Chapter 16: Lies and Kings

No one answered. The guards continued staring at Thorfast. Then one spoke.

"You're too tall to be any of my kin."

"That doesn't make sense!" Thorfast cried.

Another guard laughed. "If you want to go see Prince Hakon, you'll have to wait until morning when he awakes. Now get lost."

"But—"

"Get lost," the second guard repeated.

Yngvar watched Thorfast swallow hard and turn away. With a defeated shrug, he sheathed his sword and turned to leave. Before he could step off the path, however, Yngvar grabbed him by his cloak.

"We need information. If they've killed King Erik, we can help right now. Besides, if anyone knows where Hakon might sleep tonight, it would be these people."

"Well, maybe so," Thorfast conceded. "But why should they tell us anything?"

"Because they know our names," Yngvar said. "Your father told us not to trust everyone, yet how else will we learn things unless someone tells us? Are you afraid?"

Thorfast glanced around. The other guards watched silently, but none offered comment. Finally, he lowered his head with shame.

"Yes, I'm scared. My family hasn't been treated like kings since I was born. Why shouldn't they hate us for being sons of such fools?"

"Then ask them nicely," Yngvar suggested. "Afterward, if they prove treacherous, you may cut their throats."

Thorfast nodded reluctantly, then marched up to the nearest guard. Though his voice remained quiet, Yngvar's heart pounded in excitement as he followed behind. They were making progress after all.

"My name is Thorfast the Silent," he began, speaking loud enough to be heard clearly. "Son of Uddolf the White. And I come seeking audience with Prince Hakon Haraldsson."

All twelve men paused, glancing from each other to the newcomers. No one moved until finally the leader shrugged and gestured to the doorway.

"Go ahead, then. It looks cold outside."

They entered into a hall lit with torches set into iron sconces along the walls. A thick rug covered the floor beneath their feet, though the air smelled old and stale. To either end of the room stood tables piled high with parchments, books and scrolls. Small chests filled with silver plate gleamed under the light. On the opposite wall hung tapestries depicting scenes of battle and heroes slaying monsters. In the middle of the room, two massive stone fireplaces dominated both ends of the hall. Both spits had burned down to red embers. One hearth was stacked with logs while the other contained only glowing coals. Neither provided much warmth or comfort.

Two armed men flanked the entrance, and six others occupied the far end of the great hall. Their weapons lay across their laps: daggers, knives, maces and crossbows. None wore mail coats or helmets. All looked bored. Yet their expressions changed when Thorfast approached.

Yngvar trailed behind, feeling exposed and vulnerable without his shield. His hands shook and sweat broke out on his brow. But he did not back down. These were Erik Blood-Axe's enemies. Whatever happened next, he felt certain they would kill him. So he must meet violence with more violence, even if that meant dying here today.

"I am Thora Fastnessdaughter," Thorfast announced himself. "And this is Jarl Brandr Magnusson and Lord Bjorn Arensson. We are friends of your king."

One man raised his eyebrows and pointed to the corner table closest to the fireplace. "Sit there."

The four sat and waited. After a moment, another group of guards came through the doors leading out of the main hall. Each bore long swords and heavy shields. When they saw Thorfast sitting alone, three stopped dead. The fourth stepped aside and bowed low before taking station beside the door.

As soon as the last left, the first returned carrying a tray laden with bread, cheese and ale. He set everything before them and backed off. Again, no one spoke. Instead, Thorfast leaned forward and tore off a piece of bread. At least he didn't look frightened anymore. Yngvar enjoyed watching him eat.

When Thorfast finished eating, he wiped his mouth with his sleeve. Then he cleared his throat and spoke again. "Prince Hakon has been murdered. Our spies say it was done at nightfall yesterday. You have seen our faces. Do you recognize us?"

Three pairs of eyes studied them. One pair blinked slowly. Another frowned. Only one seemed interested in answering.

"You're too young to remember me, lord," said the guard who led them inside. He was thin and wiry, with dark hair streaked gray at the temples. His beard was short and neatly trimmed. He gave them an appraising glance, then turned away.

"Still, I do recall you," he said, looking back over his shoulder. "I served in King Olaf's palace once upon a time. Your father commanded my company."

Thorfast smiled broadly. "So you've been promoted! That's good news."

"It is better than good news," the guard said. "Olaf died in a fight against Emperor Karolus. Now we serve Prince Kalim. If anyone can help you, it will be him. What brings you to Norway now? Is it true what I heard about Erik Blood Axe killing his brother?"

"No, we're traveling south to join forces with King Charles and King Hakon," Thorfast answered. "We seek allies to oppose Erik Blood Axe."

He glanced toward the other side where the guard had indicated they should sit. Yngvar noted how everyone else avoided looking directly at Thorfast. Perhaps they feared being recognized by someone important. Or perhaps they were just scared of the strange Norseman. Either way, it made for easy work.

"What does the prince want with these foreigners?" asked the same guard. "Who is this friend of yours?"

"His name is Yngvar Hakonsson. He is a jarl and son of the most powerful jarl in all Frankia. And he serves with King Harald Finehair of Denmark, which makes him cousin to your own king. They wish to unite together to defeat Erik Bloodaxe, whom we believe killed King Hakon."

The guard laughed so hard he almost toppled onto the table. His laughter echoed around the hall until he finally managed to catch hold of himself.

"If you really are cousins to kings, then why don't you go right home and tell them? Why come here asking for aid from fools like us?"

"Because our ship sank in a storm and we were forced ashore. My companions also suffered injuries during the journey. We cannot return home yet, but I know King Charles would welcome any assistance to counter Erik Bloodaxe."

This earned only silence.

Finally, the guard nodded. "Of course, I understand. It's bad luck to speak ill of the gods' plans. Still, if you truly mean to stop Erik, then you need something stronger than the likes of us. Besides, the prince may send men after you when you leave."

They looked up at the rafters. A shadow passed across the sunbeams shining into the room. From above, two ravens flew past each other. Their black wings spread wide and their harsh caws filled the air.

"Yes, well, thank you for your hospitality," Thorfast said. "But we must be going. We have much to discuss with Prince Kalim."

***

Yngvar woke to darkness and cold water splashing on his face. He coughed and spit salty sea brine everywhere. He rolled over and found himself staring down into the clear blue waters of the fjord below. Waves crashed against rocks that lined either shore. Above him loomed trees whose branches reached out to touch the sky. Yet he could not see anything beyond those trees. No campfires burned along the beach or even smoke rising from houses. The entire landscape glowed white-blue, as though lit by the moon overhead.

Then he realized his hands were bound behind him. He struggled to free himself, but his arms remained firmly locked.

(A/N for the next 8 days there will be two chapters uploaded.)