“I’ll wait here for Greta,” Raven said. Wolf gave her a nod and hurried off.
Making love with her husband had changed everything. She shook her head. That may have been the breaking point, but it hadn’t been the only thing to change things between them. It had been a series of small things, some good, some not, that allowed them to see each other truthfully and finally allowed them to trust each other. Though, it was her husband believing her word that she’d never been with a man that made the biggest difference to her. For some reason, it had opened her heart to hope and the possibility that there might be a chance for a sliver of love between them.
Dare she give that thought or even want it from a man who was once her enemy? Was she being a fool?
She shook her head. This wasn’t the time for such thoughts. She forced herself to concentrate on the dead man to see if there was anything she missed. No weapons had been found with him and a quick glance had seen none on him. That was until she took a closer look and caught sight of the hilt of a knife barely peeking out from one of his boots. It was tucked down too far to catch sight of it without a closer look. She thought of slipping it out, but it would be better to wait until he thawed some to retrieve it. Any symbols engraved on it might help identify the man.
Raven turned as the door opened and Greta entered.
“Lord Wolf summoned me, my lady,” Greta said.
Someday she was going to get people to call her by her name and not some fancy title that didn’t belong to her. For now, she ignored it.
“Aye, Greta, but first, how is Tait?”
“Other than some nightmares he does well, but that is thanks to Fyn. He’s teaching him what to do to protect himself and he’s fashioning a wooden knife so he can teach Tait how to use it wisely.” She smiled. “I am grateful he cares for both me and my son. He is a good man.”
“Fyn is a good man and he would make a fine husband to you and a good da to Tait.”
Greta blushed. “I feel safe with him.”
“And well you should,” Raven said, truly pleased for Fyn and Greta. “I’m sure Fyn told you that a man was found frozen to death in the woods or so we’ve surmised. Lord Wolf and I would like you to examine him the best you can and see if you can tell us if perhaps we missed something where is death is concerned.”
“I’ll do my best, my lady,” Greta said and approached the table, Raven moving aside.
Raven was surprised to see Greta’s hand rush to cover her mouth and tears rush to pool in her eyes. “Do you know this man, Greta?”
She shook her head, her hand falling slowly away from her mouth. “No, I didn’t expect one so young. He is one of Brynjar’s men?”
“We can’t be sure. He could be a traveler whose bad luck it was to be caught in the snowstorm. Though his Northmen garments define his origin.”
“I will take my time and look him over. If there is something you need to do, my lady, I can come find you when I’m done,” Greta said.
Raven was eager to find out if her husband had learned anything from the trackers. “I won’t be long.”
“No need to rush, my lady,” Greta assured her, her eyes already intent on the dead man.
Raven slipped out of the shed to find Brod waiting there.
“Fyn is with Tait and George is with Eria, trying to calm her after she heard the news. She fears Brynjar is here to take her back home and wed her. She’s dreadfully frightened he’ll find a way to abduct her.”
“That is a possibility, I suppose,” Raven said.
“Yet you doubt it,” Brod said as they walked off.
“I tell you there is something we are missing,” she insisted, annoyed she couldn’t piece together what it was that nagged at her.
“It will come with time,” Brod encouraged.
“But will it come too late?” Raven stopped abruptly and swerved around. “I don’t need you following me, Hagen. My men take good care looking after me.”
Hagen scratched his bushy, graying beard. “Maybe once, but with Clive gone and now Iver gone on a mission for Wolf, that leaves three of your men who are more taken up with the women that caught their fancy, than watching over you.”
Brod went to argue and stopped. “He’s right. we haven’t been as vigilant as usual. Iver accused the same recently and I was too annoyed to see he spoke the truth.”
“You admit it now and that’s what matters,” Hagen said. “Leif and I keep a good eye on her.”