She missed her friend and her family, and she would probably miss them even more when the time came to leave with the Legend. She had not given the idea much thought; if she had, she would have hesitated in her decision. Her whole life had been her village. Now she was the official mapmaker to the Legend. She would live at his keep, travel with him and obey his commands.
Life was certainly going to be different.
Chapter 6
Reena stood on the keep’s steps, clutching her makeshift satchel in her arms and watching with excitement as the Legend’s men prepared to embark on their journey. It was an orchestrated effort, everyone working together in unison. They were an organized and practiced troop, impressive in size, mostly large men, bulky with muscles and superior strength. They were clad in dark brown shirts covered with black leather tunics and black leggings. Swords, bows and arrows, and battle-axes were being strapped to horse and man alike.
She could see how the sight of them could intimidate, though she felt not the least frightened by them. They were pleasant and well mannered toward her. One man had even handed her a brown wool cloak, explaining that the Legend’s troop all wore the same distinguishing colors—brown and black.
She had wrapped it around her immediately, pleased that she was so easily accepted by them. And pleased that soon she would be on her way home.
Wagons were packed, their drivers ready, reins in hands, and several women, in brown cloaks, stood alongside prepared to walk. How this large troop had managed to prepare for a journey in one day’s time certainly spoke highly of their skills and dedication to their leader. They seemed prepared to follow him anywhere.
She wondered why women were joining the troop, since it seemed like the men were preparing to go off to battle. But then, the Legend had his way of doing things, and she was not one to judge them.
Thomas suddenly walked out of the keep, and all the men quickly mounted their horses. He was dressed as the others, though his bulk and bald head made him appear much more intimidating. He went to his horse and mounted, then all eyes turned to the keep’s open door.
Reena smiled knowing they all waited for the Legend.
Her smile vanished in a flash as she took several hasty steps back from the dark figure that emerged from the keep.
Complete silence filled the cool autumn air, not a voice was heard, not a bird sang, and the bright sun hurried behind a dark cloud.
Reena remained frozen where she stood, her mouth agape and her body trembling as she watched the Legend walk forward.
He wore complete black except for the silver studs that accented his leather tunic in a random design. But it was not his dress that left her speechless, it was his metal helmet, black as night covering nearly all of his face except for his eyes, mouth and jaw. It looked as though it had been made for him, rounding over his head and fitting snug to his face.
She shivered, for his appearance certainly helped make him a legend.
His eyes slowly canvassed the area, searching the sea of faces until his intent gaze settled on her.
He walked down the steps and toward her, and if she were not still frightened from the sight of him she would have run. Instead she clutched her sack to her chest like a shield, fought to keep her trembling legs from collapsing, and waited.
He stopped mere inches away from her, and while she was familiar with his height, he seemed taller, broader and more like a stranger. “Do you ride?”
She nodded, finding that her voice had deserted her.
He signaled, and two men on horse rode up to them. One man held the reins to a beautiful dark gray mare with a black mane. The other rider held the reins of a magnificent beast of a black horse that pranced and snorted and appeared agitated until he caught sight of the Legend. Then he calmed instantly.
The Legend took the reins of the gray mare and handed them to Reena. “She is yours, treat her well and she will serve you well.”
Before she could thank him he reached out, grabbed her by the waist, and hoisted her up on the horse. Her breath caught with the ease and swiftness of his actions. It was as if she weighed nothing to him. He could move her about like a simple reed in the wind with no effort at all. His strength suddenly intimidated, and she reminded herself to pay heed to it.
He mounted his own horse, the stallion’s demeanor obedient in the presence of the Legend.
“You will ride behind me and Thomas unless I order otherwise.”
She nodded again, her voice, she feared, lost forever somewhere in the depths of her trembling stomach. She followed behind him after Thomas rode forward and easily directed the horse behind the two men. She was a compliant mare, though not docile. Reena could feel the strength of her body beneath and against her legs, and she knew without a doubt that the mare possessed power.
Reena kept a steady eye on the Legend’s back, and it was not until at least an hour later that her body finally relaxed and her voice returned, though she remained silent. Her mind had a difficult time releasing the image of the Legend emerging from the keep.
He was as her father had so often described him—fearful to look at. A tactic that she was certain served him well in battle, but he was not presently in battle and still he was dressed as he was. No wonder he was so feared; he looked forever ready to battle. Who would dare oppose a man who was always prepared to fight?
She forced herself to remember Magnus and his fine qualities, but her urgings did little to comfort her. The dark-clad man in front of her was too imposing to even think that Magnus resided within him.
And she was indebted to this dark lord for six months. She sighed. Had she been too hasty? She shook her head, her answer obvious. Her village needed help and she needed to remain brave no matter how much she trembled.
Clouds continued to drift past the sun intermittently throughout the day. A chill autumn wind swept around the band of travelers, reminding them that winter was not far off and now was a good time for a journey.
