The Dog Chapter 10

There was not a soul but voices carried over the many tents from the centre. Avery couldn't tell if there were any guards or men patrolling the border of the camp, but if it was up to Ubbe, she knew there would be, at all times. Especially after the chaotic stint when Hendrick had forgotten to mind the trail they left behind.

She almost turned back. Almost.

Her blood ran cold just from the thought alone; wandering the woods and fields they'd crossed before. Her fingers were numb when she pulled the hood of her cloak over her head. And she physically forced herself to cross the threshold. With little light save for the moon, every shadow or breeze that kicked up debris sent her body into flight.

Weaving through the tents soundlessly, she hadn't made it far when she heard a familiar voice, talking thickly in the northmen's strange tongue, hushed for privacy. The woman's voice wasn't alone, for the replies she received by a man were just as hissed, vicious even, a continuous back and forth. Avery peered around as discretely as she could, squinting into the darkness to see... Indra. She was looking up at Hendrick and all his brawn, his hands gesturing frantically while her arms remained crossed and defensive.

"What are you talking about," Avery whispered to herself, getting closer, trying to interpret it with a mere guess.

Suddenly Hendrick grabbed each of Indra's shoulders and shook her. Avery dumped her small pile of valuables at the bottom of the nearest tent and ran to her defense, then stopped out in the open when he kissed her.

"Indra?" Avery exclaimed, watching as the woman snapped to and pushed Hendrick away.

"Avery," she gasped, looking between her and Hendrick. "What are… what are you doing?"

"What are you doing?" Avery moved closer, an angered Hendrick scowling at her. "What are you doing… with him?"

"Him?" Hendrick scoffed.

"This is nothing." Indra narrowed her eyes at Hendrick in warning then broke away, carolling Avery back towards the tent. "My problems are nothing. But I need to know exactly what you are doing. You are dressed like…" Indra couldn't catch her breath. "Are you running?"

"No, I… I'm. I was going…"

Indra's face told that she didn't believe anything that came from her mouth. There was only Hendrick's laughter. "This is going to be fun when Ubbe finds out you tried to run away back to your Christians. I wonder if he'll have you tied up again?"

"Ubbe will not find out," Indra said.

"He will when I tell him." Hendrick still found joy.

"Then he will know that you were with me. I am involved now."

"Wait," Avery said, throwing her arms out. "Nobody else is involved."

"I have seen you, I'm involved. If I allow you to go it will probably cost mine and Hendrick's life."

That stopped him from laughing. "What are you talking about," he snapped in their tongue. "I have no involvement with this." Indra ignored him.

"I know our way of life is strange to you. I know you are fearful of being happy. But is it so bad? Is it so bad that you consider leaving without voicing your concerns? Ubbe respects you, and he has never thought of you as a coward - this is cowardly. What is going on inside of you, Avery?" Indra touched her cheek, pleading for an answer. "Tell me. Is it because you have come to care for Ubbe? Is it because we are the horrible beasts from the north; Vikings?" Indra smiled weakly. "I am a Viking and I would unquestionably put my life before yours. Does that tell you nothing? Does it give you no answers?"

"You really like to talk," Hendrick breathed, gazing out towards the centre of the camp. Indra shrugged him off. "Your life is worth more than the Christians."

"I cannot care for either of you. If I do, you will get hurt," Avery finally admitted. "If Ubbe marries me, I don't know whether it is his hand forcing me to, or if I truly want it?" Indra's palm still remained on her cheek in a loving gesture and it was enough to force out her deepest apprehensions. "I'm scared."

"Scared of good things and bad things, what a predicament," Indra teased. "You are most unusual. It is dangerous to think too much."

"Take her back, Indra," Hendrick snapped, losing patience. "I will tell Ubbe."

"No!" She looked back to Avery. "You will tell Ubbe of what you planned tonight. And you will tell him why you did not do it, and will not do it again." There was strength to her words. "So be it if you tell him you saw us together." Indra sighed and turned to Hendrick. "But our affection is one sided."

