Chapter 18

Chapter Eighteen

Astrid dressed quickly to avoid the morning chill, and ran

her comb through her hair, hissing as it tugged at the tangles. She’d hardly

slept all night, her mind filled with blood soaked dreams. Some of the dreams

were just nightmares, but others. She shivered and set the comb down; others

had been visions of what was to come. She’d seen herself struck down by a large

man, an ax biting deep into her chest. She’d seen herself fall to the field and

Reid by her side. But some how she knew she wasn’t going to die, and that

combined with the knowledge that Reid wouldn’t be harmed gave her some comfort.

Before the day was over something was going to happen to her, of that she was

sure.

Astrid peered at her reflection in the polished plate that

was her mirror, and didn’t recognize herself. The woman peering back was lovely

but she was also timid looking. When had she grown timid? When had she lost her

spirit? No, it wasn’t lost it was simply hidden, her father’s cruelty had

beaten down her true self. She stood straight and held her head high, well no

more if she was going to die soon, or be forced to wed against her will, she’d

live her last few days with out fear. She checked her gown one last time to be

sure she looked her best and then stepped from her chamber.

Astrid paused in the corridor and Reid’s handsome face same

unbidden to her. She would go and see him, and the hell with her father and his

rules. All he could do was beat her, she was use to  that. Picking up her skirt she hurried

through the dark keep, as around her it slowly came to life.

Astrid stopped for a moment before her father’s chamber and

listened to the door, hearing movements inside she darted into the shadows of a

side passage and watched the door open. Mary stepped into the hall, dressed

only in a night rail, her long hair in disarray. She watched Mary check the

corridor was clear and then hurry away down the passage towards Helen’s solar.

Astrid stepped into the corridor, a foul taste in her mouth.

Her father was bedding Mary, for how long she wondered. The woman was as loathsome

as Helen. She’d been watching the kitchen to be sure Mary didn’t drug the

family’s meal, as she’d drugged Reid, but if she was alone with her father.

Astrid shivered in disgust and hurried past her father’s door and down the

passage towards Reid’s chamber. She stopped before the door and knocked quickly

hoping he was still inside. She heard a sound and the door was opened by a

sleepy looking Brent, who looked at her in surprise.

“Lady Astrid?” Brent said stepping back into the chamber to

let her enter. He closed the door softly and quickly fastened his breeches,

then hurried across the chamber to pick up his shirt and slip it on.

Astrid smiled in amusement seeing Reid was just waking, she

looked at the shuttered window seeing the first hint of sunrise. She’d not

realized it was so early, she’d woken them both up.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t know it was so early.” Astrid said and

saw Reid come fully awake and sit up in bed. She flushed as she realized he was

***** and turned her back, as Brent threw him a pair of breeches.

“What is it?” Reid asked slipping the breeches on. “Has

something happened.” Reid was both pleased and alarmed to see Astrid, in truth

he’d hardly slept all night thinking about her. He stepped up to her and placed

his hand on her shoulder, and she spun to look up at him.

“No, I know I shouldn’t be here but I had to see you.”

Astrid said as Brent stomped into his boots and grabbed a tunic.

“I’ll wait in the hall so you two can be alone.” Brent gave

Reid a nod before slipping through the door. The moment the door was closed

Reid swept Astrid into his arms, and bending her back over his arm kissed her

till they were both breathless.

Reid stepped back from her and gently stroked her cheek,

feeling her press against his hand. “What is it” Reid asked again and saw

Astrid avoid his gaze.

“If I asked you to leave, to not do this would you. Would

you just ride away and not look back.” Astrid stepped back and saw Reid frown.

“What are you talking about? We discussed this last night,

don’t you want to be my wife.” Reid demanded hotly and saw Astrid’s smile fade.

“Yes I do. But not at the cost of harm to you. If something

happened to you, I couldn’t live with myself.” Astrid saw Reid’s lips tighten

and knew she’d hurt his pride.

“Have you no faith in me?” Reid demanded and saw Astrid turn

away. Something was wrong. “Did you have a vision? Is that what this is about,

you saw something?” Reid lay his hand on her shoulder. “Did you see me get

hurt? See me killed?”

Astrid shook her head and turned back to look at Reid. She

caught his hand and pressed it against her cheek, closing her eyes she forced

her mind to be calm. Images flashed in her mind, Reid in battle, Reid leaning

over her as she lay covered in blood and Reid as an old man surrounded by tall

young men with blonde hair. She released his hand and stepped back composing

herself.

“No, not you. You shall live to be an old man, and have many

fine sons.” Astrid forced a smile trying to put him at ease. If something was

going to happen to her she didn’t want him here. Reid frowned struggling to

understand what Astrid was trying to tell him.

“Brent, is Brent going to be hurt?” Reid demanded and Astrid

shook her head.

“I don’t want you hurt Reid, hurt in any way. I have gold in

my chamber. If I gave it to you would you ride away? Would you ride back to

Normandy and forget about me.” Astrid asked and saw Reid’s eyes widen in

surprise.

“You, is something going to happen to you? That’s it isn’t

it.” Reid went cold inside. “Tell me what did you see.”

Astrid shook her head and threw her arms about Reid. “It

doesn’t matter, nothing matters but you.”

