Free Sigrun's Secret by Marie-Louise Jensen Page B

‘I’m just saying you should trust him.’
    I looked over at my father and felt his deep sadness. I understood he couldn’t bear to speak of what had happened because he was fighting his own misery. Erik had always been like a second father to me, helping me out of scrapes and keeping some of my transgressions hidden from my parents. I was inclined to be guided by him, but Asgrim was not so easily satisfied. He snorted impatiently, got up and walked off. He leaned against the side of the ship, looking out to sea, his shoulders hunched in anger.
    We reached the Shetlands two days later, and this time there were no arguments about whether or not to break our journey. We slipped past the low-lying, windswept islands until we found a beach where we could pull up our ship, and rowed onto it. The men shipped their oars, leaped into the shallow surf and hauled the boat above the high tide mark. I went with a few others to gather driftwood for a fire, though there was little enough to be found. We came back with a meagre armful, and would need to supplement it with what we had brought from home.
    As I climbed into the ship to fetch extra firewood, father was unlocking a chest under the bench in the stern of the ship. I saw him take out a heavy purse, one of several, and tie it round his neck. Then he turned and saw me.
    ‘I just came to fetch wood,’ I said quickly, not wanting him to think I’d been spying on him. ‘There was very little to be found … ’
    ‘Very well,’ father replied calmly. ‘Use it sparingly. Erik and I will trade for some fresh meat.’
    Father vaulted over the side of the ship onto the sand, and called to Erik. I noticed they both had their swords buckled to their belts as they disappeared into the dunes at the back of the beach. We were in a foreign land, and the sight reminded me danger might await us here.
    When I’d picked the firewood, I turned and saw my brother. He was standing on the other side of the ship, looking not at me, but at the chest father had unlocked. I could see his eyes glisten, and with a shock, I felt his greed. He wanted the money for himself.
    When Asgrim saw me looking at him, he turned abruptly and walked away. Feeling uneasy, I threw the firewood onto the beach before jumping down myself. I almost wished I hadn’t developed this unsettling ability to read moods and thoughts. It was uncomfortably like spying. I touched the amulet lightly and wondered again if that was where this unexpected ability had come from. It seemed the only explanation.
    The fire soon crackled and flickered, casting a glow of dancing light on the men’s faces as they gathered around the fire. The light was fading and the air was raw. Father returned carrying a whole sheep for roasting and everyone cheered. There was more than enough to feed the twelve hungry mouths that craved freshly-cooked food.
    After the feast, once everyone was full and basking in the glow of the embers, father withdrew and walked down to the sea. I got up and followed him, feeling the cold air swirling unpleasantly about me after the heat of the fire. Father was picking up shells and pebbles, casting them into the water one by one. He didn’t notice me until I paused beside him. He started a little.
    ‘Father, where are we going?’ I asked him softly.
    He didn’t answer at first; instead throwing another shell into the water. A small wave broke at our feet, staining the sand with wetness.
    ‘I don’t know,’ he said at last. ‘There was no time to make plans. There was barely time even to consult your mother.’
    ‘It doesn’t seem fair,’ I said tentatively, ‘that we should have to flee our home like outlaws … ’
    ‘Yes, well, leave that for now,’ said my father abruptly. ‘I’ve told you I don’t want to discuss that yet. I thought perhaps we could make for Hedeby first of all. It’s a busy market town in the Mark, where we can trade the calfskins I’ve brought.’
    I nodded in silence, shocked