Highlander Oath Of The Beast

by Donna Fletcher

Raven laughed. “My da would dispute that.”

  “Burnell said you were a chore to your da that day.”

  Memories had Raven smiling. “That would be most days back then.”

  “You made a lasting impression on Burnell and he very much enjoyed your one and only visit here.”

  “I imagine my actions embarrassed my da and was the reason he never brought me here again.”

  “Sometimes it takes only one look to know a person.” Detta’s words softened as she continued, “It’s often that way with love. You look upon someone and you know deep in your heart he is the one for you.”

  “You know that from experience?” Raven asked.

  “I do,” she said with a soft whisper as if lost in loving memories. Her eyes flickered and the softness that had been there disappeared. “I will tell Lord Wolf that you are in need of gloves.”

  “Not necessary, Detta, I have a pair right here for her.”

  Raven hadn’t heard her husband enter the room, she’d been too lost in the past and the memories Detta had stirred in her. She planned on visiting her da as soon as the snow allowed and asking him about her visit here. There was something she felt she should remember but she couldn’t quite grasp it.

  “Lady Raven traded her gloves and says it was a fair trade,” Detta said as if she didn’t quite believe Raven.

  Wolf dropped the gloves on the table and removed his cloak, Detta reaching out to take it from him. He joined his wife, sitting beside her. “And what did you receive in this fair trade?”

  Raven grinned wide. “A hug!”

  Wolf’s brow creased in annoyance. “A hug from who?”

  “A hug from a young lass whose hands were bitter cold and needed the gloves more than I did, but refused to take them without trading something. I told her I missed my friends’ hugs, hadn’t had one in five years, and asked if she would trade a tight hug with me for the gloves. She gladly obliged.” Raven turned a smile on Detta. “A fair trade, would you say?”

  “A generous trade, my lady,” Detta said.

  Raven thought she caught a glimmer of tears in the old woman’s eyes.

  “I’ll fetch more hot cider,” Detta said and hastily hurried away.

  “You have a good heart, wife,” Wolf said and went to kiss her.

  She pulled back away from him, eyeing him skeptically. “You didn’t come here to just bring me gloves. You made it clear you had duties to see to, so why come find me?”

  Wolf shook his head. “You are far too observant, wife.”

  “You should keep that in mind, since it will save us time when there is news you wish to tell me but hesitate to do so,” she admonished. “Now tell me, what’s happened?”

  “I will tell you if you promise me you will warm yourself with more hot cider before we leave here.”

  “Gloves, hot cider, you want me warm against the cold. Where do we go?”

  He turned a glare on her and she understood. “All right. I promise to warm myself with more cider.” She hurriedly added. “And I do appreciate the gloves. Now please don’t keep me waiting.”

  “We go into the woods. Another body has been found.”

  Chapter 19

  “Iver found him and returned to alert me. I sent him on, worried for Brother Noble’s safety,” Wolf explained as they walked through the woods, a dozen or more of his warriors spread out around them.

  “It’s one of Brynjar’s men?” Raven asked.

  “I can’t say for sure, though his garments are those of a Northman,” Wolf confirmed.

  They said no more until they reached the spot where Iver had come across the body.

  “With no visible wounds, I assume he got caught in the storm and froze to death,” Raven said, staring down at the man. Sadly, she had come across more than one person through the years with bad luck enough to be caught in a snowstorm and freeze to death.

  “I’d say that was his fate,” Wolf agreed and watched how his wife drifted off in thought. He waited a bit before asking, “What thoughts simmer in your head?”

  “I feel that we miss something. Why does Brynjar risk the death of so many men just to see me dead? What does it matter if he waits? Winter is a time of hibernation. Everything stills from the cold and emptiness of the season. Why rush the task? What does a few months matter?” She shook her head. “What makes him so impatient to see it done?”

  “I have bested him many times, perhaps his patience for revenge has come to an end,” Wolf suggested.

