9 Chapter 9

When Leif woke, the darkness was complete and his heavy eyelids begged to close again, to pull him once more into the depth of long and peaceful sleep. But in the next moment, he regained full consciousness as he felt along his entire body the softness of the bed and the luxurious bedclothes, and the warmth of the young woman next to him. The mist that engulfed him the previous evening had dispersed, and his senses were sharp and clear again. He sat up at once.

His movements woke Thorgunna, and without saying a word, she reached out and pulled aside the heavy curtain that covered her window. The first glint of sunshine could be seen through the wired glass. The smell of morning wafted in the air, and when he looked in Thorgunna's eyes, they were open wide, scared but decided.

"You must go now, Leif," she said in a shaky voice. "Soon the maids will enter my room, to light my fire and bring in hot water for my bath."

A thousand questions, a thousand words were stuck in his throat, but not one found its way out. She hurried him:

"Go now, quickly. The passages are still empty, but not for long. You must not be seen."

He knew she is right, but still lingered for a moment, to kiss her softly on the lips. The extent of the danger was obvious to them now that the night had passed and the cold reality hit them in the face. When he gave Thorgunna a last fleeting look he knew that she too, like him, isn't certain they will meet again.

He bent to pick up his clothes. A few minutes later, he was already walking quickly down the path he ought to have made the night before.

It was still dark, but he did not lie upon his bed; instead, he walked over to the window and opened it wide. Only the richest could afford the luxury of glass windows, and in his chamber he had simple rectangular frames covered in two layers of thick, impenetrable wooden shutters against the cold and wind. He inhaled the cool, clear air which purified his mind, and looked at the sky, which was almost black, with just a faint line of light starting to show on the horizon. Despite the darkness of a late autumn morning, it was obvious that a new day has begun from the sounds and smells of the king’s hall - the fresh bread baking in the kitchens, the laughter, chatter and curses of the servants, the clang of weapons belonging to guards and soldiers. He needed to hurry too, Leif knew. In about an hour he must present himself outside the king’s chambers and replace Snorri Hilmarsson, who had stood guard all night.

He just had time to remember that, when someone knocked forcefully on his door. Heart hammering, Leif strode over and opened it. The one who stood in the doorframe was none other than Snorri himself, a stout, strong man with a good face which could even have looked soft, if it weren't for the merciless attitude he displayed in training as well as in battle, and for his complete mastery of sword, shield, battle-axe and bow.

"Erikson," said Snorri, and it was clear he made all the way from the royal chambers running and panting, "His Grace asks you to present yourself before him immediately."

"But my guard has not begun yet," said Leif. "Wait at least until I change my clothes and wash my face."

Hilmarsson shook his head. "There is no time. I don't know what it is about, but from the tone of the king’s voice I got the impression he won't tolerate any delay. I was ordered to bring you to him without wasting time. Come along, now."

There was no choice. Leif took his weapons - the hand-axe and the knife - fastened his belt, straightened his clothes and got out of the room together with Snorri, while smoothing his unruly hair. The wheels of his brain were whirring madly. Can it be that the king already knows everything? He knew, of course, that in this place walls have eyes and ears, but still he found it hard to believe the word had spread so quickly - unless one of Thorgunna's servants was paid to spy on her, a possibility that had to be taken into account. If the king knows, the consequences might be very bitter for him and for his family, as well as the princess.

When he thought of the night before, he was possessed by a vague feeling of discomfort, even guilt. No, he had no regrets, not even in the face of the possible danger - which could mean losing his life. He could not regret, when the fresh scent of her skin still clung to his, and the softness of her warm lips still impressed itself upon his mouth, preventing it from setting in a thin, grim line. Her hair was soft and fragrant as a field of flowers in high summer, and the memory of her hands, caressing and gliding over his callused, scarred skin, left him feeling as if he wore garb of silk and not the clothes made of simple, rough linen he was used to.

He had dalliances with many women, without promising any of them anything, but few of them were as young, beautiful and innocent as Thorgunna, and not one of them risked what she had. Her entire future was now cast upon the scales. All she had to do for a glorious destiny was to wait and allow the time to do its work for her - lead her safely to a marriage with Prince Sigurd and to becoming a queen. She put all that at risk. Why, then, did she jump into dark waters for the sake of a man she barely knew?

This was another question that burned in Leif's mind and allowed him no rest. Freydis was right - whatever reason in the world did this beautiful noble woman have to get as close to him as she had, even before last night? He did not have illusions about his own irresistible charms. It was true that he had observed the princess from afar, admiring her beauty, but who wouldn't? He would never have done more, would never have dared to lift her eyes to her - she was unattainable for him, and never, not even in his wildest dreams, he could have imagined that what happened between them last night could come to pass.

But now that he looked back upon the weeks prior to the fateful night, he knew there could be no mistake. She had approached him from the start - out of curiosity or out of some other motive he could not recognize. And when she kissed him last night, he could read in her eyes and her lips nothing but sincere feeling. He could not help being concerned about her - but he also knew that if he gets out of the meeting with the king alive and free, he will try to see her again, despite the foolish recklessness of it.