Hendrick shook his head, wiping his nose before storming off into the darkness.

Avery stared after him, feeling like the earth would swallow her whole. "He's going to tell him."

"I've known Hendrick for a long time, before I parted and went on Sandarr's voyage, travelling with his men. He will be very annoyed, he will think bad things of me, but he will not tell Ubbe."

"Is this why you were sad earlier? You wouldn't tell me what was wrong, saying it was nothing concerning. But something has happened between you."

"Jealousy. Wanting something he can't have. He can't have me but won't let Hvitserk have me either." Her brow rose at the thought, she was becoming wary again. "It's all a game to men like him. They want you and grow bored. They think of you as claimed property."

Avery peered to the ground. It was one of the thoughts that had crossed her mind before. "Men like him? Do you think Ubbe will grow bored-"

"Don't even say it, my lady. Ubbe is far from Hendrick. For one, I know, because you don't hate his guts." Indra appeared more elated having outed herself, and signalled back towards Ubbe's tent. "Shall we?"

They linked arms and walked slowly, stumbling upon Avery's small stash of clothes and picked them up without mentioning it again. Avery held Indra tighter. "Stay with me tonight." Indra laughed at first, then realised she was serious. "Please?"

"I would detest but I can't ignore a plea. Ubbe will not refuse two women sleeping in his bed. I think it would please him." Avery hesitated and Indra smiled at her. "I'm fooling… No matter what you think or hear of Viking men, Ubbe likes to be selfish, so it is told. It is such a pity."

"Indra!"

"A woman's love is far more passionate," she laughed. "They know our bodies like we know our own. No clumsy man's hand. All delicate skin and touches. If you want."

Back inside the tent, Indra took off the layers of furs and cloaks and sat on the bedding furs with Avery under the light of a candle. "You prefer women?" Avery blurted, too curious as she relaxed back onto her elbow.

"No, I like both. They both have different things I like. To choose one over the other does not come easily to me." Resting on her legs, back straight, down to her small linen she wore beneath her dress, Indra looked the picture of an angel to Avery. She smiled up and let her head fall back tiredly against the tuft of material stuffed with feathers obviously stolen from a previous Keep, listening intently. "But it is not women you are interested in, Avery. Do you even know how to pleasure a man?"

"It's the thing in their pants. I'm not completely clueless."

Indra giggled. "Yes, I suppose. But the question is, do you know how to pleasure yourself?"

Avery found herself blushing, though there was no reason. "It's the last thing I think of-"

"But lately it comes to mind with Ubbe, yes?" Avery nodded shyly. "I will give you advice." Indra had a wry smirk on her face. "When the travel is long and you can't stop, the sway of the saddle…" She rolled her hips a certain way. "Is just enough."

"Indra!"

"You always shout my name when I embarrass you!" She fell down beside Avery, their giggles filtering out. "Now sleep, my lady. I won't speak of it no more and redden your beautiful face." She pushed hair behind Avery's ear. "Promise me you won't try to run ever again? You belong."

Belong.

Avery sighed contently as sleep washed over her. She was so stupid. "I promise."

At first the noise slipped into her dreams, until it became more clear, louder, out of sync with what she was dreaming of. Avery stretched out her arms to a vacant bed, light pouring in from the flap of the entrance hanging open, and the silhouette of Ubbe perched on a log sharpening his blade. She must have sighed upon waking as Ubbe had already turned and looked over his shoulder, watching her. "It is about time."

Her heart sank a little when she noticed that he didn't look happy. His concentration went back on the blade, shoulders hunched over his work.

"Ooh bear, I have to tell you something."

"I wish you had told me before that I would be walking in with nowhere to sleep."

Avery frowned. "There was loads of room." Ubbe just scoffed at her. "Perhaps we should speak later, your mood won't help."

"No," he said sharply. "No, I don't avoid problems. I have a problem, I out it. I say, I do. I am a very simple man."

"What is the problem?"

