Page 10 of To Tame a Viking Warlord

"Aye, it shall be done."

"Perhaps when you return, ye'll be in a better mind to settle down and raise a family."

Torstein stiffened. "What have you heard? Has someone approached you about my future?"

"There are those who are impatient to merge their house with yours. One has found reason to speak with me of late, and place pressure on you to accept. This voyage will help clear your head."

Torstein clenched his fist. So it was as he feared. Estrid had not been threatening idly. Her father Kolbein Ottarsson had already been in the jarl's ear. He hated that wretched family more with every breath.

"I ask simply that no man steal my choice to decide my destiny for myself. Nor any woman."

"I would not dream of it," Thorfinn replied. "But choices left unguarded have a way of being made by others, Torstein. Remain vigilant."

He clasped his shoulder once, then bid him and his men fair weather and safe travels on the morn. Torstein stood a moment and watched him go.

After the last of their supplies were loaded, and the ship checked over one more time, Torstein and his men returned to their homes and families to spend a final night before their long journey.

***

PEOPLE CAME TO SEE them off early the following morning. His mother Runa fussed over him as if he were still a boy, and he let her do it because it calmed her fears. His father Hagan gave him as much advice as he could manage, then wished him good sailing. He loved his parents, and as their only son he promised he would return.

Njal and Leif and his men were also making their farewells to their families.

Nearby, Mathias was disentangling himself from a maiden who wept openly at his leaving, pressing some token into his hands and begging him not to forget her. Mathias was comforting her and whispering words of affection. Torstein refrained from rolling his eyes. He knew Mathias would forget the lass the moment the first oar hit the water.

Finally, it was time to leave.

The salt-laden wind whipped Torstein's golden hair across his face as he stood on the deck of his snekkja. His trusted crew waited, ready to act on his command. The scent of salt and ice filled his lungs.

He drew in a deep breath then shouted loud and clear, "Róum! Let us row." The crew shouted "Hó!" on the first pull and the snekkja began to move.

He searched the horizon, watching the vast expanse of ocean, and felt the pull of the sea deep within his veins. As the ship cut through icy waters, Torstein felt exhilarated. His heartbeat quickened with anticipation. Behind him Orkney shrank into the gray.

Without realizing it, Torstein's lips moved as he whispered the words to the vast ocean. "Wait for me. I am coming for you."

Then he and his men set sail for Morocco.

***

Chapter 5

Fez, Morocco

For several weeks Samira had remained close to home as her father wished, but the seclusion and increased presence of guards was becoming stifling. She was four-and-twenty, and restless to be out amongst the people again.

The other reason was she could not put off her saffron trade any longer. Trading in saffron was a side venture her father did not know about. She kept her own ledgers and contracts and negotiated with vendors. She had started it to prove she could run her own trading house someday. It had since become quite lucrative.

That is why she decided it was time to see to her business and sneak out without escort.

"You are certain of this," Tiziri murmured as they slipped out through the laundress's gate wrapped in plain undyed haiks.

"I am certain that Ismail the supplier will not wait any longer." Samira drew the cloth close about her face. "One hour. I close with Ismail and we come home before the noon prayer. My father is at the customs house until dusk."

Tiziri did not look reassured. But she came.

Ismail was a lean man with a beard gone gray at the point and the flat eyes of a man who had been cheated once in his youth and never again. He had held her goods aside as promised, and there were two other buyers crouched before him when she arrived, which meant he had let the price be pushed up in her absence to see what she would do.

She lowered herself to the mat as though the other two were not there.