“We’re missing something, I know we are,” Raven insisted.
“I’d listen to her,” Fyn said, standing not far from them along with George, and Brod walked over to join them.
“Raven has excellent instincts,” George said.
“We can all attest to that,” Brod agreed. “She saved us many a time when we thought all was clear and we were safe to thieve travelers along the road, only to find warriors lurked near that would have meant the death of us.”
“Then what do you think goes on with Brynjar?” Wolf asked his wife.
“There is a reason he rushes to see this done,” Raven said. “But how would he benefit from my death? What if it isn’t truly my death he seeks?”
“What do you mean?” Brod asked.
Raven wasn’t sure herself but continued to reason. “What if he seeks to see me dead to hide his true intentions for being here?”
“Wolf’s death?” George asked.
“Something I’m sure he covets,” Wolf said.
“I don’t believe so,” Raven said. “Wolf’s death would give him no satisfaction. My death could disrupt the relative peace our marriage has brought between clans. And could very well bring war to the area, causing Wolf endless strife and suffering, something Brynjar would relish.”
Wolf admired his wife’s quick mind. She reasoned faster than most and could project other possible scenarios they might face. She truly was a warrior.
“It’s his impatience that has me questioning his reason,” she said, frustrated she failed to see what it might be.
“More men will come,” Wolf said, looking to each of her men.
“We’ll protect her,” Fyn said and George and Brod agreed with forceful nods.
Raven ignored them, studying the dead man. “Why didn’t he seek shelter?” she asked of no one in particular.
“I wondered the same,” Wolf said. “Northmen know how to survive in a snowstorm.”
“He could have been a captive,” George suggested.
“Perhaps Sten would recognize him,” Raven said.
Though they thought the same often, Wolf still found it surprising when her words mirrored his thoughts. Or was it surprising that it continued and grew even stronger that amazed him?
“His body will be brought to the village and we’ll see what Sten has to say,” Wolf said and gave a quick look to the sky. “We need to return. The dark clouds warn of more possible snow.”
“At least more snow will keep the culprits at bay,” Brod said.
“It didn’t keep this one at bay,” Raven said, glancing down at the frozen dead man.
Sten hugged himself against the cold, though he wore a warm cloak, and stared at the dead man on the table in the small shed. After a few moments, he shook his head. “I’ve never seen him before.”
“You never came across him in any of Brynjar’s camps?” Wolf asked.
Sten shook his head again. “No, never. He is a stranger to me. I’ve never come across him at any of Brynjar’s camps I’ve been to.”
Wolf waved at Lars to return the man to the keep.
“What if he’s not one of Brynjar’s men?” Raven asked, staring down at the dead man who if she ventured to guess was maybe five or six years older than her. A man of fair looks, not that tall and slim. “He looks more a farmer or craftsman than a warrior.”
“He does,” Wolf agreed. “But then Brynjar doesn’t care about one’s trade. His captives fight for him or they die.”
“I never thought of a man in more need of dying than Brynjar.”
“Many would agree with you,” Wolf said, “but like most evil men, he has powerful friends, who more than likely fear him.”
“They know he craves their power and will think nothing of taking it from them.” She shook her head and glanced down at the dead man again. “So is this man one of Brynjar’s men or is he nothing more than a traveler the snowstorm claimed?”
“A question we may never get an answer to,” Wolf said, annoyed at the thought.
“Perhaps we should have Greta take a look at this man,” Raven suggested. “She may spot something we missed about his death.”
“A good thought,” Wolf said. “I’ll have Fyn bring her here. In the meantime, I need to go see if the trackers were able to find anything that might help us.” Wolf kissed her gently. “Don’t do anything foolish, Raven.”
She laughed lightly. “I’ve done the most foolish thing I’ve ever done and it has turned out surprisingly well.”
“And what’s that?” he asked, though he had his suspicions.
She draped her arms around his neck and relished the feel of his arm circling her waist to hold her firm. “I wed you.” She kissed him, her passion taking them both by surprise and forcing Wolf to end the heated kiss.
He rested his brow against hers, calming his breathing and trying to douse the fire she had ignited in him.
“Sooner than later,” she whispered softly near his ear.
“Much sooner,” he agreed and suddenly was looking forward to the cold winter ahead, intending to spend a good portion of it in bed with his wife.