If the weather held, they would have no trouble reaching her village in two days’ time. She was glad to be returning home. She had worried about family and friends even though she had been gone for a mere six days. It took only one day’s time for an incident to change lives completely.
Reena kept a steady eye on the Legend’s back. His dark side was necessary to her village. She wanted Peter Kilkern to pay for Brigid’s husband’s death, and she wanted him gone and the Legend to be the lord of their land. She hoped then that joy would return to Brigid, laughter to her village and the abundance of food they once shared to be theirs once again.
This was her hope, her dream, for then her village would never need to worry about survival—the Legend would forever protect them. If she had spoken of this to anyone they would have thought her foolish, for they would have insisted there was no way Kilkern land could belong to the Legend.
But then no one in the village would have believed that the Legend would have agreed to help her. Yet here she was returning to the village on a mare he had given her, a part of his legion.
Her being in service to him partly united him with her village. Marriage, however, was the only way to permanently keep her village under his protection, and who better to marry him than Brigid? She was beautiful, and he, handsome. They would have fine children and Brigid would be happy, having a home and a husband once again.
The thought had been a seed, restless in her mind, that had suddenly sprouted and flourished. With the two wed it would mean that she would not be alone in her service to the Legend. Her friend would always be near and then she could remain in his legion when her debt to him was fulfilled. And she would always have her best friend close by and well protected.
They stopped for a brief repose, though many of the men remained on guard around the group. Thirst and hunger were quenched, conversation punctuated with laughter—a common sound.
Reena sat alone, braced against a decaying stump, munching on an apple. She enjoyed the sights and sounds in front of her,
for they reminded her of how her village had once been and how it would soon be again. In time she would get to know these people and make friends, but for now she preferred to watch and learn and, of course, sketch the sights in her mind.
She picked up a slim branch nearby and snapped it in two, choosing the pointed end that best fit her needs. She then began to draw the man and woman talking a few feet away.
Their interest in each other was obvious, and she smiled as she reproduced their faces in the dark soil in front of her.
“So your talent extends to drawing people.”
The familiar voice did not startle her, since the heavy crunch of fallen leaves warned her of someone’s approach. She was, however, relieved to see that Magnus joined her, the helmet removed and with it, the Legend.
He sat alongside her, giving her enough room to complete her drawing. “I think they favor each other.”
“Aye,” she agreed. “You can see it in their faces.”
“It is an excellent drawing. Why not commit it to paper?”
“My paper supply is limited and I must conserve it for mapping.”
“You map for me now. I will supply you with paper, quills, ink and paper enough to draw, besides map.”
She stopped, her eyes wide and her smile bright. She reminded him of a young girl who had just been surprised with the most wonderful gift yet doubted what she had heard.
“Truly, I will have paper to draw besides map?”
“Aye, you have my word.”
He was shocked by her actions that followed. She dropped the stick, turned, and flung her arms around him and hugged him tightly, her face pressed to his.
“You are wonderful and I am forever grateful.” She released him and gleefully scooped the stick up to return to her drawing. “I will draw anything you wish, a place, an object, a person.” She turned her eyes to him, the drawing stick idle in her hand. “Is there someone you favor who you wish me to draw?”
He thought she had startled him with her actions, but now her words gave him a start. To his own surprise, he answered her. “There is no one I presently favor.”
She looked delighted by his response and he assumed she was attracted to him, hence her probing question. Oddly, he found her appealing, though why he couldn’t say. She was too thin, with barely a shape to her, yet her creamy skin was flawless and looked soft to the touch. Her long silky black hair was forever escaping the combs that fought to contain it. She did not pretend or falter falsely; she was honest in word and action. She was a talented artist, and he had enjoyed the few conversations they had shared, finding her more knowledgeable than most women he had known.
And though he attempted to ignore it, he found himself easily aroused around her. He had tried to determine the reason, since usually he did not find plain features and a thin body attractive. But damned if he did not grow hard when near her.
He did not notice that while he was deep in thought she replaced the couple she had been drawing with the face of a startlingly beautiful woman.
When he did, he could not help but remark, “She is stunning.”
“Brigid, my best friend.” She smiled. “She is a loving and caring person and would make someone a loving wife. Children and a home are important to her, unlike me, who prefers to explore and map my explorations or draw the many wonders I see.”
Was she attempting to find her friend a mate? And was she considering him a good prospect? The thought annoyed him. Did she not find him attractive or interesting enough to pursue for herself?
Thomas approached and prevented further discussion.
The large man craned his neck to view the drawing. His breath caught and he stepped slowly around to view the face more clearly. “She is the most beautiful woman I have ever seen.”
“Her friend Brigid, who is a loving and caring woman.” Magnus noticed his response pleased her. Did she think him interested?
Thomas continued to stare. “It shows in her lovely features.”
“She would make a good wife,” Reena said and looked to Magnus.
Thomas grinned, his eyes following Reena to Magnus. “A good wife, do you hear that?”
