‘What do you mean if I wish him to stay? He is my husband. It is done.’
He gave her a dubious glance and looked back over to where the men were about to face off. The giant swung his sword around and around in a big arc over his head, gaining the approval of the Danes. ‘He does not have to keep being your husband if you do not wish it. There are ways to do away with it if he has forced you or coerced you in some way.’
His voice lowered and had become almost gentle, as if he were attempting to determine if those things were true. Touched by his concern, she hurried to reassure him. ‘He has not forced me.’
‘What of Wilfrid or Cedric? I know they can be...’ he paused as if seeking the right description ‘...bullheaded in their hatred of Danes.’
Shocked by this concern from him, she said, ‘They distrust and resent your high-handedness. Can you say that you were not here to force me to wed one of your own men?’
‘You must wed, Lady Annis. There is no question of the need for that. Glannoventa’s future must be secured. I do not wish to see you suffer needlessly for that, however. The man I selected would have treated you well, not only because he is a kind and honourable man, but because he would have had to answer to me. We know nothing of this Norseman.’
She had never quite thought of that particular benefit to marrying one of the Jarl’s men. ‘I did not know that you cared,’ she said, keeping her voice light.
‘I have known you as a child and now as a woman. I would see you content.’ When he looked down at her, his eyes betrayed his concern.
‘Rurik is like no man I have met. He is both fierce and kind. I feel that I could be very content with him as my husband.’ Content did not begin to describe the happiness that welled inside her this morning when she had awakened next to him. Given time, she knew that seed of bliss could grow roots that would wind themselves deep into her heart. She did not believe that she was mistaken in thinking Rurik felt the same.
The Jarl grunted and turned back to the men who had begun to circle one another. The giant was the first to move, his sword swinging down in a death blow that whistled through the cold morning air. Every muscle in her body tensed and her heart paused, only resuming when Rurik deftly shifted out of the way, his own sword coming up to block the attack with a loud clang.
Valgautr heaved a grunt, pushing Rurik back with his greater weight. Rurik feinted one way, but spun the other, bringing his sword down in a move that should have been a devastating blow across the giant’s shoulders. Except he twisted almost as fast as Rurik, so he was able to block in the last moment. She wanted to cover her face to keep from watching the spectacle, but she knew it would be folly to show such weakness. Instead, she watched with her hands clenched into fists at her side, barely breathing.
As if aware of her distress, Jarl Eirik put a hand on her back. ‘Calm yourself. Valgautr will not disobey my wishes. Loyalty is his greatest strength.’
In a man so accomplished, it was saying a lot. Annis nodded, but barely drew another breath as she watched the battle unfold over the next few moments. The only sounds were those of the swords knocking together, and the heavy breathing and occasional grunts from the two men fighting. Even the Danes had settled in, watching with fascinated interest rather than cheering their own to victory. The men seemed well matched, despite the fact that the giant greatly outweighed Rurik. What the larger man gained in brawn, Rurik gained in grace and speed. They feinted and swung their swords, crossing the courtyard and moving down the hill, requiring the observing warriors to part, like the prow of a ship cutting through the sea.
Finally, they both heaved for breath, sweat trickling down their brows despite the cold. They had progressed to the stone road cut into the hillside that would lead to Glannoventa and warriors had moved to fill in the space overlooking both sides. Annis could imagine that if no one put a stop to it, their fight could take them into the village and perhaps even into the sea. Neither was willing to give so it seemed they could go on for ever. She stood on the retaining wall above the curve in the road that lead to a steeper decline. If they made it past this point, the battle could turn deadly if one should lose his footing and take a tumble.
‘Enough!’ Jarl Eirik’s voice rang out beside her. The swords clanged together two more times before the men were able to register the command.
The giant was the first to pause, his brows drawing together as he searched for the Jarl’s place on the ridge above them. Rurik never took his eyes from the giant, not trusting that this wasn’t a ploy to catch him off balance. Annis’s chest swelled with pride for how well he had handled himself in the fight. When only days ago she had hoped his skill was not nearly that which he claimed, now she was glad to see that it was far more than she had imagined.
‘You have proven yourself in this, Norseman,’ said Jarl Eirik. The giant hung his head. ‘You have done well, Valgautr. We only wanted to test the man. We shall not kill him yet.’
The giant nodded and raised his hand to Rurik who clasped the man’s shoulder. They congratulated each other as the warriors became animated around them, showering them with praise and
