Norse Valor (15 page)

“Harvey,” Bram interjected. “Will you please go tell Doctor
Pratt I would like to speak to him about why my daughter doesn’t have a private
nurse yet? Her fiancé has a point, don’t you think?”

The security guard looked from the disgruntled nurse to
Vakr. “I think it’s time you leave,” he said to the nurse.

Feathers ruffling, the nurse stomped out.

“I’m sorry, sir,” Harvey said to both Bram and Vakr, then he
left.

“You two are a lot alike,” Svana said thoughtfully. Their
eyes rose. “You both take charge and you can both turn a situation around to
sound perfectly legitimate when you want to. She was only trying to help.”

“That was my fault for not having a nurse here for you,”
Bram said. “Besides, Vakr was right.”

Svana’a eyes rose. “Aw, you two are bonding. How sweet.”

“I’ve been showing Vakr a few of the sights,” Bram said.

“And?” she asked a bit apprehensively. Poor Vakr must be so
scared.

“This time is amazing,” Vakr said.

Svana was surprised at his enthusiasm. She was certain he
would be chomping at the bit to go home.

“Those large beasts that fly overhead look like fun. Bram
says he will take me in one.”

“Did he?” Svana asked. “Daddy?”

“It would seem Vakr has a taste for the twenty-first century.
I thought I’d take him by my office and show him around. I may as well. You’re
going to be laid up for a few weeks. I’m not taking you anywhere until I’m
certain you are fully recovered.”

“Which will be a while,” said a voice from the door.

“Doctor Pratt,” Bram said. “When can I take Svana home? I’ll
have a private nurse waiting.”

“If there are no complications, tomorrow should be fine. In
the meantime, I’ve brought her some soup.” The doctor looked hard at Vakr.

Svana smiled when Vakr took the bowl and sniffed the
contents. He took a small taste and declared it was acceptable before returning
the doctor’s stare.

“Thank you for saving Svana’s life,” Vakr said. “I’m in your
debt. If you need a loved one taken care of in the future, I would be honored
to assist.”

“You’re a doctor?” Doctor Pratt asked.

“I’m a warrior.”

The doctor blinked and offered Bram a confused look.

“What Vakr means is he’s special ops. Real hush-hush,” Bram
said, smiling.

The doctor nodded. “Well, if I ever find myself in need of
storming a country, you’ll be the first person I call.”

Svana giggled when the doctor left the room. If Vakr shaved
his head and put on a uniform, he would make the deadliest-looking Marine
alive.

Chapter 15

The next day Svana was settled comfortably in bed at home.
Until she was healed, Bram insisted she sleep in her own room—alone. He didn’t
want Vakr accidently crushing her in his sleep. Grateful to have her home, Vakr
didn’t make a fuss, especially since she had round-the-clock care and the staff
was falling over themselves to do his bidding when it came to Svana. Vakr was
used to giving orders and yet the way these people jumped without one word of
fuss or debate was astounding. Vakr realized it had to do with Bram’s wealth.
He was beginning to see a new side to the coin, literally. In every era, wealth
brought power. While Vakr was used to physical power, it would be tempting to
get used to an inanimate sense of well-being by using coins as brawn.

Later, both Vakr and Bram sat at the dining room table
eating dinner while Svana was served upstairs. A salad then soup followed with
a baked potato, steak and asparagus. Vakr was grateful Svana had taught him to
eat with a fork. For dessert, the kindly older maid set a bowl in front of him
declaring it to be chocolate pudding. Vakr had never eaten anything so
delicious in his life—he had three bowls. The beer he was served in a glass was
smooth and cold. Afterwards Bram took him to his den for brandy and cigars.

Vakr was seated in a leather chair. His feet were up on an
ottoman. Vakr watched the smoke curl around Bram’s head when he exhaled. The
room was filled with so many interesting things, it was hard not to be
delighted. Antiques were in abundance, but Vakr found it to be amusing as
everything had been made after he had been born—and died. The thought was a
little disturbing. In this era he would be dust in his grave, as would his
entire village. When Bram introduced him to a computer and how it operated,
Vakr was disheartened to find out how short the Viking era had been. Though he
chuckled at the pictures with horned hats.

