Snowflakes in Summer (Time Tumble Series Book 1)

by Elizabeth Preston

  “By who?”

  “One of those whoresons. Didn’t ask his name.”

  I took a deep breath and asked what I already knew. “What did he do to you?”

  She looked down, then moved off toward the glowing fire. “He dragged me into the armory, and, well, you can guess the rest.”

  I pulled her into my arms and rocked her gently while she wailed.

  “What can I do?”

  She shook her head. “Nelly and Ada boiled water with comfrey and they helped me bathe. Then Ada cooked up a willow bark infusion and I drank that.”

  “Sit down,” I said, leading her to the bed. The willow bark was supposed to take her pain away, help her heal, and maybe make her calm. Instead, I saw blind rage firing in her eyes.

  “I can imagine how angry you are.”

  “You can’t.”

  I tapped my fingers together. “You’re right, I probably can’t.”

  She smiled. “Do you think we should try to kill them in their sleep?” She was teasing, of course, but there was a reckless edge to her voice. I knew she’d agree to anything I suggested, and the more dangerous it was, the more she’d jump at the idea.

  I took her hand and held it between my palms. “When they’re all asleep, we need to free one of our men. Do you think we’ll be able to do that?” Just the thought of the danger made me feel nauseous.

  She pulled her hand back, her face lighting with joy. “You want to free one of our men?”

  “Someone who is familiar with the woods around here, and who knows how to get away from the castle and hide until Bern and the men return. We need to warn Bern and his fighters before they set one foot on our land.”

  She nodded. “The Northmen, they’re not raiders, are they? I was thinking the same thing. Raiders come in, steal, and then leave quickly.”

  I moved to stand in front of the fire. “They’ve been here for four nights now. They’re waiting for our warriors to return, so they can kill them.”

  Elspeth raised her hands in wonder. “But how do eight Northmen hope to wipe out fifty Highland warriors. It’s a ridiculous notion.”

  I shrugged. “All the same, it’s what the Northmen have in mind. Maybe they plan to hold us hostage and bargain us back in exchange for Bern’s life. I don’t know. But I’m tired of doing nothing. I’ve had enough of sitting here waiting and dreading.” Actually, I’d have preferred to wait, but if something happened to Bern because I hadn’t found the courage to warn him beforehand, I wouldn’t be able to live with myself.

  She clapped her hands together and spoke with far too much enthusiasm. “Me too.”

  Then I told her about Storr and what he said about Bern dying soon and about Greenland. “So you see, I have nothing to lose. Chances are that Bern will be killed or I’ll be dragged off to live in Greenland or both. I’d rather warn Bern and take my chances at getting caught.”

  Elspeth was barely listening. Already she was debating with herself who we should attempt to free. In the end, she chose Ian because he was still young enough to be fast, he knew his way around the area, and because his injury was well on the way to being healed. I interrupted her excitement.

  “You realize that if we get caught, the Northmen will have a special kind of punishment reserved just for us. As two young women we will be made to repeatedly suffer.” I wasn’t putting into words what I thought they’d do, but I didn’t need to. Elspeth would have more of an idea than me.

  “Four women. Ada and Nelly will help us,” she whispered.

  I bit my lip. “Is it fair to involve them? This is a reckless scheme. We’re likely to end up dead, one way or the other.”

  Instead of answering, she took my hand, leading me to the kitchen.

  Chapter 15

  Caitlin

  We had not made it halfway to the castle kitchen before Elspeth came to an abrupt stop. “I’ve had a better idea,” she said.

  As none of our ideas seemed particularly clever or even good, and certainly not safe, then it wouldn’t be hard to come up with something better. “What?”

  “I think ye should go back into the hall. See how well the great hall is lit? The Northmen are still in there, feasting. You can distract them.”

  “No, I can’t. I can’t distract a room filled with Vikings.”

  “Vi . . . What?”

  “Nothing. Northmen, I mean. I might be able to distract Storr but that’s it.”

