Lord of the Runes by Sabrina Jarema Page A

They all knew him as a rune caster, and while that position would be honored and respected, it was not the same rank as the daughter and sister of a jarl. She could not marry below her station. Magnus would never allow it.
    He walked back to the longhouse. Marry? What was he thinking? He didn’t have time for this, or for her. He couldn’t tip his hand just yet. He might be equal to them in rank, but right now that didn’t matter. He had nothing and would continue to have nothing until he regained what was his by right and by birth. If he was victorious, then perhaps . . . If he wasn’t, then he would be dead, for nothing short of that would stop him.
    Estrid already waited for him at the table where he had read the runes for others on previous nights. He nodded to her and went into his small chamber to get them. When he returned, Leif sat nearby, leaning on the wall with a mug of ale. Eirik didn’t need privacy to do a casting, but why would Leif be so interested in Estrid’s?
    She focused on him, smiling, her eyes dancing. “I’ve been waiting to see what you’ll say to me.”
    Leif raised an eyebrow, taking another sip of ale. Eirik gave her a quick smile, then closed his eyes to concentrate. The bag in his hands grew warm. He never knew if it was just from his own body heat, or if there was something more to it, but it always heralded a powerful reading.
    Still, when he tried to envision the light surrounding him, shadows lingered nearby. They crept up the walls, and hovered over them all. This was not good.
    He reached into the bag and stilled his hand over the wood pieces. Energy built on the palm of his hand and he felt for the rune that lay closest to that place. He placed it on the table, not looking at it, and repeated the process. When he completed the pattern, he set the bag aside and turned over any of the pieces that lay face down.
    He kept his expression closed, letting no emotion show. His heart faltered. This was a dark, negative casting. What could such a beautiful young woman have within her that would warrant this? He studied the staves, considering what he would say. He could not lie. Each rune had several meanings, and it was part of the innate talent of the caster to know the right choice. He would have to pick the most positive meanings, yet still impart some warning about the influences around her.
    He straightened and glanced at her. “The rune in the position of what is happening around you now is Eihwaz.” It often indicated death and setting a goal that was unattainable, but he couldn’t say that. “It shows an apparent blockage that may be to the good. You should foresee the circumstances of your actions before you do anything. Keep your mind open to change.”
    Tapping the next rune, he said, “Naudhiz indicates what stands in the way of what you want.” Shadows resulting in weakness, misguided action leading to ruin, obsession. No, he couldn’t say any of that either. “You should use the shadows that sometimes surround all of us as teachers. It warns of a delay that could inflame passions. You must be patient.”
    At least the next rune was positive, but joined with the following symbol, it meant she would draw failure to her. He took a deep breath and smiled. “In favor is Dagaz, a very good rune. You have a great change coming in your life, as different as possible from what you know now. But to attain it, you may have to leap into the void.”
    â€œThe void?” She frowned. “What do you mean?”
    â€œOnly that sometimes we must simply trust, without knowing what the outcome will be. We take a leap of faith.”
    Then Mannaz, reversed. A stranger, and a blockage inside of oneself that one refuses to see. He picked up the carved piece. “This shows an individual who may block some of your plans, but it’s only short term. You must look within to release yourself from this. With Naudhiz,