The Raven and the Dove: A novel of Viking Normandy by Butler K.M

Author:Butler, K.M. [Butler, K.M.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Firsthand Account Press
Published: 2021-11-22T00:00:00+00:00

TAURIN

Kohl stained half of Halla’s face and pagan patterns covered the rest. She looked as strange to Taurin now as the night of the blót .

With the deftness of familiar tasks, she adjusted the lay of her mail coat and slid her axes into the loops affixed to her belt, shifting them around until they fit comfortably. She frowned as she tugged on her mail coat.

“Is something wrong?” he asked.

She pinched the rings, struggling to grab the material. “Nothing.”

But for the gold torc signifying her rank as hersir , she looked like any of the hundreds of Norsemen loading their ships with provisions for the long journey.

Like those of the townsfolk who weren’t selling their wares to the departing army, Taurin could only stand and watch the spectacle unfolding before him. But he didn’t share his people’s awe at this demonstration of strength. He had already experienced that in Rouen. He cared only that his wife was departing to murder Christians. The part of her that hungered to spill blood unsettled him. He would never understand it.

She could be sailing to her death. Despite her behavior at the blót , he didn’t wish that. “I ask you once more. Do not go.”

Fingers halting, she pinned him with an irritated glare.

“You’re needed here.”

Finished with her adjustments, Halla rested her hands on her axes. “This is our way. I must go.”

“I don’t understand.”

She sighed. “Oh, I know.”

He ignored her irritation. “You said you’d protect my people. What if we’re attacked?”

“By whom? We’ll keep the Franks busy in the Bessin.”

He frowned. “We spotted longships nearby.”

She gestured at the dozens of ships waiting along the river and the six berthed at the piers. “Of course you have.”

“You know my meaning.”

“The settlers are thriving,” she said. “Your people are trading with them. Last week, Audhild and Rosamund walked through town together. You’ll be fine.”

He raised his gaze to the ships on the water as they aligned themselves to sail south, toward the Seine. One of the remaining longships undocked and moved to join them.

“Do you have enough warriors? Rollo said some went east.”

She followed his gaze, but her lips drew tight. “We’re better off without them, if they ignore the chance for revenge.”

“Revenge?” A chill ran down his neck as the sense of strangeness returned. The scriptures warned against such base urges.

She placed her hand against her stomach and grimaced.

He jumped on the gesture. “And are you well enough to raid? I heard you vomiting today.”

“It’s this deprivation before your festival. I cannot endure any more fish.”

Any excuse that kept her from joining this heathen violence would suffice. “Shouldn’t you stay and recover?”

“I’m healthy enough.” More softly, she added, “And we have plenty of raiders from Norway and Denmark. Six longships even came from the Danelaw in Britain.”

As she spoke, Rollo and another Norseman approached. Both wore fur-trimmed cloaks above steel mail coats. The other man’s hazel eyes lit up as he approached Halla. He had spoken out during the assembly in Rouen. Taurin remembered being terrified of him then.

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