NINE
Portia met her father in the yard, barefoot and out of breath from running. "What happened? Will we be safe?" She peered around her father and her face fell. "Where is Dolf?"
"The council has decided to refuse Donald's demands. They have also sent a message to Harald, the Viken king, asking for reinforcements should Donald choose to invade." Angus sighed, a sound that sank beneath the weighty worries of all the world, or at least the Southern Isles. "Rudolf insisted on carrying the message to the king himself."
Portia didn't want to believe it. "He's gone to Viken? Why? And without saying goodbye?"
"Sailing takes time, and Donald could arrive at any moment. Or he might not arrive at all. Better to have King Harald's help sooner rather than later. Rudolf asked me to tell you goodby
