His eyes missed little, and he knew the signs of love. The way that Lida walked, with the new spring to her step and the way she held her head a little higher, the glow in her cheeks, and her laughter all served to tell the druid that there was a man in her life. It didn't take him long to find out who it was, and the news pleased him. He didn't like anyone who refused to acknowledge his powers, and this foreign warrior was dangerous to him because he had done just that. Even old Ragnar was careful of the priest and his spells.
Several times in the past, men and women alike had died when they'd gotten on the bad side of Hagdrall. He'd put the evil eye on them, making his magical signs that brought forth the elemental spirits of the underworld to do his bidding. He always covered up the work of his poisons with a little sideshow display that took the watchers attention away from his quick hands.
It was he who counseled Ragnar and it was through him that Ragnar's brothers in Britannia had agreed to arrange a royal wedding between Lida and Icenius, the descendent and heir apparent of the warrior queen, Bodaciea. The youngster needed a place to quarter and try to rebuild his forces for a new war against Rome.
The druids were picking this time to make a try for power because of the internal difficulties present in Rome and on her frontiers. They claimed young Icenius was the direct descendent of the Queen of the Iceni, who had destroyed over seventy thousand Romans and their allies some 150 years ago. Even the boy didn't know any different.
The druids had taken him as a boy and raised him. He knew only what they had told him. His kingdom was small. It consisted of a few villages among the Scoti of Caledonia, to the north but well beyond the reach of the Pax Romana.
Icenius was unaware that when his usefulness to the druids was over, he was expendable. He would live only while they had a use for him. All other offers for an alliance with him had been refused. Ragnar was their last hope. If that fell through, the boy would die.
The druids of Britannia had sung the praises of Ragnar in his ear and thought that if Icenius left Britannia for the northlands, he would be able to rally forces there, using the strength of his mother's name and Ragnar's hold as an operational base. The fact that they'd told him of the beauty of Ragnar's daughter had also helped some.
Messengers between the two parties finally arrived at an agreement concerning the dowery, and the marriage was agreed upon. For old Ragnar's part, because of the youth of the princeling, he figured he ought to be able to control the youngster, and he himself would be the power behind the throne, that was, if the boy was successful in his attempt to regain the crown of his great-grandmother.
But if he married the Lady Lida and failed, still Ragnar was out very little. But if the young prince won and by chance put a child into Lida's belly, and should then suffer a fatal accident, say, then the daughter of Ragnar would be queen. And that was almost as good as if he wore the crown himself. All these possibilities had been carefully explained to Ragnar by Hagdrall.
On the day Ragnar was to make the announcement of his daughter's upcoming nuptials, Hagdrall whispered in his ear of her relationship with the Roman. Hagdrall was sore put to restrain Ragnar from arresting Casca and having him put to the stakes at once. Ragnar finally agreed with him that it would be better to make an example of the Roman at the announcement ceremony, and it would please his new allies to have him deliver justice to one of their hated enemies.
Ragnar gave the orders to several of his most trusted henchmen: bring Casca to him in chains that night at the feast and keep it a secret until then. No one was to know. He sent Glam and Sifrit out to the countryside on an errand that would occupy them for a couple of days. Ostensibly they were to gather up some oxen that were owed to him on a debt and bring them back to Helsfjord. By the time they returned, it would all be over. Hagsdrall had convinced Ragnar it would be better not to kill or punish the two Nordics if he could possibly avoid it. They had too many friends, especially Sifrit and his family, who were well connected with several other tribes. By the time they returned, justice would be done within the laws of the tribes and there would be nothing Glam or Sifrit could do but accept it. However, if they were there when it was taken, they might fight for him and that could lead to a blood feud that would defeat their purpose.
After Sifrit and Glam had left on their errand, Casca was summoned to the storerooms and was told that he would be picking up a new issue of clothing for himself and Glam as a reward for their good services.
When he got there, the lights went out and three men jumped him and clubbed him down to his knees, quickly locking him in arm and leg irons. He was kept there until the time came for him to be brought before Ragnar for sentencing.
Guests began to arrive with the setting of the sun. They had received invitations to attend the gathering, having been told only that it was for a great purpose. Not even Lida knew the true reason for the gathering, and when the opening toast and wassail was made, she sat as usual at her place next to her father. Ragnar waited until his guests had eaten and drunk enough to put them in good humor. They were well pleased at the amounts of food and drink Ragnar had set his table with. It was far better than anything the cheap old bastard had laid out before.
Ragnar finished stuffing his face with roast duck and venison, wiped his hands on his beard and bald spot, and stood. Hammering his fist on the table, he called out for the attention of his guests.
'Welcome and wassail, friends and neighbors… I have invited you here this day for two reasons. One is an occasion of celebration, the other to see justice done.' Silence settled over the crowd. They knew the temper of Ragnar's justice and pitied the poor wretch, whoever he might be. Ragnar cleared his throat and spat a hunk of phlegm to the straw-covered floor. 'On this day I announce the marriage of my daughter, Lida, to Icenius of Britannia.'
Lida said nothing; she was stunned. Only the draining of blood from her face told that she had heard her father's announcement.
'The other is to see a spy punished. Bring in the dog,' he roared. The doors to the Hall opened and Casca was kicked and dragged into the center of the room.
Pointing a dirty finger at the Roman, Ragnar proclaimed, 'This dog here, who has eaten at my table and claimed the laws of hospitality, is a spy for Rome. He knew of the talks between my emissaries and those of Icenius, and has tried to subvert the alliance by disaffecting the loyalties of my daughter, turning her young head with smooth words and lies. Only the sharp eyes of the druid, Hagdrall, have prevented him from being successful in completing his plan to kidnap my child and take her to the slave pens of Rome.' He called upon the priest to stand.
Hagdrall did so.
'Is this not true, priest?'
Hagdrall drew his scrawny frame up as erectly as he could and raised his staff. 'By the Holy Oak and Sacred Tree of Life, I so swear.'
An angry murmur ran through the listeners. Ragnar took a deep pull at a horn of beer and continued. 'Then, if no one can offer defense in this dog's favor, I will give judgment.'
None did. Lida's attempt to rise was halted by the grip of the druid's hand over her mouth.
'I sentence you, spy of Rome, to the tide stakes!'
Lida bit through the druid's fingers, almost taking off the little one. The priest hopped about, holding his hand and cursing. Lida stood. Her face regaining its color, she faced her father. 'He lies and you lie. Casca is no spy. He is my lover.'
Ragnar was astounded. His daughter had never stood up to him before.
He roared for her to be silent, anger building at the edges of his mind, his eyes narrowing. The bitch was just like her mother, ungrateful.
Lida stood her ground. 'You lie and this filthy old faker lies and you know it. I will not marry Icenius.'
Ragnar was losing control.
'You will do as I say.' His eyes had turned red and his hand trembled with barely controlled rage. The guests began to move back to put some distance between them and Ragnar. They had seen him go into one of his rages before.
Lida screamed at him, 'I will not obey… I will have no other man for my husband… You may kill me as you did my mother, but you can't make me take another to my bed. I have eyes for Casca and none other.'
Ragnar broke, froth foaming at his mouth and staining his beard. He moved to face his child. His hand reached out and took a burning brand from its iron wall socket and held it above his head.
