Come Back to Me (33 page)

Her eyes widened. "And needed someone to blame it on, a likely suspect."

"We do not know this. It is only a possibility."

"Yet you can ask him and I can listen to his answer."

He studied her very closely. "You are asking me to decide a man's life on this strange gift you claim."

"No, I am not. There must be some evidence. I am only asking you to look for it."

They had been away from the hall too long and could not linger further. With the usual decisiveness of his nature born in battle, Dragon accepted this. "So be it. But you will keep silent and speak only when we are in private."

"I was about to ask that of you. I would greatly prefer no one else know."

"That I cannot promise you, but for the moment at least, it will be so."

They returned to the hall together, Dragon to resume his seat and Rycca to take up a place a little to the side of him but clearly within his sight. Within the sight, as well, of all those gathered there with ample time to wonder why the jarl had absented himself in the midst of such serious business to speak with his Saxon wife.

Not that anyone said as much or even looked amiss. They simply waited for the jarl to get on with it.

"MASTER TRYGYV," DRAGON ASKED, "DO you really fear that your goblet may be taken away from Landsende and you never see it again?"

The merchant drew himself up, set his features in an expression of the utmost solemnity, and said, "I do so fear, my lord. Indeed, I dread that it may have already happened."

Very slightly, just enough for Dragon to see, Rycca shook her head.

"In that case," the jarl said, "we must seek the goblet immediately. All else can wait."

"But the boy will tell us if he is put to the question!" Trygyv insisted.

"Are you so anxious for torture, merchant? If the son of Ragnar has committed this crime, I do not believe he will be forced to speak of it short of his own death, which will profit you nothing, as he will take with him the whereabouts of the goblet. If he is innocent, torturing him will avail us nothing for he will know nothing of any Use. Therefore, there is no reason to tarry at it. Rather, the town must be searched immediately and your vessel as well, from bow to stern, every nook and cranny. I will put my men to it at once."

Before Trygyv could comment further, Dragon raised a hand, summoning Magnus. To him alone, he said, "Organize the men. Concentrate on the vessel and any place Trygyv is known to frequent in the town. He has been here before. There may be somewhere he prefers for drinking or a woman he fancies."

Magnus nodded quickly. He cast a curious glance in Rycca's direction but hurried to do his lord's bidding.

Most of the townspeople, along with the crew of the merchant vessel, made their way back down to the quays to watch the men-at-arms. Only a few dutiful housewives went home instead, just to be certain no brash man stuck a grimy hand into their clean laundry.

Several hours passed. Just as Dragon had ordered, the search was thorough. Every inch of the vessel was examined, from the cargo hold to the below-deck area where the crew slept to the spaces beneath the benches where the oarsmen sat. So, too, every barrel and bundle on the quays was checked, as was every building nearby where an accomplice or Trygyv himself might have gone.

While all this went on, Olav was untied with the warning that he stay close to Dragon. This he did most willingly. The two of them fell to talking of business and where a young man might be likely to make his fortune. Seeing them in amicable conversation, Trygyv became even more red-faced and agitated. When he could contain himself no longer, he approached Dragon.

"We are wasting time, lord! The goblet is not here." He pointed at Olav. "This one has already spirited it away. Your refusal to force him to speak has assured the success of his crime."

Rycca took it as a sign of the man's extreme nervousness that he would be so foolish as to suggest the jarl of
Landsende was responsible for the loss of the goblet. She waited to see how Dragon would react but he merely shrugged. Yet did she have the keen impression he had taken close note of what Trygyv had said. Dragon's gaze went to the merchant vessel, where his men were still searching, going over the same places again and again.

Quietly, he said, "It has to be somewhere. The only place we have not searched is the water itself and I hardly think whoever took it threw it overboard."

Just as he spoke, Rycca caught the quick flash of panic in Trygyv's eyes. So did Dragon. An entirely humorless smile lifted the corners of his mouth, baring his teeth. Gesturing to his wife to follow him, the jarl stepped onto the vessel.

"My ship has already been searched thoroughly," Trygyv protested. "You are wasting yet more time."

Dragon did not reply but continued along to the small shelter on the deck that was Trygyv's quarters. He ducked his head to enter, then emerged a moment later. This time his smile was genuine.

"Olav, come here."

Without hesitation, the young man obeyed. Dragon pointed to a rope extending from beneath the shelter and over the side of the vessel to disappear beneath the water line. "Pull that up, will you?"

