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“Keep an eye on your father,” he said. “He needs you. Here,” he added and placed something in her hand—an ancient, thick, uneven silver coin. “This is from the Iberian Peninsula. I obtained it in a profitable trading mission. It is for you to taste adventure. Maybe one day, you will see the peninsula for yourself.”

“Enough, Solver,” Einar said. “The only adventures she will have will be safe ones.”

Svanhild’s eyes burned. “Thank you. May Odin bless you on your journey.”

Next, Solver came to Einar and stood before him. He was shorter than Einar, but still much taller than Holly. Everyone was shorter than Einar.

Solver clasped Einar’s shoulders with both his hands. “I wish you luck, Einar, jarl of Orkney. You will need it. Get that bastard Thorir. I am sorry I must go and cannot help you catch him, but Harald is expecting me, and I do not want to give him reason to come here personally. This woman by your side is a good thing. May Freyja and Frigg bless you with many, many children. I will tell Harald his wish in the Orkneys was fulfilled.”

Holly could almost hear Einar’s teeth grind. The two men took each other in a bear hug, clapping each other roughly on the back. Then Solver stepped away.

His ship was now loaded and ready. He said, “I will tell a fine poem about the jarl of Orkney and his wife.”

“Let Ran and Aegir give you a smooth sail,” Einar said as Solver walked towards the ship.

Holly’s heart squeezed. It was hard to say goodbye to Solver. It meant she’d soon say goodbye to everyone here. To Svanhild.

To Einar.

Why did the thought hurt as though a concrete wall crushed her?

Soon, the ship was far away, and people returned to the village. Guards threw careful glances around them.

“I would take you to Scotland myself,” Einar said in a surprisingly soft, almost sad voice that made Holly’s stomach tense painfully, “but with Thorir lurking around, I cannot leave the people. It would be safest for you to leave as soon as possible, though. The boat will be ready in three days. You will have your wish fulfilled.”

“Three days?” she said. But what she wanted to say was, so soon?

“Three days,” he confirmed, and walked faster towards the house.

* * *

People liked Solver here. He was good entertainment, so Einar supposed it was not surprising that many went around with sad faces for the rest of the day.

Einar and Holly were passing through the main hall, which was now quiet and dark as people were getting ready to sleep. The smell of dinner still lingered in the air.

“Holly!” Svanhild called from her alcove. Einar stopped, and Holly did, too, looking in Svanhild’s direction. Something hurt in him as he realized that even though he was Svanhild’s father, she never called for him.

Holly gripped Einar’s hand and led him towards the alcove. Svanhild held her blanket to her chin, looking worried.

“Yes, honey?” Holly said. “Everything all right?”

Svanhild sat up. “Forgive me, Father, I just wanted Holly.”

That hurt even more, like a hand twisting his heart. But he was at fault, no one else. He gave a short nod and turned, but Holly stopped him and made him turn back to Svanhild.

“Wait, maybe your father can help, too. What is it?”

Svanhild looked at her hands. “I wanted to ask if you could stay with me until I fall asleep. The outlaws are out there, and Solver left, and I am sad.”

Einar’s heart was crushed. His poor daughter. He should be much better at protecting her.

“Of course, we will stay until you fall asleep, won’t we, Einar?”

Einar frowned. Never in his life had he put his daughter to sleep. His wife had never showed him how, and he felt like a giant, clumsy bear next to a mouse.

“No, I better leave you to it,” he said.

“No, you better stay. Svanhild wants you to stay, don’t you, sweetheart?”