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30 |Sigtuna, Roden 989 AD
Magnus stood at the head of an army prepared to tear the new arrivals limb from limb, yet he hoped it wouldn’t be necessary. His father’s meeting with Fatima had gone well, and he had embraced her as his daughter-in-law before it was through.
It had been the proudest moment of his life.
Though they were not formally partnered yet, with his father’s blessing, they were for all intents and purposes husband and wife. The marriage would take place as quickly as possible, perhaps within a few days, once the unpleasantness about to take place was over.
He bowed as Rafiq approached, alone, the man clearly here to talk rather than fight.
“Prince Magnus.”
Magnus smiled. “Rafiq Halabi.”
“I assume you know why I’m here.”
Magnus frowned. “I’m afraid I do, and I apologize. You were never to know. Your family was never to know.”
Rafiq’s eyes flared, the man clearly keeping a tight leash on his anger. “You say that as if it were a good thing. Do you not realize the dishonor you have brought to my family? The shame? If I do not return with Fatima, then I am dead. That is the price demanded by the sheik, my sister’s future husband! I am to die for your selfish act.”
Magnus closed his eyes for a moment, this news unexpected. None of this was supposed to happen. Everyone was supposed to think she had killed herself. Yes, he had expected the sheik to be displeased, and acknowledged that there was a distinct possibility he might seek to quench his anger at Fatima’s family’s expense, yet there were remedies to that. His intention to give the family the exclusive contract to deal with his people, for one.
Yet no one was supposed to die.
No innocents.
They were to have lived their lives out here, in peace, and her family was to grieve, then move on, also in peace.
“He is determined to have blood?”
Rafiq nodded. “Or Fatima.”
“But if Fatima returns, surely he’ll punish her, perhaps even kill her.”
Rafiq shook his head. “No. I told him that you kidnapped her.”
Magnus’ eyebrows rose at the revelation. “That’s unfortunate.” And it was. It likely meant his people would never trade there again. It could mean hostile encounters for years to come at land and at sea.
All because he had been a selfish fool.
Rafiq stared at him, his hand gripping the hilt of his sword. “I’m afraid I had no choice. The sheik was threatening to destroy my father’s business. It would have ruined us all. The only way to save us was to deflect the blame.”
Magnus nodded at the fleet, holding offshore. “You obviously succeeded.”
“Yes. The sheik must preserve his honor by showing he attempted to rescue his future wife.”
“And should you fail?”
“Then I die.”
“But will he be back?”
Rafiq shrugged. “That, I cannot say for certain, though I think now that she is here, with your people, he will realize any attempt short of war would be futile.”
Magnus tensed.
War.
With the discovery of their deception, he had sullied the Viking reputation within the Caliphate. That reputation was one of formidable warriors, yes, but also of fair traders. He had no desire for war, and none was likely to come after the failed attempts to take Iberia years ago.
But if Vikings couldn’t be trusted in business dealings, then his brothers might be attacked and killed, whenever they approached a port, for fear that one on board might kidnap their daughter or loved one.
He had been a fool.
He should never have let this happen.
“What do you propose?”
Rafiq regarded him for a moment. “A challenge. Your best against my best. The winner keeps Fatima.”
“No, this is madness! I’ll go with you!”
Fatima rushed from the crowd gathered, throwing herself at Rafiq’s feet. “I’m sorry, Brother. I never meant to hurt anyone. I was stupid, I know, but I love him, and I knew there was no way I could be with him as long as anyone thought I was alive. Please, don’t hurt him. I’ll go with you!”
Magnus’ stomach churned and his heart ached with her words. The very idea she would leave him was heartbreaking, though he understood why. Yet he couldn’t live without her.
But there was a solution.
“I’ll return with her, to face whatever punishment your people demand. I don’t want the actions of one lone Viking to affect the relations between our people, perhaps for years to come. I cannot risk war for my own selfish love.”
Rafiq drew a deep breath, then slowly exhaled as he stared at Magnus, then down at his sister, at his knees, her hands clasped in front of her chest. “I’m afraid we’re beyond that.”