King of War: Book Four in the Viking Blood and Blade Saga by Gibbons Peter

Author:Gibbons, Peter
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-07-18T00:00:00+00:00

Sixteen

The Seaworm met King Harald’s fleet off western Norway. They had unknowingly sailed past the King’s fleet and his army, losing half a day before turning about to search again amongst the puzzle of islands, mountainous fjords, and inlets which made up the coast of Rogaland. Rognvald went straight to the King with the Yngling sword, informing him of Kjotve’s army mustered at Agder. Hundr had let Rognvald go, putting him and his men ashore on a flat island covered in lush green foliage, perched in a fjord of water so clear it shone green under the sun. Ragnhild had warned Hundr to go to Harald himself with the sword and ensure the King recognised him for the glory of its rescue. However, Hundr preferred to find Asbjorn and his precious ships and ensure all was well.

“The ships are out in the fjord with Harald’s ships,” she said. “We did what Harald asked, and he should reward us.”

“We will be rewarded, and I will go to Harald. But first, I want to check on the ships. We have four left since Gorm stole the Sea-Stallion. They are our wealth and our lifeblood. Also, the men will be unsettled after Black Gorm’s betrayal. I worry that others might get the same idea. The last thing we need is another ship disappearing in the night with a full crew.”

“None of the others will leave. They have sworn oaths.”

“So had Gorm and the dogs who ran with him; they still left at the first opportunity.”

They rowed the Seaworm out into the wide fjord beyond the island and around the ships of Harald's fleet. Bush called a gentle pace, and the vessel moved slowly across the still water. Einar approached, with Hildr alongside. They picked their way between the rowing benches from the stern, and, as he came close, Hundr noticed that Einar’s jaw was set firm, and his brows were knitted together.

“We should talk to Harald today,” Einar said, ducking his head under the sheet rope and leaning on the furled yard.

“We will,” said Hundr. “I know you want to be off searching for Finn as soon as we can.”

“When I fought Rollo in Kjotve’s hall, he said Gorm would take Finn to Bjorn Ironside. You know well that Bjorn is the King of the Svears now.”

“I do. If we can catch Gorm whilst he is with Bjorn, then I will talk to Bjorn.”

“Good. Hopefully, Bjorn remembers how you and he fought back-to-back in Frankia and killed Duke Robert the Strong together. We should head out today if we can.”

“I need to talk to the men first, then Harald. Then we go.”

“Do you think we can trust King Harald?” asked Hildr. She wrapped one arm around Einar’s waist and shielded the sun from her blue eyes with her other hand.

“As much as any king,” Hundr said. He did not trust anyone beyond his family of Einar, Ragnhild, Hildr and Bush, and he had learned that the hard way. “Why do you ask?”

“Something Rollo said to Einar at Agder,” she replied, nudging Einar to speak.

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