Viking For Hire (Vikings Saga Volume 1) by Jo Grafford Read Free Book Online Page A

rewarded with the brightening of Sven’s expression.
    “Nay,” Eirik answered in clipped tones. “There is no need as I am releasing you from that particular bargain.”
    “But the curse!” Sven rocked back on his heels, brows raised. “We need the mistletoe to break it. You cannot possibly be thinking... Nay, my liege.” He spread his large hands, angst lining his forehead. “Whilst you remain bound by the blackness of such sorcery, ’tis unsafe to return with you thus to New Dorset.”
    “You speak the truth,” Erik said grimly. “And ’tis far past time for you to return home with our men, far past time to reunite them with their families.”
    A low cheer rose up from all thirty-six of the other Viking crewmen at his words.
    “Today, you will set the sail for New Dorset,” he declared. “There is no time to waste as winter fast approaches.”
    Immediately, the crewmen began to disburse. Some ran to share the good news with comrades out of earshot. Others fell into a flurry of preparations.
    “You will take charge in my absence, Sven.” Emotion roughened Eirik’s voice as he continued. “I entrust Branwyn to your care. See to it she has whatever she needs to set herself up as our healer. Board her in my longhouse, and purchase anything she desires with my coin.”
    “And where might you be in the meantime, jarl?” Sven sounded angry.
    “I shall seek out another way to reverse the spell.”
    “Not without me you won’t.” Sven slammed his fist into his hand. “I’ve no family waiting for me back home. I swore my loyalty to thee years ago and will not be sailing off to paradise whilst you grapple alone with the fires of hell.”
    “Nor will I.” Branwyn straightened indignantly. “You cannot send me hither and thither at your whim as if I am no more than a crate of ale. For whatever reason, the gods brought us together. Like Sven, my place is with you. Besides, who else will protect you from the mermaids next time they come a-calling?”
    He glared. “How can you jest of such things? By Thor, I had no idea what I was asking of you when I brought you aboard my ship, no understanding of your full capabilities, and no thought as to how much the magic would drain from you. I cannot and will not put you in such danger again.”
    “Bah! I was running for my life when we first met,” Branwyn reminded him. “Such are the dangers that plague my kind.” Her voice softened. “Be assured I will be fully recovered by nightfall, Eirik. Just allow me a few hours to eat and rest. ’Tis not normally so draining as what you witnessed out on the water today. I’ve never had to create a shield so large or hold it for so long is all.”
    His jaw clenched. “You were still as death for more than an hour, Branwyn. Barely breathing.”
    “The body does what it must to restore its humours. Look at me now.” She stood, spread her arms wide, and spun in a circle. “Already the strength flows back into my limbs.”
    “Nevertheless, I would prefer to seek another way to break the curse,” Eirik insisted, folding his arms. “Tell me, witch, what other methods exist?” The caressing note in his voice transformed the title into an endearment.
    “None that I know of.” She smoothed her skirts. “If you ever wish to return to New Dorset as jarl, you must allow me to reverse the spell, and that is that.”
    “Hear hear,” Sven chimed in.
    Before Eirik could protest again, Branwyn ordered briskly. “Ye’ve the start of a good fire there, Sven. Pray seek out the limbs of a dead oak and pile on a few pieces of it.”
    “At your service, madam.” He stood and bowed. “I’ve a group of scouts already searching for the mistletoe,” he muttered low so that only she could hear. Then he strode away to assign the task to a pair of the youngest sailors.
    Eirik rose and stood toe to toe with her. The harsh angles of his cheekbones and jaw were tight with worry. “I pray you know what you are about, lass. Else I