Legendary Warrior (7 page)

“Aye, Thomas is a good man and I am glad you befriended him, since many fear his size and looks or they ignore him completely.”

“The villagers will accept him once they get to know him. Old Margaret claims he is a special man. She insists that any man as large as he who can cradle a tender seedling and do it no damage has a loving touch.”

Reena looked past the flames at her friend. “I am so glad to be talking with you again.”

Brigid hurried over beside Reena and hugged her. “I worried so about you.” She squeezed her friend’s hand. “But I tell you true, Reena, a part of me prayed you would succeed, for I feared my fate with Kil-kern if you did not.”

“I did not intend to fail.”

“And you did not—you returned a heroine to our village, and everyone is grateful to you, though many remain fearful of Kilkern, for they know he will seek retribution.”

Shouts to break up camp and make ready for departure interrupted their conversation. The two women quickly saw to their area and assisted those who needed help.

Reena spoke with her parents briefly. Both understood that she now had duties that must be attended to, and they assured her there would be time to talk when they settled in their new cottage.

She received instructions that Magnus wished to see her. When she approached him where he sat on his horse, and she saw hers next to his, she knew she would ride beside him again, and she was pleased. She enjoyed his company and their conversations, and oddly enough she had felt content and safe falling asleep in his arms.

After a quick good morning from Thomas, the large man hoisted her onto her horse and mounted his own. The three led the procession of villagers and warriors as the journey began, though short it would be since they were already on Dunhurnal land and the keep was but a couple of hours’ ride away.

Magnus turned to her and said, “Tell me all you know about the surrounding land.” He paused his horse, cast an intense look around him, then turned to her once again. “Peter Kilkern approaches Dunhurnal land.”

Chapter 9

T
hey arrived at the castle, and the villagers cheerfully sought out cottages for themselves. Even though most of the cottages were in need of repairs, it mattered not. They would have food, shelter and protection from the Legend.

The warriors and Reena were the only ones aware of Kilkern’s impending arrival, and Magnus intended to keep it that way. He wanted no fear to mar the joy of the villagers’ new home.

Upon their arrival, his men were positioned strategically. Many lined the battlements of the keep, while others covered the land. As soon as possible they would set to work mapping the area and making the village impregnable. It would take time and hard work, but Magnus had waited and planned for this, and he would not see it fail.

Reena’s skills were an added benefit, and he intended to take full advantage of her talent. She had already proved useful detailing Dunhurnal land. The specifics she had outlined in the maps helped him to position his men more favorably, and he would know when Kilkern was near.

He had removed his helmet and stood on the steps of the keep, looking out over his newly acquired land. Much was in sad neglect, but the fact that he was here filled him with a sense of accomplishment. He had achieved part of his desired goal; the rest would follow.

Thomas approached, shaking his head. “She helps everyone with the selection of their cottage and ignores her own need.”

“Reena requires no cottage, she will reside in the keep.”

“It is Brigid I speak of. She let Old Margaret have the cottage she herself first admired and then walked away from another, thinking it better left for a larger family even though she favored it.”

Magnus pointed to a cottage close to the keep. “How about that one?”

It looked as though it was tucked partially in the woods. The thatching on the roof needed repair and it was overgrown with weeds and brush, but it was a good size, and Magnus knew Reena would be pleased to have her friend close by.

Thomas gave it a quick glance, then glanced from the keep to the cottage and back again several times. “Close,” he mumbled and hurried off.

He returned in haste with Brigid in tow.

“It is a good cottage for you, and close to the keep, where Reena will reside. Now have a look and claim it so that it will be done.” Thomas seemed adamant, so Brigid obliged him and looked over the cottage.

A chill wind had arrived with the pending storm clouds. Brigid wrapped her dark green wool shawl more tightly around her and hurried into the cottage, Thomas waiting at the end of the path that led to the door.

His thoughts centered on the work that was needed, and it was not long before the shutter to one of the two windows was thrown open, only to fall off the cottage wall and crash to the ground.

Brigid laughed, looking out the window. “Thomas, this is perfect.”

