then she is seaworthy.”

King Njal jumped aboard, then held out his hand to help Tove onto it.

For the first time in her life, she stepped onto a royal longboat. A thrill went through her. How her fortune had changed.

She stared around in awe. “It is a thing of beauty.”

Sune beamed at her. “Thank you, my queen.”

“You have a gift from the gods,” she said.

“I am blessed in many ways.” He bowed low. “Most of all to have such a wise queen.”

Tove understood what he was referring to. “I trust your wife Ysar is a happy woman now?”

“Oh, aye,” he smiled. “I keep her satisfied and provided for. That way I have a quiet life. Happy wife, happy life… eh.”

Tove smiled. “And Astrid? How is she faring?”

“I believe she is well. I send coins with her sister, and I look forward to teaching her son to be a boat builder.”

“You are a good man.” Njal gripped his shoulder. “And this is a fine longboat, the biggest yet.”

“Aye, my king. It will take fifty warriors, plus supplies. You will easily journey to Wessex upon her.”

“That is good, because I may have to go very soon.”

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