Passion: His Savage Embrace

by Bobbi Smith

  Dynna felt the hardness of him and was repelled by it. Where Brage’s manly strength had thrilled her, Edmund’s left her filled with disgust. “I hate you!”

  He smiled. “And you will hate me even more before I am through with you. I will be back. I expect to find you ready for me when I return.”

  He pushed her away from him and opened the door to the room for her to enter. He called two of the guards to come out into the hall. After giving them further instructions on how to handle Dynna while he was gone, he walked away without a backward glance.

  When Edmund reached the grounds, he found that the Viking was unconscious and tied on a mount.

  “He was resisting going along with us,” one of the men explained and Edmund only smiled. He ignored the ugly look Sir Thomas was giving him. He liked the Viking just that way.

  All were ready to ride. Sir Edmund glanced up at the tower to find Dynna standing in a window watching them. He smiled up at her and gave her a triumphant wave as he mounted his horse.

  “Let us head for home. There is little time. We must ride like the wind.”

  They guided their mounts from the tower leaving death, destruction, and desperation behind them.

  “Come, Lady Dynna, we must go now,” Balder, one of Edmund’s men, said as he motioned for her to follow him.

  She gave a curt nod as she turned away from the narrow window out of which she had been staring.

  “Dynna . . .” her mother asked worriedly. “Where are they taking you?”

  “We have been instructed to keep her secluded in her chamber until Sir Edmund returns,” he answered.

  “I would go with her,” her mother stated firmly. She feared for her daughter’s very life and did not want to leave her alone with Edmund’s men.

  “No. You are to stay locked in your room until tomorrow. Only then may you leave.”

  “How dare you?” Lord Garman thundered, angry and humiliated by the treatment they were receiving at the hands of his supposed ally’s men.

  “We have been so ordered by Sir Edmund, and we will not disobey.”

  Lord Garman saw the fear that drove them and knew it was pointless to argue. One day would seem an eternity, but it would eventually pass. The guards left the room and locked the door behind them.

  “Garman?” Audrey said his name questioningly.

  “We will bide our time, my love,” he said, as he went to her and took her in his arms. “Tomorrow, you will be able to visit Dynna freely.”

  “But will Dynna be all right? And what about Brage?”

  “I am certain that Edmund wants no harm to come to Dynna. But I do not know about the Viking. As devious and vicious as Edmund is, I know not if Brage will live out the week.”

  They fell silent as they settled in their room to await the dawn. They were captives in their own home, prisoners of Edmund’s vengeance and hatred.

  Dynna entered her room and started to close the door, but two men followed her inside.

  “What is the meaning of this? Am I to be allowed no privacy?”

  “No, my lady. Lord Edmund has directed that we are to stay with you constantly. We are not to let you out of our sight.”

  “But that is ridiculous!”

  “It is what he wishes. We will do as he has ordered.” The men did not understand his concern, either. What could she do that would cause Edmund to be so distrustful? Still, they knew better than to question him or his motives. They would do as they were told, for they had no desire to suffer the consequences of Edmund’s anger.

  “But . . .” she began.

  Balder cut her off. “There is no discussion of the matter. It is decided. We will remain here with you until he returns. You may as well adjust to the order, it will not be countered.”

  Dynna stared at the two determined men and knew she was trapped. Perhaps later she could figure out a way to help save Brage.

  The door was locked. Balder took the key and then the two of them sat down across the chamber.

  Dynna climbed back into bed. Pulling the covers up to her chin, she tried not to cry as she thought of all that had transpired. Brage had been taken away, helplessly bound. She had watched as the men had tied him onto the horse’s back. She could only hope that Sir Thomas would somehow aid him, and she prayed fervently that Brage would be spared the fate Edmund had planned for him. There had to be something she could do . . .

  Dynna did not sleep the balance of the night, but lay silently abed, trying not to notice that she had two hulking men guarding her closely, and trying to think of a way to save Brage.

