Beyond the Sea Mist Read Online Free PDF Page B

on a ship together.”
    “That was a long time go,” Bors said. “Back in the days when we spent our time in port carousing and swiving, rather than standing around recalling the old days.”
    “This is Magnus and Orm,” Skulli said. He nodded to Orm. “How did you come out in the dice game?”
    “Not so well. I won for awhile, then my luck began to change. I decided to quit before I lost everything, and the bastards followed me outside and threatened to cut my throat if I didn’t give up my winnings. I pulled my knife, but they knocked it away. I would have ended up as food for the fishes if Magnus hadn’t come along.” He jerked a thumb in Magnus’s direction.
    Bors glanced at Magnus. “Brawling in the alehouses is different than fighting on the battlefield. If you want to live to be the age I am, you’d be advised to avoid the longphort taverns. Or, if you must have some ale, get what you came for and leave quickly.”
    “Good advice,” Skulli said, slurring a little. It was clear these two had been out here awhile, talking and drinking whatever was in the beverage skin Skulli was holding.
    “Try some,” Bors offered as he saw Magnus glance at the skin. “It’s mead. Sweet and potent, like Irish women.”
    “Do you live in Dublin?” Magnus took the skin and drank some down. As Bors had warned, the mead tasted sweet and mellow, but went down like liquid fire.
    “Nay.” Bors answered. “I don’t call any place home. I’m only at ease when I’m out on the sea and a fresh breeze is blowing into my face. But I’ve been in Dublin a few days, trying to find a ship that needs a crewman. Luck was with me this day. I’ll sail with Croa Ottarson when he leaves Dublin.”
    Magnus’s breath caught as he heard the name of his adversary. By questioning Bors he might be able to learn more about Croa and come up with a plan to free the woman. “Do you know about the young Irishwomen Croa means to sell as slaves?” he asked.
    “I didn’t inquire as to his cargo when I agreed to sail with him. How do you know Croa? I thought Skulli said you were all crew on the
Waverunner
.”
    “I don’t know Croa. But I saw him with some captive women down on the dock. The women appeared high-born, not the sort that should be sold as thralls.”
    Bors snorted. “You think because they have milk-white hands and fine clothing that they’re special? All women are the same. They only smile prettily and spread their legs if they think it will gain them some advantage.”
    “But if they’re sold to some wealthy man, they’ll have no choice in the matter,” Magnus argued.
    “If they’re sold as bed slaves, their lives won’t be so awful,” responded Bors. “They’ll wear silk gowns and jewels all day long and do no work more trying than embroidery.”
    “But to be a thrall and have no control over your own life...” Magnus shook his head. It sounded like an intolerable existence to him. He guessed from the anguish he’d observed in the princess’s eyes that she felt the same.
    “What female truly controls her own destiny?” Orm put in. “Even if a woman’s well-born, her father decides who she will wed, and her husband decides the rest of it.”
    Magnus couldn’t argue with anything the other men said. Yet the anger and dread he felt whenever he considered the Irishwoman’s fate wouldn’t go away. What if she were unable to adapt to the life of a slave? She was so proud, so haughty. He could well imagine her provoking the man who bought her, taunting him the way she had Magnus. Her new owner might end up abusing her, or even killing her.
    “Sounds like you’ve taken a fancy to one of the wenches,” Bors said, narrowing his eyes. “Just remember that Croa Ottarson’s not someone to cross.”
    “I’d guessed that,” Magnus said.
    Everywhere he looked were warnings that any scheme to free the princess would lead to disaster. Once again, Magnus made up his mind to forget her. He took another hefty