The Navigator's Touch by Julia Ember

Author:Julia Ember [Ember, Julia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Duet Books
Published: 2018-08-27T20:15:48+00:00

Ten

Ylir

Odin’s Month

November

I lay awake for most of the night, listening to Ersel’s quiet snoring. By morning, I had a plan to win my men’s loyalty. Smyain had never received any weapons training, and many of the others were probably in the same position. How I could I expect them to follow me willingly when they didn’t have the skills to the fight the enemies I led them toward? Wherever their lives took them after we took back Kjorseyrr and parted ways, those skills would pay. If I taught them, they would be grateful to me.

Ersel still had not recovered from the ride. She woke damp with sweat. A few of her mermaid’s scales had erupted through the magic binding her to human form. They dotted her cheeks like flecks of silver dust. I left her to rest and went in search of Aslaug.

I was certain that my plan had merit, but if I was going to train with my men, we would need better weapons, targets, and horses. I’d never seen most of them ride. I didn’t know if they could swing an axe or a sword from the saddle. If Smyain’s story was typical, some might not even be able to shoot a bow.

I found my crew sprawled out on the floor of the guesthouse’s main chamber. Some had unrolled their furs and made beds, but many others had fallen asleep where they’d sat at the table. Trygve was asleep with his head on a plate; meat drippings stuck to his beard. I walked up behind him and cleared my throat. He jerked to attention, hands splaying, and sent his ale tankard flying. I rolled my eyes as he sputtered apologies.

“I’m going to find the húskarl.” I grabbed a wooden cup and carefully poured him some water from the jug. “Make sure none of them leave here before I get back.”

Trygve rubbed at his eyes. “Okay.”

“Don’t fall back to sleep,” I cautioned. “And check on Ersel. She’s ill.”

He sipped his water slowly. “Should we send for a healer?”

“Do you think a healer would know what to make of her?” I shook my head. “I think she’s just tired from the ride. She’s not used to walking as a human yet, much less riding for a full day.”

I turned to the door, but Smyain waved his hand at me. He groaned and climbed to his feet. “Do you need someone to go with you?” he asked. “We don’t know the people here. They might not all be as friendly as the jarl.”

“I’d feel better if you weren’t completely alone,” Trygve said.

Smyain dusted off his tunic and shot me a grin. “I’m a survivor, remember? I’ll make myself useful.”

His volunteering was unexpected, but they were right. I would be safer with company. I nodded, and Smyain followed me outside. It was a bright morning, but frost still clung to the trees. Frozen leaves crunched under our boots. The city below was quiet, and the streets were empty. I figured

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