Sword of Doom by James Jennewein Read Free Book Online Page B

Dane. “Inform your charge about the dangers of a loose tongue.” With that, Godrek and his men went back to their bedrolls. Thorfinn followed, but not before he gave Dane a final sneering look that said, This is not over .
    Before William could speak, Dane turned on him, his eyes livid. “Never challenge a liegeman unless you’re man enough to fight him. He’ll kill you—and be within his rights!” Dane strode away, leaving William standing alone. He peered into the woods where he thought he had seen the eerie, glowing eyes. There was nothing there but darkness.

5
D AYLIGHT B RINGS N EW D ANGERS
    B y midmorning the following day the party emerged from the woods into an alpine meadow. In the summer it would be alive with bright flowers and lush grasses, but the winter freeze had turned everything brown and dead. No one cared that the landscape was so lifeless or the air biting cold; they were all thankful to be out in the bright sunshine and away from the gloomy, dreaded forest. Dane noticed that everyone’s mood had brightened and there was laughter now among his friends.
    â€œThink there’ll be many girls in Skrellborg?” asked Fulnir as he rode beside Dane.
    â€œLots,” Dane replied. “You’ll have your pick.”
    â€œOur pick ?” asked Drott the Dim. “You mean if I try to kiss one, she won’t hit me with a rock?”
    â€œYou can’t kiss her right off,” Dane said. “You haveto make conversation first. Girls in Skrellborg are more refined.”
    â€œMore refined than who ?” Astrid chimed in as she rode up alongside them. “We simple girls from Voldarstad?”
    Dane blushed. “Uh, I like simple girls from Voldarstad.”
    â€œSure of that, Dane?” she chided. “And when all those Skrellborg maidens throw themselves at your feet? What then?” She pulled her hair and wailed in comic exaggeration. “‘Oh, Dane! Dane the Defiant, you have stolen my refined heart!’”
    His friends hooted in laughter, and Dane noticed it even drew a smile from Ragnar the Ripper.
    Dane grinned. “Astrid, you needn’t worry.”
    â€œWorry? Why would I worry?” she asked. “I’ll be too busy with the refined boys .”
    There were more guffaws, the laughter free and easy, the kind shared among good friends, and Dane couldn’t remember when he had last felt so carefree and happy.
    The path continued to climb through the woods; an unruly wind arose, and it grew colder. Dane noticed that Lut the Bent had turned pale, so he took his woolen scarf and wrapped it round the old man’s face and neck. Lut nodded in gratitude, but there seemed something weighty on the old one’s mind, something more than just the chilly weather.
    â€œI was thinking about how wolves choose their leader,” Lut said. Dane sensed another life lesson coming. “Did youknow the lead wolf is born to its place? Just as those who trot behind are born to theirs?” Lut nodded toward the front of the procession, and Dane saw Jarl on his mount ahead, leading the party up the trail as if he were the lord of the troop.
    â€œSo you’re saying men are the same? They’re born to their position? I thought you said a man could choose his own destiny.”
    Lut sighed. “Did I say that? I’m old and I forget things.”
    Dane knew Lut’s mind was as sharp as ever. He only feigned forgetfulness to win arguments. “I have a choice, Lut. I can lead farmers and fishwives, or I can strike out on my own and see the world. Godrek says some men keep their heads in holes all their lives, others lift their eyes to the stars.”
    â€œHmm” was all Lut said for a while as their horses trod on. Dane thought perhaps the life lesson was over. Then Lut said, “Your father took a wife, raised a son, and led farmers and fishwives. Find out why he made that choice, and you will know what