… He found King Olaf in a glum and angry mood. The king was pacing back and forth in the handsome, spacious chamber in which he usually received his emissaries, advisers and guests for meetings of a small scale, and the fire burning in the grate cast shadows upon his face, upon his knitted brows and uptight jaw, upon the lines which appeared deeper than usual. But when the servants sent both his guards in and he saw Leif, the king's face brightened a little and he sent Snorri away with a gesture of his hand, so that they remained alone, except for a serving man who poured the drinks and then got out as well.

"You are here, Erikson. Good," said the king.

"I heard that the king called for me, and appeared as soon as I could," Leif said politely. He tried to keep an expression of indifferent obedience on his face, and told himself over and over, You do not know what this is about. You will deny every rumour concerning yourself and the princess, be it what it may.

The king halted his steps and looked directly at Leif. His eyes were small and surrounded by crow's feet, and their color was a very light grey. They were sharp like the eyes of a hawk, and when their stare pierced Leif, he felt as if the king can see right through him.

"I have been betrayed," the king said, and the last word remained lingering in the air, and Leif's heart fell within him. Could it be? And yet he made himself raise his eyebrows and look back at the king with polite concern.

"I have discovered, with the help of my loyal informers, a scheme against the throne," the king went on. "A group of narrow-minded earls, whose short-sightedness does not allow them to see the importance of uniting Norway under the blessed rule of one God-ordained king, dared to doubt my right for the throne, and secretly act against their avowed loyalty to my rule. They are plotting something against me."

Leif tried his best not to let out too much air when he exhaled, and not to allow the expression of relief show upon his face. His constricted heart now beat again and sent blood to his limbs, and his mind functioned once more as it was used to.

"That is very grave, King Olaf," he said, "and I put myself at your service, if there is anything I can do."

The king looked pleased. "I am glad for your readiness, Erikson," he said. "As you imagine, I didn't summon you with such urgency for nothing. My position is not easy. Prince Sigurd, my son and right hand, is not in Trondheim - I sent him to another place where I need a loyal commander. Still, it is obvious this group of traitors must be thwarted at once. And that is where you come into the picture. I have not known you very long, it is true, but you expressed loyalty to the crown - and as a sign of acknowledging this, I put the mission upon your shoulders."

"What do I need to do, sire?" asked Leif, expressing readiness in all his gestures, though he could distinctly smell danger.

"I have been informed that the traitors will collect in a certain place in the surroundings of Narvik," said the king. "There are several possibilities regarding where exactly it might be, and all must be checked. What I decided to do for now is send you to the area, together with a group of choice warriors who can move in secret, without raising excessive noise. Your task will be to find the gathered earls, catch them red-handed in their plot, arrest them all and bring them to me. I would prefer that you take them alive, but if that does not prove possible, I shall be forgiving."

Leif was not at all certain he was pleased by the prospect. He did not plan on breaking up plots and directing secret missions for the king when he accepted the tiresome but essentially safe position of a personal guard. The way he saw it, the months of his presence at Norway were supposed to allow him to make useful ties, promote the cause of the Greenland settlement, and recruit brave, strong people who would agree to join him on his sail back west. Still, it was obvious to him he had no possibility to refuse the king's command, and that if he attempts to evade the mission, his position will receive a desperate blow. All this passed within his mind in a shred of a moment, while the following words were ready, seemingly without hesitation, on his lips:

"I am at your command, my king, at whatever I might have to do."

"I did not expect any less of you, Leif," said the king. "I understood from the first that in you I have a man of action, not a useless loudmouth like part of those who have pretensions to advise me. Now listen. There is not much time - the forces that will be sent with you are being gathered at this very moment, including men, maps and equipment. A good idea will be to take survey, if and as you can, among the loyal landowners in the area, and secure their assistance if it is needed. It might be that someone of them had already seen the traitors, or at least anyone suspicions - you will be provided with all details that might help you recognize them."

"Does His Grace believe they are planning to gain the throne by force?" asked Leif. The king shook his head.

"No. Not at the moment, at least. As far as I know, for the time being they intend to keep the plot secret. But this does not mean they don't have a considerable power. You must be careful, for if you fall into their hands, your life will be worth less than that of a lame horse."

With these last words of the king, it became clear to Leif this might be the reason why he was volunteered so urgently for this mission. He was not close to the king, had not the blood of nobility, he was not even born in Norway - he did not know the land, and in all his movements would have to count on the guidance of locals. But he had at least one obvious quality which recommended him for this task - the king did not value his life very much. If he should be lost while pursuing his duty, the loss shall not be so very great. That was why the king had not given the task to his second son - it was doubtful he would send his own blood to a place of real danger.

"On your way, you might meet Ingvar Haraldson," said the king. "He goes to the same area, but separately - he goes alone, with only a few servants, and his task shall be different. He believes he might penetrate the circle of traitors and discover their exact plans; it is even possible he might find out the names of such supporters of their cause who will not appear at this meeting. If you encounter him, do not act as if you know him, especially if you see him in the company of someone whose loyalty you doubt."