Ubbe shook his head, sharpening the blade harder. "I don't share. Not anymore. I've learned from my mistakes."

"What are you talking about? Are we talking about Indra?"

"Yes, of course we are," he snapped back but was caught with Avery's giggle. He was finding it hard to remain mad with her.

"I'm learning of your culture; that you are free to think. But Indra was just keeping me company." As she spoke, she draped a cloak around her shoulders, taking a seat on the floor next to him, looking out to the clearest day they had had so far. The absence of rain only forebode a major storm would soon inevitably pass. "We are friends only."

"She likes sex and she likes women... And you won't marry me."

Though he scowled at her, Avery couldn't help but smile at him, noting the unique way his eyes spoke more than any feature. The sigh he'd put on his words to seem like he didn't care but did, the way he would tilt his head in thought, shoulders squared.

When she moved up to her knees to get to his level, he stopped fidgeting with the blade. And before she could think it through - like she needed to do this to solidify how she felt - she kissed him, using a little of the affection she'd learned to stroke the side of his face, running her finger along the largest scar over his eye.

"You truly care for me? In such a small amount of time? That once, I was nothing to you." She found the courage to look him straight in the eye, for the first time him being unsure of holding them. Because yes, her forwardness was unusual. And yes, she had just kissed him voluntarily. But she knew of that wariness, the cautious and apprehensive look of past betrayal.

Jealousy rose in her stomach, thinking that maybe someone had said something similar to him before, that she was never going to be his first, and that he had loved another before her. Wondering whether his previous lover's fate may become her own, she had grown sad at the prospect that if she did give herself to him, he may sideline her like others.

But staring at him, she had a thrill course through her while thinking of the future, past hunger and pain, and maybe, for even a second, she felt the warmth of being loved. That the void of abandonment from her mother on that night seemed far away suddenly.

"I admit your innocence is tempting." His lip rose slightly, then fell back with meaning behind his words. "But that is not all, stulka. Your bravery, mind, along with your pain, speak more than you have to. Your will to stick by your true beliefs is fierce, considering your new circumstances. That can't be said for many."

Avery clamped her eyes closed, it was now or never. "Ooh bear, I have to tell you-"

He interrupted her by shifting, pointing to her pile she'd made left beside the bed. "You didn't leave, though."

"No." Her shoulders sagged; he could read her too well it appeared.

"Then that is all that matters." Relief washed over her. She let out a sigh, gripping his tunic in thanks of his easy forgiveness, feeling him draw her closer until their foreheads met. His hand ran up her back, into her hair where he fisted it, keeping her there. "We won't speak of it again, but it is the last time." It was a sweet warning, and she nodded as much as she could.

The cloak fell from Avery's shoulders, and Ubbe recovered it, placing it back over her, then guided her to sit between his knees, looking out to the camp. Over her shoulder, arms around her, he showed her the blade and stone which he was using to sharpen, demonstrating an outwards motion then passing it to her, talking quietly in his language.

The men had grown quiet when Sandaar joined but soon got back into the swing of things and forgot he was even there eventually. Though, there was something obviously troubling him from the tense way he'd sat and leered. "We should move soon," he voiced his concern. It was only a matter of time until he outed himself. Ubbe was laughing at Hvitserk at first, and stopped when he spoke, his laugh filtering out as he looked to the ground and the air turned solemn. "You know we should. The sooner the better. I don't like the open and I rather the shores."

"We move when I say we move." Ubbe tilted his head back slowly and glared at him.

"Your arm is healed enough, no?" It had been three days, three days, and Sandaar's questioning grated on him as he had spent those three days consumed with supplies and making sure their travelling party didn't starve while Sandaar drank and flirted with anything with an ass.

Luckily Hvitserk sensed it and leant back casually, shrugging as he did. "We are good for now, Sandaar. There is no rush."

It seemed to be enough for now but Sandaar tipped back his drink with a permanent frown sketched upon his face. Through the darkness Hendrick appeared and took a seat closer to them than the other men and a few of the shieldmaidens knocking back their drinks just as furiously. It was obvious they had been travelling with Sandaar too long. At least Ubbe could handle his drink as if it was water.