  “Yes, but the others follow Storr’s lead. If he celebrates then so will they. The others drink themselves into oblivion most eves, anyway. Storr keeps his wits about him. He is the thinker, and the one t’ watch.”

  I could see the sense in her logic but wanted to scream at her for suggesting it. Now I had to go back and whisper sweet rubbish into the ear of a man I’d rather never see again. “And what will you do?”

  “Nelly is in charge of looking after our wounded. Because they’re tied up, they’re not considered much of a risk. There’s only ever one Northman guarding them at one time. Every eve, Nelly brings the guard an ale and late supper before she retires t’ her bed. We should be able to slip something into the guard’s drink, and send him to sleep for most of the eve. That should work. Why not?”

  I could think of a thousand reasons why not. The guard might taste the hemlock or whatever it was Elspeth had in mind to use. Or, the guard might make Nelly sip his ale first, just to be sure. Or, the potion she used might not be strong enough to knock out a sturdy Viking and he could wake up while Nelly, Ada, and Elspeth were slashing the ropes that bound Ian’s wrists and ankles. Then, Nelly and everyone else will get their heads cut off. I didn’t say any of that out loud, of course.

  “Probably easiest for Ian to sneak out through the sea gate. The Northmen have already broken in that way, so surely we can get one man out that way, too.” It sounded good but really, I had no idea what I was talking about. Did they keep a guard on the sea gate? No idea. I felt faint. This century was so much more terrifying than mine.

  “What do you think will happen in the morning?” I asked.

  “With a bit o’ luck, they won’t even notice Ian missing. Do they know how many o’ our men they have tied up? The Northmen are a cocky lot, altogether too confident to bother counting old and ailing Scotsmen. And we’ve another positive on our side: Ian’s not a man that stands out in a crowd. He’s quiet and keeps his head down. I doubt they’ll notice him missing. And that’s why we must only free one man this eve. It’s safer this way, more chance o’ our plan succeeding.”

  I envied Elspeth and her eternal optimism. “Right. I’m going back to the hall to sweet-talk Storr. I’ll stall him for as long as I can.” My twisted nerves were making me feel lightheaded. No matter. I had to do my bit, and it didn’t matter how nervous I was, I would do what I had to do.

  I hadn’t even reached the hall when I recognized a familiar sound: the tapping of Storr’s Viking boots against the stone floor. He was headed this way. I trembled and pulled my arms to my side to hold my body in one piece.

  Storr,” I said, seeing him rush forward. “I was just coming back into the hall to share a drink with you.”

  His eyebrows rose in surprise, but he shook his head. There was an air of agitation about him, now. “I have a jug of whiskey in my room. We will go there,” he said.

  I swallowed. He placed his hand on my back and guided me to the back stairwell. Storr’s room was really Bern’s solar and I had no wish to be in that magical place with Storr. But, I had no choice now. He rubbed his hand over his stubbled chin and sighed deeply.

  “Is something wrong?” I asked, not used to seeing him in any state other than calm and in complete control.

  “Yes, something is wrong. The wretched Scots are wrong.”

  He didn’t say another word till we reached Ber
n’s solar. We were barely through the door before he was at the whiskey, pouring himself a large mug full. As he gulped it down, I looked around and my heart ached. Last time I was here, it was with Bern, and the feeling was entirely different. I longed to see him again, to feel the weight of his arms as they wrapped around me.

  In no time, Storr’s mug was empty and he was refilling. “Storr?”

  “I have had word.” He studied me to see how I would take his news. I must contain my feeling, no matter what he said. Nelly and Ada and Elspeth’s lives might depend on my acting ability. I would not let them down.

  “Word?”

  “A messenger came. He’s informed me that the Highland warriors live.”

  I nodded, briefly, trying to look unperturbed one way or the other. But really, my heart sang.

  “You are pleased?”

  I shrugged. “I now picture myself living in Greenland with you.”

  “Yes, well, we have work to do before that can happen.”

  “Work?”

  “My king, he is not a patient man. Nor is he understanding. The Highlanders got the better of the Northmen in Innse Gall. So now it is all down to me.”

