Viking Conspiracy by S. T. Bende

Author:S. T. Bende [Bende, S. T.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fantasy
Goodreads: 45859752
Publisher: S.T. Bende
Published: 2019-07-16T00:00:00+00:00

Erik didn’t come to lunch. Axel hadn’t heard from him all morning, which meant he was probably still wherever he’d flown off to on Sunday. Whether that was by choice or circumstance, I didn’t know.

What I did know was that on the subject of our fight, Axel was firmly Team Erik. At Helene’s urging, I told him what had transpired between us. Axel agreed that Erik should have chosen his words more carefully, and he definitely shouldn’t have insulted my value to the tribe.

“But Saga,” he said gently, “Erik’s not wrong. He only brought you to Valkyris a few months ago. You don’t have enough perspective to understand how things work around here—or what opening ourselves up will most likely mean for our safety.”

“Maybe not, but I do know the way you’re doing things isn’t working. Bjorn’s amassing an army.”

“Someone’s always amassing an army.” Axel shrugged. “We’re constantly getting ready for some battle or another. We prepare for the worst while simultaneously living our lives. You have to understand that Erik’s been doing this a lot longer than you have. He’s been raised to protect Valkyris, and for the last few years he’s been training to lead it. Did you really think you could show up, train for a few months, and tell him how to run his tribe?”

“It’s my tribe too!” I threw my hands in the air. “Why the hell do you think I’m working so hard?”

“I get that,” Axel said calmly. “But I also get that Erik inherited a title he never wanted and dedicated his life to doing a job he didn’t ask for. He does it because he loves his family, he loves his clan, and he believes in the world his parents have built. And for you to tell him he’s doing it wrong . . .” Axel’s low whistle followed the trajectory of the lead ball in my gut.

Ouch.

“Look, I’ll ask around to see if anyone knows where he is. If he doesn’t show up by the time classes get out, we’ll go track him down together.” Axel sighed. “But based on what you’ve told me, I’d imagine the guy just needed some space. I know I would.”

Double ouch.

“Erik scheduled us for an extra training this afternoon,” I said. “If he doesn’t show, I’m coming to find you.”

“Ja.” Axel rubbed his beard. “That’s probably a good idea.”

I cut class after lunch, changing into training gear and opting for the comfort of the big armchair in my room. I curled up under a thick blanket and just stared at the light snowfall outside my window. Occasionally the sun would peek through the clouds, illuminating the mountains on the far side of the Valkyris shore. The craggy peaks were covered in a thick layer of white, and when the wind picked up I could see the snowy swirls whipping off their edges. We’d made it through the worst of the winter, but a bitter cold still blanketed Norway. I was grateful to be ensconced in my suite, with a soothing fire lapping in the hearth.

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