Beyond a Darkened Shore(23)

“Sigtrygg won’t help you. He doesn’t care about anything but raids and amassing riches. I’d be more inclined to agree with you if you said your plan was to attack him and take over Dubhlinn.”

Leif grinned. “And you called my people bloodthirsty. Sigtrygg will help us because he is bound to; my father lent him ships and men for his raids, long before he was king. Now he owes us the same—ships and men. I need his help if I am to defeat Fenris, the leader of the j?tnar.”

“I still don’t understand why it has to be Sigtrygg of all people, but I will admit that having ships and men could be useful. Will you tell me about Fenris? How do you plan to defeat him?”

“Fenris was the leader in the j?tnar’s own realm. Fenris entered into our realm and now that he is here, he has gathered more of my people to his cause, naming himself Jarl of Skien—one of our most important ports. The j?tnar Fenris brought with him from J?tunheimr have set up camp in Skien, along with many men. But man or j?tunn, I will fight them. I must gather as many warriors as I can and return to kill Fenris and whoever tries to get in my way.”

A direct attack and a show of force of the magnitude Leif was suggesting would certainly intimidate any mortal Northman raiders—it was simply not their preferred method of war. Did that hold true for monsters? “When will you set sail?”

“As soon as I am able. Though from what I heard, it might not be that easy.” When I stared at him blankly, he said, “I have heard talk of men like giants here in éirinn.”

A cold wave of fear hit me. “You mean the . . . j?tnar are here already?”

His eyes met mine, his grim expression answer enough.

I shook my head. “They cannot be allowed to wreak their destruction here.”

“You will join me, then? Leave the comfortable trappings of your castle, your family, your clan, and follow your enemy?”

He didn’t know that I’d already left all that behind—that I couldn’t return if I wanted to. I couldn’t even bear to utter the truth aloud. The crow had perched on a boulder, watching us, eyes bloodred in the light. My mind was quiet, both of the Morrigan’s voice and of visions.

By now áthair would have already announced my exile. How much worse would my punishment be when he discovered the Northman was alive? But knowing what I did about the j?tnar, how could I possibly stand aside when I had the power to stop them? I would join forces with a murderous raider, a man who had killed many of my own people. Would stopping the greater evil of the giants negate the sin of aiding my enemy?

I didn’t know how successful Leif had been in his quest so far, but I did know he was right about one thing: my clan would never lend their aid until it was too late. It was I who had been given this vision, and it was I who must make a stand.

I returned my sword to its sheath. With my right hand in a fist, I placed it over my heart. “I will join you in destroying the j?tnar here in this land.”

“I cannot say you have made the right decision, but I won’t turn away from your offer.” He strode toward Sleipnir. “Now come. All this talk has wasted too much time.”

He grabbed hold of my warhorse as though it was his and hauled himself astride. It took Sleipnir only an instant to realize it wasn’t me on his back. His ears flattened, and he bucked and twisted, his powerful muscles taut as a bow.

Leif’s jaw was tense with concentration, but he managed to stay astride. Grudgingly impressed, I let it go on for another moment or two before finally saying, “Sleipnir.”

My horse’s ears remained flat, but he stopped trying to unseat the Northman.

“You should know better than to mount another’s warhorse,” I said with a smirk. “Or perhaps he took offense to being called a mare.”

“He’s stronger than he looks,” Leif answered with a grin that suddenly made him appear much younger.

When he continued to smile at me, I shifted uncomfortably and said, “You’ll have to make room for me.”

Leif slid back along Sleipnir’s spine a few inches—carefully. After giving Sleipnir a pat on the neck, I grabbed a handful of mane and pulled myself astride. It was an awkward affair, since I didn’t have the room to swing my leg over with Leif in the way. But I managed it without the Northman’s assistance, which was all I really cared about.

I went rigid as stone when Leif moved closer to me, and I was painfully aware my backside was now flush against his front. “Is it all right to take the reins?” Leif asked. “Or will he unseat us both this time?”

“Take them,” I said through gritted teeth. I was positioned too close to Sleipnir’s neck for me to hold them comfortably.

A low rumble of a chuckle vibrated through my back. “You cannot remain so stiff. Relax, or this will be a painful ride all the way to Dyflin.”

He pressed his heels to Sleipnir’s sides, and the stallion surged forward, throwing me against the Northman’s chest.

“How can I relax when you are pressed so intimately against me?” I said, my tone sharp with embarrassment.

“There is a broadsword between us.” Amusement was clear in his voice. “If you would like, you could hand it to me for safekeeping. Then we will both be more comfortable.”

I snorted. “I will not part with it. You’ll have to find your own weapon.”