"Ah, yes. Is there still no news of Brynhild? No clue at all?"
"Nothing. We are baffled. Njal does not speak of her so much any more, and Ulfric neither. But I cannot settle, cannot rest until we know."
"Gunnar is the same. He bitterly regrets the angry words he exchanged with his sister, the last time they spoke. They quarrelled because of me, because I am a Celt."
"Brynhild hated Celts. She despised all of us. There was no reasoning with her."
"Even so, it pains Gunnar that the last words between them were of anger and hatred."
"I can understand that, though most of the words I exchanged with Brynhild were angry ones, particularly by the end. I could not in honesty say that I miss her but for Ulfric’s sake I would do anything to help find out what happened."
"As would we all." The two women sat in silence for several moments, remembering their shared adversary. Mairead patted Fiona's hand. "But now, you must tell me what Ulfric meant by one person being inspired. You were actually involved in the battle? You fought alongside the Vikings?" Mairead could not hide her astonishment. She was very impressed.
"I did, though as I have said, my fighting was done from a distance."
"You are magnificent. Ulfric clearly thinks so too."
"I am not entirely sure what Ulfric thinks."
"How can you not be? He is proud of you, and utterly devoted. It is obvious..."
"To you, perhaps. I think so too, but at times I am not so certain." Fiona got to her feet and straightened her skirts, clearly ready to change the subject. "Shall I take you to our injured now? There is one man who has a fractured arm. It has been set, but still pains him a great deal. Perhaps you can ease his suffering."
Mairead followed the other woman, ready to do what she could.
The conversation may be over, but she had heard sufficient to form a view of what was going on here. The sooner that oaf Ulfric got his house in order, the better, in Mairead's opinion. Gunnar and Ulfric might be brothers but it seemed to Mairead that these Freysson Vikings had little in common when it came to their dealings with the women who loved them. She much preferred Gunnar's approach.
Mairead was notcertain whether or not to share the news of her pregnancy, but she was sorely tempted. These people were her family now. She had a sister in Fiona, or so she thought ofthe other woman, and sisters shared such confidences, did they not? Thus fortified, she whispered her news as they sat together for the night's feasting. As was usual in large Viking gatherings, most of the folk gathered to share in their meal ate from their laps and sat on the many beds, benches and upturned buckets which had been brought into Ulfric's dwelling, the largest longhouse in the settlement, to accommodate everyone.
Fiona let out an excited squeal and hugged her hard. "I am so pleased for you. And for Gunnar. You must be sure and tell him so."
"I shall," promised Maired.
"What is this? Are you seeking to conceal your news from me, little sister?" Ulfric was seated on Fiona's other side. He leaned back to eye Mairead over Fiona’s shoulders. "Tell my brother I wish him well, and that I will only excuse his borrowing my longship without my permission if he brings his new family to visit us soon."
"I shall pass that message on, Jarl."
He grinned and waved to summon one of his servants. "Bring more food for our guest. She has need of sustenance if she is to breed fine, strong Viking sons for my brother." Mairead might have preferred a more discreet response, but accepted the proffered plate of marinated whale meat, a delicacy for which she had yet to develop a particular taste.
Whatever the circumstances which had brought them all here, these people were her family now and she harboured no doubt at all that she belonged with them. She had only to glance across the room at Donald, seated beside his friend Njal and laughing at the antics of an excited puppy, and she knew she had been right to place her faith in Gunnar Freysson.
Mairead arrived backat Gunnarsholm three days later. She barely had time to unpack her belongings and feed Tyra before another delegation from Skarthveit was at her door. She had been shocked enough at the news of the attack by the Bjarkessons, but she was utterly stunned by the tidings which had now arrived.
"They are leaving? All of them? All of Ulfric's family, every one of his people?" Mairead gaped at the messenger
"Aye, lady. Skarthveit is to be abandoned, left to Olaf Bjarkesson if he wants it so badly. The Jarl is minded to seek a more peaceful home elsewhere."
"But..." Mairead could make no sense of this, none at all. No one had breathed a word of this plan while she was there, but a few scant days previously. Indeed, Ulfric had insisted that Gunnar was to visit them at Skarthveit, with his expanding family. "Are you quite certain? There must be some mistake."
"No mistake, lady. All who wish to do so will go with Ulfric, and for those who choose to remain in their native land our Jarl seeks a place for them with his brother. Gunnar Freysson has need of strong, loyal men, perhaps?"
"Yes. No. I mean, of course, anyone from Skarthveit would be welcome here. But surely..."
"I shall return then, and tell my Jarl that this is so."
"You will do no such thing until you have explained to me just what is behind this mad scheme. Ulfric would never turn and run. Gunnar will be back soon and he will lend his aid to defend his brother's stronghold. Why would Ulfric decide to simply capitulate in this manner?"
"He did not tell me, lady, not exactly. But his lady did. She said that you would ask, that you would have many questions."