 Reid wrapped his arms

about her. What ever was bothering her was important enough for her to risk her

father’s anger. “What is wrong? Though I’m delighted you are here.” He placed

his hands on her slim shoulders and stepped back looking down at her.

“Promise you will be careful, that you will take no

chances.” Astrid looked up at Reid wishing she could tell him everything. “I

fear there is treachery all around us, that you will be hurt. I’m not worth

your life.”

“Treachery, what are you talking about.” Reid crossed to sit

on his bed, pulling her after him and sat down so he could look her in the

face.

“I saw Mary leaving father’s chamber this morning. They must

be lovers.” Astrid swallowed the bitter taste in her mouth an saw Reid’s look

of shock. “Since we brought Helen and Mary home father has been acting more and

more strangely. Alarick and I have long feared that Mary was putting something

in his food, but this is far worse.” Astrid felt Reid’s hands tighten about her

waist. “If she was not afraid to drug you for Lord Torbay, what is to say she

isn’t poisoning my father for him now.”

“You think Torbay has a hand in your father acting this way,

in the attacks against your family.” Reid asked and saw Astrid nod.

“I am worth more dead than alive. I die unwed and Eric

inherits everything. If he dies with no heir Helen inherits everything, do you

understand.” Astrid saw Reid’s jaw clench. “She has refused to be with him,

refused to be a true wife to him, and Torbay has refused to let their marriage

be annulled. You would be safer if you forgot about me. Just ride away, go home

to Normandy and forget me. I will give you what gold I have, it will be enough

for you to live well. For you to be worthy of a fine Norman lady.”

Reid didn’t want to hear any more, what she said made sense,

horrible sense, and he was frightened again. “I told you I don’t want a Norman

woman, I want you.” Reid saw her blue eyes fill with sadness and he worked up

the courage to tell her what was in his heart. “I love you.” Reid pulled her

against him, seeing disbelief in her eyes. “I fell in love with a gentle, kind

hearted girl and my love has only deepened as you have become a woman. I can’t

just ride away and leave you, don’t you understand that. These years apart your

letters to me were all that kept me going all those long cold months. The dream

of you was all I had.”

Astrid couldn’t believe what she heard, Reid loved her. She

slid her hands up to his chest and looked him in the eyes seeing only truth in

their blue depths.

“You love me.” Astrid asked in disbelief, feeling Reid’s

hands tighten about her waist. “You don’t care that I’m not Norman, that I’m

fey?”

“I love you because your you. I love you just as you are.

Now there will be no more talk of leaving. I will be careful today, for both

our sakes, and I will watch my back.” Reid gave her another quick kiss. “You

had better go.”

Astrid let Reid guide her to the door. “I will have Megwyn

bring you and your brothers food this morning. You can trust her, Gothwyn and

my brothers.” Astrid pulled a length of green ribbon off her bodice and pressed

it into Reid’s hand. “For luck.”

Reid tightened his hand over the ribbon and eased the door

open, seeing Brent in the hall. Brent looked up and down the passageway then

motioned Astrid forward. She gave Reid one last smile then hurried out of the

chamber and away down the dim passageway. When she was gone Brent stepped back

into the room closing the door after him.

“What did she want?” Brent asked seeing Reid looked

troubled.

“She wanted me to leave before the fight, she offered me

gold to just ride away.” Reid dropped to his bed and saw Brent’s look of

surprise. “She must have had a dream, a vision, something that scared her. She

said she didn’t want me hurt, and that I should leave.”

“Did she say your going to be hurt?” Brent demanded looking

at Reid who shook his head.

“No, she said I was going to be fine. I think she fears

something is going to happen to her, and she doesn’t want me here to see it.”

Reid lifted the ribbon to his face and inhaled. He caught the faintest scent of

roses and smiled. “She also believes that Mary has become her father’s lover

and is perhaps drugging him. She warned me to watch my back, and that we should

be extra careful today.”

“Did she say anything else.” Brent asked, sensing Reid had

more to say.

“Yes, she said she is worth more dead than alive. If she

dies unwed Eric inherits everything, and if Eric dies with no heir it all goes

to Helen.” Reid crossed to his bag and pulled out a clean shirt, giving it a

shake to remove the wrinkles. “That Torbay has refused to let Helen’s marriage

be annulled. That if both she and Eric die.” Reid didn’t need to finish Brent

understood everything all ready.

“Torbay as his sister’s guardian could claim

everything. Hell.” Brent watched as Reid took Astrid’s ribbon and carefully

threaded it thorough the tie holes on his shirt.

“I have even more reason to fight for her now. I told her I

loved her.” Reid saw Brent smile.

“You did.” Brent said in disbelief. “What did she say.”

“I don’t think she believed me. She thinks I couldn’t love

her because she is not Norman.” Reid lifted a clean tunic from off the table to

shoulder into it. “I feel better now I told her.”

“I have faith in you, as does Astrid. Finishing dressing,

with luck by the end of the day you’ll be a married man.” Brent said.

“Aye you are right.” Reid was still nervous, but the

knowledge that when he won Astrid would finally be his warmed him and helped banish

his nerves. “Come we will wake the others, and then I need to shave. I can’t

look like a barbarian for my own wedding.” Reid said with a forced smile.

Reid walked down the causeway, flanked by his brothers and

Grant, and squinted as the bright morning sun peered from behind a cloud.