"I've seen the pretty Christian girl. Is she yours?" Sandaar spoke and the camp seemed to grow cricket quiet. Ubbe wiped his mouth, finally meeting his eye, a dangerous look. He kept his cool, he knew Sandaar was looking for a rise out of him. "She has settled in well - flourishing even. Surprised the death of her Holy man didn't scare her off."

"I've claimed her." Try as he might, Ubbe couldn't keep the edge from his voice. "What business is it of yours?"

Hvitserk rolled out his neck next to him.

"It's the only slave we've taken from this land so far. I'm just wondering how dangerous it is. Is she committed to the cause?"

Ubbe chewed his lip. "She is." He wasn't stupid. He was challenging him. He was challenging him in the most primal way - in front of the fittest and fiercest. He was probing for a way in, to get to him, to see a weakness, to see how devoted he was.

"Quite the distraction, huh?"

"This conversation has already ended." Ubbe signalled for his cup to be refilled.

"Maybe we should talk about your preferences?" Hvitserk spoke up, and someone coughed, trying to hold back a bark of laughter.

"Do go on," Sandaar said dangerously. "Give me a good reason to cut out your tongue. Heard you've been running it all over camp with your little jokes and tall tales."

"Ah, the thought scares me, you see. It would only make better room for you to put your dick in it. So I guess I'll back out of this-"

Sandaar stood up, slamming his cup down onto the ground. Everyone around them apart from Ubbe rose too, standing off, and Hendrick grabbed Hvitserk who shifted from foot to foot.

"Go on!" Sandaar gestured with a flick of his wrist at Hvitserk. "I'm unafraid of your dead reputation."

"I hope you do not speak of my family!" Hendrick held Hvitserk back, pushing him away.

"Enough!"

It was so loud that every single person surrounding them snapped their head towards Ubbe. He stood up, stepped in front of the fire, the glare bouncing in flames inside his eyes. Very slowly, he put his hands out and warmed them. "Hold your tongue, Sandaar. Hold onto it dearly."

Hvitserk instantly relaxed, the same moment a smirk rose on Hendrick's face.

"One thing I cannot have anymore, is the questioning of my abilities; of what is mine. I think there has already been far too much of that."

"I get my claim when we are finished, from Ivar, not you. As long as this trip doesn't cost me too many months." Sandaar waved a hand dismissively, not sensing the energy in the air. Be it the drink, or he was genuinely an ass.

Ubbe shrugged, hypnotized by the flames. "Do you like my marks?" he asked calmly.

Sandaar scoffed at first, then realised it was a serious question. He rose an eyebrow and sighed simultaneously. "Your scars mark a true warrior." He looked around, trying to get a laugh or an agreement from the crowd but nobody seemed in the least entertained.

"I think this new one will add perfectly to the collection, don't you think?" Ubbe motioned to his arm. "But many from the past signify mistakes…" Ubbe crouched down next to the flames, heating a knife over the logs. "And discipline."

"Yes, we've all heard the stories of your extensive training."

"And you have none. Strange, for such a fearsome leader. Many voyages you have made, and not a scratch - not even a reminder." Ubbe turned, still brandishing the knife. "Just silly poems scribbled in ink."

"I'm smart. It's commendable to come out unscathed. My reminders are placed after."

Hendrick and Hvitserk looked at each other, and when Ubbe stepped forward they grabbed Sandaar, one on each arm. He hit out, but couldn't get leverage against them. Not even his own men stepped up.

"This is a reminder, Sandaar." Ubbe smiled at him maliciously. "That even if it isn't mine, but you think it's mine - it's mine. And you'll keep your tongue… quiet."

Sandaar's eyes widened, wildly searching for some form of escape, but nobody was coming to his aid. He had insulted the sons of Ragnar and now the people needed compensation. Gods forbid the word reached Ivar.

