Free Viking Ecstasy by Robin Gideon Page A

wooden bench, leaning back, his legs crossed ankle upon knee. A maiden approached with a drinking horn filled with hearty ale, but Tabor refused. He did not care for strong drink in the morning, nor would he allow it with his men, believing that it made one stupid and weak-willed.
    "How many years have we . . . disagreed?" Ingmar asked. He tore a large chunk of bread from the loaf and popped it into his mouth, washing it down with ale. "Why must we be enemies, Tabor? You want riches, and I want riches. If we work together, we multiply our forces, increase our strength. No country would dare stand against us."
    Coldly, Tabor replied, "Aye, I want riches, but not if it means my men and I burn villages to the ground. Not if it means I must sit by and watch men under my command rape and murder. I'd rather be a poor Viking warrior, living by a code of honor that assured me a place in Valhalla."
    Ingmar laughed softly. They both knew that, while Tabor's wealth did not equal Ingmar's, he was still a man of considerable wherewithal. The lavish gifts he showered on his lovers was testimony to that.
    "Perhaps. But we can all use a little more than what we have now," Ingmar said. He felt a dribble of sweat trickle down his spine. He resisted the urge to wipe his brow. It was not warm enough for him to be perspiring so, and he prayed that Tabor wouldn't notice. If the trap were detected by Tabor, he would seek revenge upon Ingmar in true Viking tradition. He would kill the man responsible for attacking him. Though Ingmar was certain he was a more deadly warrior with bow and arrow, he was also certain that with sword, broadsword, battle-axe, or dagger, Tabor's size, strength, and speed made him a lethal foe.
    When Tabor did not respond, Ingmar continued, "My gift. . . . she was entertaining?"
    Tabor scowled. He disliked the male habit of detailing sexual conquests as though they were war victories. Ingmar saw his scowl and assumed that the Egyptian slave had been as cold and unresponsive to Tabor as she had been when he'd tied her to his own bed.
    "I'll give you another, if you'd like," Ingmar said. "I have many slaves, and my ships will soon sail to the west again. Would you like me to bring you back a dozen or so?" He chuckled as though he and Tabor were confidants. "A man as lusty as you can surely go through a dozen slaves without tiring!"
    Tabor stood abruptly. "Enough," he said. "You said you wanted to see me in the free village of Hedeby, where we commit no violence, and I have seen you. You stated that you want peace, yet you offer nothing to make me want to grant you that peace. You do nothing but talk, Ingmar, and your talk has wasted my time."
    Ingmar stood then,'too, and Tabor saw an undercurrent of desperation behind his eyes that he did not understand. "Wait. ... we must talk."
    "I'm weary of conversation." Tabor turned his back to Ingmar, heading for the door of the tavern. "In another place, we shall meet again, and then we will not have any need to words to end our differences."
    Tabor had just passed through the tavern doors into the early morning hubbub of the Hedeby marketplace, when one of his men rushed forward, his face flushed. "Tabor, there are ships at port! Ingmar's ships! They bear their bows and swords at the battle ready!"
    In that instant it all took shape in Tabor's mind. He wheeled upon Tanaka, sure that it had been her job to keep him occupied while the attack began. "You are deadlier than I thought!" he spat contemptuously. "But you will not live to brag of your treachery this time! Sven, see that the wench's fate is tied to our own!"
    Sven grabbed Tanaka by the collar of her dress with his left hand as his right removed the dagger he had previously threatened to kill Ingmar with. "Fight me now, and you'll die quickly," he promised.
    Tabor, drawing his battle-axe, rushed back into the tavern, but Ingmar had already departed. The tavern owner pointed to a window in the back. Tabor rushed to the opening in