People parted before him to let him walk past, lining either side of the gravel

road. He felt both nervous and excited at the same time. He didn’t doubt Cormac

would put up a good fight, but he also knew he could win, and when the battle

was over Astrid would finally be his, and no one would take her from him again.

Reid rolled his shoulders and felt the mail Leif had given

to him ripple and flex. His own mail, Leif had scoffed at saying it wouldn’t

protect him from a child’s attack. Leif had insisted Reid wear the mail tunic

he’d made for one of his brothers. Reid had been glad he’d listened, for not

only was the mail better than his own, but it was lighter and moved more

freely. Leif might be a touch simple, but he was the most skilled black smith

Reid had ever come across. The only flaw with the mail was that a section of

the back was open. Leif had explained that he’d made it for his brother Olaf,

who had been injured in the back, and that the wound had never healed properly

so that he could take no weight on his back. But seeing as Reid had no

intention to let Cormac see his back it wasn’t going to be a problem.

Leif and Alarick had also suggested that Reid get to the

combat site first, so that he could take the side that would not be looking

into the morning sun, and give him an extra advantage. Again Reid had been glad

of their advice, the sun would be in Cormac’s eyes helping to hide Reid’s first

strikes. As Reid walked through the village many people gave him nods of approval,

and even an occasional up raised fist. Reid reached the area of the field

selected for the match and gave Gothwyn a puzzled look.

“Everyone knows my lady cares for you, they don’t care that

your Norman, all that matters to them is her happiness.” Gothwyn said quietly,

so only Reid and his party would hear. “My Lady is loved by many, once you are

wed have no fear of being accepted.” Gothwyn handed Reid his shield and stepped

back.

Reid tightened his grip on his sword and took his place as a

ripple of sound went through the spectators. He turned to see Lord Cormac and

his retainers entering the combat area.

A few minutes latter Baron MacClaine walked up to the combat

area followed by Eric, and Alarick, several paces behind was Astrid on Leif’s

arm. Reid let his gaze rest on her for a moment and allowed himself a quick

smile, remembering the kisses they had shared that morning. He saw her give him

a smile in return and he knew that he would prevail. God wouldn’t be so cruel

as to take her from him now.

Reid turned forcing himself to the task at hand, he had to

win to claim her. He heard a ripple of voices and turned to see Eric and Leif

step forward and moved to stand in the center of the combat area.

Eric cleared his throat and said something loudly in Scot,

that brought head nods and murmurs from the crowd. Eric turned to look at Reid,

catching his eyes.

“By mutual agreement Sir Reid Devreies and Lord Odhran

Cormac shall meet in single combat and fight for the privilege to marry the

Baroness Astrid MacClaine.” Eric said loudly in Norman. “The fight shall

continue till one man yields, or one can no longer go on. As this is this is to

be a good natured match, blows to the head and back are forbidden. Do you

understand?” Eric asked looking from Cormac to Reid.

Cormac nodded his head yes and Reid growled “Yes.”

Eric took a deep breath and went on. “ Leif will offer you

each a weapon, remember this is not a match to the death. If one of you is

unable to go on cry yield and the match will be stopped. If your weapon breaks

I will call halt and you may choose a new weapon.” Eric stated loudly, then

motioned Leif forward.

Leif stepped up to Reid, in his arms was a short sword, a

mace and an ax. Reid inspected each weapon, finally selecting the short sword.

It would give him a greater reach over Cormac, giving him a further advantage.

Leif gave him an approving grunt then turned to walk to Cormac, offering him

his choice of either mace or ax. Cormac with out hesitation took the ax, he

gave it a few swings, then nodded his approval.

Leif turned and walked towards the side of the combat area.

A moment latter Grant stepped forward and gave Reid’s armor one last check.

“Good luck.” Grant said, before giving him a clap on the shoulder.

Reid nodded and tightened his grip, his heart beginning to

race. He saw Eric step to the side of the combat area, then raise his right arm

high in the air.

“Begin.” He shouted dropping his arm. Reid didn’t wait for

Cormac to move first, he rushed forward, using his advantage of the sun at his

back to hide his opening move. He swung the sword wide and brought it down hard

on the top of Cormac’s left arm, just above the top of his shield. Cormac

bellowed in pain and swung the ax high. Reid ducked and blocked in time with

his shield, the small ax thumped into the shield and Reid grunted at the

impact.

Then the fight truly began, the two men exchanging brutal,

punishing blows, each looking for the other’s weak spot. Reid blocked a blow

with his shield and his foot slipped on a patch of mud, as he struggled to

regain his footing Cormac pressed the advantage and slammed the ax into Reid’s

left arm, just above the shield line.

Reid hissed in pain as the mail held and turned the blade,

but he felt a sharp pain in his bicep where several links had broke and been

driven into his flesh. The pain was the final motivation he needed. With a deep

guttural growl he renewed his attack on Cormac, driving the older man

relentlessly back.

Astrid watched from the side of the combat area, her hands

clenched so tight her knuckles were white. Her heart had stopped when Reid had

taken the first hard hit to his arm, and she’d seen him stagger. But he’d

responded with a serious of lightening fast, pounding blows that were driving

Cormac back towards the end of the field.

She began running along the side of the filed to keep

abreast of the two men, pushing people out of her way. She watched Cormac

strike back at Reid with several hard blows, that Reid blocked with his shield.