“Svana will be fine here tomorrow, if we leave for a few
hours,” Bram said. “I should go check in at the office. I’m thinking of selling
my share. I can’t take it with me after all.”

“What is it you do?”

“We build ships. I do a great deal of traveling. I think
it’s time to put my feet up and let a younger man take over.”

“In my era, you are a young man.”

Bram was nodding. “I want to get back to Rakel and the girls
if it’s at all possible. I’m worried I may be floating at sea for months like I
did last time looking for my children.”

“Svana should be well soon enough.”

“I agree.”

* * *
*

Over the next few weeks as Svana mended, Vakr was treated to
the most amazing sights. True to his word, Bram took him flying in a plane. To
see the ground from so far away was exhilarating. A helicopter proved to be equally
exceptional. Wherever Bram went, he introduced Vakr as his soon-to-be
son-in-law. Again, people bent over backwards to please him. Vakr’s nature
wasn’t to be a bully. The people he met were interesting and soon let him get
to know the real them when they realized Vakr was truly curious about Bram’s
employees and their lives. Vakr was accepted with his charming good looks and
honest ways.

Before long, Vakr felt as though he had lived in this era
his entire life. Driving a car was amazing. Bram taught him. Bram also got him
a driver’s license and birth certificate so he could travel. There was so much
to do and so little time to do it in, Vakr was feeling the weight of the world
on his shoulders as he struggled with his thoughts. In his time, he had loved
to travel. This was so much better, so different. The area they could cover was
ten times faster in the air than in a boat that needed to be rowed. Bram’s
ships were beyond impressive. Vakr couldn’t get enough of technology. He wanted
to know how and why the engines worked. He wanted to learn and absorbed
everything taught him. He didn’t want the experience to end.

It was time to approach Svana with his troubling thoughts.
She was lounging at the pool with a book in her hand. Vakr found books
fascinating and demanded she teach him to read. It was hard but well worth the
effort, although why anyone would want to ‘see Spot run’ was beyond him. Of
course a dog could run.

“How are you feeling?” Vakr asked her.

“I’m fine,” she said but there was a wispy air to her voice.

“Are you missing your brother?” Vakr asked.

“Daddy asked me the same thing this morning. I do miss David
and the others, but I would like to visit my little village in Africa and see
how they are faring.”

“We could do that,” Vakr said eagerly. He was afraid Ari had
been right—his feet liked to travel. In this era, the opportunities were endless.

“Daddy wants us to head back to your village now that I’m
well enough.”

“What do you want, Svana?”

“Vakr, my home is with you. I’m ready to return.”

Vakr frowned. When she smiled at him, it didn’t reach her
eyes. “Svana, please be truthful with me.”

Sorrow-filled eyes rose to meet his. “I love you, Vakr, and
I don’t want you to be ashamed of me.”

“I would never be ashamed of you,” he said with surprise. He
sat down beside her and gathered her into his arms.

“I don’t think I’m ready to return just yet,” she began. “I
almost died. That night on the ship I kept my eyes open as long as I
could—watching you. Thinking when my eyes closed, I would never see you again.
I was so scared. I just need a little more time before we travel back. But I’m
afraid Daddy wants to go now. I don’t want to disappoint him either.”

Vakr took her fingers and laced them between his own.
“Whatever you decide is fine with me. I would love to stay here and learn more
about this era, and the other ones I missed.”

“Really?”

“Yes, really. Travel with me, Svana, until we grow tired of
seeing the world. I hunger to see it all.”

“There is a lot to see. It could take a while. Years.”

“Maybe we have years,” Vakr said thoughtfully. “What if your
father going back in time was showing us something? What if that was one of the
gifts of the rings?”

“Do you think if we stay here, we can go back as though time
never continued in your era?”

“I don’t know. We could always test the theory in a year or
two.”

Svana smiled, a real smile this time.

“I know Daddy won’t be too worried about me here in this
time if he’s not with me.”

“You really want to stay then?”

“Yes. I think it’s time to tell my father to go home. I’m
sure he will love helping Ari with your village.”

Vakr nodded. That would be a safe bet.

