The Viking's Touch

When the courtesies had been observed he came straight to the point. Anwyn listened in a silence that was concerned with surprise and relief and trepidation. Surprise and relief that his men had agreed to stay, but trepidation on account of what she was doing. Something of this showed in her face.

‘It’s not too late to change your mind,’ he said.

‘I do not intend to change my mind.’

‘Be very sure, Anwyn, because once this begins there will be no going back.’

‘I know.’

‘Then we have an agreement.’

Her heart thumped, but she met his eye unflinchingly. ‘Yes.’

‘Very well.’

‘What happens now?’

‘What happens now is that my men and I move into Drakensburgh.’ He smiled faintly. ‘However, first I shall heed your advice and speak to Ina.’

‘I’ll have someone fetch him.’ She would have turned aside, but his hand closed round her arm, preventing it.

‘Presently. First there is something we must discuss.’

Anwyn remained quite still, trying to ignore his physical proximity and the warmth of his hand through her sleeve. ‘My lord?’

‘It may be that we shall not agree on every point in the days to come.’ He continued, ‘but I will keep my undertaking to tell you what is on my mind. In return I want yours that any disagreements will be discussed in private.’

‘A united front?’

‘Just so.’

She nodded. ‘As you will.’

‘Good.’

She would have disengaged herself then, but he retained his hold. ‘One more thing: I shall expect my men to be well lodged and fed, but while we are here I shall answer for their conduct.’

‘The women of Drakensburgh are safe, then.’

The blue eyes glinted. ‘If they wish to be.’

The tone was ambiguous; the implication wasn’t. Pink colour deepened in her cheeks, a circumstance that did nothing to diminish his admiration or, at that moment, his enjoyment.

‘I’m sure they’ll be relieved to know,’ she replied. ‘In the meantime, perhaps you’d like to speak with Ina.’

This time he made no attempt to prevent her going, though in truth he would have liked to. Instead he stood looking on as she crossed the room to the far doorway to summon one of the servants. There followed a few murmured words that he did not catch and then the sound of departing footsteps.

Anwyn took a deep breath, willing herself to composure again. It wasn’t so easy when she could still feel the pressure of his hand on her arm; it hadn’t hurt, but its strength was alarming. Like his sheer physical presence. Safe from him? Perhaps—but not safe from her own thoughts. He unsettled her too easily. However, that was probably true of most of the women he met. That thought rallied her at once; this was a business arrangement, nothing more. It would be the height of folly to think anything else.

Fortunately for her peace of mind Ina appeared a few moments later. He threw a quizzical look at Wulfgar and then turned his attention to Anwyn.

‘You wished to speak with me, my lady.’

‘Yes. There are matters of which you must be apprised …’

As she outlined the scheme Ina listened intently, his face impassive. Even his eyes revealed nothing of the thoughts in his mind. However, knowing him well enough by now, she immediately sensed reservation there.

‘I need your help,’ she said in conclusion. ‘The men will listen to you.’

‘They listen because you are Lady of Drakensburgh and they owe allegiance to you. To Lord Wulfgar they owe none.’

Wulfgar nodded. ‘What you say is true. However, if we are to prevail against Ingvar, I must have their allegiance.’

‘It may not be easy to gain.’

‘Perhaps not, but I mean to have it all the same.’

His gaze met and held Ina’s. Then the older man nodded slowly. ‘What do you intend to do?’

‘Speak to them. Offer them a choice.’

‘Serve you or leave?’

‘Something like that.’

‘They may defect to Ingvar.’

‘It’s a risk I’ll have to take,’ Wulfgar conceded.

Anwyn looked thoughtful. ‘There’s no love lost between my late husband’s men and those whom Grymar leads.’

‘It’s what I’m counting on,’ he replied.

‘When do you mean to speak with them?’

‘The sooner the better. I need to know exactly where I stand with regard to numbers.’

While Ina departed to muster the Drakensburgh force, Wulfgar summoned his own men into the hall. He had quite deliberately kept their number small, not wishing to make a difficult situation worse. Then he turned to Anwyn and held out a hand.

‘Come.’

Rather tentatively she placed her fingers in his, felt them close on her hand. The touch was warm and strong, oddly reassuring. He led her to the dais on which stood the great carved chair. Anwyn’s eyes widened a little.

‘You want me to sit there?’

‘Aye. These men need to understand who wields authority at Drakensburgh.’

It wasn’t at all what she had been expecting, although she could see the point. However, the thought of actually taking Torstein’s seat was somewhat daunting. No one had ever sat there save he. No one would have dared. She drew a deep breath; Torstein was dead and could make no objection. Somewhat gingerly she sat down. The great chair seemed even bigger now. Possibly Wulfgar guessed at some of her thoughts for he squeezed her fingers gently.

‘Have no fear. It will all be well.’

