Read TLV - 02 - The Road of the Sea Horse for Free Online Page B

facing into a spouting thunder of surf. When the ships were steered to rest and the men had climbed an upward path, Harald saw a good-sized steading among wind-crippled trees, a dozen timber buildings and a bustle of housefolk. It could easily guest his hundred. "Most of my holdings are on the mainland," said Thorberg, "but I like this place to live. My kin have ever been traders and Vikings, like myself, and I would not sleep well away from the sea noise."
    A hollow booming shivered in the rock, endless waters marching mightily from the rim of the world. Gulls mewed in the chill salt air, a snowstorm of wings under hastening lead-gray clouds. It was good to enter the fire-lit warmth of the hall. There the men sat down on the benches, and the carles began setting up the trestle tables. Thorberg gave Harald the seat of honor, and sat across the fire from him.
    "Welcome, my lord. We were hoping you would come."
    The king turned his head to that husky voice with a hint of laughter. A young woman gave him a beaker of ale.
    "Thank you," he said. As he looked closer, squinting through the flickering gloom, he put on the manners of the empire: "I had awaited a noble greeting, but not so fair a greeter."
    She met his eyes boldly. She was tall, with a white dress that lay close around the deep curves of breast and thigh; at the throat were raw gold and amber. Her face was wide and snub-nosed like Thorberg's, but good to watch. Her eyes were large and bright between smoky lashes, her hair a heavy deep-red wave down to her waist to show she was a maiden. "I am Thora, the older daughter," she said. "I had scarce hoped to meet the great King Harald Har drede."
    "So that's what they're calling me!" he laughed. "Well, like most nicknames, it rings true." He gestured to the high seat, wide enough for two. "Come join me."
    Thora colored. "Thank you, my lord." She mounted the chair in one flowing movement. It was not uncommon for men and women to drink in pairs, though as a rule the whole company would do so together.
    Thorberg opened his mouth, but shut it again. After turning the matter over in his mind, he seemed to decide he was pleased.
    Harald felt a little light-headed; his weariness dropped from him and he drank thirstily. "This is good," he said. "Elsewhere, men have taken us in, but with small cheer."
    "I cannot understand that," said Thora. "Are you not the only rightful king, and a famous warrior to boot?"
    Harald stroked his short beard; in the dancing light, it was as if spun of red-gold wire. "Well," he replied. "I am perhaps too much of a king. But enough of that. Have you dwelt on this island your whole life?"
    "Yes, my lord, though we often go elsewhere guesting. Still . . ." She sighed. "At times it grows empty here. I would like to see more of the world."
    "I'm surprised so fair a maid, and the daughter of a mighty chief, is still unwed."
    "I have had suitors." The short nose wrinkled. "They smell of barnyard. Or else they are little, men, traders who may go as far as Finnmark when they're very daring. My father would not marry me off without my own yea, and after all I am but twenty winters old."
    Ulf sat gloomily, watching them sideways as they talked ever more eagerly together. He ate little and drank much. But after a while he made the acquaintance of Thora's sister Jorunn, a slim quiet girl with the same red hair, and that lightened his mood somewhat. The third child living here was Eystein, a bright quick lad who watched Harald with dog's eyes.
    "And how is it in the South? Is it true that in Miklagardh the streets are paved with gold?"
    "No, but there is gold aplenty for him who can take it. I mind one time, we were warring in Syria and came to a walled town which we stormed. That was where I got this scar on my wrist, see it here?"
    "That was a bad wound." Thora's blunt soft fingers brushed across it; looking down at her bent neck, Harald saw how the thick hair poured over strong shoulders and wanted to stroke it.