Viking Treasure Read Online Free

so."
    Now that they understood the mood changed and they became enthusiastic. It was a chance for them to show off with their best armour. They would wear their warrior bands and display their golden wolves around their necks.  It would show any that we met who we were. The drinking went on for some time. Only those who lived within a mile or so of my hall attempted to go home. Uhtric put the rest to bed.
    I had not drunk as much as my men and I rose before dawn and left Brigid sleeping.  I slipped along to the hall of my daughter and Aiden. Macha and Deidra admitted me. If they wondered why I was visiting so early they knew me well enough to hold their tongues.
    "My lady and her husband have just risen.  They have gone to make water."
    "Then I will wait in the hall.  Fetch me some of your fine cheese and small beer."
    The two former nuns of the White Christ made excellent cheese. They still worshipped the peacemaker god but they fitted into our world well. It was hard to imagine Cyninges-tūn without them. It was Macha who returned with warm bread, runny goat's cheese, honey and a horn of ale. Deidra followed a short while later. 
    "My lady will be with you when she has dressed."
    There was a hint of criticism in her voice and I smiled, "This is fine cheese!"
    She scurried out uncertain how to reply.  I think she still feared me a little. I knew now that I looked frightening.  My white bearded face bore scars from battles and the lines upon it were like one of Aiden's charts. They reflected the life I had led. It had rarely seen peace.
    "You are early, father."
    I nodded, "Aye Kara for we leave as soon as we are able and I would know as much as I can before I speak with Eanred."
    I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand and looked up. Kara looked drawn.  She always did after dreaming.  I knew not what the potion was they took but it seemed to age her each time she and Aiden dreamed.  It was one of the reasons I rarely asked them to dream. She sat down and poured herself some beer from the jug.
    "It was a strange dream. We saw the raven flying."
    The raven?  The bird of death?"
    Smiling she said, "And also the sign of Jarl Gunnar Thorfinnson. We think it was both. We did not see enemies close to hand but we dreamed of a wall, far away and there was a gate.  Warriors spilled out from it.  There were Franks and Frisians, Saxons and Danes. They will be coming here."
    "But not yet?"
    Ignoring my question she continued, "We spoke with the spirits. They spoke not of danger but of treasure."
    That made me sit up.  It was not the reply I expected. "Treasure?"
    "I saw mother counting coins from one chest into another and she smiled. And..." she hesitated, "there was a figure behind her but he was hidden. It was a spirit but one without features.  They are not dead yet."
    Once again I felt the icy fingers of Olaf the Toothless on my neck. "Someone dies?"
    She drank some more of the beer as though to compose herself. "Someone dies.  More than that it is someone that I know.  Mother hid their spirit and I saw your mother too.  She smiled at me."
    "What do you deduce from all this, daughter?  Am I to die?"
    For the first time in many years she looked uncertain. "I know not if you will die but it is possible. I do know that the danger to your home will not be until the winter has passed.  The warriors who spilled out of the gate passed the yellow flowers of Eostre.  You have until then."
    I was relieved. "And has Aiden told you of my plans?"
    "He has. They are good.  I did not dream this but I believe it is wyrd . The way of the sword is not always the best."
    I rose and kissed my daughter on her forehead.  "Thank you my daughter.  I know how much this has taken from you. Ask your husband to meet me at Ketil's stad. I will not be there before tomorrow evening."
    She nodded, "Be patient with my brother, father.  He is not as you and I.  There is anger inside him and that is my fault.  Each morning I curse the day