"You are a part of us now, Ylva. You will stay with us as long as you want to be here." Lida embraced her friend. Hk reached for Lida's braid and gave it a tug.

Lida stopped under a large ash tree. "Shall we take a rest and feed our little men?" Lida called for Katia to come closer. She was playing much too close to the fast-running stream. Lida feared she would fall in and get soaked to the bone with the frigid mountain water. "I will be right back, Ylva." She lay her son down on the blanket beside her friend. "Katia, too far, my love. Come-" Her words choked to a stop.

"Have mercy!" Lida screamed. Coming out of the thick forest was a large, dark figure of a man who approached Katia, ax in hand.

Lida searched the meadow for their guard, but Arne was far behind with Brita. He would never get to them in time.

"Arne! Help! To Katia!" She waved her arms overhead, racing in the direction of her daughter. The dark, menacing form increased his speed. As they all ran to the same target, out of the corner of her eye, Lida saw a second man coming from the forest. They were under attack by the Morgdor.

"Katia! Come to me. Run!" Her heart was in her throat, and her legs would not go fast enough.

Katia began to run toward her. They slammed into each other and Lida grabbed her daughter around the middle, pumping her legs, running to the group on the hill with all she had in her. Her sons were held tightly to Ylva and Brita's chests as all three ran toward the high stone walls of the keep.

Arne charged in the opposite direction, sword drawn. A moment later, Lida heard the sounds of clashing steel.

"Don't look back," Lida shouted to her companions. "Keep running."

"Look, Mama."

"Don't look back, Katia. Look to the walls and run!"

"'Tis Hk, Mama! Hk is fighting the horned man."

Lida glanced over her shoulder, and sure enough, the second man that had charged from the trees was her lionhearted brother-in-law, not another bandit. The Morgdor man now lay out in front of him on the ground. Arne stood beside her brother-in-law at the ready, searching the tree line for more danger.

Guards poured out of the open gate and surrounded them. Archers lined the high walls. With her children and friends once again safe, Lida slowed her pace and allowed herself to breathe.

"Oh, my love. Let us get behind the wall. That was enough excitement for a lifetime," Lida said, every muscle in her body still twitching in fear.

"I will make Hk a special song on my lute. He saved me, Mama," Katia said, bobbing her head calmly, appearing not at all bothered by the near-death experience.

Lida's heart hammered painfully against her ribs. For Katia's benefit, she worked to cover her fear. Once inside the hall, Lida spoke with two of Magnus's commanders to explain what had happened.

As her brother-in-law entered the hall, Lida rushed to embrace him. "I will never be able to thank you enough. I thought we were safe to stay within a short walk of the wall."

"Normally you are," Hk replied. "Unfortunately the forest is swarming with knaves and bandits at the moment. 'Tis why I returned. Where is Magnus? I must speak to him."

"Sodermanland. Oh-my thanks again, Hk. I shan't stop shaking for a month."

"Then let me hold my nephew." He smiled and held Hk up high in the air. "Is it just me or is he starting to look like me as well?"

Lida lightly smacked his arm. "He looks like his father. Whom you take after, in fact. Now, come and greet the rest of them. I must warn you, Katia is about to shower you with her praise and gratitude."

"Good, I have been needing some attention. The northlands are lonely this time of year. Every creature has a mate and is off making next winter's flock," Hk said. Unlike her husband, Hk seemed to require long stretches of solitude. As far as Lida knew, he lived alone in the mountains to the northwest of Tronscar, hunting, fishing, and climbing to serve only his own ends, living a life of quiet contemplation and reverence. Lida expected her mother would like Hk a great deal.

"Oh, you are a beast," she said with a giggle, releasing a good portion of her skittish tension. "I must forewarn you. Katia received a lute as a gift from your brother before he departed. She is convinced she holds a natural talent. Here-you will need these." Lida placed two small squares of cloth in his hand to block his ears.

The midday meal had being cleared away and the twins sent above stairs for their nap. The group remained around the head table, wearing strained expressions of enjoyment as Katia played her hero another originally composed melody.

