Runes and Red Sails (Queenmaker Book 1)(68)

“We could run, Aela,” Ceolwen hissed across the tree.

“I do not even know which way camp is.”

“We could throw something.”

“Unless you are hiding a spear somewhere, I would not.”

Ceolwen scoffed.

“Wait, did you see that?”

Aelfhild turned to look. Something had shifted between two distant trunks.

Vidar’s head appeared around the side of an oak.

“What is it?” he called.

“Boar!” Both Ceolwen and Aelfhild shouted back.

The woodworker emerged from behind his tree, bow in hand. He crouched and surveyed the scene.

Do not try it alone, thought Aelfhild. Go for help.

Vidar seemed to be debating the same question. He stole a glance back the way he had come. He looked at his feet, then back over his shoulder toward safety.

Then he seemed to reach a decision. With a deep breath, he crept forward.

“Be ready to run,” Aelfhild whispered to Ceolwen, as the bowman nocked an arrow.

The first shot hit the boar in its meaty shoulder. It bellowed in surprise, but showed no ill effects, and thrashed about in search of the attacker.

Vidar got another arrow in its side before the beast spotted him and charged.

“Run!” Aelfhild called, but Ceolwen was already sprinting away.

Another shaft whistled through the air, and a fourth, as Aelfhild raced through the trees.

There was a heavy thump behind. The boar had reached Vidar.

But there were no screams.

She turned, expecting carnage.

Instead, the bristled carcass lay at Vidar’s feet, a pair of arrows sticking from its skull.

Aelfhild walked over to Vidar. He stared at his kill, panting. It looked as though Vidar had not expected this outcome either from the size of his pupils.

“Thank you,” she said, slapping his shoulder.

Vidar’s words failed him. He wheezed back what Aelfhild took for a reply.

“Grab a leg and we can drag it back,” she said. He nodded.

As they pulled the boar behind them, Ceolwen emerged from the woods with Rolf and Geir in tow. The men lowered their spears when they saw the carcass.

“Aela!” Ceolwen pulled Aelfhild into her arms.

Geir peered down at the boar and chortled. “Just a little thing.”

“Be silent!” Ceolwen shouted. “It was not charging you!”

They carried the beast back to camp and left Rolf to dress it for cooking. They had to return to their piles of firewood, but went under guard this time. The others were waiting when they returned. Eyvind and Bercthun held a bundle of roots and berries between them and looked embarrassed. Kolbrun carried one skinny rabbit and looked angry.

“I leave you two alone in the woods and this is what you find,” the shield-maiden muttered.

Vidar did not seem to be prepared for his newfound glory. Though the boar did look decidedly smaller on a spit over the glowing coals, everyone was quick to slap his back for standing ground.

“I said you would learn, Vidar,” Eyvind cut the heart from the roasting carcass. “And learn you did. All hail the huntsman!”

Vidar took a bite of his trophy as Thrym and Earnfolding all cheered.





37

And Kolbrun was right, she never did hear the end of it.

“Since I cannot depend on the skjaldmaer to keep you safe,” Eyvind said to Ceolwen and Aelfhild, “we shall have to teach you how to fight for yourselves. Go and fetch your axes!”

The pair exchanged nervous glances as they went back to the ship to retrieve their weapons, and found Kolbrun and Eyvind armed and waiting upon returning to the crest of the hill. Each of the Thrym had their axe and shield at the ready and bid Aelfhild and Ceolwen do the same.

“Your most important weapon is here,” Eyvind began, tapping a finger to his head. “Watch every move of your enemy. The way he stands, the way he walks, the way he swings and turns. Listen to his breathing. Small things can turn the tide. Watch us.”

He turned to Kolbrun and they squared off, showing how to stand and how to circle an opponent in low, guarded gait. With deliberate sweeps of his blade, Eyvind taught them how best to hook an enemy’s shield, or swipe away an incoming axe-blow. Aelfhild and Ceolwen mimed each stroke as Kolbrun walked behind them, nudging wayward feet or elbows with the haft of her axe.

“Now for some real practice!” Kolbrun and Ceolwen broke off to one side, and Aelfhild stood before Eyvind.

Aelfhild’s heart hammered as she clenched the haft of her axe. The leather straps of her shield bit into the soft skin on her forearm. She drew in a deep breath and released the air slowly through her nose.

“Ready?” asked Eyvind.

She nodded, afraid to speak lest her voice tremble.

Slowly, he stepped forward until they were but a pace apart. His first swing was low, looping toward Aelfhild’s knee; she threw out her shield arm to block.

With an overhand blow, Aelfhild hooked the edge of her axe over Eyvind’s shield and pulled it forward with all her strength. He did not budge.

“Break,” called Eyvind. “Again.”

This time, Aelfhild watched his advancing feet. She did not notice her shield drop, nor did she have time to dodge his axe blow. Her arm went numb as she stumbled beneath the impact.

“Shield up!” he shouted. “Learn to see it all at once, not just the one thing!”