Joanna Fulford - The Viking's Touch

‘Balder’s toenails! The place is a fortress,’ said Thrand. ‘Whoever lives here is a man of some importance.’

‘Is this a good idea, my lord?’ asked Beorn. ‘It could be a trap.’

All three men looked at Wulfgar. He shook his head. ‘I don’t think so, but keep your wits about you all the same. Come on.’

They reached the wooden bridge that spanned the ditch and, when challenged, identified themselves. It seemed they were expected. There followed sounds of a bar being removed and then the small wicket gate swung open to admit them. From there they were escorted across a large compound in which stood various buildings. Wulfgar noted a barn, storehouses, workshops and small dwellings before at length they came to a large timbered hall. Fantastically carved pillars flanked the great oaken doors. However, the atmosphere within was more sombre. The only light came from the open portal and the hole in the roof above the rectangular hearth pit where the remains of a fire smouldered in a bed of ash. Through the gloom Wulfgar made out smoke-blackened timbers adorned with racks of antlers and wolf masks. Trestle tables and benches were stacked against the walls, but at the far end of the room on a raised platform was a huge oaken chair, carved with the likeness of birds and animals. The air smelled of smoke and ale and stale food.

‘Wait here,’ said the guard. With that he departed and left them alone. The four looked around.

‘A gloomy lair,’ muttered Asulf.

Thrand nodded. ‘You said it. What manner of man lives here?’

‘A powerful one. That chair looks more like a ruddy throne.’

‘Let’s hope its owner is as gracious as his lady.’

In the event it was Lady Anwyn who came to greet them a short time later. Wulfgar felt a pleasurable sense of recognition. She was accompanied by the old warrior he had seen before: Ina. With them was a young boy—the one on the pony, he assumed. Even if the facial likeness had not been apparent, the red-gold hair and green eyes would have proclaimed him her son. Just for a moment he was reminded of another child and another hall and his throat tightened. Forcing the memory from him, he watched his hostess approach.

When word was brought of the men’s arrival Anwyn had wondered if Lord Wulfgar would be one of their number. Indeed, in some part of her mind she had hoped he might. Even so, seeing him there caused her pulse to quicken a little. Last time they met she had been on horseback. She had not realised just how tall he was.

‘Good morning, my lady.’

Recollecting herself, she returned the greeting. ‘You are come to use the forge.’

‘The carpenter’s shop, too, if you have no objection.’

‘None,’ she replied. ‘What is it you require?’

‘We’re going to need a new yard, and there’s a crack in the ship’s rudder that needs reinforcing. If we can fashion a couple of steel plates, that should do the trick. We could also use some bolts.’ He paused. ‘Naturally we will pay a fair price for the wood and the iron.’

‘Naturally.’

He thought he caught a gleam of something like amusement in her eyes, but it was so quickly gone he couldn’t be certain. All the same it intrigued him. He saw that she was wearing a different gown today. The soft mauve colour suited her, enhancing the delicate pink and whiteness in her cheeks and providing a foil for that wonderful hair, confined in a neat braid. He tried to visualise what it looked like unbound, what it felt like to touch.

Aware of his scrutiny but unable to read his thoughts, Anwyn became unwontedly self-conscious and looked away. Mentally chiding herself, she took a deep breath. She was no green girl to be discomposed by a man’s casual regard.

‘I’ll show you the forge,’ she said.

Even as she spoke she knew there was not the least need for her to go with them; Ina could have done it. On the other hand they were visitors here and it was a courtesy. She averted her eyes from Wulfgar’s. Courtesy had nothing to do with it. The truth was that she did not want to lose this man’s company just yet.

They left the hall and set out across the compound. He fell into stride beside her, leaving the others to follow. Despite the decorous space between them every part of her being was aware of him, every part alive to his presence. He made her feel strangely self-conscious, and yet she could not have said why. It was not an unpleasant sensation exactly; rather it was unaccustomed.

For a moment or two neither of them spoke. Then Wulfgar glanced in the child’s direction.

‘Your son?’

‘Yes. Eyvind.’

‘A fine boy. His father must be proud of him.’

‘His father is dead.’

‘I’m sorry.’ He paused. ‘Recently?’

‘Ten months ago.’

‘It cannot be easy for a woman alone.’

‘I manage well enough.’

‘So I infer if yesterday is aught to judge by.’

Something in his tone brought a tinge of colour to her cheeks. Quickly she changed the subject.

‘You are not from these parts, Lord Wulfgar.’

‘No, I grew up in Northumbria.’

‘You have kin there still?’

‘Some.’

He didn’t qualify that and Anwyn didn’t pursue it. After all, it was none of her business.

‘And now you live the life of an adventurer.’

‘That’s right.’

‘It must be exciting.’

‘It has its moments.’

Before she could reply they reached the forge. The smith looked up from his work and, seeing who it was, made his duty to her.

‘My lady?’ He glanced from her to her companions, surveying them with open curiosity.

Anwyn smiled. ‘Ethelwald, we need your help …’

Having performed the introductions, she briefly outlined the situation. The smith listened attentively. ‘It is not a hard task, but I have work on hand that must be completed first. I cannot begin anything new until the morrow.’

‘And the job will take how long?’ asked Wulfgar.

‘A few days, no more,’ the smith replied.

‘We have other places to be. Can it not be done sooner?’

‘No. I must honour the agreements made before you came.’

His men exchanged quizzical glances but, though Wulfgar noted it, he continued to eye the smith steadily.

‘Fair enough,’ he said. ‘A man should keep his word. We’ll wait.’

Ethelwald nodded. ‘In that case I’ll do what I can.’

They left him then and made their way across to the carpenter. Ceadda, too, had a task in hand but, on hearing that the newcomers required only tools and would do the work themselves, he readily agreed to let them use his premises.

‘Good. I’ll leave you men to talk, then.’ Anwyn took hold of Eyvind’s hand and then turned to go. Instead she encountered gentle resistance.

‘Mother, can I stay and watch? I won’t get in the way, I promise.’

Anwyn hesitated. Seeing it, Ina interjected. ‘I’ll keep an eye on him, my lady.’ He glanced at their visitors. ‘Make sure he comes to no harm.’

‘All right.’

Eyvind’s face lit with a smile. ‘I promise I’ll be good.’

She returned the smile and squeezed his shoulder gently. ‘See that you are.’

For a brief moment she looked over his head and her gaze met Lord Wulfgar’s. The blue eyes held a gleam of amusement.

‘We’ll all be good,’ he said. ‘I promise.’

Anwyn fought the urge to laugh. There was something about that deadpan expression which was both provoking and enigmatic. Unable to think of a suitable reply and all too conscious of that penetrating gaze, she decided that the wisest course lay in dignified retreat.

The men worked steadily, but it was a hot and arduous task. They were not at all sorry when, an hour or so later, a servant appeared with a jug of ale. Wulfgar acknowledged a moment of disappointment that Lady Anwyn had not brought it herself, but then mentally upbraided himself. Why should she? There must be a dozen tasks awaiting her attention within doors. She had kept her word and let them use the workshops; they had no further claim on her time.