Bang. Bang. Bang. The iron staff hammered and Katia's little fingers froze in place over the strings of her lute. Before the steward could make his announcement, Lida had sprung to her feet.

"Valto?" Lida descended the dais to greet her former brother-in-law. "Welcome-what an unexpected surprise." The past year had not been kind to the man. He had never been as handsome as his brother, but now, with the addition of a large girth and thinning hairline, he held no resemblance to her deceased husband.

"Sister, I have longed to see you again," Valto said, smiling in an ominous sort of way. His off-putting, eerie manner had not changed. "I bring glad tidings from your family." He advanced inappropriately close. Her new brother-in-law loomed over the old one. "You are much altered, sister. I heartily approve."

"I have been blessed with twin sons three months past, Valto."

"Ah, that would explain your"-rudely, he stared at her chest-"fine form." His smile broadened, revealing his crooked, yellowing teeth.

"Will you sit and take refreshment?" Lida asked.

"Aye, gratitude, sister." They stepped up to the head table, Valto rubbing shoulders with her, Hk hovering close behind.

"And are we expecting the jarl to join us?" Valto arched his brow and smiled in a manner suggesting he already knew the answer.

"Nay," she answered. "Jarl Magnus is presently away serving the king. Forgive me," Lida said, turning toward Hk. "I failed to make proper introductions. This is the jarl's brother, Hk Tuisku.

"Hk, this is my . . . this was my brother-in-law, Valto Lyyski," she said.

Valto ignored the introduction. "And hello, little flower. This must be Katia." The hair on Lida's arms stood up, her body on full alert. Alarm bells rang out in her head.

Lida pulled her daughter into her side."Katia, this is your father's half brother, your uncle."

Valto squinted at her daughter, leaning over to capture her chin, but Katia stepped behind Hk and Lika growled at him. He straightened up and said, "Father will be well pleased with the way she turned out. She carries a striking resemblance to Urho."

"I beg your pardon," Lida said. "Is that why you are here?"

"Aye. Father's dying wish is to right past wrongs. I have come to give your husband this." An emaciated servant scurried up the dais steps and handed Valto a scroll. "I told you I would fix things and return you to where you belong." He leaned closer and whispered, "You should have waited for me."

Lida pushed down the rising bile in her throat. "Katia, please go above stairs and check on your brothers for me." Lida waited, watching her daughter and Lika disappear up the stairs. When they were out of sight, she snatched the scroll Valto held in his hand.

"That is for your magistrate, Lida. Women are not permitted." Valto reached to take it back, but Hk stepped out in front of Lida, blocking him.

She quickly scanned the scroll. It was an order from the bishop of Turku instructing Magnus to return the property of Chief Rein Lyyski's: his granddaughter, Katia Lyyski. The bishop of Turku had signed the writ and added the seal of the overseer of Finland. Lida crumpled the document, about to tear it apart.

Axel stilled her hand. "Friherrinna, these orders are for me."

"Axel, this is a lie. Chief Lyyski never claimed Katia. In fact, he disowned her when he disowned me. This warrant is a fraud, and I will not let you be fooled by this trickery." She stepped around him and addressed Valto. "What is the meaning of this? You and your family rejected her. She is Magnus's daughter now. You cannot simply change your mind after so long."

"Aye, but we can and we have," Valto said. "The chief mourns his eldest son still and would have his grandchild by his side before he leaves this world for the next."

"When my husband returns, he will decide when Katia will visit her grandfather. Until Jarl Magnus returns, I must inform you, Valto, that you are no longer welcome to reside under this roof."

"Tsk, tsk, Lida." Valto wagged his finger lazily at her, not angry, but mocking. He stepped closer. "I have risen far above my father. Allow me to enlighten you. Your husband, as the jarl of Norrland, is subject to his excellency the bishop of Turku. And the bishop appointed me his emissary, assuring me protection within the jarl's fortified walls."

"You are the bishop's emissary?" Her tone simmered with restrained rage. "You are not even Christian."

