At first, we’d suspected Rasmus was hiding in Norvegia and was perhaps still plotting to take the throne from Ansgar. But over recent weeks since the ports had begun to open, we’d heard rumors Rasmus was in Swaine and had offered his wisdom to King Canute.
Whatever the case might be, Torvald and I had to find the chalice before anyone else did and especially before we were called away to fight another battle against King Canute.
“We are interviewing more priests at the abbey today.” I offered Bernhard my standard answer. So far, we’d learned the chalice had been stored in the Stavekirche for a number of years, but that at some point it had been moved. The question was whether it had been moved within Romsdal or elsewhere in Norvegia. Our hope was that one of the priests might be able to provide information to point us in the right direction.
“Did Father ever mention the chalice being in Romsdal?” I asked. If it had ever been in his safekeeping, what had he known about it? Had he guessed that it had the power to bring about healing?
Bernhard finished a noisy yawn. “He never spoke of it to me.”
“What about our grandfather Jorg?” I’d never met our grandfather, but Bernhard had been a lad when Grandfather was still alive. “Did he have any tales of the relic?”
“None that I remember.” His tone took on a bored note, and he started on his way, obviously finished with the conversation.
Our grandfather had been as renowned for his cruelty as our father. Apparently Jorg had only become the earl because his older brother Sven had died in a fire.
“Is it possible they would have stored it in the chapel here?”
“No, it’s not here.” Bernhard stopped, and his statement came out much too rapidly, containing an edge that almost sounded like a warning.
“I didn’t think it was.” I shrugged and started on my way now too, needing him to think I believed him. “If so, you would have found it by now.”
Even as I projected a carefree spirit, my mind was already at work, piecing together Bernhard’s reaction. Although he’d invited us to stay at Likness Castle, his response just now revealed that he felt threatened by the search. Perhaps he knew where the chalice was or already had it in his possession. Perhaps he hoped that by entertaining Torvald and me, he could distract us and keep us from prying too deeply.
Bernhard didn’t linger in the passageway but hurried away. I did likewise and entered the great hall, returning to the table where I’d left my unfinished platter.
I had to find a way to explore the castle and talk to the servants without Bernhard being the wiser. The question was how?
Chapter
7
Mikaela
“Enok is growing impatient,” Kirstin said softly as she finished scraping the last drop of pottage from the bowl.
“Tell him that soon enough we’ll have plenty.” I drew my cloak closer against the morning chill and pressed my stomach. I couldn’t chance my sister hearing the rumbles of hunger lest she refuse to take the bundle of food home to the others. The only reason she ate the pottage was because she assumed it was an extra and didn’t know it was mine.
But the cook, under strict guidelines from the castle steward, only allowed each of us a certain portion of food every day. I understood. If he didn’t ration, then servants would take freely to give to their families, many of whom were suffering just like mine.
“He’ll sneak away one night while we’re asleep.” Kirstin ran her finger over the bottom of the bowl. “And when we awaken, we’ll find that he’s gone to the earl and pledged to kill the jotunn.”
At seventeen, our younger brother was volatile and impetuous. I feared he would run off to fight the jotunn more than I feared Frans would. I stuck my hand in my pocket and fingered the special shell, and my thoughts turned to Maiken’s death. How could we bear another loss? “You can’t let him.”
“Father’s forbidden him from going.” Kirstin licked her finger. “But I don’t know how he’ll stop Enok.”
My sister and I shared the same brown hair color and had similar brown eyes, but beyond that we were different in almost every way. Whereas I was petite and had more pointed and delicate features, she was tall and broad and sturdy. I was practical and level-headed, while she was easily swayed and emotional. I was responsible and self-reliant, but she needed others to keep her steady.
“If only the earl hadn’t issued the challenge,” I said wistfully. Perhaps the earl had known the hunger of his villeins would drive them to desperation this spring and make them more willing to sacrifice their lives.
“And Frans?” Kirstin glanced again toward the forge doorway. Moments ago, Frans had been observing us, but he was no longer there. The red sparks flying in the air and clanking from inside meant he was hard at work again.
Gunnar had also been sneaking looks our way as he’d saddled his horse. Ever since he’d stepped outside and walked to the stables, I’d been keenly aware of his presence, as if my body had a special sensory organ that was made specially to detect him. Of course, I’d attempted to shut it down, block Gunnar out, and ignore him completely.
But when he’d crossed back into the castle, my traitorous gaze had followed him anyway. And my traitorous heart had skipped faster, as if trying to get me to chase after him. I was much too desperate for a smile, for a teasing comment, for even just a word. In fact, ever since he’d come to the nursery the day after his arrival, I’d been waiting to see him again, secretly hoping he’d return.
Every time the nursery door opened, my skin tingled with anticipation, only to feel cold when he didn’t come. I berated myself for how easily I was distracted by thoughts of him. And I spent the majority of my time reminding myself of the reasons why I had to ignore him. What other reason did I need besides the most obvious one—that I’d found him locked in the embrace of another woman and kissing her?
Of course, he’d never made pledges or promises to me that long-ago summer. He’d been free to embrace and kiss any woman he wanted. But I supposed more than anything, I’d been confused . . . and maybe still was over why he’d seemed sincere and genuinely interested in me and why he’d spent so much time seeking me out, when it hadn’t meant anything to him.
“Frans,” Kirstin persisted. “He hasn’t mentioned accepting the challenge again, has he?”
I’d told Kirstin about Frans’s desire to take the earl’s challenge, and now I wished I hadn’t so that she didn’t have to worry about both Enok and Frans. “I’ll watch out for Frans, and you look after Enok. We’ll appoint ourselves their guardian angels.”
Just the mention of angels took me back to Gunnar squatting in front of Riki and Rena, calling them angels. Seeing a strong knight like Gunnar lower himself and speak to them so sweetly had melted my insides.
No. I gave myself a mental slap. I couldn’t think of Gunnar. I had to dwell on Frans. I needed to fall in love with him. I closed my eyes, pictured my dear friend, and attempted to feel love for him. But as with all the other times I’d tried over the past few days to evoke any heat, I couldn’t do so. Not only wasn’t there a spark, there wasn’t any fuel either.