Page 51 of Haakon's Fate
A woman’s voice sliced through the air, stilling the man’s hand. All eyes turned to see Gytha lit up by the flames of the dying fire. She was holding a heavy rock above her head. At her feet was the cage with the birds in it. She looked like an avenging goddess, he thought in admiration, or even avalkyrja.
Magnificent.
Haakon held his breath when he understood that he would never see her in the same way again. She had come to his rescue, something no one had ever done for him.
“Let go of him or I will kill the birds,” she said, sounding more assured than he had ever heard her. “No birds, no special song. No money. You can get horses anywhere. But it will take you months to replace your starlings.”
The clever, fearless little thing. Aware that any pleas of mercy would be ignored, unable to physically help him, she had used the one threat guaranteed to stop the bastards in their tracks.
No one moved or tried to go to her. They knew it was too risky, as she only had to drop the stone to crush the fragile birds. She could perhaps be seized and immobilized, but not before it was too late. She had chosen the perfect weapon. But he wondered where she had found the strength to lift such a massive stone.
“What do you want?” someone asked. Haakon recognized the old man who had spoken to him by the fire the evening before, the grandfather and leader of the troop.
Gytha nodded to where he was, still surrounded by the four men. The hold over his arms had slackened somewhat, even if it was enough to prevent him from escaping. Haakon didn’t dare move a muscle, do anything that might jeopardize the outcome of the confrontation now that Gytha was in control of the situation.
“You will let Haakon go and let us leave the camp with our horses.”
Having spoken, she lowered the stone, but kept her hold on it. He imagined the weight had become too much for her and she was relieved to hold it more comfortably, now that her point had been made.
“Anything else?” The old man sounded as if he didn’t believe she would not ask more from them.
“No. Nothing else. We, unlike you, are not thieves. Release him. Now.”
The arms fell away from Haakon at last. He straightened, and glared at the men who took a hasty step backward, as if afraid he would hit them now that he was free of his movements. He was tempted to do so, but wise enough to tell himself that he should not be so rash. Against all odds, Gytha had ensured neither of them would be harmed and the horses would not be taken. It was more than he could have hoped for and he should not ruin her efforts with an inconsiderate gesture.
Under the watchful gaze of the troop he saddled Bear. While he got Sleipnir ready, he sent one of the boys to retrieve what they had used to sleep. The blankets were quickly rolled up and attached to the saddle. Finally, when everything was ready, he walked over to Gytha and took the stone from her hands.Though she didn’t betray any emotion, he sensed her relief at being freed from the heavy burden.
“Bring the horses here,” he told her quietly. “Then climb on Bear. As soon as I’m on Sleipnir, we ride.”
She nodded, looking grateful he was taking over, and made her way back to the horses. Before she could reach them, a young girl with dark hair took a step in her direction.
“I’m sorry,” Haakon thought he heard her say. “I didn’t know.”
Gytha gave her a smile he wasn’t sure he would have found it in himself to give any of these people who had tricked them. But Gytha was not like him, she was good and kind.
A moment later she was standing with the two horses by his side. Once she was safely in the saddle he dropped the stone and lifted the cage in his hands. A murmur ran through the crowd. Were they worried he would throw it into the fire? He would not. But he needed to keep a hold on it, because he didn’t trust the musicians not to try something to stop them at the last moment, to make up for the humiliation they had endured.
After giving the cage to Gytha, he vaulted onto Sleipnir’s back and stared at the people assembled on the other side of the fire.
“One person, and one person only, will follow us to the edge of the forest,” he said, taking hold of the birds once more. “When we are far enough and we see that no one is trying to stop us, I will give the cage back to them.”
The man with the golden earring stepped forward and spat on the ground. “What’s to say you won’t just ride away with it?”
“My word that we won’t.” They would have to be content with that. Besides, what choice did they have other than trust him?
“Very well, I’ll come,” the man finally said.
The three of them set off without another word. Haakon was eager to be rid of this company of despicable schemers and hecould tell Gytha felt the same. The sooner they left that forest, the better.
It wasn’t long before he handed the cage to the man who glared at him. Gone was the smile he had welcome them with only last evening. How had they ever been fooled by it, Haakon wondered?
“Go!” he shouted to Gytha, kicking Sleipnir into a gallop.
The two of them departed in a thunder of hooves.
As soon asthey exited the forest, Haakon let out a sigh of relief.
Reassured by the flat terrain, helped by the moon lighting their surroundings, he and Gytha were able to keep their mounts at an easy canter. The more distance they put between themselves and the troop, the better, even if, being on foot, there was little chance the musicians would ever catch up with them.