Leering at her, Valto replied, "Such slander, my dear sister. Lylasku converted. I brokered peace by reforming my heathen tribe and converting all to the holy sacrament, including my father. As a sign of goodwill, the bishop has assigned me this honored title."

"Hakon," she said, summoning him. "Would you escort our guests from Lylasku to the barracks? I'm sure you can see to their comfort there. They will be departing at first light." Lida turned, preparing to take her leave, her head swimming in confusion.

"Friherrinna," Axel said loudly for all to hear. "By order of his excellency, Katia Lyyski will be departing with the Lylasku envoy."

Lida whipped around and stared at the four men before her. Hakon, Axel, Casper, and Arrtu all stood shoulder to shoulder with hard expressions of contempt on their faces. Arne and Riku, who stood to the side, were shifting their eyes, appearing lost as to what was happening.

She summoned all her conviction and said, "My daughter is not going anywhere, orders from the bishop or naught-"

"She is not your daughter, Lida!" Valto shouted, his anger erupting, stomping his foot like a child throwing a tantrum. "She belongs to her father's house, as the church law clearly states. She has no protection here. She will be returned to the people you stole her from when you ran away from Lylasku in search of a new husband." Valto took a step toward her.

Hk moved quicker and blocked his way. "Take one more step," he said in a low, growling challenge. Hakon and Axel shifted their attention to Hk and began to move in on him. Instantly battle lines were drawn, sides taken, Lida and Hk outnumbered. What in heavens was happening?

Chapter 25.

"Axel, Hakon," Lida said, biting out their names. "My husband has claimed Katia. You were present when he introduced her to the king as his daughter."

"He introduced her as your daughter," Hakon replied, not turning his threatening gaze away from Hk.

"As Tronscar's appointed magistrate," Axel said, "and by order of the Holy Roman Empire, I must uphold the law and return the girl to her rightful father. Her grandfather, the chief of Lylasku." Axel continued to glare at Hk.

"Well . . . that is a shame for you, Axel." Scrambling for words or for what to do, Lida tried to hold Axel's attention, fearing it was only seconds before a brawl broke out. "For your misjudgment, you shall be replaced as magistrate the moment the jarl returns." She reigned in her shrill pitch. "Axel, I beg you to think carefully. A magistrate is to follow the law, yes, but also to weigh it with sound judgment and shrewdness. You do not know this man. The safer course is to send word to the jarl. Send the fastest ship and the jarl will be here in less than a week," she said. Her voice was calm, but nerves continued to fill her lungs with ice.

"A sennight!" Valto sputtered. "It will take over a sennight to locate Jarl Magnus and a fortnight or more for him to return. That is, if he is interested in returning to deal with your bastard child. The order from the bishop is clear. If the jarl wishes, he may take it up with the bishop. Until then, the girl is mine." Valto smiled sadistically at Lida.

"Go above stairs," Hk said under his breath. He gently nudged Lida to the side.

"Nay, not without you," she whispered. "I must see to my sons," Lida said louder, to the group of men. "I will return shortly and we will continue this discussion," she said, as boldly as she could manage, then quickly retreated up the stairs. Her trembling increased with every step.

Hk grabbed her by both arms and steadied her.

"Shh, you did well," he whispered. "These walls have eyes. Catch your breath. Control your mind." He sounded like her mother. "Be not the wounded animal in flight. The wolves will smell your fear."

She closed her eyes and let Hk's mighty hands transform into Magnus's. They moved quickly down the corridor, stopping outside the nurse's chambers.

"Breathe, Lida."

"How can you be so calm?" she blurted out in a rush of conflicting emotions. "There are half a dozen men below that want to harm my daughter. Who want to harm you, from the look of it. How can I be calm? What is happening? You saw the way Valto looked at Katia!"

She blinked repeatedly, attempting to push back the tide of tears. She looked out of the expensive Byzantium glass window at the end of the long corridor. Her husband had constructed an impenetrable, luxurious fortress, but how could it protect her children if the enemy walked through the front door and slept under the same roof?

