‘Is that supposed to reassure me?’
Wayland lapsed back into silence.
Vallon leaned back. ‘Then there’s Snorri.’
Wayland met his eyes. ‘What about him?’
‘Don’t pretend there isn’t bad blood between him and the girl. I care nothing for his superstitions, but we rely on his cooperation.’
Wayland gave a contemptuous smile. ‘He’ll betray us with or without the girl.’
Vallon’s eyes narrowed. ‘Explain yourself.’
‘His wits have grown soft. He talks to himself without knowing it. He plans to rob us.’
Vallon shifted on his seat. ‘Well, I’ll deal with that problem in due course.’ His voice hardened. ‘It changes nothing. The girl goes.’
Wayland looked at his feet. ‘I’m sorry.’
Vallon softened his tone. ‘I’m sure your motives were kind, and by good fortune your rashness didn’t result in our ruin. We’ll set the girl down adequately provided for. The money will come from your share of the profits. That will be your punishment and you must agree that it’s milder than you deserve.’
Wayland lifted his eyes. ‘I meant, I’m sorry I can’t remain in your service.’
‘Don’t tell me you intend to go with her.’
‘You said I could leave once you’d set sail.’
Vallon gestured in the direction of the coast. ‘The girl’s stolen your wits. That isn’t your native country. You won’t find anything there except poverty and death. You’re an outlaw with a price on your head. Someone will turn you in. Even if you get away from the coast, you have no land and no one to protect you. At best you’ll end up a bondman guiding a plough. Is that what you want?’
Wayland’s eyes flashed. ‘I’ll find a forest where we’ll live as well as any lord and lady.’
‘Rubbish. When you ran wild, you ran alone. Think what it will mean to saddle yourself with a girl. You’re only — what? — seventeen? Too young to tie yourself down.’
Wayland didn’t answer. Vallon had been speaking in a heightened whisper, aware that Snorri was straining to overhear. He beckoned Wayland closer. ‘Our relationship has been thorny. You haven’t shown me the respect that’s due. No, don’t interrupt. I speak from experience, not vanity. Every enterprise must have a leader. From the outset you’ve only submitted to my authority when it suited you. I would have let you go your own way long ago if I hadn’t seen in you some admirable qualities. You’re brave, resourceful, sharp-witted. Learn to submit to your superiors and you could have a bright future.’
Wayland kept his face down.
‘I thought you wanted to trap gyrfalcons.’
Wayland raised his head. ‘I do. That’s why I joined you.’
‘Then don’t throw the opportunity away. Only once in a lifetime can a man follow a dream.’
Wayland’s voice choked. ‘I can’t abandon her. I made a pledge.’
‘Of marriage?’
‘Not that.’
‘What then?’
The dog came pattering down the deck. Wayland cuffed it and it lay down with its eyes fixed on Vallon’s face. He crossed his arms.
‘So that’s your final word. If the girl goes, you go too.’
Wayland composed himself. ‘Yes.’
Vallon gave a slow expiring sigh and looked across the moon’s silvery track. The land was out of sight. All horizons were empty. He rubbed his forehead.
‘Bring her to me.’
‘You won’t frighten her?’
‘Just fetch her.’
When Wayland had gone, Vallon contemplated how low his stock had fallen. Only two years ago he’d commanded armies. With a wave of an arm he’d brought squadrons sweeping into action. He’d ridden into towns at the head of his troops and seen the shuttered dread of citizens who knew he wielded the power of life or death. He’d doomed deserters and cowards to the rope without a moment’s thought. Now he was reduced to negotiating with a peasant over his sweetheart.
Syth moved so softly that he didn’t hear her approach until her shadow fell over him. Taller than he’d expected, slim as a reed, with eyes like a cat’s, something fey in her aspect. He almost reached out and touched her to see if she was real.
‘So you’re the dove who’s lured my haggard away.’
She darted a glance at Wayland.
‘What’s her name?’
‘Syth.’
Vallon stared out to sea. ‘The Normans know we haven’t quit these shores for good. They’ll be hunting us up and down the coast. We daren’t put ashore for several days — long enough for you to come to your senses. In the meantime, the girl must crop her hair and wear men’s clothes. She sleeps alone and you’ll keep a chaste distance at all times. While she’s with us, she might as well earn her keep. Can she cook and sew? Does she have any other talents?’
Wayland translated Vallon’s conditions. The girl’s hands went to her hair.
‘She won’t be any trouble,’ Wayland said.
Vallon waved a hand in dismissal. ‘Go and get something to eat.’
Wayland hesitated. ‘What about you, sir?’
Vallon pulled his cloak about him. ‘Just get out of my sight.’
XVI
Hero picked his way towards the bow. He’d checked on Vallon several times during the night, covering him with fleeces and blankets as the wind freshened. Now he stood before the shapeless heap and cleared his throat. When that didn’t wake the Frank, he reached out and gave a tentative prod.
Vallon reared up.
‘Don’t be alarmed, sir. It’s only me. I’ve brought you some pottage. Eat it while it’s warm.’
Vallon groaned and felt his ribs. ‘I feel as if I’ve been broken on the wheel.’ He supped from the bowl, his eyes switching back and forth. ‘What time is it?’
‘Not long before dawn. We’ve been running east all night.’
Vallon grunted and resumed eating. ‘This is better than the slops Raul serves up.’
‘The girl made it. She seems to have made a complete recovery. She’s a strange thing.’
Vallon’s spoon stopped halfway to his mouth. He shrugged and continued eating. ‘Has everyone found a place to sleep?’
‘We’re still feeling our way. We’ll organise things better by daylight.’
Vallon handed back his bowl and leaned against the stempost with his face to the stars.
Hero turned the bowl in his hands. ‘Do you think Drogo will leave us in peace now?’
Vallon gave a jagged laugh. ‘We’re a bone in his gullet. He won’t rest until he’s spat it out.’ Vallon squinted at Hero. ‘You heard his denunciation of me.’
‘I paid no attention to his slanders.’
‘He spoke the bald truth.’ Vallon shifted to make space. ‘Sit down. A long road stretches ahead and you may as well know what sort of man is taking you down it.’
Hero was trembling. Vallon pulled a blanket over him. For a time they just sat there, the ship rocking through the waves, Snorri half-asleep at the rudder, the rest of the company pitched in heaps on the deck.
‘I won’t weary you with a long history,’ said Vallon. ‘My family were minor nobles holding a small grant of land from Guillaume, Duke of Aquitaine and Count of Poitiers. I was a page at his court and fought my first battle under