If Olav thought it odd the jarl would ask him to perform so simple a service rather than just doing it himself, he said nothing of that. Instead, he hauled on the rope, which came up swiftly, dripping strands of seaweed and—

Olav gasped. "Frigg and all her handmaidens, what is that?"

The glow of the sun rose out of the dark sea, gleaming as the light hit it, exploding with color…

Rycca stared in amazement. She had seen many beautiful things of late but nothing quite so stunning as the goblet. Formed of beaten gold and studded with precious stones, it was so large that she doubted she could lift it easily. Fit for a king indeed, and a strong one at that.

Dragon took the goblet from Olav, who continued to stare at it in amazement. Shaking the last of the water off the dazzling cup, Dragon said, "A good plan, Master Trygyv, so far as it went. But not good enough."

The merchant was already backing away, trying to reach the dock, although where he thought he would go from there, Rycca could not imagine. It mattered not, for several of his own men seized him.

"Let me go! I have done nothing!"

Dragon silenced him with a single look. "I think," the jarl said, his voice carrying to all those assembled on the vessel and the surrounding quays, "you plotted to make off with the goblet from the beginning. You schemed to claim it was stolen, then sell it for yourself and keep the profit from those who invested in your voyage. To that end, you leaped at the chance to hire Olav, a man disgraced, and one you believed you could blame for your crime."

"No! I did not… I swear…"

Dragon went on remorselessly. "I saw Olav's expression when he caught sight of the goblet and I am certain he never saw it before. No one saw him enter your quarters or leave the area of the quay. There is no evidence to suggest he is guilty of the theft. On the other hand, the goblet was found concealed within easy reach of you, Master Trygyv. It would have been a simple matter for you to wait until your vessel sailed again, then under cover of darkness pull the rope up and recover the goblet. No one would have seen you do it or been any the wiser."

"You cannot prove it," Trygyv insisted, but his voice shook and his whole manner was that of a man caught in a vise of his own making.

"No, I cannot," Dragon agreed almost pleasantly. "But I don't have to. Olav—"

Again the young man stepped forward. He looked at Dragon with unconcealed respect and admiration. "I would never have thought to look where you did."

"When every other possibility has been eliminated, the one that is left has to be the right one. Here—" He handed the goblet to the stunned young man. "Take this and Master Trygyv with it to your father in Hedeby. Tell him all that has happened and let him be the judge of it." He gestured at the crew, every man among it looking well satisfied with what had transpired. "These men will vouch for what has occurred here and for this as well: Tell Ragnar of Hedeby I congratulate him on having a son of courage and pride who brings honor to his name. If he cannot find a warm and comely bride for you, I will be happy to do so."

This brought cheers and laughter from the assembled crowd, among them several young women bold enough to call out their own offers. Olav blushed fiercely but he looked as well pleased as any man could be.

Yet the Dragon was not finished. "Oh, and, Olav, you drew the goblet from the sea. By law, that makes it yours. I trust you to do right by Master Trygyv's investors but the rest of the profit belongs to you."

Rycca almost laughed then for the boy so lately in disgrace and threatened with death appeared scarcely able to comprehend that he had been suddenly transformed into an honored—and wealthy—man. So too did she come very close to bursting with pride. Her husband might as easily have pulled the goblet up himself and thereby become its rightful owner. Yet he gave it to a boy who needed it far more, and who with it received an entirely different life. Such generosity was the very hallmark of honor.

Thus did the Dragon's people think as well, for they cheered their jarl mightily as he left the vessel. He smiled and acknowledged their acclaim but his gaze sought
Rycca. She came to his side, slid her hand into his, and together they walked back up to the stronghold.

There they lingered only a little time at supper, absenting themselves so early as to prompt smiles and a few encouraging remarks from Dragon's lieutenants. All except Magnus, who sat silently, seemingly deep in thought, yet he looked swiftly at Rycca when she stood. For just a moment, their eyes met. An odd shiver moved through her but she forgot it promptly, wrapped in the warmth of her husband's smile.

Wrapped in his arms, as well, long before they reached their lodge. Scarcely had they stepped from the hall than Dragon, hardly breaking stride, lifted her high against him and continued swiftly on his way. Rycca laughed and held on to his broad shoulders. "I can walk, you know," she teased.

"Not as fast as I can." He looked absolutely serious, as though the scant extra moments it would have taken her to reach the lodge unaided were more than he could bear.