They’d lingered as the injured fought on, unable to move them but becoming increasingly anxious as the food supplies dwindled. Now that the last of the severely injured had passed on, they could leave.
“We’ll prepare for the journey right away,” Halvar decided. “There is no reason to stay longer. If we are fortunate, the food will last us until we get to the coast.”
“Where are we going?” Canute asked.
“To a village on the coast where we will be welcome. I have bought land not far away where we can establish a new village. It is safer than this place.”
Their mountain home was too isolated, too remote, and too difficult to protect from attacks.
Canute shuddered. “None of us wish to remain here,” he said. “The memories are too strong. A new start will be good for everyone.”
Halvar did a mental count of the survivors who would be making the journey.
“We have the six young men, two young women, eight men, six women, and eight children,” he said. “Thirty people that we must provide for. Have you been to the coast, Canute?”
“Once, long ago. I recall that the journey was difficult.”
“Nothing has changed,” Halvar said wryly. “It will be a long and slow journey. We must be prepared for hardship.”
“We were fortunate that most of the carts survived because they were at the farms.”
“We should have enough oxen to pull them. We can bring everything of value with us. The injured and elderly can ride in the carts if walking becomes too much.”
“We also have the horses that the young men rode on their journey to call for you.”
Halvar grimaced as he recalled the day that the young men had arrived. “I still regret that I wasn’t here to help you protect the village,” he said. “It never occurred to me that the village would come under attack.”
“None of us ever believed that Taft would attack,” Canute replied. “He remains a dangerous enemy who could return if word gets out that we have rebuilt.”
Halvar nodded. “It is better for us to start again in a safer place,” he said.
Three days later, Halvar checked the last cart. It was well loaded and the yokes were secure on the oxen. He paused for a last look at the ruins of the village. Sorrow filled his heart as he remembered the friends and relatives they were leaving behind. He wished for the thousandth time that things had turned out differently.
But regrets belonged in the past. They had a new future to look forward to and the challenge of an arduous journey ahead. He walked up to the lead cart.
“Well, this is it,” he said to Canute. “Our journey to a new life begins.”
As the oxen began their slow plod over the mountains, Halvar felt excitement building in his heart. Soon he would see Eira again. Soon, the rest of their lives could begin.
CHAPTER 12
E ira collected her herb pouch from a hook on the wall beside her bed. The days were long and warm now and she was itching to go herb collecting again. She hadn’t gone for a while and her supplies were getting low. The villagers appreciated her abilities as a healer and often came to her for help or advice.
It wasn’t long before she reached the edge of the forest. She felt no fear; the slave raiders usually left the Christian villages alone because the Christians went to such lengths to recover anyone who was stolen that they often ended up losing their captives. It usually wasn’t worth the bother to raid near a Christian village. As for the wild animals, she had lived in the forest long enough to learn their habits and how to avoid startling them. She liked to live in harmony with the creatures around her. She hummed a little tune, one she’d heard Frida and Sigrid singing, as she walked up the path towards the woods.
It wasn’t long before she was engrossed in finding the perfect leaves for her sleeping tincture. At first, she didn’t notice the creaking, jingling sounds of an ox cart approaching along the track. Nor did she hear the hoofbeats of a horse until it was quite close. When she noticed, it was almost too late to hide. She sprang to her feet, gasping with fright, and scurried to hide behind the nearest tree.
She cautiously peered through the foliage as the noise came closer. She heard someone speak; it sounded like Halvar. She grew frantic to see who was passing by.
“Halvar!” she shouted, springing from behind the tree as his face appeared briefly through the leaves.
His horse shied sideways, almost dumping him on the ground. She was too elated to notice.
“Halvar!” she cried, running towards him.
The horse looked as if it might flee but he tried to calm it and it stood its ground after the initial scare she’d given it.
He dropped the reins and jumped down to meet her. “Eira!” he exclaimed, sweeping her off her feet and crushing her against his chest. His lips sought hers, desperate and intense.
“I’ve missed you so much!” he exclaimed, kissing her again, more gently this time. “You have no idea how much!” He set her down and stood back to look at her. “I have not seen a more welcome sight in all my life,” he declared, a smile playing on his lips. His blue eyes shone with love as he looked at her. “My love, it is so good to see you again!”
“Oh Halvar, I’ve missed you, too!” she exclaimed. “I had no idea if you would ever return or if you were …” she couldn’t bring herself to say it.
“Dead?” he asked gently.
She nodded, her lips quivering.