Epilogue

Svana gazed across the vast ocean. They had been at sea for
three months now on a yacht Vakr had designed and built. After twelve wonderful
years seeing every corner of the earth, Svana was ready to return with Vakr to
his small village. She wanted to see how her father and brother were faring.
She was anxious to see her niece or nephew or if there were many more.

Vakr wrapped his arms around her middle and Svana turned
within his embrace. She looked up into his eyes, adoring him as much now as she
had when they first met. Her fingers curled gently around the gray that had
started to appear on his sideburns. He was still strong after years of not only
designing ships but being hands on with them in every different country they
visited. Vakr had a passion for his work and a love for people. As the years
slipped by there was only one thing missing in their lives. A child. Svana knew
if they were to have a child in this time, they would never go back. It took a
lot of soul searching to realize home was in a different era and that they were
only visiting this one.

“No matter what happens, it is time to stay in one place,
Svana.”

She agreed with Vakr. After traveling everywhere, it seemed
it was time to settle down and have a family. It would be nice to see her
father and brother. The look on Vakr’s face could only be described as sated.
They had made love in every country, in the richest and the poorest of places.
Everywhere, it had been beautiful.

“I’m anxious to see any changes in your village,” Svana
said.

“I’m anxious to bring change to my village,” Vakr said with
confidence. “After being in your time and seeing so much, I know we can give my
people a better life. I’m looking forward to seeing your father.”

Svana knew he was. Vakr had gained vast knowledge and was as
certain of himself as her father was. She doubted her father would be referring
to him as ‘son’ for long when Vakr would be able to converse on his level. As
for Svana, she knew she had grown as well. She trusted not only Vakr’s knowledge
but also her own. She may always be daddy’s little girl, but only in thought.
She was a mature woman with her own ideas.

The mist before them began to swirl and as always Svana’s
hopes soared. She hoped they wouldn’t be dashed again. The engine sputtered and
cut out. The lights were nonexistent. Only the slapping of the waves against
the hull could be heard for a few short moments. A loud bellow from across the
water made her heart race. She knew that voice. It was her father.

“Dad?” she yelled. She turned to look excitedly up at Vakr.
Her mouth dropped open and she was stunned. “Vakr?”

Vakr was grinning wildly at her. “You look as beautiful as
the day we met.”

“You look exactly the same as the day we met,” she
countered.

When the Viking vessel rocked side-by-side with their own,
Svana squealed in delight. Her father still looked young. It seemed that hardly
any time had passed.

“I was getting worried you’d miss out on the baby being
born,” Bram said as he helped Svana onto the vessel.

“You mean David and Kitta still haven’t had the child?”
Svana asked, incredulous.

“No. You’ve been gone almost six months; I was getting
worried,” Bram said.

Both Svana and Vakr laughed delightedly.

“Months? Dad, for us it’s been twelve years.”

Bram looked shocked. Then somber. “Well it’s official; I can
never go back again.”

“We’re here to stay this time, Dad,” Svana said, hugging him
hard.

“Wait until you see the changes,” Bram said excitedly.

“I’m looking forward to seeing them. I have a few suggestions
of my own, Bram,” Vakr said.

Svana watched as her father sized him up. Vakr may look
younger again, but there was assuredness in his voice. He was well-traveled,
well-spoken—a man to be reckoned with.

Bram and Vakr clasped hands.

“It’s good to see you, Vakr,” Bram said.

“We have a great deal to discuss,” Vakr replied.

“Thank you for bringing my daughter home to me,” Bram said.

“Was there ever any doubt?” Vakr said smiling.

“I never doubted you would bring me back,” Svana said, looking
deeply into Vakr’s eyes. “After all, there is nothing more sacred than Norse
valor.”

Svana watched as their abandoned yacht floated away. Before
leaving, Vakr had settled a sum of money into an account if ever they had need
to return. The rest was given to charity. Svana was ready to start a new
chapter in their lives. Her hand rested on her belly. Soon enough she hoped to
give Vakr the child he desperately wanted. Only one mystery remained. The
fourth ring. During their travels not once had they come across it. Svana
wondered if that meant, it was still in this era.
But who has it?

Looking up at Vakr, she decided it didn’t matter. She was
where she was supposed to be.