  “We’re missing something, I know we are,” Raven insisted.

  “I’d listen to her,” Fyn said, standing not far from them along with George, and Brod walked over to join them.

  “Raven has excellent instincts,” George said.

  “We can all attest to that,” Brod agreed. “She saved us many a time when we thought all was clear and we were safe to thieve travelers along the road, only to find warriors lurked near that would have meant the death of us.”

  “Then what do you think goes on with Brynjar?” Wolf asked his wife.

  “There is a reason he rushes to see this done,” Raven said. “But how would he benefit from my death? What if it isn’t truly my death he seeks?”

  “What do you mean?” Brod asked.

  Raven wasn’t sure herself but continued to reason. “What if he seeks to see me dead to hide his true intentions for being here?”

  “Wolf’s death?” George asked.

  “Something I’m sure he covets,” Wolf said.

  “I don’t believe so,” Raven said. “Wolf’s death would give him no satisfaction. My death could disrupt the relative peace our marriage has brought between clans. And could very well bring war to the area, causing Wolf endless strife and suffering, something Brynjar would relish.”

  Wolf admired his wife’s quick mind. She reasoned faster than most and could project other possible scenarios they might face. She truly was a warrior.

  “It’s his impatience that has me questioning his reason,” she said, frustrated she failed to see what it might be.

  “More men will come,” Wolf said, looking to each of her men.

  “We’ll protect her,” Fyn said and George and Brod agreed with forceful nods.

  Raven ignored them, studying the dead man. “Why didn’t he seek shelter?” she asked of no one in particular.

  “I wondered the same,” Wolf said. “Northmen know how to survive in a snowstorm.”

  “He could have been a captive,” George suggested.

  “Perhaps Sten would recognize him,” Raven said.

  Though they thought the same often, Wolf still found it surprising when her words mirrored his thoughts. Or was it surprising that it continued and grew even stronger that amazed him?

  “His body will be brought to the village and we’ll see what Sten has to say,” Wolf said and gave a quick look to the sky. “We need to return. The dark clouds warn of more possible snow.”

  “At least more snow will keep the culprits at bay,” Brod said.

  “It didn’t keep this one at bay,” Raven said, glancing down at the frozen dead man.

  Sten hugged himself against the cold, though he wore a warm cloak, and stared at the dead man on the table in the small shed. After a few moments, he shook his head. “I’ve never seen him before.”

  “You never came across him in any of Brynjar’s camps?” Wolf asked.

  Sten shook his head again. “No, never. He is a stranger to me. I’ve never come across him at any of Brynjar’s camps I’ve been to.”

  Wolf waved at Lars to return the man to the keep.

  “What if he’s not one of Brynjar’s men?” Raven asked, staring down at the dead man who if she ventured to guess was maybe five or six years older than her. A man of fair looks, not that tall and slim. “He looks more a farmer or craftsman than a warrior.”

  “He does,” Wolf agreed. “But then Brynjar doesn’t care about one’s trade. His captives fight for him or they die.”

  “I neve
r thought of a man in more need of dying than Brynjar.”

  “Many would agree with you,” Wolf said, “but like most evil men, he has powerful friends, who more than likely fear him.”

  “They know he craves their power and will think nothing of taking it from them.” She shook her head and glanced down at the dead man again. “So is this man one of Brynjar’s men or is he nothing more than a traveler the snowstorm claimed?”

  “A question we may never get an answer to,” Wolf said, annoyed at the thought.

  “Perhaps we should have Greta take a look at this man,” Raven suggested. “She may spot something we missed about his death.”

  “A good thought,” Wolf said. “I’ll have Fyn bring her here. In the meantime, I need to go see if the trackers were able to find anything that might help us.” Wolf kissed her gently. “Don’t do anything foolish, Raven.”

  She laughed lightly. “I’ve done the most foolish thing I’ve ever done and it has turned out surprisingly well.”

  “And what’s that?” he asked, though he had his suspicions.