The tip of the knife glowed red, and the skin on Sandaar's neck sizzled.

The small wood nearest the camp was quiet apart from the footsteps of Indra and Avery as they passed through and collected kindling for the fire.

"I like this land a lot. There is no fear of large animals," Indra said, watching Avery bend to pick up a collection of sticks. "Where we are from, you are taught from a young age not to wander far. Otherwise you will be taken."

"Man is the biggest fear here," Avery quoted her father. "My parents used to say that. And they were ultimately right. I believe Man will always be the biggest killers. At least animals have no other intentions."

"You are wrong. We are so alike. They kill for territory and food, like us. Like every man from the past."

"Or woman," Avery added. "But they don't kill for necessity, for jealousy, for silver or gold. And if it is for territory and food, we have stepped into their land. What's scary is that there are stories of villages and rituals of eating others - Man eating Man..."

"When I was little, one was told to scare us while around the fire. A great village was under attack, somewhere south of where we are from. An argument between the two land owners. One rampaged the other, trapped them inside their walls and their only salvation was to eat each other. They only let them out when there was one person left."

"That is such a myth," Avery giggled.

Indra was peering up in thought. "They said his belly was fat."

Avery laughed but covered her mouth. "That is morbid and I shouldn't laugh. It seems too false."

"It probably was, my uncle used to tell it and he smoked strange things that played with his mind." Indra shrugged.

"There is your answer," Avery said with a roll of her eyes.

"I have enough, I'm going back."

"I'm not ready. I'll be there in a moment." She looked to Indra who hesitated for only a second. Her recent episode still hadn't been forgotten. "I hope there is no large animals."

It relaxed Indra enough, and they weren't too far; they could see the camp through the trees. "You hear a growl, you run."

She rolled her eyes, watching her walk back hurriedly, dropping some further out. Avery turned back and went further in. The peace, away from the camp, was few and far between. And out here she could get lost in her thoughts. Oddly, bad thoughts didn't haunt her as much as before. The shadow had lifted, and in its place was a seemingly permanent smile. How could it not be? She was almost certain she may be loved. And there may be a chance she was falling.

A branch snapped behind her that made her spin around. Those stupid stories, they were just playing with her mind. Avery ignored it, moving again. Until another snap had her drop the pile she was holding. "Hello?" She scanned the vicinity. She could still see the camp, she wasn't far.

"Indra, if that's you, I swear-"

"If you hear a growl, run." She heard a male voice say behind her and he spun her. Squeaking in surprise, not fear, when he grabbed her hips, she saw it was Ubbe, and looking incredibly pleased with himself.

"Ooh bear, what are you doing? Were you listening to us?" When he nodded with a laugh, she tapped him on the chest. "Don't do that."

"What?" He smirked widely.

"Don't… creep up on me like that."

"I wasn't creeping. I was riding back through the woods and overheard you." He pulled her until she bumped against his body, hand on her neck, moving to the back of her hair that made her skin prickle. "I'd find you anywhere." And then he kissed her.

As the days had passed, Ubbe had grown hungry for her, and her body reacted in ways she'd never felt. The slightest touch, brush against her skin, especially as they laid together in the night, had her wanting something more. Whether this was his planning, to haunt her with sultry touches and loving words, it didn't matter because it was indeed working. She had to commend his self-control, though.

But hers was a disaster. She felt like a bubble, expanding, waiting for the inevitable. He had a habit of grabbing the neck of her dress and pulling, like any moment he'd rip it, especially while his mouth consumed hers, that left her flushed. Her heart still hammered when he pulled away, guiding her further into the woods until she could finally hear the horse's snorts and thumping against the earth as it waited patiently.

He climbed up effortlessly, then aided her in front of him to ride back to camp. Her pile of kindling was long forgotten, especially when she considered placing both her legs either side of the horse. Did she really dare to use Indra's advice? It didn't take long to decide.

After he whispered in her ear how much he had thought of her the entire day, she gently urged him to claim the skin of her neck, moving her hair to one side.