  “What is down to you?”

  He looked back at me as if I was stupid. “To kill Bern, of course. My job is to kill him, I have been sent here with that specific task. I am to kill him if he makes it back from Innse Gall unscathed. But truly, how would he survive? Northmen against Highlanders, it is a ridiculous notion. Of course my people will triumph, or should have.” He took another swig.

  I must not smile. “Your king cannot blame you for what your people have done, or failed to do. How is it your fault that the Highlanders beat the Northmen in Innse Gall?”

  “Quite.” He took another swig. “But you do not know my king. He must blame someone.”

  “I see. So you and your men must kill fifty Highland warriors when they return or your king will be displeased.”

  He emptied his mug. “If I do not manage to at least kill Laird Bern then my king will have my head.”

  “Sit down, Storr, and think this through,” I said, stalling, giving Nelly and Elspeth time. He ignored me and started pacing.

  “I need a plan,” he said between gritted teeth. “It must be foolproof because, most of the time, my men are drunken fools. The responsibility is all mine.”

  “You are a clever Northman,” I said, sounding placating, even to my own ears. “I’m sure you’ll know what to do. You must have some idea. There are only eight of you and fifty returning Highlanders. How did you plan to win?”

  He swung around, full of agitation. “That is just the point. They were not meant to return, not many of them, at any rate. The Norse are the most skilled fighters of all. I have no idea how the Highlanders triumphed. But they have, and now I must kill fifty of them single-handed.”

  I sat on Bern’s bed, the very spot I’d spent the happiest nights of my life. “You have seven strong Northmen at your disposal. I only have to look at your men to feel fear. They are a ruthless lot.”

  He wouldn’t be consoled. “Looks sometimes deceive. They are drunken louts most of the time; their brains are addled. My men are followers not leaders. I tell you, it is all down to me. If I don’t defeat the Highlanders then my king will make me pay. It is the way of my people. It ensures that we fight with nothing held back.”

  I stepped up to the whiskey jug and refilled his mug. “You are a clever man, Storr. I doubt many people have gotten the better of you.”

  He nodded, like I was right. Then he stared at the wall, as if seeing a new way forward. “You and Bern were to marry.” It was a statement.

  I shrugged.

  “Does he have feelings for you? I should imagine he would. You are an attractive woman. There is none around like you. I bet he has formed an attachment.”

  “I don’t think he has . . .”

  He moved over to touch my hair. “So fresh, so untainted. And you keep such a clear head, too. How could he not want you?”

  I rubbed my damp palms on my dress. So here was his plan. He would trade me, just as I feared, my life in exchange for Bern’s. “I’m looking forward to life in Greenland,” I mumbled, well aware of how futile those words now were. “You and I, we would make a formidable couple.” I should have added something about children but honestly, the words would not come.

  He was standing at the small window opening running his hands through his hair. Storr was the most groomed man in medieval Scotland but right then, he looked disheveled and out of control. His eyes narrowed into points and he peered harder out of the tiny window opening, looking straight down.

  His back stiffened. “Is that someone at the sea gate?”

  “What?” I said, flying over. “How could it be? It is dark out, pitch. You are seeing shadows of sea birds or seals or some such thing.”

  His forehead was poking out of the window. “The moon is full. Look for yourself. There is enough light to see.”

  Peering down, I said, “I see nothing.”

  He pulled me away and searched again. He was like an eagle who sensed a mouse. “There, I saw a shadow.” He pointed straight down.

  I was afraid to stand so close, afraid he’d hear the thuds of my heart. He turned and fled for the door.

  “Storr, where are you going?”

  He was out of the solar now, running down the back stairwell, headed for the bottom of the castle and of course for the sea gate. I bolted after him, trying to catch up, trying and failing to grab the leather of his tunic. He was down at the very bottom before me and rushing straight along the stone pathway that led to the gate.

  “Storr,” I yelled, “you are upset.” I reasoned that if I yelled out, then at least I had a chance of warning the others. “It is nothing, Storr. Let’s go back and enjoy the night.”