“Good, then it is yours. We will gather your belongings and move you in, and I will repair the roof—”

“Tomorrow,” Magnus finished. “Brigid can stay in the keep until the cottage is ready; there are more important things that must be done this day.”

Thomas nodded, understanding that protection of the village and keep was of the utmost importance; the rest would be seen to in time.

“Find Reena, Brigid, and both of you move your belongings into the keep for now,” Magnus said.

Brigid bit at her bottom lip, cast a glance to the ground, then turned around from the window. A brief second later she walked out of the cottage toward Thomas. She stood half behind him, as if seeking his protection.

Magnus realized her reluctance to answer and instantly understood. “Where is Reena?”

Brigid hesitated once again.

“Answer me now,” Magnus snapped.

Thomas looked to Brigid. “He protects what is his.”

Brigid’s worry eased a little, and she answered. “A portion of Dunhurnal land was mapped by her father, and she wanted to make certain no changes had occurred since it had been mapped.”

Magnus swore beneath his breath. “Do you know where exactly she went?”

“Nay, but she seemed to feel it was imperative that she see to this area immediately.”

Magnus wished he had Reena in front of him, for he would shake some sense into her. She must have thought it important to go off on her own when she knew Kilkern was not far off. Was she attempting to prove herself useful? “Has she been gone long?”

“Aye,” Brigid answered with a nod.

“Did she tell anyone else of her intentions?”

Brigid shook her head. “But she is not alone. Horace went with her.”

“That certainly relieves my concern,” Magnus said. “A pint-sized woman followed by a cowardly pup.”

He was about to direct Thomas to send a group of warriors out to search for her when one of his men approached them on a run.

Out of breath, he fast delivered the news. “Kilkern is in sight, and he has Reena with him.”

Magnus issued orders to Thomas to ready the men. He instructed Brigid to alert the villagers to the situation, especially Reena’s parents, and have them all gather in front of the keep.

Tension and worry soon filled the chilled air as the villagers hurried to obey their new lord, and the sky overhead darkened, causing many to whisper of ominous possibilities. They huddled together as thunder rolled in the distance, and Brigid, along with Reena’s parents, stood in front of the crowd, anxious to see that Reena was unharmed.

Warriors lined the battlements, their bows and arrows in hand and ready for battle. A circle of warriors protected the villagers and the keep, and more were dispersed in the woods, where they could not be seen but their arrows would soon be felt.

Magnus stood in front of the villagers. His garments were all black, except for the silver metal studs that crisscrossed over his leather tunic, and his long hair framed a face that, while handsome, looked devoid of emotion. He appeared ready to destroy anything that stood in his path—even the devil himself.

Peter Kilkern approached at a slow gait with several of his men following behind. Reena walked beside his horse with a trembling Horace in her arms. It was not until they were close enough that Magnus saw the bruise on the side of Reena’s mouth.

His hand curled into a fist at his side.

Kilkern stopped a short distance from Magnus, and when he did, Reena kept walking forward.

“I gave you no order to leave my side,” Kilkern shouted at her.

She ignored him and kept walking with her head held high, straight to Magnus.

He wanted to grab her and hug her close to him, so relieved was he that she had returned safely, proud that she was confident in his ability to protect her.

“My lord,” she said with a bow of her head, purposely honoring him in front of Kilkern. She then walked past him and joined Brigid and her parents, giving them a glance that warned they were not to fuss over her but to remain as they were, a show of true strength to their new lord.

Peter Kilkern dismounted, along with a few of his men. Dressed in his usual rich finery, his dark eyes alert to all around him, he approached Magnus with arrogant confidence, laughing as he removed his brown leather gloves, three of his men following close behind him.

Magnus remained as he was, forcing Kilkern to come to him, refusing to step forward and display any sign of welcome.

Kilkern felt the insult and lashed out. “I have come for my tenants, you have no right—”

“
You
have no right to starve them.”

“Let them grow more food.”

“So you can raise the tenant fees and take more from them?” Magnus’s expression remained cold. “Their yearly fees are paid to you, and they owe you no more. They are free to go where they choose.”

Kilkern appeared angry—very angry. He stepped forward again. “They have no rights. They belong to me and you will return them.”

