Vinland Ragnarok: Twi'light of the Gods by Johnston R.G

Author:Johnston, R.G. [Johnston, R.G.]
Language: eng
Format: azw
Published: 2014-04-26T16:00:00+00:00

◦●◦ 5 ◦◦●

Gudrid sat alone, waiting for Elsu to return with the hide clothing. She’d asked Thorfinn and the others in the party to leave her so she could prepare herself mentally for what she was about to do. Her heart raced when she thought about walking into Elsu’s camp disguised as his dead wife. She didn’t know what she would encounter or what she had to do to maintain the illusion of being Yakima. It would be a combination of many things, she knew; not only the application of her makeup and costume, but her acting the part of a previous member of their community.

What was at stake far outweighed the risk involved. Gudrid was getting her son back—or, at the very least, finding out where to start her search, where to find the bread crumbs that would lead her to him so that he’d grow up with his family and take his place among them.

She looked across the forest in the direction Thorfinn and the others had gone. She’d chosen her husband well. Thorfinn was a wonderful, kind, honest man who accepted her faults and demands, so much so that he risked his profits on the trip so that Gudrid could resolve her past and feel comfortable in her present. Gudrid would never forget that expression of his love for her. And she was certain he would do the same for their son, and make a fine father. Some would say that any father would do that, but Gudrid knew that Thorfinn wasn’t any father; he had a deep respect for her and her feelings and that would extend to Snorri. She smiled, and waited for Elsu with renewed calm.

She could just barely see Thorfinn through the trees; he was whittling something from a piece of wood, and she strained to see what it was. As he moved the object around in his hands, she realized that it was a toy knarr. He was carefully hollowing out the inside of the boat, making it lighter so that it would float, his movements as gentle as if he were handling a newborn baby. He paused and blew away the shavings, then continued, unaware of Gudrid’s scrutiny.

Hearing rustling, Gudrid turned to see Elsu emerging from the trees with a bundle in his arms. He returned Gudrid’s smile. “Your clothes,” he said, handing the bundle to Gudrid. “I’m sure they will fit you.”

She unwrapped the bundle and admired the intricate beadwork around the collar and the cuffs of the hide dress. “Were these Yakima’s clothes?” she asked.

“Yes. I snuck into my camp and took them from my wigwam.”

Thorfinn walked over to them and stood quietly nearby. Gudrid flashed him a reassuring smile.

“I also have some ochre to cover your face, arms, hands, and legs. It is very important that your white skin is completely covered. The ochre must stain your skin, not look as if it’s been applied like war paint. We’ll have to mix it with water so that it seeps into your skin.

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