Leif suppressed a smile. If there was someone whose loyalty he doubted, and believed the king should doubt as well, it was Ingvar Haraldson himself. But it was obvious the king put his trust in Haraldson, and so he refrained from putting his thoughts into words.

The king placed a hand on his shoulder, a gesture of cordiality that surprised Leif but caused him no illusions.

"Be on your way as soon as you can," said the king Olaf. "I shall expect notice of you when you can send it along, and your speedy return as well. The traitors who are caught will lose all their assets, and will be executed or exiled. Be that as it may, they will exist no longer. Their lands I intend to give to my loyal men - and you, of course, will be counted among them if you manage to succeed in this mission. Do not linger here, now. There is no time to lose."

On his way back to his room, to gather his few possessions and prepare for the journey, Leif attempted to put some order in his thoughts. It appeared everything is happening very quickly, and with very little participation on his side. He was bothered by knowing he will not have the chance to say goodbye to Thorgunna. Due to his hurried exit, he could have only a few minutes to exchange a few words with his mother and sister. He did not like, either, the fact that most of his men will remain in Trondheim, while he will be on his way as the commander of those he hardly knows, or never even met before.

In his room he was met by another surprise - his mother was there, walking back and forth and wringing her hands, and her expression was that of extreme concern.

"Leif!" she cried. "Oh, thank God! I wondered where you had gone so early."

"The king summoned me," Leif attempted to explain, but his mother did not let him go on.

"My son, we are in grave trouble. Freydis is gone."

"Gone? What do you mean, gone?" asked Leif, but without excessive surprise, for anything could be expected from his sister and he knew that well. "When did you see her last?"

"Last night we returned to our chamber, and she said her head ached, and got in the bed. I fell asleep myself, and in the morning I rose early and saw that her bed is empty and cold, and that she disappeared, together with all our money, her jewels, and her traveling clothes."

"I don't like this," said Leif, walking back and forth as the king had done not long ago. "I don't like this at all. Especially since I know that this rascal, Ingvar Haraldson, isn't at court anymore either."

He told his mother all the contents of his meeting with the king. When he was done, Thjodhild's eyes were full of fear.

"But Leif - you don't think that she - that she might be involved in this plot, do you? Even Freydis is incapable of such folly. We will all be executed."

Leif stared at her gloomily. "You can hope," he told his mother, "but do not underestimate my sister’s capabilities."

"We must find her," Thjodhild said decisively. "And - oh, I don't want to think of it - if she is in trouble, we must find her before the king's men discover her in the midst of a traitorous scheme. For her sake, and for the sake of us all, we must do it."

"You are right, Mother," said Leif. "Of course, there is still the slight chance that her disappearance at the same time of Haraldson’s journey is pure coincidence. I can also hope that if I succeed in capturing the scheming earls and Freydis is discovered among them, the king will agree to spare her life as a gesture of gratitude for what I had done for him. But I would not count on either of these two options."

"We might claim she had been kidnapped," suggesed Thjodhild, "or made to join them by extortion. The most important of all, Leif, is to find her quickly, before she has the chance to cause too much damage. Ah, this girl! If only you knew, my son, how tired I am of all the trouble she brings upon herself and upon us all!"

"We are lucky at least in something," said Leif. "The area towards which I am setting out happens to be close to the lands of Thorvard's family, and Thorvard himself is there right now. His relations are loyal to the king. It will only make sense to ask for their help. No one will read anything suspicious into that."

"You do not mean to get Thorvard involved in this, do you, my son?" Thjodhild asked, and a hint of pity sounded in her voice. "I believe he -"

"Yes," said Leif, "he had suffered enough, and if it depended on me alone, I would never even mention Freydis's name before him, let alone create a situation in which he might meet her again. But in this case, I fear we have no choice. I must find Freydis, and I must do it as quickly and secretly as possible, without the knowledge of the men the king sends with me. And if there is need to, I will hold her in a secure place until we return home. I cannot achieve all this here without help."

He was silent, and so was his mother - a silence of acquiescence.

"I will be on my way at once," said Leif. "You go too, mother - go to your sister Ingvild while the weather allows. Before you are off, spread the rumour that Freydis traveled ahead of you, and has already gone to her aunt's, while you were detained by some reason or other. I trust your ingenuity. Do not worry. I will send word to you as soon as I succeed in finding her."

When Leif was on his way, very soon after, he felt a mixture of anxiety and relief when he looked back one last time and then spurred his horse, leaving behind the court and the town - together with the plots, the intrigues, the advisers, the earls, the king, the church - and the princess. He did not know whether he shall return in victory or disappointment, free or in chains, alive or dead - but he inhaled the clear air of the forest, looked at the warriors riding behind him, and told himself he will do everything to ensure survival and freedom for himself and his family. Despite all the efforts of Freydis to achieve just the contrary.

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