Malice Striker Read Online Free PDF

clean and fresh, and I can feel the sun beating upon my back. There are windows?”
    Lady Gráinne answered Skatha’s question. “Aye, seven on the right wall, six on the left, and arrow slits twixt and tween. The dais is opposite the largest hearth. Elspeth and Murine will walk you up and down the chamber. They will lead you to your seat at the high table. When you are comfortable walking around and seating yourself, then they will bring you to the kitchens and to me.”
    “Yes my lady.” Skatha dipped a curtsey and waited until she could no longer hear Lady Gráinne’s half boots slapping the stone. She turned to Muíríne. “Why is she angry? Who has spurred her ire?”
    The silence that greeted her questions made her heart thump like a rabbit facing a pack of wolves. “What? Tell me true. And be quick. I am cert you have naught but dire news to impart.”
    “’Tis said the Lady Hilda sleeps in the master’s chamber.”
    Skatha frowned, tipped her head to one side. “Nay. I slept in his chamber last eve.”
    “Nay. Skatha. He has a chamber adjacent to the Great Hall. ’Tis where he normally sleeps.”
    She stumbled into a table and gripped the rough wood so hard a sliver pricked her thumb. Skatha collapsed onto a bench. “Tell me ’tis not true. He left me and went to…her?”
     
    * * *
     
     
    Brökk, Konáll, and their ally and friend, the Eastern trader Ali H’malik, pushed their way to the back bench of the village alehouse, known far and wide as Gufa Fiskr , Smoke Fish, for the delicious smoked fish ’twas the specialty of the tavern.
    Ali sniffed the air. “Ah, the alewife is smoking the salmon. By Allah, even if there were no trading to be had here, I would make the journey for her fare.”
    Throngs of fishermen returned from their last run of the fading day packed Gufa Fiskr. ’Twas Brökk and Konáll’s custom when Ali visited to partake of the alewife’s salmon as oft as possible, for the trader ate neither meat nor pork.
    Brökk took a seat against the wall, as did Konáll, and Ali sat opposite the brothers. The din in the chamber soared when a group of men, rank with the stink of their catch and wearing their share of shiny scales, weaved through the milling crowd. Friendly curses and shouts followed in their wake.
    Konáll signaled a serving wench.
    “So, it is true, Brökk? You have finally taken a wife? The bastard daughter of the King of Scots?” Ali leaned on the rough wooden table.
    “Gossip travels on the wind.” Brökk shrugged. “She is my second wife.”
    Ali lifted a brow. “Second? I know not of the first, and we met last in Miklagard in the spring. By Allah. How, how is this possible? Have you decided to turn to the Eastern religion and take many wives?”
    Brökk snorted. “Nay. ’Tis worse than battle, having a wife. Having two at once would send me to Valhalla.”
    Konáll finished speaking with the wench and she sidled away. “I have ordered for all of us. Tea for you. Ale for us. The salmon and loaves for all. My brother tells you of his wives and our sister?”
    “Your sister, the sweet Hjørdis, the soothsayer? And two wives? I am all agog. In truth, you have my total attention.” Ali leaned on the table and propped his bearded chin with one palm.
    “My new wife was to be held to ransom Hjørdis from the Scots Baron who took her at midsummer.”
    “Your sweet sister was taken? That is terrible. How?”
    Brökk cursed. “Through the error of a man made fool of by lust. He sits before you.”
    Ali lifted a scraggy brow. “Continue.”
    “I have not the stomach to recount the tale. Pray tell Ali of all, Konáll, but be not wordy.” Brökk folded his arms and leaned back against the wall.
    Ali glanced from one brother to the other.
    Konáll rolled his eyes and sighed. “We journeyed to the English courts this spring. There Brökk met a Mercian princess, Etta, a woman with land but no coin. He lusted after her, and she appeared to return his