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  “Ah, that’s right,” Ulrick mumbled, feeling a wave of relief.

  “Where are the warriors who rowed Gander’s boat?”

  “They’ll be in the hold with the horses,” Ulrick replied, “but I don’t see Gander anywhere.”

  “Master, look,” she said urgently, pointing across to a lone warrior trying to climb down the steep side of the cliff. “He must be coming from the bushes. It’s treacherous where he is. He’ll fall. I know he’ll fall.”

  “Thank the gods he’s not one of my men,” Ulrick declared, squinting as he darted his eyes across to the opposite side of the bay. “There’s blood on his vest. He’s wounded.”

  “Oh, no,” Ailith cried as the man’s feet suddenly slipped out from beneath him. “He’ll never survive.”

  Unable to watch the injured fighter’s tumble to the bottom, she jerked her head away and buried it in Ulrick’s shoulder.

  Shouting rose up from the beach.

  For a moment Ulrick watched the people below run across to the motionless body, but movement at the top of the cliff caught his eye. Looking back, he saw one of Bjørn’s group waving his arms.

  “Ailith, it’s time,” he said urgently, pushing her away. “Stay here behind this rock. I don’t know what we’ll be facing, and the fighting may be fierce. When it’s over I’ll either wave you down, or I’ll come back up.”

  “I’ll be waiting and praying,” she said softly. “Master, I know you’ll be victorious, but there will also be something unexpected, so be prepared.”

  Suddenly leaning in, he planted his lips on hers in a fervent kiss.

  “I thank the gods you’re here,” he murmured gravely, “and I’ll carry your words with me.”

  Whistling his cue to start the descent, he and his warriors begin their stealthy trip to the sand. With the enemy completely oblivious to their attack, Ulrick was confident he and his men would easily win the day.

  * * *

  Hunkered down behind the boulder, Ailith had an unobstructed view. She watched Ulrick and the warriors safely reach the bottom of the cliff, then charge across the beach, but to her surprise, Gander’s men didn’t even try to fight. They laid down their spears and swords and dropped to their knees.

  While the warriors swarmed over the sand, she spotted Ulrick climbing on board Gander’s boat. He disappeared, but it was only moments later a large group appeared on deck cheering and shouting. A loud response came from the cliffs across the bay. Though loath to move her eyes from Ulrick, she looked across and saw Bjørn and his band of men waving their swords in triumph.

  Looking back down, she found Ulrick on the sand with several of his warriors running to the other boat. As they climbed on board, the warriors headed off in various directions. Believing they were searching for Gander, she held her breath.

  Ulrick seemed to be gone a long time, but when he reappeared he waved up at her. Her heart soaring, she rose to her feet and waved back. He gestured for her to stay where she was, and climbing off the boat, he started running across the sand. As he started his journey through the rocks, she noticed Bjørn and his group had climbed down the cliff escorting the enemy fighters, and were reuniting with the liberated oarsmen. The scene was a joyful one.

  “You were right, we were victorious,” Ulrick exclaimed breathlessly as he reached her, “but Gander’s men didn’t put up a fight.”

  “I saw that and I’m so relieved,” she said happily. “But what about Gander?”

  “He was nowhere to be found, and it’s strange there were so few men guarding the boats. I don’t understand any of this.”

  “I was about to say the same thing,” she murmured, her happy smile changing to a frown. “It appears the men lying in wait didn’t fight either.”

  “That must be what you were talking about when you said to be prepared for the unexpected.”

  “Maybe...”

  “Gander must be hiding somewhere, but my men are going to start a sweeping search. They’ll find him, wherever he is.”

  “Master,” she said slowly, casting her eyes to the top of the cliff above them, “I don’t think Gander is hiding. I think he’s gone off somewhere.”

  As the words left her lips, he darted his eyes toward the thicket.

  “You’re right,” he said, moving his arms around her and pulling her down. “Look up there, coming out of the forest.”

  Shifting her gaze, she saw Gander leading a group of men carrying swords and spears. Her stomach churned.