Reid hit Cormac again hard, the older man now winded dropped his guard for a

moment and Reid barreled forward, hitting Cormac in the chest with his shield.

Reid turned sideways and kicked Cormac hard in the stomach, sending him

staggering backwards. Reid turned the sword in his hand, and using the flat of

it began smashing Cormac’s right arm. After the third strike, the ax went

flying from his hand to drop to the muddy ground. Reid flipped the blade in his

hand, and using the flat, smashed his sword hard into Cormac’s exposed left

leg, dropping him to the ground.

Cormac grunted in pain and rolling crawled after his dropped

ax, sending a kick towards Reid’s unprotected legs. Reid stepped back avoiding

the kick then shuffled forward to land a hard kick to the middle of Cormac’s

chest, knocking him backwards into the mud again.

Cormac sprawled on his back, his shield flying from his

hand. Reid dropped his shield and stepped forward to grab Cormac by the neck

with his left hand, while pressing the edge of his blade against his neck.

“Yield.” Reid demanded, his breath coming in ragged gasps.

Cormac grabbed Reid’s arm, trying to pull him off, but Reid’s grip was like

iron. Reid saw anger and defeat in the older man’s dark eyes. Cormac struggled

again, and Reid tightened his grip, dropping to place his knee on Cormac’s

chest, preventing him from being kicked.

“I said yield.” Reid growled through clenched teeth. He saw

a bright flash of copper and looked up to see Astrid a few feet away. He looked

back down at Cormac, and pressed the side of the blade harder against Cormac’s

neck. He wasn’t going to let Cormac put his hands on her again.

Cormac struggled once more, but it was in vain, Reid’s grip

was unbreakable, and he was choking the life out of him.

“I yield, I yield.” Cormac said, clawing at Reid’s huge

hand.

“Say it louder so they all hear.” Reid snarled, his hand on

Cormac’s windpipe.

“I yield.” Cormac gasped and with a grunt of satisfaction

Reid stepped back releasing Cormac, who flopped on his back. Reid’s eyes

instantly found Astrid’s. He saw a smile light up her face, saw her mouth the

words I love you as she stepped closer. He nodded, then turned to find baron

MacClaine among the press of people.

Reid saw Brent and Grant smiling at him, saw Leif give him a

nod of approval then his eyes found the Baron’s. The Baron stepped forward a

scowl on his face, but he gave Reid a nod.

“She is yours Norman.” Baron MacClaine said loudly and Reid

was no longer tired. All he felt was joy, he didn’t feel the pain in his arms,

or the sweat running down his back. Just pure joy, Astrid was his and no one

could take her from him now.

Astrid saw Cormac pushing himself to his feet, his hand on

his dropped ax, as Reid moved towards her father. A wave of dread washed over

her as she saw Cormac’s right hand tighten about the handle of his ax. Then he

was moving towards Reid a feral look on his face, this was what she’d been

dreaming of, this was her nightmare. Astrid didn’t stop to think, she hurried

forward as Cormac moved to strike Reid.

“Reid!” Astrid shouted as Cormac swung the ax. She threw up

her hands to block the blow and looked Cormac in the eye as he swung for Reid’s

exposed back. In mid swing Cormac saw Astrid was in his way, but it was too

late to stop the strike, all he could do was change the angle. The ax whistled

through the air, slicing deep into Astrid’s up raised left arm and then buried

in her left shoulder.

Astrid staggered under the hit, falling backwards as Cormac

bellowed in dismay and wrenched the ax out of her shoulder. Reid spun at

Astrid’s shout and turned to see Astrid behind him. He saw Cormac pull back his

ax and drop it to the grass, as Astrid collapsed to the muddy ground.

Reid dropped his sword rushing to her side, in horror he saw

deep bloody gashes in her shoulder and arm.

“Little Viking, what did you do?” Reid crouched over Astrid,

pressing his hand against her bleeding shoulder. He was dimly aware of shouts

behind him, of women screaming. Horror washed through him as he realized the

extent of the wound, the ax had bit to the bone.

“He was going to kill you.” Astrid managed to say as pain

slammed into her. She could feel blood running down her chest. She saw Reid

looking down at her, his face stricken. “I couldn’t let him hurt you.” She was

dismayed that her voice was no more than a whisper. “It would of been my

fault.”

Baron MacClaine rushed forward to look down at Astrid,

starring at the deep, bloody wound in her shoulder.

“You got your wish father.” Astrid gave her father a bitter

sweat smile, and saw him shake his head. She fought against the pain and

failed, letting darkness claim her. Baron MacClaine shook his head, and with

trembling fingers touched her cheek.

“No, this is not what I wanted.” He grabbed Reid’s dropped

sword, and stood up with a bellow of rage, and turned to Cormac who was backing

away in horror.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry. I would never hurt her, I love her.”

Cormac looked at Astrid shaking his head in denial.

“You killed my daughter! Was it not enough you hounded me

for her, but you killed her when you couldn’t have her.” Baron MacClaine

bellowed charging Cormac, he thrusted Reid’s sword into Cormac’s chest. Cormac

pulled out his belt knife and stabbed the baron in the heart, before the Baron

could step back.

