Read Snow-Walker for Free Online

thieves, and traveling fraudsters of every kind. Booths and trestle tables full of merchandise crowded the waterfront; the stink of fish and meat and spices hung over the boats.
    Here they could be lost, quickly and easily; she had coins sewn into the hems of her skirts; help could be bought. She tried to catch Thorkil’s eyes, but he seemed silent and depressed.
    â€œIt’ll never work,” he said.
    â€œWhat’s the matter with you! We can try, can’t we!” He nodded, unconvinced.
    They wandered stiffly about, glad to walk and run, even though two of Helgi’s men, the one called Thrand and the big noisy one, Steinar, trailed around behind them. Jessa felt excitement pulse through her. Only two. It might have been much worse.
    They stared at the goods for sale. Strange stuff, most of it, from the warmer lands to the south: wrinkled fruits, fabrics in bales and bolts, shawls, belts, buckles, fine woolen cloaks flapping in the sea wind. Rows of stiff hides creaked and swung; there were furs, colored beads, bangles, and trinkets of amber and whalebone and jet. One booth sold only rings, hundreds of them strung in rows; rings for fingers, neck, arms, of all metals, chased or plain or intricately engraved.
    With a word to Steinar, Thrand stepped into the crowd, pushing his way to a man sharpening knives. Jessa saw him pull his own out and hand it over. So that left one.
    She bought some sweetmeats from a farmwife and she and Thorkil ate them, watching a blacksmith hammer out a spearhead and plunge it with a hiss into a bucket of water. As Thorkil fingered the hanging weapons enviously, someone jolted gently against Jessa’s shoulder.
    â€œA thousand apologies,” murmured a low voice.
    A thin, lanky man stood beside her, his coat patched and ragged. He winked slyly. Astonished, she stared at him, then glanced carefully around. Steinar was a good way back, trying to buy ale.
    â€œYou travel fast down the whale’s road,” the peddler said quietly, examining a brooch on a stall.
    â€œSo do you.” Jessa gasped. “Where is Wulfgar? Is he with you?”
    â€œThat outlaw?” He grinned at her. “That prince of the torn coat? What makes you think I would know?”
    She took the fragments of herbs out of her pocket and rubbed them thoughtfully between her fingers, until their faint scent reached him.
    â€œThese.”
    The peddler glanced at them quickly and made a soundless whistle. “Well. You have very good eyes. As for Wulfgar, people are saying he’s fled south. They may be right.”
    â€œThat’s not what I think.” She watched Thorkil weighing a sword in his hand. Then she said, “Others might want to escape. This might be a good time.”
    The peddler dropped the brooch and picked up another; his eyes swept the crowd with a swift glance. “I had heard where they were sending you. But the snake woman has eyes that see too far.”
    She stared at him angrily. “If you won’t help, I’ll try anyway. I don’t want to spend the rest of my life starving in Thrasirshall with … whatever’s there. I can pay you, if that’s what you want.” He put the brooch down and turned to her.
    â€œI thought you were braver,” he said.
    â€œOnly about some things.”
    â€œThen listen.” His voice was suddenly sharp and urgent. “Don’t do anything. Trust me. You must wait until you hear from me, no matter how long it takes. Don’t try to escape. Promise!”
    â€œBut—”
    â€œPromise! I won’t let you down.”
    She gave a sigh of bewilderment. “All right. But we leave here soon!”
    â€œIt won’t be here. Don’t worry. When you see me again, you’ll understand everything.”
    As she stared at him she saw the man Steinar push nearer.
    â€œI’m afraid not,” she said loudly. “It’s too expensive.”
    â€œAh, lady,” the