  “Oh, no,” she muttered with a gasp. “They’re coming this way. They’re going to move down to the beach and use the rocks for cover just as we did.”

  “And we’ll be directly in their path,” Ulrick grunted. “We have to move away from here, but I must warn my men.”

  “I know where we can go, but how will you alert them?”

  In spite of the approaching danger, he smiled at her.

  “Ailith, you’re not the only clever one. Just watch.”

  Chapter Ten

  Pulling his sword from its sheath, Ulrick held it horizontally in front of him and tilted it to catch the sun. The glinting steel would be seen from down below, but not by the menacing group of fighters above him.

  Flashing it three times, he stopped and waited, then repeated the pattern. One of his warriors caught sight of it, but he didn’t stop and point. Immediately running from man to man, Ulrick’s warriors moved toward the water’s edge and climbed on the boats. Not only would they be protected from flying spears, they’d have access to the weapons still on board. No group of men could defend a ship better than Ulrick’s warriors.

  “I need to join them,” Ulrick muttered, “but I can’t climb down. I’ll be an easy target for Gander’s spear.”

  “I know how to get you back on the beach without being seen,” Ailith offered. “The tide is out. You’ll be able to do it easily.”

  “What does the tide have to do with anything?”

  “You’ll see. We need to move this way,” she replied, pointing toward the sea.

  “As long as it doesn’t put you in any danger.”

  “It won’t; in fact, it will get us both out of harm’s way, and you’ll be able to reach the boats.”

  “Go on then, and be quick. Gander and his men must be about ready to start climbing down.”

  Staying low, they moved swiftly from boulder to boulder. To Ulrick’s surprise, the cliff suddenly took a sharp turn and the beach fell from view. Pausing to glance down, he saw only craggy rocks and tide pools.

  “Ailith, are you sure about this?”

  “Yes, you’ll see. This is the only scary bit.”

  As she led him across the side of the cliff, the gentle slope suddenly became a sharp drop. Though he was a skilled climber, he began to feel uneasy, but she didn’t hesitate. Moments later a tiny inlet came into view. His body relaxed with relief, and they were soon stepping down onto a small, sandy beach.

  “When the tide comes in, this disappears,” she said, panting from the climb, “but the water is still going out. We have plenty of time.”

  “I can see that,” he remarked, slightly breathless himself. “How did you ever find this place?”

  “The same way I found the way to the cove.”

  “Guided by an invisible hand,” he muttered, wondering how her magic had come into being.

  “You can go over the rocks, or around them. The water won’t be deep right now, and as you approach the beach you’ll be hidden by the boats. I can stay here until the water starts coming in, then I’ll have to climb back up.”

  “I’ll return long before then,” Ulrick assured her.

  “Please be careful.”

  “Doesn’t your special voice tell you I’ll win?”

  She paused.

  “I can’t always hear it.”

  As a pained expression crossed her face, he experienced the sudden and unfamiliar swelling of his heart.

  “Ailith, Gander is no match for me,” he declared, his voic
e filled with conviction, “and those fighters, whoever they are, will be no match for mine. When I return victorious...” As the thought of devouring her luscious body on the soft, white sand stirred his cock, his voice trailed off.

  “Yes, Master?”

  He gripped her arms. “I will rip that tunic off your glorious body,” he growled, digging his fingers into her flesh, “and fuck you long and hard under the heat of the sun, then wash you in the ocean’s pure, salty water.”

  * * *

  Ulrick had made her knees weak, and as the mighty warrior abruptly released her and strode toward the rocks, Ailith sank into the sand. Even though she knew his place was with his men, she wanted to run after him and beg him not to go. Letting out a heavy sigh, she watched his muscled body navigate the craggy boulders until he disappeared from view, then sent her eyes toward the infinite ocean.

  She’d never been anywhere except the village a three-day hike from hers, but her father used to tell her stories about places with more people than she could ever imagine. He’d explained how farmers and craftsmen would sell their goods for coins, then buy things their families needed. The shiny ones that gleamed like the sun were made from a rare metal called gold. They were unique and prized by everyone.