"What makes you smile, Avery?"

His short beard tickled her shoulder, his mouth never leaving her neck. She wet her lips, throat dry, and sighed, "I smile at silly thoughts."

"Of what?" Ubbe knew 'Of what', she was sure he just wanted to hear it. But it was almost impossible to string a sentence together. He grabbed her face, tilting it towards him and reinforced, "Of what?" He must have felt her heat, the way her body thrummed in anticipation.

"You must have been watching me a long time…"

He chuckled at her evasiveness. "I can't help myself. I'm powerless."

"I thought of you." The moment she said it, he claimed her mouth, trailing kisses from her jaw to her neck again, and pulled her back against his body with a firm hand over her ribs, right under her breast.

The conscious mind altered with the sensations, the fear or embarrassment had disappeared as she very slowly rolled her hips, naturally seeking that escape - that same feeling that had become almost unbearable most nights. And she only had to do it once for him to understand, his arms tensing around her while he slid a single hand under the layers of her skirts. He was only touching her thigh at first, massaging the skin, almost forgetting the reigns he held in the other.

Until it wasn't enough any more. She trailed the length of his arm to his wrist, then prompting him to touch her, a hiss of his name fell from her lips. The movement from the saddle and a stroke of his fingertips against her jumping nerves left her breathless. The need to move her hips quicker came naturally, and she gripped his thigh with her other hand. She heard him speak in his tongue against her while she hummed and it comforted her in a way that she lost herself to him. The muscles in her lower belly clenched, and with one hardened swirl, brushed against her clit, the world faltered around her.

They hadn't made it past the treeline but he beckoned her face towards him, swallowing her quiet mewls, a reddened relief painting her cheeks and hazy eyes watching him in her come down.

Ubbe's glazed over eyes were glued to her mouth and chest still heaving. And only now did she notice his hips firmly pressed against her, his breath as heavy as hers. When she smiled at him, he sighed and shifted in the saddle to move her legs to the side. Holding her delicately against him, he allowed her to breathe out the remnants of her need, to hold him as close as she could in this position. And before he set off again, he whispered how beautiful she was, and promised that he would do this again if she so wished.

"Avery, what are you doing?" Ubbe asked with mirth, laying on his back, just awoken from sleep as she covered them both with the covers while lying next to him.

Her hair flowed over her shoulders as she watched him, laughing to herself while scooting closer. "Can the world not wait for a little while longer?"

Ubbe thought about it then clicked his tongue. "Probably not…"

"But it is warm."

"That it is." He flinched when she touched him at first, over his ribs to his stomach, then relaxed at the delicacy. Breaths passed until he snatched up her hand to kiss her fingertips, her palm. "I must say this now."

As she propped up on her elbow, he scoured the curves of her naked breasts, marvelling at the sudden absence of shame. And at the sight, he mirrored her, just so that he could kiss her, as much as he could for now.

Avery knew what was coming. Tonight they would leave to pillage. Tonight he would leave her behind until it was done. He wouldn't risk her life anymore.

"In battle, nothing is ever sure. If something should happen, see to it that Indra cares for you under Hvitserk, my brother." He swallowed thickly and continued, "If you want to stay after on these lands, or to go with them back to Kattegat, I respect your decision."

"There is nothing for me on either of those lands without you, ooh bear." For once, she admitted the truth she'd kept hidden, not shying away from him. She hadn't known until now how fierce she could love. That it utterly hurt at the prospect of parting, making her feel ever more thankful she didn't leave on that night. "I've discovered something that is far from pain, death, and sadness with you. Even if I should have that treasure only once, it is enough." His thumb wiped a tear she didn't know she'd shed as he cupped her face. "I wish in the past I wasn't so stupid and stubborn to see it."

They both laughed quietly. "You are not stupid, you are cautious. Stubborn as a mare, yes." He nicked her chin and breathed in deeply. "Then if I do return, you will marry me? There is only so many times a man should ask before they start getting insulted."

Avery bit her lip, then nodded. She couldn't stop the blush this time. "Yes."