Alarick watched everything happen in horror, he could feel

pain lance though him, and knew Astrid was still alive. Alarick dropped to the

ground, kneeling across from Reid, who looked up at him with horror filled

eyes. The axe had cut to the bone. If she lived she’d likely loose the use of

her hand, a shadow fell over him and he looked up to see Leif above him, a

strip of cloth in his hand. Alarick took it from him and pushing Reid’s hands

aside pressed it against the wound, the cloth quickly turning crimson.

“Help her! Please help her.” Reid begged. He’d gone from

being joyous at his victory to horrified in the space of a few heart beats.

He’d done everything to win the small woman who lay before him, who’s life was

seeping away into the grass. She’d taken the blow for him, she’d saved his life

again, but if she died it wouldn’t be worth living.

“Keep pressure on the wound.” Alarick looked back to see

Eric was at their father’s side.

Eric dropped to the ground and pulled his father into his

arms, his hand sliding down to cover the wound. He looked over to see one of

Cormac’s men coming to Cormac’s aid.

“Father.” Eric didn’t know what to say. He saw his father’s

eyes open and look up at him.

“You sister?” The Baron gasped.

“She is dying.” Eric looked over

at Reid, then he looked back at his father.

“I didn’t mean what I said to her.

She is a good daughter, I love her.” The baron’s normally loud voice was only a

whisper. “If she lives tell her I’m sorry.”

“I know father, I know.” Eric looked up as Leif knelt beside

him and took their father’s hand.

“You are good sons. I love all of you, there was never a man

as blessed as I.” The baron looked at Leif for a moment then his eyes closed

and he went limp. Leif shook his head and stood up, there would be time to

grieve latter.

“Alarick does she live?” Leif bellowed and saw Alarick nod.

Leif strode up to Gothwyn who was standing unmoving a few feet from Reid.  “Gothwyn run and tell Megwyn what happened.

That we will need her to tend Astrid.” Leif shouted and Gothwyn nodded, then

turned to run for the keep. Leif strode over to Alarick and pulled him to his

feet, giving him a shake to snap him out of his shock.

“Alarick ride for Aarna.” Leif saw Alarick give him a

stupefied look and he shook Alarick again.

“She won’t come, she never leaves her hut.” Alarick

protested.

“Make her come, even if you have to carry her, now go.” Leif

gave Alarick a push propelling him towards the keep. Leif turned to see some of

his cousins standing unmoving on the side of the field.

“Gruffydd, Hereward get a litter, we will need to take lord

Cormac inside he lives yet.” Leif snapped and saw his two burly cousins nod and

turn to run towards the keep. Leif crossed to Reid, who was pressing the clothe

against her bleeding shoulder.

“Take her in to the keep. Megwyn will tend her. Go!” Leif

pointed at Grant who was hovering nearby. “You keep pressure on the wound while

he carries her.” Leif barked then turned back to Eric who was holding their

father  in his lap.

“He is gone, but the living need our help. You are leader

now. Tell them what do to.” Leif placed a hand on Eric’s shoulder, and saw him

nod.

Eric eased his father’s body to the ground, rubbing the

blood from his hands on his jerkin. “If my sister lives she belongs to sir

Reid.” Eric forced himself to look up at the crowd, his searching eyes found

MacDougal and one of the guardsmen.

“MacDougal you and Lovel ride to Lord Cormac’s keep, tell

his son he was badly injured in combat.” Eric saw the two men nod. “The rest of

you go, there is nothing more to see.” Eric watched as Leif lifted their father

and began carrying back towards the keep.

Reid was only faintly aware of what was happening, Grant was

some how beside him. “We need to get her help Reid.” Grant said catching Reid’s

eyes and jolting him from his stupor. Reid slid his hands under Astrid’s body

lifting her. “Reid, we had better hurry.”

The crowd parted before them as together the two solemn men

hurried towards the keep. When they reached the outer bailey Megwyn and Gothwyn

greeted them. Megwyn gasped in horror at the sight of Astrid’s broken and

bloody body.

“What happened?” Megwyn motioned for Grant and Reid to

follow her inside.

“She saved my life. Cormac was going to strike me in the

back, she stepped before me and took the strike.” Reid managed to say and saw

Megwyn pale.

“Dear God, quickly her chamber is this way.” Megwyn dashed

through the open door, leading the two men up the main stairs and through the

keep to a back tower room. She opened the door and stood back so Reid could lay

her down on the bed.

“I’ll need water and more wood for the fires.” Megwyn said

hurrying to Astrid’s side.

“I’ll go to the kitchen’s.” Grant offered, before leaving.

 “She saved my life.”

Reid mumbled incoherently looking at Megwyn.

“Get out Sir Reid, I’ll send for you when I know something.”

Reid reluctantly staggered out the door as Megwyn began cutting Astrid’s gown

off. Reid heard footsteps and looked to see Brent and Stephen.

“How is she?” Brent asked.

“I don’t know. It is bad though.” Reid shook his head.

Brent didn’t know what to say to give Reid comfort, he saw

blood on Reid’s arm and knew Reid was hurt. “Reid you are hurt, come your wound

needs tending.” Brent laid his hand on Reid’s arm as he stood starring at the

closed door of Astrid’s chamber.

“What?” Reid demanded.

“Your hurt. Come to our chamber, let me at wash and bind

your arm.” Brent said.

