The Sea Queen by Linnea Hartsuyker

Author:Linnea Hartsuyker
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2018-08-14T07:00:00+00:00

20

As Solvi sailed away from the battle, he saw Tryggulf’s ship making its escape as well. Solvi was the more daring sailor, but Tryggulf had taught him everything he knew. Solvi’s and Gudbrand’s other six ships fell into the hands of Harald’s forces. Now he had Solvi’s men to torture for information or ransom for treasure.

Solvi had watched Ragnvald cut Ulfarr’s throat. Ulfarr, dead. Ulfarr, who had carried Solvi on his back when Solvi was a boy and his legs had been too injured for him to walk. Ulfarr, who taught Solvi to ride, and had fought every battle by his side. Svanhild had hated him, but Svanhild had not known Ulfarr as Solvi had. If a warrior like Ulfarr, strong in battle, cruel in victory, who had never known defeat, followed Solvi, then any man could be proud of doing the same.

“Should I kill this Jarl Rane or should you?” Ketil Flatnose asked, coming to stand next to Solvi. His voice was grim. The wind that had prevented Rane’s ships from reaching the battle brought Solvi’s and Tryggulf’s ships up next to them within a few breaths.

“His inaction cost me a son, you a friend, and all of Norway a great victory,” said Gudbrand.

Solvi took strength from his allies’ anger. Gudbrand would always back him, and defer to him, because Solvi had shown more bravery at Vestfold, and now Solvi would have a hold over Rane that would make him into a tool as well, one who could question Solvi even less than Gudbrand did.

“Neither,” said Solvi. “We need him.”

“Any kind of sailor, or man, would have found a way to come to us,” said Gudbrand. Solvi could not argue that. He had not seen the oars extended until near the end of the battle, when it was already far too late. “I cannot let him live.”

“You must,” said Solvi. “If he ever ceases to be useful, though, I will hold him while you cut him however you like—butcher him like swine. You have my word.”

Rane stood on one of the ships with Tova by his side. Tova’s neck was taut with fear. Rane’s eyes shifted when he saw Solvi, and his grip tightened on Tova’s waist.

“You coward,” said Solvi. Rane’s hand went to his sword. “You fucker of goats, you nithing. That battle should have been impossible to lose.” These were insults that a man must kill over, yet Rane still merely rested his fingers on his sword’s hilt without drawing it. He knew the justice of them.

“The weather turned against us,” said Rane. “Your men had all the advantage of the wind, while mine were fighting it.”

“Have your captains never learned to tack against the wind? Or command their rowers?”

“I did not want them to be too weary from rowing to fight,” said Rane. “I thought the wind would blow the battle onto us.”

“Not with ships lashed together and sails lowered,” said Solvi.

“I am not versed in sea battles,” said Rane.

“Is that how you justify this?” Solvi gestured at the sparse crews of his two remaining ships, the blood that spattered his armor.

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