Leaning against the stone wall with his arms crossed and hands tucked under them just as her husband did, Hk said calmly, "'Tis naught about Katia. She is the bait. 'Tis you they want." Her brother-in-law looked her straight in the eye. "They want you out of this house and they will not stop until you and yours are dead or gone."

Lida shook her head. She did not want to hear it, but her instincts had brought her to the exact conclusion. "Why? What have I ever done? My God, what do I do?" With her back pressing into the wall, she sank to the floor. Hk picked her up under the arms and raised her back up.

"What we do is not fall apart." He waited for her to look at him before he continued. "You did well. You did not let them see your fear, but rather they felt your scorn. That was good." He began pacing in short steps in front of her. "We need to evaluate whom we may still trust.

"From the Morgdor to the hill people, everyone knows that if you need use of a woman or coin you go see a woman in Bolinas," he continued. "'Tis Klara, Lida. Did you think she would slip quietly into the role of loving grandmother after being shown to the gates? I admire you for not having a black heart, but you need to become a little more pessimistic." He smiled sympathetically to soften the censure.

"Klara moved to Bolinas to be with her grandchildren. She-"

"Has been lining the pockets of every cutthroat she's come across since the last time you saw her. I am too late to warn Magnus," he said. "We do not have much time before Klara's spies come up those steps, looking for us."

"'Tis Katia and me they want, not you. Go. Find Magnus. I beg you. Bring him back to me."

"Lovely, brave Lida, look at me."

"What?" she snapped impatiently.

"We need to know who we can trust. Make your list and make it short-with facts and proof, not smiles and false words."

Faces flashed through Lida's head, every look, every sly smile . . . She trusted no one. "Ylva," she said finally. "She loves my boys and was cast out by Klara and treated unkindly. She is happy here. I trust her. Tero-"

"Is with Magnus. Only list those that are here."

She rubbed her temple. "The guards, Riku and Arne. Did you see the looks of confusion on their faces? Did you see anyone else?" He shook his head. "I have no reason not to trust Brita, Rakel, and Ragna. Tero helped me select them. They are sweet and gentle-"

"Tero is trusted. He swore a blood oath to Magnus for saving his life. He is a wise man, but he can make mistakes. Unless he is here to explain why those women are trusted, we trust no one," her brother-in-law said.

He was right. She had come to that conclusion deep within, but she'd wanted him to tell her differently.

"What do we do?" She pushed back the useless tears that ran down her cheeks.

"We avoid a direct conflict, at least for now," Hk said. "We wait for Magnus. He is the only one who can rescind the orders from the magistrate and unite his men. Most of the people in Tronscar see me as little more than a half-breed bastard. No one will respect my authority. And you are only a powerless woman to them." He smiled in apology, but the words were true. He looked at her for a few seconds, hesitant about what he wanted to say next. "Have you ever seen a dog missing its bone? A good dog that loves his bone."

"Hk, not now. This is serious."

"Aye, 'tis, but answer me."

"I am not a bone, and neither is Katia . . ."

"Ah, but you are. Remember the lengths to which he went to seek out his father's remains, and the care he took in returning his wife to her family? You are more important to him than anything he has held before. He will not let you go. Magnus will burn the entire Ostrobothnia down if he must, but he will succeed. This is harsh council, Lida, but it will focus the direction in which he goes first." He smirked in a sad sort of way. "He always wins, you know. You and Katia go to Finland, and I will take his sons . . . to a place he will know to find them," he said.

"What?!" All the air left her lungs, left the hall, left the cursed iron castle.

He said more quietly, "Katia will be taken away. We do not have the power to stop them. None of us are safe here without Magnus, and you know that to be true. Your sons have enemies that reside below stairs. What will prevent them from coming up here? How long do you think we can last before they poison the water or food? You must go with Katia. As for your sons, think of Moses' basket."

"Nay," she wept.

Hk nodded. "Have faith in your Christian tale. The Prince of Egypt's true mother placed him in a basket and push him down the Nile, to keep him safe from the slaughter. She sent a protector to watch over him. Send your babes north, Lida, to the land of their forefathers. I will protect them. On my life, I will protect them."