Then he released his hold and stepped back, standing a few feet off to her left, his men ranged behind. They had no sooner taken their places than Ina returned. His steady gaze took in the scene at once.

‘The men are on their way,’ he said.

‘Good.’ Wulfgar gestured to the place at Anwyn’s right hand. A ghost of a smile flickered on Ina’s lips and then was gone, but he took up his position without question.

As the Drakensburgh retainers began to file in, the buzz of conversation died and each man there turned his gaze to the waiting group. The first few halted at a respectful distance from the dais, their expressions revealing mingled surprise and curiosity. Surveying them from her vantage point, Anwyn understood then exactly what Wulfgar intended. At a stroke he had created an instant and powerful visual image that was all about authority: her authority, underpinned by Ina and himself. A few in the assembled crowd began to exchange glances and murmurs. Then Ina stepped forwards.

‘Silence!’ The command and the fierce accompanying glare killed off the murmuring at once. ‘Lady Anwyn would speak with you.’

All eyes turned her way. Sweat started on the palms of her hands. In all the ten months since Torstein’s death she had never addressed these men en masse, relying on Ina to convey her instructions. Now in truth she was going to have to adopt the mantle bequeathed her and she could not afford to show fear. Deciding that directness was probably the best course, she came straight to the point.

‘Recent hostile actions by Lord Ingvar’s war band have suggested a shift in the relationship subsisting between him and my late husband. It amounts to unwarranted interference in Drakensburgh’s affairs. This I will not permit.’ She paused, letting her gaze sweep round the assembled crowd, meeting their eyes. No one spoke. Nervousness diminished. She was in charge here and they would hear her. She lifted her chin and resumed, her voice firm and clear. ‘His lordship has also made known his wish to unite his estate with this one …’ that caused some sideways glances and drew faint, knowing smiles ‘… a wish he intends to fulfil by any means in his power.’ The smiles faded. ‘This also I will not permit.’ They were regarding her intently now. ‘However, Lord Ingvar’s war band is strong and, at present, Drakensburgh’s forces, though valiant, are too small to counter them should the need arise. To rectify that situation I have commissioned the services of Lord Wulfgar and his men.’ Again a murmur of voices broke out, this time in surprise. ‘There is more.’ She waited for quiet and then went on. ‘To have any hope of defeating Ingvar’s forces, there can only be one military commander. That will be Lord Wulfgar.’ The murmuring grew louder now and she intercepted a few angry looks among the expressions of surprise. ‘Ina will be his second-in-command.’

A man stepped forwards, big, burly, swarthy skinned. She recognised Thorkil for he had ever been one of her husband’s most loyal adherents. ‘Why should we take orders from Lord Wulfgar? We have sworn no oath of fealty to him.’

A chorus of agreement greeted this. Anwyn let it die down. ‘No, but you do owe fealty to me.’ She paused. ‘It is my will that he be invested with the authority to command the combined force.’

‘Only Ina has that right,’ replied Thorkil.

Anwyn fixed him with a cool and level stare. ‘It is I who have the right to decide what happens at Drakensburgh—no one else.’

Thorkil’s bushy eyebrows knit together, but before he could say more Ina spoke out. ‘Lady Anwyn speaks true—her word is law here.’ He paused. ‘Do not dispute it again.’

Thorkil glowered, but remained silent, exchanging eloquent looks with his immediate neighbours, Sigurd and Gorm. Anwyn drew in another deep breath and then turned to look at the man to her left.

‘Perhaps Lord Wulfgar can clarify the situation.’

He inclined his head in acquiescence and strolled forwards to the edge of the dais, looking round at the assembled group.

‘I can well understand why some might find this situation hard to accept. Change is not always welcome. Some men see it as a threat.’ He looked at Thorkil for a moment. ‘However, I am not the threat confronting Drakensburgh: Ingvar is. Only a united force has any hope of prevailing against him and, as any warrior knows, a force can have but one leader.’ He paused. ‘I will not compel any man to pledge allegiance to me. Those who have no wish to do so may leave, and with no ill feeling. However, those who choose to remain will acknowledge the authority that Lady Anwyn has seen fit to give me.’

He fell silent then, waiting. The silence stretched out, but no one moved or spoke. Wulfgar nodded.

‘Then I take it we are all agreed.’

Again none disputed his words. Anwyn let out the breath she had been holding, even as she acknowledged the skill of the performance she had just witnessed. It seemed to call for a gesture from her.

‘Tomorrow night our two forces shall feast together in friendship. Until then, go in peace.’

Immediately a loud buzz of conversation ensued, but she was relieved to note only a few creased brows among the crowd. Most of them seemed to have accepted the new state of affairs. However, they had a vested interest in doing so since it was a lot easier and more convenient than trying to find a new place elsewhere. Of course, Lord Wulfgar had known that and calculated accordingly. Glancing round, she met his eye and saw him nod in quiet approval.

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