“It is but a scratch. Why did she do it?” Reid shook his

head in disbelief, not wanting to remember the damage done to Astrid’s small

body. Brent reached out and caught Reid’s arm pulling him away from the door.

“Stephen will stay here and wait for news, won’t you

Stephen?” Brent said looking over at Stephen, who nodded. “Now come, let us

clean you up. You will do her no good if you fall ill.” Brent began pushing Reid

towards the end of the corridor.

“But why? Why did she do it?” Reid followed Brent through

the keep to their chamber. Once inside Reid stood in a daze, letting Brent

strip off the heavy mail and leather padding beneath.

“Cormac would of severed your spine if he’d hit you. She

loves you, she wanted you to live.” Brent moved to the table, to pour water

into the wash basin there. He dipped a clean clothe in it and turned back to

see Reid had removed his sweat soaked shirt and was standing unmoving in the

middle of the room. Brent swallowed seeing Reid’s blood stained hands.

“You had better wash your hands, then I’ll clean your

wound.” Brent said and Reid frowned, then looked down to see his hands were red

with blood. Reid could only stare at them, so much blood, she couldn’t possibly

survive.

Reid washed his gory hands in the basin, then stepped back.

Brent stepped up to him and began cleaning the blood from the wound on his

bicep. The gash was long, but not deep, it probably needed stitching but there

wasn’t anyone free to tend it. He lifted another clean towel from the table and

ripped it length wise, using it to wrap around Reid’s arm.

“That will have to do for now. I’ll find a shirt for you.”

Brent said turning to rummage in Reid’s sack of clothes.

“If she dies it will all be for naught.” Reid remembered

Astrid’s conversation with him, perhaps she’d known this would happen. “She

can’t die, she can’t, she isn’t even eighteen yet.” Reid shook his head and

looked over at Brent who had stopped his rummaging and was holding out a clean

linen shirt.

 “She will live, you

shall see, she is strong.” Brent wanted to believe what he said, but his

assurances sounded hollow even to him. There was a loud knock on the door and

it opened to admit Grant.

“What is it?” Reid demanded, slipping the shirt over his

head.

“Lord Cormac is dying. The priest, Brother Fenton, has asked

I bring you to him. Cormac wishes to speak to you and Sir Eric. He say’s you’d

best hurry.”

Reid considered saying the man could go to hell, but he

wanted to know why Cormac had tried to kill him, and to tell him what a bastard

he was.

“All right I’m coming.” Reid gave Brent a quick look. “You’d

best come, before I forget my self and kill a dying man.”

Reid and Brent followed Grant through the keep to a room in

the far tower. Grant opened the door with out knocking and stepped inside

holding the door open for Reid and Brent. To Reid’s surprise he saw Eric was

there as well as two of lord Cormac’s retainers. Brother Fenton, the portly

Norman monk was hovering beside Cormac and nodded as they entered.

“They are here now.” Brother Fenton said, stepping aside and

motioning Reid closer.

“What do you want with me?” Reid demanded, his hands balling

into fists as he looked at the dying man.

“My little angle how is she?” Cormac asked weakly.

“She is dying you bastard.” Reid growled as he fought to

contain his temper.

“It was not my want. When I realized I had lost my rage

consumed me. I thought if I couldn’t have her then no one could, she just

stepped in front of me. I have wanted her since she was a girl.” Cormac licked

his dry lips. “I fell in love with her when she was only eleven.”

Reid didn’t know if he should feel pity or disgust. “Go on.”

Reid said.

“When the baron refused to give her to me I became enraged,

so I began pressuring the other lords to demand that Astrid be given to a

northern lord, be given to me. Her father kept refusing our requests.” Cormac

paused. “After she returned betrothed it was more than I could stomach. I began

visiting her often, hoping I could persuade the Baron to see things my way, to

make her love me.” Cormac paused again and Brother Fenton slid a hand under his

head and pressed a cup of water to his lips. When he had drunk he waved brother

Fenton away.

“But she didn’t care for me, I frightened her. The woman

Mary approached me, she said she was a herbalist. That for the right price she

could persuade the Baron to see things my way, for the past two years she has

been drugging the Baron.” Cormac paused again, on the other side of the bed

Eric and Leif both cursed loudly.

“She has been giving him potions to make his mind more

malleable, and suggesting to him that Astrid should wed me. I didn’t know it

would make him go mad, or that he’d hurt Astrid because of it.” Cormac’s

confession had cost him, he was struggling to go on.

Reid looked over to see Eric had turned bright red.

“Did you kill my brothers?” Eric demanded. “Did you?”

“I don’t know who was responsible, but I swear it wasn’t

me.” Cormac’s voice was now barely above a whisper.

“Why did you try and kill me?” Reid growled. “I won fairly,

it was your idea to fight.”

“I didn’t think I would loose, when you beat me, I was

consumed by rage. I have loved her for so long and you took her from me.” The

last of the color faded from Cormac’s face, he looked over at his retainers and

motioned them closer. “No reprisals against sir Reid or the MacClaines swear

it.” He demanded and saw his men nod. “Tell my son what I did, tell him I said

I was wrong and that he is to swear his loyalty to lord Eric and sir Reid.”

“Yes, of course.” Brother Fenton replied and Cormac nodded,

then he lay back on the pillow closing his eyes. A few minutes latter his

breathing stilled.