  Brage came awake to find himself bound and hanging helplessly over the horse’s back, its pounding gait jarring him to the bone. He remained unmoving for a time, trying to gather his wits. Sir Thomas was leading the horse and saw that he was stirring but said nothing. One of the other men though, called out to Sir Edmund.

  “Sir Edmund! He rouses!”

  At the call, Sir Edmund brought the riders to a halt. He dismounted and approached the horse Sir Thomas was leading. He reached Brage, grabbed him by the hair and lifted his head so their gazes could meet.

  “So, you are finally with us . . . The famed and dreaded Black Hawk is awake.” A cruel, taunting smile curved his thin lips. “Know this. You tried to escape me, but you failed. I found you, Viking, and you are my captive once again, thanks to the lovely Dynna.”

  “Dynna?” Brage could not stop himself from asking. “What of her? What have you done to her?”

  He saw the questioning look in Brage’s eyes, and he smiled even more confidently. Keeping his voice low, just for Brage’s ears, he went on, “Ah, yes, Dynna was the one who told me where you were hidden. She was most cooperative. We struck a bargain, she and I.”

  Until that moment, Brage had not believed anything Edmund had said, but at the mention of a bargain, he cursed himself for being seven kinds of a fool.

  “A bargain?”

  “Information about you, in exchange for being allowed to stay with her parents. I coaxed it from her while we were abed. She pleaded and begged to be allowed to stay there, so we came to an agreement. She will remain with her parents as long as she comes to my bed whenever I want her. So, you see, she got what she wanted, while you are right back in my safekeeping.”

  Anger surged through Brage. Everything Edmund was saying fit. Dynna had told him at the outset that she would do whatever was necessary to save herself, and she had. Why had he thought there was anything more between them than just convenience? Once she had reached her parents’ home, she had no more need of him.

  Edmund saw the fiery flash of emotion in Brage’s gaze and knew he had struck a nerve. It pleased him.

  “Dynna has always been quick to see the way of things. She has always had the ability to use people to her advantage, and so she has with you.

  Brage silently cursed Dynna. To save herself, she had betrayed him. Brage knew he should have left her at the gate of her father’s tower and gone on his way alone. He had been betrayed twice by people he had come to trust, and he could only hope that one day justice would be his . . .

  “Sir Thomas,” Edmund turned away from him, and called out to the older man, “Give the Viking his seat, but keep his hands tied behind him, and you continue to lead the horse. I want no trouble on the trek back. We must move quickly, without delays.”

  Sir Thomas hurried to untie Brage and pull him off the horse. He then retied his hands and aided him in mounting again. He had no opportunity to speak to him with Edmund standing nearby.

  Once Brage was settled, they rode on. Edmund was determined to reach his father’s tower as quickly as possible. He knew time was of the essence.

  Anslak studied the landing site with a critical eye. He was expecting trouble. He did not trust the Saxons to keep to their word, yet he could see no sign of a trap. He gestured to Ulf and Kristoffer to bring their longships in closer to his.

  “Ulf, I want you to go ashore with me. Kristoffer, you take Brage’s ship
and two others and stay at sea. We will signal you by dropping the sail on my ship should there be a problem.”

  Anslak and Ulf made for shore, while Kristoffer kept the ships under his command at bay.

  Kristoffer stood on the raised front deck of the Black Hawk’s longship watching their every move. He wanted to be ready in case his father needed him. Though his brother’s men had followed his orders on this voyage, Kristoffer knew they would be glad to have their leader back. He just wondered how badly his brother had suffered at the Saxons’ hands and how soon he would be well enough to put out to sea again. He knew he would soon have his answer.

  The moment for the exchange was near as Anslak and Ulf’s longships pulled into shore. The men following them were ready for a fight. They remembered the last time they had landed here and were more than willing to shed some Saxon blood for the losses they had suffered that day.