"Then I shall not fall in battle for sure." When he leant to kiss her, bright light beamed upon them from the entrance of the tent being disturbed. Asger stood there and spoke hurriedly, and Ubbe covered Avery quickly with the furs, springing up from their bed and dressing quickly.

When he took his sword, Avery felt a surge of panic. "What is it?"

"Christians." His coldness reminded her of the first time she spoke with him.

"Then I should come with you." Ubbe looked at her, pausing in his dressing. "I need to see," she enforced.

Considering her words for a moment, he eventually sighed and reluctantly nodded.

From a distance Avery could just hear what they had to say. The man that fronted a guarded convoy stayed on his horse, looking down upon Ubbe and their party, dressed in expensive clothes with fine detail, rings on every finger, but strangely not armoured.

"I need to speak with the man in charge." The man did not move, his hands overlapped on his saddle, seemingly hardened from the intimidation as the heathen army grew to stand before him.

She hadn't thought it before, used to the northmen's army, but looking back across the field, these people looked formidable. They had left their mark with a grand fire, the earth worn, only from a few days. Clinking from a smith echoed, the only sound as the wind blew, and the crowd grew wielding their weapons, or ready to arm themselves if need be.

"You can speak with us," said Hendrick. Ubbe stood statue still, staring at them, and she knew from the look that he was calculating. From her side, Indra appeared and kept her in silent company behind the cart where she hid. "There is no need for a translator." Hendrick gestured around him, and a few chuckled. "You can speak freely."

"So be it. I am Earl Edwin. I am in alliance with York. My word stretches as far as Tweed and as South as Auckland."

"Where?" Someone in the crowd shouted and gained more laughs.

Earl Edwin didn't even flinch. "You are not welcome here. Your dishonour and tricks will not work on Keep Wark. If I was you, I would pass by. In fact, I would head back for your ships… If they are still there." His tone didn't change. It almost sounded bored, recluse, removed from the situation. "However, just from the look of you I see that it isn't a possibility. I'm not blind to your scouts to Wark."

"We have enough honour to not claim your life right now," Hendrick replied, then looked to Ubbe, for Earl Edwin's attention remained on him. A silent conversation passed between them. The Earl twitched his reigns and concentrated solely on Ubbe. "Why do you look to him?"

"Because he is the one in charge," the Earl said simply.

Avery concluded the Earl was smarter than he seemed. He then flicked his wrist and from behind them a cart was pulled forward. The men jumped down and untied the horses from it, leaving it standing between them.

"This is an offer. An army needs to be fed and a truce needs to be met. I'm also not blind to your numbers, but from your scouts I know you are unknowing of mine. Let's not waste any more time. North-West, there is an undefended Keep. They rest because they believe the raids will pass through us first. I will not hinder your path if you don't step a foot in mine."

Ubbe scratched his beard and stepped forward. "We are not interested in English rival disputes."

"I will ignore your presence and not send word of your exact location."

"That doesn't bother me."

"Take the offering, make a decision before tonight." Earl Edwin twirled his horse around. "I beg you not to approach the Keep because I will know what choice you have made. And may God bless you if it should be the right one." The long flow of his cape fluttered as the horses gained speed up to a canter, disappearing further up into the treeline.

Hvitserk turned to Ubbe. "I only got half of that."

"There are two Keeps near. The one we targeted for tonight wants us to take another in exchange for silence and safety." Ubbe crossed his arms, still staring out after them.

"So?"

"They watch us even now. And I don't trust him." Ubbe tipped his head and spoke to himself under his breath, "How did he know an attack was imminent?"

"I say we stick with the plan," Hendrick interrupted, flexing his shoulders and ready. "Not listen to their lies and fake God."

"No," Ubbe hushed him, rubbing his chin as the thought struck him. "We are going to take them both. Despair gives courage to a coward. And cowards are the most dangerous." He pointed to some people standing idly to the side. "Take the cart inside the camp, then burn it. All that food is laced with death."