Brother Fenton crossed himself and said a blessing over

Cormac. Reid felt the eyes of Cormac’s men on him, and fleetingly wondered if

there was going to be trouble. But the men only gave him respectful bows before

turning to their lord.

Eric stifled a curse and strode to the door yanking it open,

he stomped into the passageway, followed by Leif, Reid and Brent.

“Leif take Gothwyn and five of our most trusted men, go to

Helen’s chamber. Tell her and that witch maid of her’s to pack, and then take

them both to Nairn. They are to be locked in the east tower and kept under

constant guard. Tell no one else in the keep where you are taking them.” Eric ordered.

“It shall be done. But what of Astrid?” Leif protested.

 “Do not worry,

Alarick has gone to fetch Aarna. Megwyn and Aarna won’t let Astird die, now get

those scheming witches out of our keep.” Eric thundered and Leif hurried away.

“Who is Aarna?” Brent asked, as he watched Eric struggle to

compose himself.

“She is a wise woman, and a herbalist. She taught my mother

before she taught Astrid and Alarick.” Eric ran his fingers through his hair

and began walking towards the steps. “She never leaves the forest though.

Astrid use to take her food thrice a week before father forbid Astrid to leave

the keep. She is a gifted healer, she will be able to save Astrid.”

Eric descended the steps and stopped in the entrance hall to

look at the blanket wrapped body of his father. The reality that he was now in

charge and Lord of the keep slowly sinking in. “Go Sir Reid and be with Astrid,

as soon as Alarick and Aarna return I shall send them to her chamber.” Eric

said and Reid nodded.

“Sir Brent may I have word with you. I need some advice on

what to do, and I could use a nonbiased person.” Eric looked up to catch

Brent’s eyes.

“Of course Lord Eric, anything I could do to help.” Brent

replied.

Reid hurried up the steps to Astrid’s room, taking them two

at a time. He stopped before her door only long enough to knock quickly,

stepping inside without waiting to be invited. Megwyn and a woman Reid

recognized from the kitchen looked up at him as he entered.

“Lord Cormac is dead.” He said simply and Megwyn mumbled a

prayer. Reid’s gaze turned to Astrid who was pale and unmoving, her left

shoulder and arm heavily bandaged.

“How is she?” Reid asked stepping forward, he had to fight

the urge to pull her into his arms and hold her against him.

“We managed to stop the bleeding.” Megwyn rubbed her hands

on her apron, which was stained with splotches of blood. “But I think her

shoulder might be broken,  and there is

much damage, if she lives she might loose the use of her arm.”

The other woman made a sniffling noise and blotted tears

from her face with her apron. “Lady Astrid must live, in four days it is her

birthday.”

“I know Anna. Can you go to the kitchen and start a pot of

broth, if she wakens she will need it.” Megwyn said. “Be sure there is food for

supper, though I doubt many will have an appetite.”

“Yes Megwyn.” Anna replied, before hurrying from Astrid’s

chamber. Reid looked down at Astrid, who looked impossibly young and small, certainly

too young to die.

“May I sit with her?” Reid asked, wanting to be of some use.

“Of course, she is your betrothed.” Megwyn motioned to a

hide covered chair beside the bed. “It will do her good to hear a familiar

voice.”

Time seemed to slow to a crawl and Reid wondered when

Alarick and the healer would come. He stood at the foot of Astrid’s bed and

willed her to breath as Megwyn fussed by the fire, finally his own exhaustion

got the best of him and he was turning towards the chair when Astrid’s door

opened and Alarick stepped inside. He hurried forward and set a large wicker

basket on the floor, then turned back to the door to disappear into the

corridor. A heartbeat latter he reappeared his hands under the elbow of a tiny

hunched over figure.

Reid could only stare at the gnome like person Alarick was

helping through the door. The woman, for that was surely what it had to be, was

bent near double with age, and leaning on two walking sticks. Long hair of pure

white hung about her head in a wild tangle, and Reid doubted it had seen a comb

in years.

“Aarna, you came.” Megwyn stepped forward to take the old

woman’s other arm.

Reid stepped back as Megwyn and Alarick guided the old woman

to the empty chair and helped her sit. Aarna’s face was so lined and wrinkled

that it was impossible to guess her age. Aarna must of sensed Reid’s presence

and looked towards him, then said something in Scot to Alarick who answered.

Aarna then turned to look up at Reid, and Reid stifled a gasp. Aarna’s eyes

were milky white, yet despite her blindness Reid had a feeling she still saw

him.

Aarna said something else in Scot and then held up a wizened

hand towards Reid.

“She wants you to take her hand.” Alarick said. “It’s all

right, I told her you were Astrid’s betrothed. She wants to speak to you.”

Reid knelt before the ancient woman, taking her hand. Her

skin was dry and leathery, her fingers as knarled and wrinkled as the branches

of an ancient oak. Aarna ran her left hand over his palm, while holding his

hand with her right. Then reached up to touch his face with her wizened hand,

and he forced himself not to move.

“You are the man she loves.” Aarna said in Norman so thick

Reid could barely understand her.

“Yes, I am.” Reid replied and Aarna removed her hands.

“You have a good soul, her love and faith have been well

placed.” Aarna said. “But you must be strong for her. If you can love her as

much as she loves you then she will live.”

