Fate's Needle by Jerry Autieri Read Free Book Online Page B

face.
    “I know you,” he said. “You are the slave who served me the other night. Am I right?”
    The girl dropped her head and pulled her shift back into place, ignoring the question.
    “Maybe she can’t talk. Let’s just be certain.” Yngvar kicked the girl gently, and she recoiled in fear.
    “Stop it!” Ulfrik shouted. “She can talk.”
    The girl looked sheepishly at Ulfrik. For a slave, she obviously held herself in high regard; Ulfrik could sense it even before she spoke.
    “Your father bought me this summer, at Kaupang. I have seen you, Lord, only recently, but I’ve heard your name many times,” she said gently, with a refinement not found in country girls.
    She reminded him of his cousins back in Auden’s hall. Ulfrik glanced at Yngvar, who was watching him with a cocked eyebrow. He turned back to the girl. “Your accent is from the south. You are a Dane?”
    “My name is Runa. My father is … was Svein Agnarson. Svear raiders kiled him in his hall. I was taken captive and sold at market.”
    “This is a slave’s babbling,” Yngvar interrupted. “Grim will be impatient to know if you’re dead, Ulfrik. We must escape before he sends men to investigate.”
    Ulfrik nodded at Yngvar’s common sense. “Let’s hear what Runa has to say.”
    Yngvar sighed, and the girl glanced at him and then continued. “Lord, I fear your father died today. It happened soon after you left.” Her eyes searched Ulfrik’s face as she spoke. Whether she found what she looked for, Ulfrik did not know. “I was your father’s slave. I don’t think Grim knows all of your father’s slaves. He did not take action to secure us, so I fled for my life.”
    Yngvar snorted. “As if you will live long with that collar, girl. Better to accept your fate and be burned with your master.
    “I heard the sounds of a fight,” Runa said, ignoring Yngvar. “I followed it to where I found you, Lord Ulfrik. You frightened me, and I ran.”
    “We waste time with her.” Yngvar shouldered his ax. “We can’t take her with us, and if we let her go she either runs back to Grim or spreads our story to every corner of Norway. She’s a slave, Ulfrik. Let’s silence her and get away from here.”
    Ulfrik understood, but he did not act. Runa turned to him, her eyes wide with horror and leaking tears. Her small hands were clasped to her chest and the thought struck him that he did not know how he had mistaken her for a boy. Her hair was matted and curly, but framed a bold, clear face flushed pink now with fear and exertion. She certainly appeared in fine shape for a slave.”
    “She will come with us,” Ulfrik said, returning his gaze to Yngvar. “Fate has tied us together. This cannot be anything other than the work of the gods.”
    Yngvar shook his head and let his ax slide to the ground.
    “Thank you, my lord!” Runa collapsed at his feet, crying. “My life is yours!”
    Ulfrik ignored them both. “We will go to my Uncle Auden,” he said. “He will want justice for his sister’s husband. He has a large household, at least as strong as Grim’s. He will provide protection and a means to bring Grim to justice.”
    “Your brother has contacted the Vestfolders. They’re bringing a strong army to join with his.” Yngvar let the words hang, his eyes searching Ulfrik’s.
    “Then you think Auden’s men will not be a match?”
    “Not an even match,” Yngvar said, hefting his ax to his other shoulder as he spoke. “But if he is warned, he can prepare.”
    Runa remained kneeling at Ulfrik’s feet. He extended his hand to her, and she took it as if it were made of gold. Ulfrik helped her up, again amazed he could have seen a boy in such a beautiful woman. He wondered how Grim could have overlooked her.
    “And if we do not get away from here soon,” Yngvar said as he frowned at Runa. “Grim will be welcoming us back to his hearth, something I think no one wants. So let’s take what we can from the dead and get moving. I