  She draped her arms around his neck and relished the feel of his arm circling her waist to hold her firm. “I wed you.” She kissed him, her passion taking them both by surprise and forcing Wolf to end the heated kiss.

  He rested his brow against hers, calming his breathing and trying to douse the fire she had ignited in him.

  “Sooner than later,” she whispered softly near his ear.

  “Much sooner,” he agreed and suddenly was looking forward to the cold winter ahead, intending to spend a good portion of it in bed with his wife.

  “I’ll wait here for Greta,” Raven said. Wolf gave her a nod and hurried off.

  Making love with her husband had changed everything. She shook her head. That may have been the breaking point, but it hadn’t been the only thing to change things between them. It had been a series of small things, some good, some not, that allowed them to see each other truthfully and finally allowed them to trust each other. Though, it was her husband believing her word that she’d never been with a man that made the biggest difference to her. For some reason, it had opened her heart to hope and the possibility that there might be a chance for a sliver of love between them.

  Dare she give that thought or even want it from a man who was once her enemy? Was she being a fool?

  She shook her head. This wasn’t the time for such thoughts. She forced herself to concentrate on the dead man to see if there was anything she missed. No weapons had been found with him and a quick glance had seen none on him. That was until she took a closer look and caught sight of the hilt of a knife barely peeking out from one of his boots. It was tucked down too far to catch sight of it without a closer look. She thought of slipping it out, but it would be better to wait until he thawed some to retrieve it. Any symbols engraved on it might help identify the man.

  Raven turned as the door opened and Greta entered.

  “Lord Wolf summoned me, my lady,” Greta said.

  Someday she was going to get people to call her by her name and not some fancy title that didn’t belong to her. For now, she ignored it.

  “Aye, Greta, but first, how is Tait?”

  “Other than some nightmares he does well, but that is thanks to Fyn. He’s teaching him what to do to protect himself and he’s fashioning a wooden knife so he can teach Tait how to use it wisely.” She smiled. “I am grateful he cares for both me and my son. He is a good man.”

  “Fyn is a good man and he would make a fine husband to you and a good da to Tait.”

  Greta blushed. “I feel safe with him.”

  “And well you should,” Raven said, truly pleased for Fyn and Greta. “I’m sure Fyn told you that a man was found frozen to death in the woods or so we’ve surmised. Lord Wolf and I would like you to examine him the best you can and see if you can tell us if perhaps we missed something where is death is concerned.”

  “I’ll do my best, my lady,” Greta said and approached the table, Raven moving aside.

  Raven was surprised to see Greta’s hand rush to cover her mouth and tears rush to pool in her eyes. “Do you know this man, Greta?”

  She shook her head, her hand falling slowly away from her mouth. “No, I didn’t expect one so young. He is one of Brynjar’s men?”

  “We can’t be sure. He could be a traveler whose bad luck it was to be caught in the snowstorm. Though his Northmen garments define his origin.”

  “I will take my time and look him over. If there is something you need to do, my lady, I can come find you when I’m done,” Greta said.

  Raven was eager to find out if her husband had learned anything from the trackers. “I won’t be long.”

  “No need to rush, my lady,” Greta assured her, her eyes already intent on the dead man.

  Raven slipped out of the shed to find Brod waiting there.

  “Fyn is with Tait and George is with Eria, trying to calm her after she heard the news. She fears Brynjar is here to take her back home and wed her. She’s dreadfully frightened he’ll find a way to abduct her.”

  “That is a possibility, I suppose,” Raven said.

  “Yet you doubt it,” Brod said as they walked off.

  “I tell you there is something we are missing,” she insisted, annoyed she couldn’t piece together what it was that nagged at her.

  “It will come with time,” Brod encouraged.

  “But will it come too late?” Raven stopped abruptly and swerved around. “I don’t need you following me, Hagen. My men take good care looking after me.”