  He stopped suddenly and turned. “Are you part of this plan, Lady Caitlin? Surely I am mistaken? Am I really such a poor judge of character?”

  “You are not poor at anything. You triumph. Come back with me, Storr, and stop this crazy, drink-addled chase into the sea. You are too smart to be fooled by shadows.”

  He continued to run, faster now, straight for the gate. Soon he would discover Elspeth and then Ian. None of us would survive the night. Storr would never believe a word I said, from this point on. He would see the part I played and make me suffer the most because I’d made him look like a fool.

  He turned into the last corner and stared down the dark tunnelway that lead to the gate. Even from where he stood, he should be able to see the pair.

  “Storr, please listen . . .”

  He stormed for the gate, toward the noise my friends were making in their desperate attempt to yank the gate open. All was lost. I saw his hand pull his sword from the scabbard.

  “Storr . . .” I shouted, making sure that Elspeth and Ian knew what was headed their way. When Storr reached the gate, it was swinging open. He hesitated pulling his sword up in front of his chest. My friends, they must be just outside behind the gate, hiding behind the castle. I was desperate now, my gaze bouncing around the tunnel walls, seeking something, anything, looking for a way to help. Then Elspeth moved into the moonlight. What was she doing, was she sacrificing herself to save Ian, to give him a chance to run?

  “Stay right there,” Storr growled.

  My eyes settled on the metal pole nestled in the corner, a tool used to guide rolling barrels out of the sea gate and down to a waiting ship. I lunged for it. The pole was heavy, but I was too terrified, too full of adrenaline to let the weight stop me. I lifted the tool into the air and swung it at the same time Storr lunged for Elspeth. I brought the heavy pole down on top of Storr’s head.

  Storr turned, the end of the pole still resting on his shoulder. Blood trickled down his head and
into his eyes. “Caitlin . . .” he said, stunned. He genuinely seemed shocked by what I’d done. I was mortified. Was it really my own hand that brought the pole down? He swayed, and his sword fall from his hand and clanged onto the floor. I raised the pole again, shut my eyes, and brought it down one more time. I opened my eyes and watched him fall to the floor like a lifeless sheet.

  Trembling, I stood on the spot, my hands still clutched tightly onto the metal pole. Elspeth was beside Storr now, kneeing on the stone floor, searching for signs of life. She put her palms on his neck and felt for his pulse. Why was everything happening in slow motion? It was taking everyone ages to do anything. Then Ian appeared form nowhere and peeled my fingers off the tool. I still couldn’t move.

  Elspeth spoke at last. “He’s dead.” She rose and turned to me. “Are ye all right, Caitlin? Sweets? You’ve had a terrible fright.”

  Ever so slightly, I managed to shake my head. How could I possibly be all right? I was a murderer now. “I need to leave, go home, tonight . . .”

  Elspeth’s arms were around me, pulling me from the spot. “We’ll just get ye outside, sit ye down and then we can move Storr.”

  I followed her lead, slowly making my way through the small sea gate. “Ye can run with Ian, ran away from Tor if ye want to?”

  I shook my head again, or tried to. “No. Too suspicious. Can’t do it. Must look normal. All the others are still trapped inside.”

  Ian dragged Storr’s body out through the gate and was headed for the sea wall.

  “Wait,” I said, shocking myself. “Put rocks inside his clothing. Tuck them under his tunic. Need to weigh him down.” I listened to myself: typical teacher, practical as always. Why couldn’t I let myself fall apart?

  Elspeth scurried around the shoreline gathering large stones. She bought a skirt-full back and tucked them inside Storr’s leather trousers. She worked away at her task, crouching near me, all the while her voice crooning and soft. “If ye stay here in the castle, sweets, the Northmen will question ye. Come morn, they’ll want to know where Storr is. Are ye up to it? Ye realize that the Northmen, and mayhap half the folk in our castle think ye and Storr are . . . sweet on each other.”