They held each other’s faces in their hands. They ran fingertips over each other’s hair and lips. They embraced over and over, then held on to each other as if fearful they might be separated again. They even kissed each other soundly on the cheek. Finally they stood back and smiled.
Words were not necessary. They spoke to each other in the silent method they’d perfected over the years.
I have missed you sorely, brother, Vagn thought.
Likewise. That is some wound you got, Vagn. I have been suffering your pain.
Hah! I still get your headaches. What have you been doing all this time?
I have been in a nunnery. Toste waggled his eyebrows mischievously. How about you?
Ah, so that explains the black crows. Me, I have been recuperating at Briarstead—Gormi’s estate. I have something important to tell you, Vagn began.
Do not tell me, Toste said, I can sense your joy, and not just about our reunion. It is… can it be? You are going to be a father? Congratulations! Oh, I am going to be the best uncle in the world.
The two brothers walked toward the keep then, arms looped over each other’s shoulders, beaming at one and all. Suddenly Toste stopped in his tracks, which caused Vagn to stop, too. With a hoot of laughter, Toste said, “Holy Frigg! Look who’s over there. It’s Helga the Homely.”
Vagn glanced toward Helga, who was standing next to Clod, watching somberly as he was reunited with his brother. He saw the stricken expression on her face at Toste’s words. Vagn knew Toste was just teasing. Anyone looking at Helga would know she was not homely… not anymore. But she did not know that.
With a deep sigh, Vagn pulled away from his brother and did the only thing he could do. He punched him in the nose. Toste swayed on his feet and almost fell backward. Instead of fighting back, as would be the normal practice, Toste put a hand to his bleeding nose and cocked his head in question. “Up till a few moments ago, you thought I was dead. Now you punch me?”
Vagn shrugged and said, “You insulted the mother of my child. What else could I do?”
He reached out an apologetic hand, and Toste grasped it without question. Then Toste walked over to Helga, lifted her in the air and twirled her about. “My apologies, beautiful lady. Welcome to our family.”
“Put me down! Put me down, you lout,” Helga said, punching Toste about the ears. Some of those punches were probably retaliation for his long-ago youthling taunt.
And Vagn told his brother, “Uh, Toste, she is not my wife… yet.”
“What? You are losing your touch. Good thing I have come back from the dead to help you, brother. I was ever the more charming brother,” he told Helga, kissing her soundly on the mouth before setting her on the ground.
Just then, Toste seemed to notice the red-faced lady standing at the back end of the crowd that filled the courtyard. “Esme, why are you hiding back there?” he called out. “Come here. I would have you meet my brother.”
She dragged her feet forward till she stood before them.
“Ah, it is the wench who slapped my face?” Vagn said with a grin, rubbing his cheek as if it still hurt.
“You did?” Toste asked the woman. “Why?”
“Because I thought he was you, and he was with that woman, and… well, I think you are both loathsome louts.”
Everyone around them laughed.
As they all started up the steps to enter the great hall where a great celebration would now surely take place,
Vagn said to Toste, “There is one thing I would ask you, brother.”
“Anything.”
“What is dog-sex?”
Off the wall…
It was hours before Toste could get away and talk to Esme alone. The problem was finding her.
After much searching, he entered an upper bedchamber where she slept along with Eirik and Eadyth’s four daughters. Leastways, the others were sleeping on pallets spread about the room whilst Esme sat nervously in a low chair afore the fire. He could tell she was nervous because she whistled softly.