  Hagen scratched his bushy, graying beard. “Maybe once, but with Clive gone and now Iver gone on a mission for Wolf, that leaves three of your men who are more taken up with the women that caught their fancy, than watching over you.”

  Brod went to argue and stopped. “He’s right. we haven’t been as vigilant as usual. Iver accused the same recently and I was too annoyed to see he spoke the truth.”

  “You admit it now and that’s what matters,” Hagen said. “Leif and I keep a good eye on her.”

  “An unnecessary eye,” Raven argued.

  “I do as Wolf tells me,” Hagen said. “And Wolf does what is right. He protects his wife.”

  “He’s got you there,” Brod said with a chuckle.

  Raven walked away from them both, shaking her head.

  Brod kept his eye on her as he spoke. “You know she can lose you anytime she wants.”

  “So I’ve been told, so it might be good to have a few more eyes on her,” Hagen said.

  “I’ll tell the others and we’ll talk with you later.”

  “Wolf will be glad we work together,” Hagen said and hurried off after Raven.

  Raven ducked into the longhouse for a hot brew after spending an hour with her husband and Gorm. Nothing more had been found in the surrounding area where the dead man had been discovered, but then the snow hadn’t helped in the search. There could be clues buried beneath some of the mounds of snow but until it melted, they had nothing. However, it had given her time to discuss her ideas about some tree perches and she was pleased that her husband and Gorm had been receptive to her ideas. Gorm even appeared enthusiastic about it and Wolf had told her to work with Gorm on it.

  She was pouring herself another hot cider when Greta entered the common room. “Join me,” she offered, the young woman appearing pale.

  Greta gripped the tankard Raven handed her.

  “You’re upset. Did you find something that disturbed you?”

  “No,” Greta said and took a sip of cider before continuing, “I know that death is part of life, but some deaths trouble me more than others. It appears you were right. The dead man froze to death and it wasn’t necessary.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “His garments tell us he’s a Northmen and Northmen know how to survive in a snowstorm. I can only assume that this man thought he could reach his destination before the snow and cold captured him. It could mean that he kn
ew he’d be welcome here.”

  Raven said her thoughts aloud. “So he was friend not foe or he wanted us to believe that or” —she paused in thought— “he had an urgent message for Wolf and fought the snowstorm to make it here.”

  “Then he was a brave soul,” Greta said, tears shining in her eyes.

  Fyn entered, a dusting of snow covering him. “George is with Tait and Eria. I’ve come to escort Greta back to the keep before the weather worsens.” He rushed to her side when he saw the tears in her eyes that had yet to fall and took her in his arms. “What’s wrong?”

  She buried her face against his chest, shaking her head.

  “I think everything has been a bit much for her,” Raven said. “You should get her to the keep and let her rest.”

  Greta eased away from Fyn and shook her head again. “No, I am good, lack of sleep last night and worries over my son’s nightmares, that’s all. I’m the healer and need to be strong even when I don’t feel strong.”

  “You have my strength to lean on,” Fyn said, worry in his eyes for her.

  “I so appreciate that, Fyn. And right now I can use some of it since I need to tend some people in the village before I return to the keep.”

  “I’ll go with you,” Fyn said, then cringed as he looked to Raven. “I’m supposed to meet with the others and Hagen and Leif as well.”

  “Are you now?’ Raven asked with a quirk of her brow.

  Fyn realized his mistake, letting her know what they were up to.

  “Go with Greta, she needs you more than the others. I’ll send Ida to them with a message.”

  Fyn went to speak.

  She saw how torn he was, loving the woman in his arms yet feeling as if he abandoned the woman who had once saved his life.

  “Go, Fyn, with my blessing,” she said as if releasing him from any responsibility for her. He hesitated. “Hurry, before the snow turns bad and Greta is unable to get back to her son.”

  “Aye, we must hurry, Fyn,” Greta said.

  Fyn sent her a smile before rushing off with Greta, and Raven smiled as well, knowing he realized she had mentioned her son on purpose to get them both moving.