17
Juliet
All day, the girls sat in small pockets about the lodge, whispering. I quelled their talk as much as I could, but eventually one of the Berserkers would come and find out.
As if conjured by my thoughts, Jarl appeared with more wood for the fire. I kept away, pretending to be busy with some mending, but after a few minutes the lodge fell silent, and the shadow of the big warrior fell across my hands.
“Come with me.” Jarl was frowning.
With a sigh, I followed him around the hearth where we would not be seen. It was colder here, by the door. Normally Jarl would notice me shivering and fetch a pelt for me. This time he waited for me to speak first and growled when I did not.
“One of your friends is missing.”
Wrapping my arms around myself, I shrugged.
“She won’t survive long