“I hear it well enough. Do you wish me to meet this friend of yours?” Magnus asked with a curtness that caused Thomas to raise his brow.
Reena paid no heed to his sharp tone. “If it would please you.”
He stood abruptly. “I am always pleased to meet a beautiful woman.”
Reena was overjoyed. “I will introduce you as soon as we reach the village.”
“You will ride beside me,” Magnus ordered her. “There are matters I wish to discuss with you.”
Reena nodded and reached out with the stick to erase her friend’s face.
“Nay,” Thomas said, his beefy hand grabbing the stick. “Leave her beauty for the trees and birds to admire.”
“Aye, she would like that, since she admires the trees and birds and considers them her friends.”
“Then she toils in the soil with enjoyment?” Thomas asked as they walked toward their horses.
“She loves digging, planting and growing, and she is an excellent cook.” Reena spoke loud enough for Magnus to hear, since he walked a few feet in front of them.
“I already have an excellent cook,” Magnus called back to her.
“Then that gives her time to stitch, since she is an artist with needle and thread.”
“Is there anything she cannot do?” Magnus nearly shouted.
Reena was quick. “Defend herself.”
Magnus shot back just as quickly, “A weakness in all women.”
Reena bristled at his remark. “I can defend myself well enough.”
“Can you now?”
Before Reena could blink, Magnus had turned and was upon her in an instant. He grabbed her by the shoulders and just as quickly took her to the ground, his legs straddling her while his hands had her shoulders pinned against the hard earth.
“Now can you defend yourself?”
“Aye, I can,” she said with a calmness that belied her quivering stomach.
He laughed.
“I only need to ask you to remove yourself from me.”
She forever startled him, whether in action or words. “And you think a foe would honor your request?”
“You are not a foe. I would not be so foolish as to ask a foe, but then I would not be so foolish as to place myself in a position of defending myself against someone more capable than me.”
“She defends herself well,” Thomas said with a laugh.
Begrudgingly Magnus agreed. “Aye, she does; she uses her intelligence and does not waste her strength in battling someone she cannot defend against.” He stood and offered his hand to her.
She took it and got to her feet, brushing off her cloak. “If I had no choice I would give a foe a worthy battle, though knowing full well victory would not be mine. I would not meet my demise without a fight.”
The thought that Reena would be in such a helpless situation and in need of defending herself infuriated Magnus. “You are under my protection now.”
The three continued toward the horses.
“I am grateful to know that, but I also know that each day can bring the unexpected and I must remain aware and keep my eyes wide and my ears alert.”
Magnus reached out suddenly, grabbing her around the waist and hoisting her up onto her mare. “You do that, but know that anyone who dares to harm one of mine will suffer my wrath.”
He walked over to his horse, mounted, and reached out to take his helmet from one of his men, who held it up to him.
Reena watched as the thoughtful and gentle Magnus disappeared and the fearsome Legend returned, and she shivered from the darkness that appeared to consume him.
A sharp yapping sound broke through her musing, and she looked to see plump little Horace running toward them. He stopped near her, plopped down on the ground for a second, then jumped up and down barking.
Magnus rode over. “Si
t, Horace.”
The puppy jumped up and down several more times before he sat, his plump body leaning to the side and his tongue lolling out of the side of his mouth.
“I did not know you brought him along,” Reena said, delighted. She favored the pup, for he had followed her around yesterday like a dutiful guardian.
Magnus’s deep brown eyes peered at her through the slits of his helmet. “He has been riding in the wagon since our departure, too lazy to walk, and now he wants to join you on your horse.”
Horace seemed to understand and jumped up near Reena as if insisting she reach down and lift him up.
“He is welcome to ride along with me.”
Horace barked and continued looking to Reena, completely ignoring Magnus.
Magnus dismounted and leaned down to scoop the pup up, but Horace, upon seeing the large dark figure approach him, scurried like a frightened rabbit beneath Reena’s horse and whimpered.
“He is threatened by you,” Reena said sympathetically, understanding the small pup’s reaction.
Magnus grumbled for a moment, then ordered the pup out from under the horse. Horace whimpered louder.
“I will get him,” Reena offered.
“You will not.” Magnus was curt. “He will obey me.”
Reena defended the pup. “But he is terrified of you.”
“He must learn.” Once again he ordered the pup from beneath the horse.
Horace started to shiver.
Reena did not hesitate as she slipped off the horse, scooped up the petrified Horace, and looked to Magnus. “Fear teaches fear. Strength teaches strength.”
Magnus felt as if he had just been reprimanded and taught a lesson. He reached out to hoist Reena back onto her horse, and Horace hurried to bury his face in the crook of Reena’s arm. He shook his head and placed a heavy hand on her leg. “I need no reminding of how to handle my dog.”
She would have argued otherwise but thought better of disagreeing. She was in his service now, and that required obedience. Besides, the pup was safe and comfortable in her arms.
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