Chapter 4

The men wasted no time setting up camp on land. The men were exhausted from travel on the sea, so their efforts to set up camp were to more quickly have tents to rest their tired bodies in.

While watching the men work, Bjorn walked over to her, "Ylva, might I ask you for a favor?"

She gave him a short nod before following him down to a crowd of people that had gathered at the edge of the camp. "I was hoping you would be able to translate," Bjorn stated while giving you a questioning look.

She stepped forward through the crowd, taking in the woman that stood in the center. "Hello grandmother, how can I help you?" She asked the elderly woman in Romani.

"These men have settled themselves close to our camp, I came to ask if my people might share in the warmth of your fires," the old woman asked with a smile.

"She wants to know if her people could join our camp," Ylva translated for Bjorn.

Taking in the old woman, Bjorn nodded, "of course." He then proceeded to walk away and waved off the crowd of his men surrounding Ylva and the old woman.

"We would be honored to have you and your people join us," Ylva told the old woman with a warm smile.

"Thank you, child," the old woman responded before hobbling away to fetch her people.

"You are full of surprises," Halfdan spoke as he approached her. "Perhaps you can surprise me with your skills beyond translating," he said it with that dark smile on his face again.

She felt as though is eyes were raking over her body, but when she turned to face him she was surprised that his eyes were trained on her face. "Perhaps," she said with a smile as she brushed past him towards the camp.

"Ylva," Harald approached her with a smile. "I have someone I would like you to meet," he pulled her forward toward a fire ringed with men. They all turned to look at her as she approached.

One man stepped forward and looked at her with amazement, "Kari." He composed himself before addressing her once more, "I am Audun, son of the late King Afi."

"He was not a king at the time of his demise," King Harold interrupted with a smirk directed towards Audun.

Audun shot him a cold look before continuing, "I am also you uncle. What, if I may ask, has become of my sister?"

Ylva took a breath before meeting the eyes of her uncle, "she is dead." She said it without emotion, without any apparent attachment to the deceased woman. She glanced around at the men standing nearby, "perhaps we can talk privately?"

Audun nodded before beckoning for Ylva to follow him to his tent.

Once the flaps of the tent closed behind them, Audun turned sharply to face Ylva, "what is it you want?" He shot her an accusatory glance as he met her even gaze.

She cocked her head slightly to the side, "I want nothing."

He shook his head and barked out a throaty laugh, "the daughter of my long, lost sister does not return without wanting something." He glared at her in response to her confused look. "Your mother was my father's heir, which makes you her rightful heir, but I will not give up my rule to you."

Understanding spread through her, as she realized that she would not be welcome in her mother's home. "I have no desire to take your place," she began innocently, "but why deny my birthright?" She gave him a dark smile as she awaited his reaction.

Anger spread across his features as he rushed towards her, but was stopped short as one of her daggers flashed up to his throat, "careful uncle."

"What is it you want," he hissed between clenched teeth.

"Most prominent houses have homes in Kattegat," she began as he nodded, affirming that he had such a home. "I want our houses home in Kattegat and an income to maintain and run that home."

"And what is in it for me," Audun asked, still angry.

"I will forsake my claim to rule, never to challenge you or any of your family."

He pondered it briefly, "done, but let it be clear that you are not welcome." He continued to shoot her a cold glare, "I will have it handled when we return to Kattegat, but otherwise I want nothing to do with you. Leave."