  With her uniquely sharp mind, she’d grasped the enormity of the world beyond and understood how it functioned. On the rare occasions her father and his friends would make the journey to the intriguing towns, she would plead with him to take her, but fearful her brilliant girl would never return, her mother would steadfastly refuse to let her go.

  “You were probably right, Mama,” she whispered, staring at the distant horizon. “Except for you and Papa, the village wasn’t a very happy place for me. Even Henry was boring after a while.”

  Ulrick not only accepted her, he believed her special talent was a blessing from the gods, but what would his people think? Would they fear her? Would she bring trouble to his door? Even worse, would she become an outcast?

  Distant screams and shouts broke into her thoughts.

  When she’d been hidden behind the rock on the side of the cliff, she’d been able to watch Ulrick’s easy victory. Not being able to see the battle underway was excruciating. Deciding she could wade around the rocks, she hoisted the tunic up past her knees and moved into the water. To her dismay, she found it was still too deep.

  “Bother,” she muttered, but as she returned to the sand she had an inspired thought.

  She could swim as well as she could run and climb trees. Seized by her brilliant idea, she unknotted the rope at her waist, pulled the makeshift dress over her head, and laid it safely against the base of the cliff.

  Hurrying back to the shoreline, she walked in up to her thighs, then dove forward and glided through the calm water. Making her way around the rocks, she stopped to paddle in place and stare across to the bay.

  Ulrick’s warriors were climbing from the boats and running across the beach. Just like the other fighters, the enemy had laid down their weapons. It was odd, but spotting Ulrick striding to the rear of a ship, she turned her attention to him.

  He stopped to gaze out at the horizon.

  Seeing him stand so tall and powerful, she couldn’t wait to be back on the sand and wrapped up in his strong arms, but following his gaze, she spied several vessels in the distance. They seemed too far away to be of any importance. He seemed to think so too. Moving to the mast, he set to work on the enormous sail. Grateful the skirmish was over so quickly, she started to swim back to the inlet.

  Look to the shore.

  The message echoed through her head.

  Darting her eyes back to the beach, she caught her breath.

  Naked, crouched down, and carrying a large knife, Gander was wading into the water. Taking a deep breath, she ducked below the surface. Keeping her eyes open, she peered through the clear water. A few colorful fish zipped past, and she spotted a bowl in the sand, but unable to hold her breath any longer she came up for air.

  Frantically looking around, she couldn’t see Gander anywhere, then he suddenly emerged next to his boat. Ulrick was still working on the sail, and if Gander managed to climb up the side, Ulrick would have his back to him.

  She had to do something... and quickly.

  * * *

  With the battle won, Ulrick was preparing Gander’s boat to sail back to the other cove, but the traitor was still missing. He hadn’t been seen on the beach, and Ulrick assumed he had remained hidden behind a rock on the side of the cliff. Once he had the ship ready to go, Ulrick planned to take a handful of his men and conduct a thorough search.

  He was finishing up when he heard what sounded like the screech of a bird and frantic splashing. Spinning around, he saw something indescribable floundering in the water, then suddenly Gander appeared, climbing over the side of the boat with a knife between his teeth.

  Fury raging from the depths of this soul, Ulrick charged with a mighty roar.

  His large fist smashed into the side of Gander’s face.

  The blade flew from his mouth, and he tumbled on the deck.

  “Please, no, Ulrick, no,” he begged, throwing up his hands as Ulrick leaned over him, his fist raised and ready to land another blow. “Don’t. Don’t.”

  Though Ulrick wanted to pound Gander’s face until he was dead, he knew he had supporters, and he needed to know who they were. Grabbing a fistful of Gander’s long, black hair, Ulrick dragged him the length of the boat and jerked him up to his feet.

  “This coward wasn’t brave enough to fight,” Ulrick shouted to his men. “Instead he tried to climb on board to stab me in the back.”

  “P-please...” Gander stammered, blood spilling from his nose and his eye swelling shut.

