Loki's Deceit (The Charlemagne's Cross Series) by Donovan Cook

Author:Donovan Cook
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Boldwood Books
Published: 2023-09-22T00:00:00+00:00

16

Charles rushed to help the dazed Father Leofdag after his grandfather had gone into the hall, ignoring his own stinging cheek. The priest was bleeding from his nose and Charles knew from experience that soon his eyes would be blue and swollen. The crowd that had gathered still stood there, too shocked to get back to their lives as they discussed what Sven had said. Charles’s forehead wrinkled as he tried to make sense of what had just happened and what it meant for him. If his grandfather left Ribe, would Charles have to stay here in Ribe with Thora? Would she stay or leave as well? He turned to where Thora was helping her cousin pick Haldor up off the ground. The man’s face was covered in blood and his eyes struggled to focus as he stared around him. Charles knew Haldor was lucky to be alive. He had learnt that his grandfather did not care about killing people. He did not care about giving in to the devil inside him.

‘Let go of him! This is your fault! By Frigg, we should never have let you into our home!’ Thora’s cousin shouted at her. Thora took a step back and raised her hands. ‘You and that boy have been nothing but bad luck!’

‘Audhild?’

‘No.’ Thora’s cousin stopped her from saying anything. ‘I should have listened to my husband. He was right about that boy!’

‘Your husband has always been a fool and always will be!’ Ingvild glared at her daughter. ‘What happened here has nothing to do with Thora or the boy.’ The old lady spat on the ground. ‘By the gods, only Haldor would think it’s a good idea to strike the grandson of Sven.’

Audhild shook her head. ‘Haldor is a good man. He just wasn’t thinking. He is drunk!’

‘Aye, that is the problem.’ The old lady jabbed a finger at the dazed Haldor, who was leaning on his smaller wife. ‘The bastard never thinks and is always drunk. And now Sven is going to stop providing us with extra food and money. By Frigg, Audhild. I told you not to marry this oaf!’ Ingvild turned to Thora and shook her head. ‘Forgive my daughter. She’s as dumb as my husband was and for some reason only the gods can understand, she loves this man. I’ll prepare your belongings for you to collect when you are ready.’ She then looked at Charles and smiled at him. ‘You better make sure you eat, boy. You’re too thin for this world.’

Charles could only nod as the old lady turned and walked away, leaving her daughter struggling to support her drunk husband. Jorlaug appeared with red eyes and a snotty nose, and almost gave him a fright when she spoke. But unlike before, she didn’t seem to take pleasure from it.

‘I’m sorry.’

‘It’s not your fault.’ He rubbed his cheek where it was burning. The blow had been hard, and he knew he would have a large bruise by the time he next woke up.

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