  “There will be no fighting unless I give the order,” Anslak told them. “We will make the exchange and see Brage safely away. That is all we came for, and that is all we will do.” The men grunted in agreement. They understood his desire for caution, but they still would have preferred a fight.

  He directed two men to bring the gold to the front of the ship but not to unload it until they saw that Brage was with them. “Half of you stay with the ship, the rest follow us, but not closely.”

  The men knew the plan and were ready.

  “Come, Ulf. Let us find Brage and take him home,” Anslak said to his son, and the two of them started up the shore to the open field beyond with the rest of the men staying back a distance.

  “They have landed, Lord Alfrick! The Vikings are here just as they said they would be!” shouted one of the old men who was keeping watch.

  Alfrick girded himself for what was to come. He hoped Anslak was a man of patience and intelligence, a reasonable man. The army he had put together to fight them during the Black Hawk’s raid had disbanded, and the bulk of his force had ridden with Edmund to search for Dynna and the Viking. As it was, the tower had its usual force of men to defend it, but if a fight came, their numbers would not be enough. Anslak did not need to know that, and to that end, Alfrick had stationed whatever old men and youths he could find at strategic places to make it look as if his men were truly there in full force.

  “Where is Hereld? Bring him to me at the gate,” Alfrick ordered as he started down the stairs to the Great Hall.

  The servant ran to do as the lord had asked, but returned quickly with news Alfrick did not want to hear. “I am sorry, my lord, but Hereld left the tower yesterday and has not returned. One of the men told me that he sailed last night with the tide.”

  “He what?” Alfrick repeated, stunned. He had told the merchant that he had wanted him with him today to face the Vikings. The merchant was due another payment after the meeting and so he had believed he would be there. Had the merchant fled because he feared Anslak and his men so greatly?

  “Hereld is gone, my lord,” he repeated.

  “Bring three guards, and we will go forth to meet with Anslak and the others without him.”

  Alfrick led the way with his few men. He wore a sword at his hip as did the others, but there were no archers in the woods to slay the Vikings from cover and no men mounted and armed with broadswords ready to ride from the safety of the tower. He wondered where Edmund was as he ventured forth to deliver the message he dreaded giving.

  Anslak walked steadily without fear toward the place where he had agreed to meet with Alfrick. He was as excited as he was cautious. They were about to free Brage . . . He could imagine his son’s fury at being imprisoned for so long, but now he was being released and that was all that mattered. Soon, he would have his son back.

  “I see nothing unusual,” Anslak remarked to Ulf as they neared the appointed place.

  “Nor do I. All is quiet—perhaps too quiet.”

  “We shall see. If they are planning to attack us, we will answer blood for blood. But there is no need for vengeance this day. All I want is my son returned alive and well. That is what Hereld promised and that is what I expect.”

  “The Saxons are coming now,” Ulf announced, his hand going automatically to his sword.

  “Easy, Ulf. Make no threatening gestures. We want your brother back alive,” Anslak warned.

  “I do not see Brage.”

  “Let us stop here. It is open and the ground is flat.” Anslak stopped and waited for Alfrick and his men to walk to him.

  “Hail, Anslak,” Alfrick called out in greeting.

  “I have come for my son as the trader Hereld bid. I demand to see him now!” Anslak’s voice was loud and powerful.

  Alfrick stopped and remained where he was a short distance away from the Vikings. He said to those who accompanied him, “Without Edmund’s return, there is no avoiding this moment. I must tell the truth.”

  “Is there any way we can stall them? Get them to wait another day or two?” one man asked under his breath.

  “And then, when Edmund does not return, what should we do?” Alfrick countered quietly. “No, it is time for the truth. There is no guarantee that Edmund will even find the Black Hawk, let alone bring him back in time for the ransom to be claimed.”

  Anslak could see that he was talking with his men. “What say you, Saxon? I await your reply. Where is my son?” he demanded again.

  “I am Lord Alfrick. I am the one who sent the trader Hereld to you with word of the terms for the exchange.”