  “Please what?”

  “Let m-me live.”

  “He wants to live,” Ulrick yelled. “Does he deserve our mercy?”

  The warriors had gathered on the beach in front of the ship, and raising their swords, they screamed for Gander’s death.

  “You’ve been outvoted,” Ulrick snarled, “but how you die will depend on you.”

  “I’ll tell you everything,” Gander sputtered. “I will, I swear it.”

  “Of course you will, because you’re a traitor and a coward. You’ll be locked in the hull and taken back to the cove, then you’ll answer all my questions. If you don’t, you’ll die a slow, gruesome death.”

  “I will, I will,” Gander bleated. “Just, please, make it quick.”

  “Crawl,” Ulrick barked, shoving him down to his knees. “Crawl to the hole where you belong.”

  To the jeers and cheers of his men, Ulrick kicked Gander’s backside as he scrabbled across the deck.

  “Into the hold,” Ulrick shouted, kicking him into the dark hull. “The same place you held your oarsmen, you son of a slug.”

  Slamming the door shut, Ulrick joined with his men in their triumphant celebration for several long seconds, then raised his hands for quiet.

  “Lock the prisoners in the hull of the other boat,” he ordered. “Bjørn, you’ll be sailing it. Get on board and look it over. Leif, Arne, Birger, come up here and stand guard. Gander must stay in the hold. No one is to open the door, or speak to him, or answer if he calls. I’ll be gone a short time. When I come back we’ll be returning to the other bay. Make sure there are no weapons left behind, and be proud! We won again, and we’ll continue to defeat our enemies!”

  As his fighters roared in response, Ulrick jumped off the boat, hugged and praised them, then jogged across the beach and made his way over the rocks back to Ailith. Stepping into the sandy inlet, he found her leaning against the side of the cliff.

  “You’re back,” she squealed, jumping to her feet, “and I know you were victorious!”

  “We were,” he replied, but as he drew near, he noticed her wet hair. “Did you go in the water?”

  “Uh, yes, I often swim here and at the other cove.”

  Suddenly flashing back to the high-pitched wail and the
mysterious creature splashing in the water, he tilted his head to the side.

  “Ailith, I’m going to ask you a question,” he murmured, cupping her chin, “and you’d better tell me the truth...”

  Chapter Eleven

  Ailith’s butterflies burst to life. She knew exactly what Ulrick was about to ask.

  “Yes,” she blurted out, the word exploding from her lips before he could speak. “It was me making that cry and splashing, but I had to. I could see Gander climbing up the boat with a knife and you had your back to him. He could have sneaked up behind you and stabbed you,” she continued, the story spilling out of her. “There was no other way to warn you, so I—”

  “Ailith, stop!” he said sharply, holding up his hand.

  “I had to warn you, I had to,” she continued. “Please don’t be angry.”

  “Why would I be angry with you for trying to save my life? At the very least you stopped me from being injured.”

  “So, uh, you’re not angry?”

  “Not about that. Gander went to great lengths to assassinate me, but he certainly didn’t organize all this by himself. That mysterious boat doesn’t belong to him, and it brought fighters here to kill my warriors and me. That warning helped us to capture him alive. Now I can find out who else is involved. Ailith, you have done a great service today, and you’ll be rewarded.”

  “But, uh, you’re angry about something.”

  “I certainly am,” he said gravely. “I told you to stay put and you swam around the rocks. That wasn’t very smart for a smart girl,” he scolded. “Tell me why you did it.”

  “I could hear all the screaming, but I had no idea what was happening. I just wanted to have a quick look and come right back here.”

  “But Gander was in the water,” Ulrick said solemnly.

  “Not at first. The moment I spotted him wading in I ducked beneath the surface. When I came back up he was at the boat.”

  “What do you think would’ve happened if he’d seen you before you saw him?”

  “I... uh...” she stammered, her face turning red as she dropped her eyes.

  “I’ll tell you. He would have captured you and held you hostage, and Ailith, you would have been treated very badly.”