It was broad daylight by the time I woke up. I found myself cradled in Lord Einarr's arms, my back pressed against him. One of his hands sat protectively on my belly, while the other brushed my damp hair off my forehead.

He placed a soft kiss behind my ear. "How are you feeling, my sweet? You had us worried."

I pressed against him, his sturdy frame comforting me. "Weak, but he pain is gone..." I stiffened, my fingers going to my stomach. "How is the bearn?" I couldn't sense it move. Was it dead?

"Sleeping, as its mother was. Do not fret, little dreki, our child was kicking happily moments ago. It carries my bloodline and we are not so easily destroyed." His voice showed his pride.

Relief washed through me. Of course our offspring would be strong. It came from two long lines of warriors. "Maybe it's my blood that kept it safe." I wouldn't let him take all the credit.

He burst into a loud guffaw. "You really are back to health. It's about time. For a full day we thought neither of you would survive."

"A full day?" I twisted to face him and noticed the redness of his eyes and the dark circles under them. "Did you stay with me all along?"

He shrugged. "I couldn't leave you unprotected. There is a killer amongst us, whom I have yet to unmask."

I met his gaze. "Pray do not be too harsh on the girl. She had no idea..."

"I am a judge, Sunngifu," he chided, "children are protected by our laws. Her mother brought the little one here and I talked to her while you slept. She was very sad to find you so ill. Someone wrapped in a cloak called her to the back door and handed her the drink, pretending to be Mildred. At her age, she didn't ask any question. She was proud to be given an important task and carried it out the best she could. And Mildred's husband confirms that his wife stayed with him all evening."

I was taken aback at his statement. Did he really suspect Mildred? Then I remembered he had been betrayed before. Mildred was my friend, not his. At least now I was certain I could trust her. "Could Eimear's daughter recognize the killer's voice?"

"Nay, they were whispering. I sent my mother to question the servants, we might learn more from them."

His mother... Was it wise, when she could well have been the culprit? Yet she helped cure me. She hadn't been hostile to me since the announcement, just cold. I was tempted to point him towards Hrefna, but I had no proof, and he had good grounds to accuse me of jealousy. And what if I was wrong? If she was innocent? Could I live with her death on my conscience?

I kept my mouth shut. I was learning.

Unfortunately, Lady Disaelfr didn't obtain any useful information. For the next ten days I was once more confined to Lord Einarr's bedroom, my work being brought to me. My door was constantly guarded. Lord Einarr was getting incredibly frustrated at the lack of results, and I was pushed to the edge of madness by worry and boredom. Mildred and Svana did their best to entertain me, but it wasn't enough. I needed fresh air desperately.

The opportunity came with a request for the godi's assistance from a farmer living up the valley. He had gone into a fight with his neighbor and needed help to settle the quarrel. The complex affair of inheritance threatened to turn into a feud. The man couldn't travel. A bad fall had left him with a broken leg.

Later in the night, as I was settling in Lord Einarr's arms, he asked me to come with him. It was unexpected, and I was both elated and wary. After weeks of hand feeding my stomach had enlarged considerably. There was no hiding it. Would riding be safe and would I be able to do it? I voiced my concerns and he smiled.

"Both Mildred and my mother agree that the barn is holding well. It is a two days' ride, going slowly. They reckon you can do it. Besides, I do not want you to stay here without me. I still haven't found the killer."

I hesitated and gave my approval. As long as the child wasn't at risk, I was willing to do anything to get out of the house.

The weather had suddenly turned warmer with the arrival of southern winds, and the snow was melting. We waited for a day for it to clear before leaving. And then it was there. Freedom. Standing in the mud, tightly wrapped in a new fur-lined cloak, I filled my chest with fresh air. The salty scent of the sea mixed with the stench of animal dung felt like heaven.

Lord Einarr chuckled at my expression. "You remind me of a bear cub getting out for the first time, Sunngifu! Come, I'll lift you in the saddle."

I wanted to refuse his help, until I tried to slip my foot into the stirrup. My knee could no longer go high enough.

The black mare I was given was rather small, with a sturdy body and strong legs. She had a good temper and didn't spook easily. I was the last one up, and we departed immediately.

Riding around me were six warriors, Lord Einarr leading us. It was a strange sight, these tall men on such little mounts. Tailing us were three ponies, carrying the luggage.

Lord Einarr was right. My mare was very pleasant to ride. We started to trot and there was no shaking. I looked at him in wonder and he grinned. "How do you like the tölt?"

I stared at him blankly.

"This is how we call this pace. It is an ambling trot. Quite comfortable, nay?"

"Aye, it is. Do you train them?"

"They do it naturally, no other breed has it."

I smiled at his pride. They ate horses, and yet they worshipped them. It was a strange paradox.

The gait was quite fast, and we soon passed the boathouses. The trail was wide enough for us to ride side by side, as we climbed another hill. In the distance was a valley, encased by the steep flanks of two snowy mountains. A torrent ran in the middle, a few farms scattered on each side. I had to squint to spot them, as the turf walls and roofs blended with the surroundings.

Nestled beside the mouth of the river, the trading post was quiet. Merchants seldom travelled in the winter. Some had decided to spend the cold season there, gathering goods for the return trip. There were a few huts, a couple of longhouses with their outbuildings, and a Mead Hall that I later learned was a temple. Two fishing boats and a wider cargo ship were wharfed in a small haven, bobbing gently on the short waves.

We descended slowly, our mounts stepping cautiously in the mud. A few creeks crossed the path, cascading down to the sea. The water took the earth away, leaving the rocks bare and slippery, but my mare had a sure foot and I made it down without trouble.

Lord Einarr waived and greeted the men who came to welcome him. He didn't dismount and went straight through, trying to make the most of the daylight. As the path narrowed along the river, we had to form a single file. I rode in the middle, following Lord Einarr.

The stream on my side worried me. I watched it, trying to control my fear. It was fast but not deep. If I fell in, I could get out easily.

Comforted, I turned my attention to my surroundings. The landscape was very different from my native land. First there was no forest. Clusters of birch trees grew here and there, giving place to shrubs on the edge of the fields and along the coast. Everywhere else was grass, still mostly covered in snow.

Around noon we stopped to let the horses rest. I sat on a boulder, savoring my bread and cheese. For once I wasn't concerned about poison.

The afternoon was uneventful and we stayed for the night at a large farm. This is when I fully understood Lord Einarr's rank amongst his people. The farmer, although a wealthy man, showed him marks of utmost respect, and called for a feast to be thrown in his honor. The toasts celebrated his prowess in battle, as well as his fairness and knowledge of the law. We slept in our host's bed while he lay on a bench with his wife. Hospitality was a sacred duty, and one that wasn't taken lightly. In the morn we left with gifts and more provisions than we would need.

The night had been short. The morning ride was monotonous and I daydreamed as we leisurely ascended towards the end of the valley. The gentle pace of my mare combined with the unusual heat of the sun lulled me to sleep. I had to fight to keep my eyes opened.

I didn't immediately register the noise. It was dull at the start, a distant rumbling. I glanced at the cloudless sky. Was there a storm brewing further up the mountain?

It became louder, closer. A roaring.

"Sunngifu, follow me!"

Lord Einarr voice was tense. As I didn't react, he caught my reins and urged my horse forward. I opened my mouth to protest and closed it. I had found the source of the sound. A huge wave of dirty water was crashing down from the mountains. Right towards us.