Jarl shook off his mood. "Yes. She's the one, the commissioner's daughter." He caught the girl's shoulder and jerked at it roughly, one hand to her mouth, in case she should scream.
She came awake with a start, grey eyes flaring wide in sudden panic. Her whole body convulsed as she saw the raiders.
Jarl threw himself on her, bearing her down. Fiercely, he whispered, "Quiet, if you wish to live!"
Her struggles ceased. Lips pale, breasts heaving, she lay stiff and unyielding.
He said: "Relax, woman! We're not going to hurt you."
Her lips moved on his palm. He raised his hand a fraction.
"Who are you?" Her voice shook. "What do you want here?"
"They call me Jarl Corvett."
The girl clutched her throat. "Jarl Corvett, the raider? The ally of Wassreck—?"