“I would do anything for her.” Reid replied and saw Aarna

shake her head. “There is something you love more than her, your honor. A time

will come when you will have to decide what is more important to you, your

honor or her.” Aarna intoned looking at Reid with dead eyes. “You will decide

her fate, one path you choose will mean her life, the other will mean her

death. It is all up to you.”

Reid shook his head in denial. “What do you mean, I don’t

understand?”

“It was foretold when she was young that most her family

would die.” Megwyn said softly. “And that a great darkness would claim her.”

“I have lost seven brothers, my mother and now my father.”

Alarick said choking back a sob. “What was foretold has come to pass.”

“Tell me what I must do so that she lives.” Reid asked,

looking at Aarna closely.

“The answer is not for me to say, it will be in your own

heart. When the times comes you will be tested, the path you choose then will

decide. Now I will speak no more on this, if you wish me to save her let me get

to work.” Aarna snapped and stood up stiffly. She crossed to Astrid’s bed on

wobbly legs then reached down to touch her face.    Reid heard Aarna mumble something in Scot to Megwyn who began to

unwind the bandage from Astrid’s shoulder. When she was done Reid saw the full

extent of the wound and felt his stomach turn. It was not that the wound upset

him, he’d seen many such wounds before. It was that it was on Astrid’s small

body, the wound was puckered and oozing blood, and Reid was amazed that Astrid

had not only survived, but kept her arm.

“Perhaps it would be best of you left Sir Reid. I will come

for you when they are done.” Alarick said.

“Thank you. I’ll be in the outer bailey.” Reid said closing

the door after him. With a heavy heart he made his way through the keep, and

out the huge main door to the outer bailey.

The afternoon sun was still high but grey clouds were

blowing in from the sea. He looked to the end of the long cause way and saw a

throng villagers clustered about the guard.

 “Reid, how is she?”

Reid turned to see Stephen and Grant approaching him.

“It is bad, the ax hit bone, if she lives she may loose the

use of her arm.” Reid saw Grant give me a sympathetic look.

“All that matters is she lives.” Grant said. “Sir Brent is

helping Lord Eric prepare for Baron MacClaine’s funeral. Apparently they wish

to have it tonight.”

“Tonight?” Reid was more than surprised.

“It is Lady Astrid and her brother Alarick’s eighteenth

birthday in four days. It would be an ill omen to have him buried close to

their birthday. So they are rushing to bury him.” Grant replied.

Brent walked up to them a serious look on his face. “The

preparations for the baron’s funeral are almost finished. Eric’s cousins are

all devastated by what has happened, they are all good people, if a little

rough.” Brent looked across the open court yard to a group of burly, men who

had just stepped out of the stables.

“It took Eric and I a good deal of talking to convince his

one set of cousins that an old fashioned Viking funeral was out of place.”

Brent gave the men a polite wave.

“Your jesting.” Stephen said.

“No, Baron MacClaine was the son of a norsk jarl and a

Danish lady. They are proud of their Viking heritage. In fact MacClaine isn’t

his real name, it was Thorfinson.” Brent turned to look at Reid and Stephen,

who were both looking at him in disbelief. “MacClaine was his wife’s name, he

took it when he wed her, as she was the eldest daughter. Apparently if he wanted

her, and her land he had to take her name.”

“Good God.” Stephen mumbled, then waved politely to the men

on the far side of the courtyard.

“You had best mind your manners Stephen. Once Reid is wed,

they will all be our in laws.” Brent said, giving Stephen a hard look. “You

might like them, they are very friendly, and they have several unwed

daughters.” Brent left the rest unsaid and Stephen scowled.

“Are they all rich?” Stephen asked after a moment.

“Yes, come I will introduce them. Are you coming Reid?” Brent

asked.

“No, I’m waiting for Alarick. He brought the healer and she

is with Astrid. He said he’d come for me when she was done with Astrid.” Reid

replied.

 “Sir Reid.” Alarick’s

voice called out. Reid looked to see Alarick standing in the open hall door and

hurried to him, his heart in his mouth.

“Aarna has done what she can. Astrid is still unconscious,

all we can do now is wait and pray.” Alarick said. “You can sit with her, Aarna

thinks it will do her good.”

“Yes, I was hoping you’d let me.” Reid saw a hint of tears

in Alarick’s blue eyes.

“I’ll go tell the others how she is.” Alarick rubbed his

hand roughly over his face, dashing away tears.

“I am sorry about your father.” Reid wondered if he heard

what Cormac had said yet, and decided that perhaps hearing the news now from

him was better than latter. “Lord Cormac said he paid Mary to poison your

father.”

Alarick’s eyes registered surprise and he starred at Reid in

disbelief.

“Before he died, Cormac said he had been paying Mary to drug

your father and have her suggest to your father that he give Astrid to him. He

said the potions were what had been making your father act oddly.” Reid watched

Alarick’s face harden, and he wondered what the boy was thinking. “Eric ordered

Leif to take Helen and Mary away to Nairn, but to keep it a secret.”

“Thank you.” Alarick looked towards the stables where Brent

was talking to his cousins. “You’d better go.” Alarick wiped his hand across

his face again then headed towards the stable.

Reid felt another pang of pity for Alarick and then turned

to hurry back into the keep.

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