CHAPTER 10
1078 Words
SHADOWS IN THE COURT
The moment Ingrid whispered “Eyes”, the entire room stiffened, as if the air itself grew heavier.
Ragnar stepped closer, lowering his voice.
“You felt him?”
Ingrid nodded. “Not his body. Not footsteps. Just… presence. Like the air changed.”
Skaldheim placed a steadying hand on her shoulder. “That means he’s close. Too close to ignore.”
Einar, still kneeling beside Hjarnheim, looked up with a grim expression. “This hunter is fearless. To stand outside the heir’s chambers… he wants us to know he’s not hiding.”
Ragnar turned sharply to Sten. “Triple the guard. I want every entrance watched. No one moves without permission.”
Sten nodded and jogged out with the patrol.
But even with the guards scrambling into formation, Ingrid felt no safer. The palace suddenly felt larger, colder, full of corners and shadows that didn’t exist before.
---
Minutes later — Court Summons
Eirkog returned with two palace healers, who hurried to Hjarnheim’s bedside. Ragnar insisted they work quickly, but carefully. Hjarnheim was awake, but she looked fragile—too fragile.
“Ingrid,” Hjarnheim whispered, reaching out trembling fingers. “Do not blame yourself. You are not the reason this creature stalks the night.”
But Ingrid squeezed her hand, her voice soft. “Mama… he carved my marking. He looked into my window. I… I think I am the reason.”
Einar turned away, jaw tight.
Before anyone could respond, a soldier approached from the door. “My prince… King Ulf requests your presence in the throne room. Immediately.”
Ragnar exhaled sharply. “Of course he does.”
Skaldheim stepped forward. “Ingrid should remain here with her parents.”
But the soldier shook his head. “The king requested her presence as well.”
Ingrid felt her stomach drop.
Ragnar turned to the guard slowly. “He wants her alone?”
“No, sire. He wants you both.”
Skaldheim exchanged a look with Ingrid—sharp, warning, protective.
Ragnar offered his hand. “Stay behind me. And do not speak unless spoken to.”
Ingrid nodded, though her nerves prickled under her skin.
---
The Throne Hall
The hall was colder than usual—lit brightly but somehow still full of shadows.
Ulf sat on the throne, his posture rigid, eyes dark with calculation. Eirkog stood beside him, calm but clearly distressed. Ulfgard lingered near the right pillar, dressed in a deep red gown that seemed chosen specifically to irritate Ingrid.
Sten stood to the side, arms crossed, watching everything.
Ulf didn’t wait for them to bow.
“We have a problem,” he said.
Ragnar answered evenly. “We’re aware.”
Ulf’s gaze cut to Ingrid—sharp, assessing. “A threat has entered my walls. And it appears the threat was drawn here by you.”
Ingrid stiffened, but Skaldheim’s earlier warning echoed in her head.
Do not speak unless spoken to.
Ulf continued, voice low. “This alliance was meant to bring prosperity. Not danger.”
Ragnar stepped in front of Ingrid, his voice hardening. “She is not to blame. Someone hunts her. And if someone hunts her, then they challenge us as well.”
Ulfgard finally stepped forward, crossing her arms dramatically.
“Or maybe they just challenge her. A girl from a less disciplined kingdom. A girl whose presence invites chaos.”
Ingrid felt a spark of irritation flash beneath her ribs.
Ulf silenced Ulfgard with a raised hand, though the girl smirked behind him.
“Ragnar,” Ulf said. “Explain why we should keep her here when she brings a ghost of death behind her.”
Ragnar met his father’s eyes without blinking.
“Because sending her away would be a sign of fear. And fear invites war.”
Ulf’s jaw ticked. “War is already at our door. This kingdom is strained. The seas are poisoned, the farms dying, and the people growing impatient. If a creature stalks our halls now, it will be taken as a sign of weakness.”
Ragnar answered sharply. “Then we make it a sign of strength.”
Before Ulf could reply, Eirkog stepped forward gently.
“My king… fear spreads faster than truth. The servants already whisper about the fallen guards.”
Ulfgard scoffed. “Then blame the girl.”
Ragnar turned so quickly she flinched. “Ulfgard. Enough.”
Her eyes widened—maybe from shock, maybe from anger.
But Ulf pressed on.
“I must consider the safety of my people. And I must consider whether this girl will bring peace… or destruction.”
Ingrid felt a pinch of cold fear. Was he deciding her fate?
Ulf leaned forward, hands clasped.
“Ingrid of Ravnhold… step forward.”
Ragnar started to protest, but Ingrid touched his arm gently and moved ahead.
Her heartbeat felt like drums in her chest.
“Ingrid,” Ulf said slowly, “tell me why this creature hunts you.”
Ingrid took a breath. Then another.
“I don’t know,” she admitted truthfully. “But I know this—running from him will not save anyone. And sending me away will not stop him. If he wants me, he will follow. Whether I’m here… or in Ravnhold… or anywhere.”
The hall fell silent.
Even Ulfgard looked momentarily unsure.
Ragnar stared at her like he was seeing her in a new light—brave, steady, unshaken.
Ulf leaned back slowly. “So you accept that your presence endangers us.”
Ingrid swallowed. “It endangers only if I’m unprotected. Here, at least… I am not alone.”
That struck something in Ulf’s face—respect, maybe. Or reluctant acceptance.
After a long silence, he nodded once.
“She stays.”
Ulfgard inhaled sharply. “What? She—”
“She stays,” Ulf repeated, his voice final. “But under guard. And under watch. If this hunter returns… he will find we are not prey.”
Ragnar finally exhaled, tension loosening from his shoulders.
But Ulf wasn’t done.
“And tomorrow,” he added, “we begin the ritual preparations for the political union between our kingdoms.”
Ingrid blinked.
“Ritual preparations?”
Ulfgard’s face paled.
Ragnar’s expression froze.
Ulf nodded. “You and my son will begin your first trial as future partners.”
The hall went cold.
Because everyone knew:
In Drakkarvik, “trials” were never simple.
And never safe.
- Writer
