Emer's Quest (Manannan Trilogy) Read Online Free Page B

by a cry, “What have we got here?” Hands seized her and she was pulled out her hiding place. “We’ve got a stowaway, Dag!”
    She was shoved forward into the open space around the mast. Still groggy and shaking with fear now the moment of discovery had come, she risked a quick glance around her. The island was a distant shadow behind them and the sail was set and drawing well. They were going fast and they were too far away from the island to take her back.
    “Shall I throw him overboard?” Someone asked. Emer cringed, knowing there was no way she would be able to swim to shore.
    “Let’s have a look at him.” Dag strode up to her and plucked the hat from her head, allowing her braids to tumble down. “Not a lad ; a lass.” He turned her face to the light and the grip on her chin was bruising. “Emer Olafsdottir! What are you doing here? Ragnar ordered you not to come.”
    “I brought her, Dag.” Finnr stepped between them and gazed up into his uncle’s eyes. “I thought it right that she should come.” Dag did not answer. He drew back his hand and belted Finnr so hard he fell sprawling to the deck. “You young idiot. If she dies, it will be your responsibility and your father can take the honour payment out of your hide. More fool me for asking Kari to let me take you with us. I thought you had more sense. It’s not your place to think , only to obey.”
    “It wasn’t like that, Fadirbrodir .” Finnr scrambled to his feet, his cheek already turning blue and his lip bleeding. “I’m grateful to you for persuading Fadir and Modir to let me come. Emer wants to find Olaf and I wanted to help her. She’s tough or I wouldn’t have brought her. She won’t be any trouble. She might remember other bits about what she saw that can help us find Nele. She’s more use to us here than sitting at home spinning.”
    “So we need her, do we?” In spite of himself Dag grinned and some of the others laughed.
    “The whelp’s like his father, Dag,” Tostig remarked. “Argues well.”
    “I’ll give him argue.” Dag swung his arm again and Finnr cringed but the blow never fell. Dag stopped short and said,
    “Remind me to search the ship before we put to sea in future. Finnr, understand me now. Do anything like this again and I’ll have the skin off your back and so will your father. No matter how well you talk, when you’re given an order, you obey it. No argument — or this is the last time I take you on any ship of mine. As for you…” He turned to Emer. “Stay out of the way. You can share Finnr’s rations, since we brought none for you. You’ll both be hungry but neither of you will starve. When we find your father, I’ll give him the pleasure of thrashing you himself.”
    Finnr and Emer slunk away, getting as far as possible from the angry man. When she dared, Emer whispered to Finnr,
    “Your poor cheek. Let me wash it for you.”
    Finnr shook his head. “It’s nothing. Keep still and let his anger cool or he may think better of his decision and beat us both.”
    They both stayed as much out of the way as they could, like little mice hiding in the corn loft. They did not go hungry, since Finnr had foreseen the need and brought extra food for Emer. A few of the men spoke with them , but Dag and Tostig both ignored them. It was not until they made landfall, several weary days later that things changed.
    “ Stafi-oy !” Lokki the lookout cried.
    D ark cliffs rose out of the sea. Everybody stood and looked in the direction Lokki was pointing. Even from so far away, the island was a peculiar shape — like a loaf of bread with a flattened top. The wind was fair at first but then it died away and the men had to get out the oars and row. Gradually, as they came nearer and rowed parallel to the shore, a huge black opening loomed out of the base of one of the hills. Emer gasped as she saw it.
    “Do you recognise it?” Dag had come up behind her unheard and these were the first words he had spoken