‘To the great hall where the overlord hears the petitions. We are here to offer your petition and to see if Thorbin will keep the law.’ Sigurd pointed to the large gabled building which dominated the area. ‘My men will remain in the woods unless I fail to return by sunset.’
‘Shouldn’t I try to find my family?’ she asked more in hope than expectation. ‘Let them know I am here and working on their behalf. Fa and Malcolm need to be warned and be ready to escape, if my petition fails.’
Sigurd laid a heavy hand on her shoulder. ‘Escape would be foolish. Where would they go? All your lands would be forfeit. They will be released when the jaarl of the isle chooses.’
‘You mean Thorbin. He is the jaarl here and you don’t believe my petition will work. You don’t want me to give my family false hope.’
‘Stop trying to peer into the future.’ He placed a finger against her lips. ‘Until the time is right, the fewer who know I’m here, the better.’
A Northman warrior bumped into her shoulder, nearly sending her flying. Liddy gave a little yelp. Sigurd instantly put up his hood and sunk deeper into the shadows.
‘Watch where you are going,’ the warrior growled and strode on without even truly looking at her.
Liddy waited until he had disappeared into the crowd before breathing again. ‘That was close. What are my orders now?’
‘Speak in a loud but firm voice once Thorbin acknowledges you. If he refuses, step aside and let me take over. Can you do that for me?’ Sigurd put his hand under her elbow. ‘You have done very well so far.’
‘Anything else?’
‘If I tell you to scream, I want you to scream with all your might. I want you to scream so that they can hear you all the way to Loch Indaal.’
‘It will bring Coll. I don’t think Hring could hold him if I were really in trouble.’ Somehow the thought didn’t bring her much comfort. The warriors who stood at the back of the hall would not hesitate to cut a dog down. She’d spied one with a quiver full of arrows kick a mangy-looking dog as they came into the fort.
‘Precisely. In the confusion you escape and return to your home. It will give you time to warn those remaining in your family. You then make for the Isle of Man and Lord Ketil.’
A pain developed behind her eyes. If he failed, she faced a sea voyage. She’d never call Coll to the fate that awaited him here! Liddy silently resolved to remain silent. ‘Do you think it is hopeless? I deserve to know the worst.’
‘It is always best to have an alternative plan in mind.’
‘I have an alternative—you and your sword arm, not failing.’
His lips curved upwards. ‘It is good that you have such faith in my sword arm.’
‘I have to have faith in something.’ She tried to quell the butterflies which had taken up residence in her stomach. ‘And if Thorbin does what is right?’
‘I will be the first to congratulate you.’ He put a hand on her shoulder. The warmth of his touch spread throughout her body, making the butterflies die down. ‘Keep your hopes low. Thorbin will run to his nature. I have succeeded against worse odds.’
A heavy staff was banged on the ground three times and the entire hall emptied of noise. ‘Come forward! Come forward, all you who have business with Thorbin, jaarl of the Western Isles. Come forward and he will see justice done.’
The curtains at one end of the hall parted and a warrior wearing a heavy gold torc and gold embroidered clothes stepped out. He had a long pointed nose and a disdainful expression as if the proceedings bored him. But there was something about him that made Liddy wonder where she might have seen him before—the way he tilted his head and the shape of his hands. Her stomach knotted. Sigurd’s half-brother. She risked a glance at Sigurd, but his hood obscured his features.
Sigurd jerked his head towards where Thorbin stood. A cacophony of voices rose as everyone vied to put their petition before the jaarl first.
‘There are too many in front of us,’ Liddy whispered with a sinking heart. ‘We won’t be heard. All this for nothing.’
‘Leave this to me.’
Using his staff, Sigurd shoved his way forward and Liddy followed in his wake until they were standing under Thorbin’s long nose. ‘Go, as loud as you can,’ he whispered and stepped behind her.
‘I will have order,’ Thorbin thundered.
‘I have business here,’ Liddy proclaimed loudly into the sudden stillness. ‘Ketil Flatnose promised my father protection from the slavers, but your men have taken him and my brother into captivity and they are to be sold in the North lands. I ask you to honour the promise Ketil Flatnose made to my father. I ask you to free them.’
Lord Thorbin regarded her as if she was an interesting insect that he wished to examine before squashing.
Fighting against the growing urge to hide her face, Liddy squared her shoulders and glared back at the tyrant.
‘Is this true? Who told you this story?’ Thorbin barked out. ‘There are many who claim Ketil Flatnose gave them this or that right, but have little to show for it.’
‘My father’s servant returned to our hall with his bloodied cloak and the message. My mother has taken to her bed.’ She dug into her pouch and brought out the gold ring. ‘I bring the token Ketil gave my father when they swore eternal friendship and peace.’
Thorbin had leant forward and peered at the ring. He gave a non-committal grunt. ‘Who is your father? You appear from this isle rather than from the North lands.’
Liddy wanted to wipe the bored smirk from his lips. ‘My father is Gilbreath mac Fergusa, a man who freely gave his allegiance to Ketil Flatnose after his lands had been ravaged by Irish pirates. A man who convinced others to do the same. A man deserving of your continued protection.’
The North lord stroked his chin and his eyes narrowed. ‘Gilbreath mac Fergusa is a traitor with a traitor for a son. The son would have killed me if he had had the chance. He broke friendship, not I.’ He waved his hand. ‘Application dismissed.’
Liddy put her hands on her hips. ‘You lie! My father is an honest man! All he wants is peace and justice for his family.’
Thorbin leant forward. ‘Hmm, are you challenging my word? A woman like you? A Gael? Mayhap you are a warrior who wishes to fight me and let the gods decide who is in the right.’
The room broke out into nervous laughter.
‘A misunderstanding,’ she whispered between her parched lips. ‘I am certain it can be solved, but my father must be released. He took no part in whatever happened when my brother came here.’ Sweat poured down her back. What had her brother done? Malcolm could never hurt another human being in cold blood. He would have been a priest had he not been the only son. Had her mother known? Was that why she counselled Liddy against making the journey?
‘There is nothing to be done about it. Give me the ring now! It is forfeit. Be grateful I don’t make you fight.’ Thorbin waved his hand and the North warrior who had opened the ceremony snatched it from her palm. ‘Next.’
‘But it is wrong!’ The words emerged from her throat before she had a chance to check them. ‘You have no right to take that ring! You have stolen it. That is against the North laws! I demand justice!’
Thorbin checked his movement.
‘Are you calling me a liar? Both your brother and father are traitors. They broke the truce, not me. At the end of this assembly, they will be declared outlaws and all their lands forfeit.’
Liddy balled