Valknut

CHAPTER|46 A Surprise Ending

Several hours later the whole motley crew sank into chairs in Kieran's study, exhausted from the day's events. Catriona and Kára stood at the basin rubbing the blood off their hands. Minutes later, servants charged in carrying trays with bowls of stew, bread and tankards of ale. Screechy noises from chairs being dragged across the floor was the only sound in the room. When everyone had settled around the table, stew and ale was passed around. 

"Whatever in the world happened to them?" Olaf said as he stretched across the table for some bread. 

"Seems they've bin fightin'" Aggi pitched in with his mouth full. 

"Could they have been found out and attacked?" Agnar asked while blowing on his stew to cool it down. 

"Why would they be attacked? If the king hopes to gain our support in the upcoming war, he wouldn't make enemies of us by attacking" Kieran spoke. 

"Perhaps they weren't meant to live to tell the tale?" said Sverting. 

"Pirates maybe?" Bjorn said pitching in his theory. 

Silence descended as the group pondered over each of the options. 

Kára broke the silence with a volley of questions. "Did the healers say when they would wake? Are any of them in really bad condition? Were any wounds infected? Were they suffering from fever?" 

"It's not as bad as it looks. Fortunately they used sea water to clean themselves often. The salt helped keep their wounds free from infection. If their luck continues, with some rest and broth, they should be up to speaking soon." Catriona filled in. 

With dinner finished and only waiting left to be done, the group dispersed. Olaf tucked Catriona into bed and promised to return after checking on the wounded. As he turned into the hall, he bumped into Kára. 

"Walking by yerself?" he asked with raised eyebrows. 

"What of it? Do I have something to fear within these castle walls? Aside from rats?" Kára asked. 

"Of course ye do. Haven't ye heard?" Olaf said in a low grumble. 

Kára just looked at him. 

"There's a scary barbarian out looking for ye".Mumbled Olaf looking around him to see if he was being overheard. 

"Will ye protect me from him?" Kára snickered into her hand. 

"Of course not." Olaf said standing up tall. "Ye see, I am that barbarian" Olaf made a scary face. 

Kára giggled and Olaf chuckled. "Come let me walk ye to yer room." 

"I was heading outside to the bailey. Something isn't sitting quite well with me. Perhaps the food? I would like to walk." 

"Alright but let's be quick. The sooner today ends the sooner we can get some answers." 

************** 

Several hours later a loud knocking on Kieran's door jarred him from his sleep. 

"I'm coming, I'm coming" he yelled as he rolled over the edge of his bed and crossed the room. 

"Who dares and what's yer business" he shouted as he pulled his door open forcefully. 

"The stranger is awake. And talking. I thought ye'd like to come see." Klaufi said dismissing Kieran's rudeness.