  “Aye, we know of you. We have the gold. Present my son, and the exchange will take place,” he called out, sensing something was not right.

  Alfrick drew a deep breath. “I must explain what has happened.”

  “What are you saying? What has happened?” Ulf asked, suddenly angry at the man’s evasiveness. It bothered him that Brage was nowhere to be seen. “Where is my brother?”

  “I do not know.”

  “What?” Both Anslak and Ulf were furious. They had been assured that Brage was there, recovering from his wounds, and now . . .

  “The Black Hawk escaped the tower several days ago. We have not seen or heard of him since. I have men looking for him, but with no success. He has fled.”

  Anslak did not believe a word the Saxon was saying. “I believe you not. Has my son died at your hands? Where is his body? I would see it before I strike you down.”

  “There is no need for bloodshed. He is not dead.”

  “Where is Hereld? Bring Hereld before me. I trust not the word of a Saxon.”

  “Hereld is gone. You must take my word that—”

  “I take nothing from you,” Anslak growled as he drew his sword. “I believe nothing you say. Hereld made claims and promises in your name. My son was here, alive, awaiting my arrival, and he would be turned over to me with the payment of six hundred pounds of gold . . .”

  “Payment of what?” Alfrick was shocked.

  “Six hundred pounds of gold. One hundred in good faith and the rest now.”

  “The demand was only for five hundred pounds of gold!” No wonder the double-dealing trader had fled.

  “That only proves what liars you are! All that he told me you said were lies, and all that he said to me were lies, too! You shall pay for your deceit!”

  “Do not act so hastily! You can have your men search the tower. Then you will see that I bear no false witness.”

  “We will search your tower! We will tear it down if we have to, but we will find my son!” Anslak’s eyes narrowed dangerously as he regarded the lying Saxon dog.

  “Were he here, I would turn him over to you, but I cannot give you that which I do not have.”

  Anslak was livid. Brage had to be there somewhere, and he was going to find him. He did not bother to order Ulf to give the signal to attack, but gave it himself.

  Those on the shore saw him and relayed the signal to Kristoffer. Kristoffer immediately set the longships in toward land.

  The fierceness in his father’s voice match
ed Ulf’s own emotions. Brage had to be there. They would take this Lord Alfrick hostage and hold him as they searched his tower.

  The fighting erupted as Anslak and Ulf charged Alfrick and his small escort. Alfrick put up a valiant fight but was no match for the furious Vikings. Anslak quickly disarmed him, as Ulf did the others.

  Multitudes of Norsemen were swarming toward them from the shore.

  “Now, Lord Alfrick, we will search your tower and see if you are lying.” Anslak was furious. He would find Brage alive or he would find the ones responsible for his death!

  They started toward the tower, and when those inside saw that Lord Alfrick had been taken by the Vikings, they knew not what to do.

  “Leave the gates open,” Lord Alfrick ordered. “The Vikings are to search the tower.”

  Inside, terror reigned. With Lord Alfrick and his men taken captive, and Sir Thomas and Edmund away, there was no force to defend them and no one to lead them. When the Vikings came through the gate, the Saxon defenders laid down their weapons. They were herded away and imprisoned with their lord, while the search began for Brage. The Vikings had come to find the Black Hawk, and they would not be satisfied until they searched every inch of the tower and learned the truth of his fate.

  Anslak led the way into the Great Hall with Ulf and Kristoffer close behind. “Ulf, take some men and check the tower rooms. Kristoffer, gather your men and search the grounds. I want every inch gone over. I want to know what happened to my son,” he thundered, his blue eyes glowing with a fervor that spoke of anger and worry. He would not leave this place until he had the answers he sought.

  “And treasure, Father? What shall we do with any bounty we find?” Kristoffer asked.

  “Bring it here before me. Perhaps instead of paying out gold, we will take some instead,” Anslak answered. “I will wait here for your return. If you find anyone with any knowledge of Brage, bring them to me. I will question them about his absence.”