Magnus’s words were for Kilkern’s ears alone. “Make me.”

Kilkern grew even more agitated. “One tenant fee has not been paid in full to me. That tenant will return and fulfill her obligation.”

“Who is this you speak of?”

“Brigid.”

Gasps rumbled throughout the villagers, and Reena quickly squeezed her friend’s hand in reassurance.

“I will pay what she owes you,” Magnus said and motioned to one of his men.

Kilkern was adamant. “Nay, she will serve out her obligation to me; I will have it no other way.”

“Brigid remains here. You can leave with her fee paid or without it, but that does not change the fact that Brigid will not leave with you.”

Kilkern spit out his words like venom. “Want her for yourself?”

Magnus’s slow smile was like a warning. “What I want, I always get. Remember that.”

Kilkern seemed at a loss, though he recovered his composure quickly. “Pay me her fee, but you will be sorry for taking this lazy lot; they are worthless.”

Magnus tossed the coins at him and had Kilkern sign a paper stating his tenants were free of all debt to him.

“Kilkern,” Magnus said as he turned to walk away.

“Earl of Culberry,” Kilkern corrected.

Magnus ignored his title. “Who struck the woman?”

“She was being insolent.”

“I did not ask why she was struck; I asked
who
struck her.”

“It matters not.”

“It does to me.”

Kilkern ignored him and walked away, his men waiting as their lord walked to his horse and mounted safely.

“She is a worthless woman, too frail to work the fields and too skinny to be appealing to a man.”

Magnus’s fists were fast and furious, and before anyone realized what had happened, three of Kil-kern’s men lay sprawled out on the ground.

Magnus stepped over the fallen men and walked up to Kilkern. “Never touch what is mine.” He turned his back on Kilkern and walked up to Thomas. “Make certain they are escorted off Dunhurnal land.”

Thomas grinned. “With pleasure.”

Magnus watched with his arms crossed over his chest as Kilkern’s men gathered their wits, mounted their horses, and were led from Dunhurnal land by a large escort of the Legend’s warriors.

When they were no longer in sight, Magnus addressed his new tenants as a fine mist of rain began to fall. “You are free of Kilkern. I will be fair in my dealings and I expect the same from you. There is much work to be done here, and I expect all of you to do your share. Now go and enjoy your new homes, and join me and mine this evening in the great hall as we celebrate our good fortune.”

Cheers rang out, laughter was plentiful, tears of joy were shed, and everyone hurried out of the rain after paying thanks with bowed heads and smiles to their new lord. They were no longer fearful, for they had seen for themselves his strength and courage and how he protected one of his.

“Reena.”

The summons was distinct, and Reena was not certain who she preferred not to face—her parents, who were ready to fuss over her, Brigid, who looked concerned, or Magnus, whose anger was obvious in his glistening dark eyes.

Horace seemed as undecided as she, though when Reena approached Magnus, the little pup hastily jumped out of her arms and made his way to Brigid to huddle at her feet.

Magnus turned and walked up the steps to the keep, a sign that Reena was to follow. She did, though with reluctance.

The great hall was busy with activity as women and warriors alike worked together to make it presentable for the evening meal. Years of neglect meant much hard work to restore the keep to its original condition. The land as well, for it had fallen in great disrepair, and much toil would be needed for a good harvest to be met. The soil was rich, though, and that alone would almost guarantee good crops.

Those thoughts brought a smile to Reena, a brief one, since her mouth hurt from the blow she had sustained, and which was the very reason Magnus summoned her. Was she in trouble? After she had departed on her brief quest to survey the piece of land she’d feared had been mapped incorrectly, she’d realized that she should have requested permission from Magnus. She’d been accustomed to doing as she’d pleased when it had come to her maps, but that was no more; she now answered to a new lord. She had hoped she would return to the keep before he knew of her absence. Then she’d met with Kilkern and his men, and she’d known she was in trouble.

Magnus continued through the great hall, down and around a narrow passageway and up spiral stone steps to come out into a large room. Debris and cobwebs occupied the place, and a tattered tapestry hung on a wall. A large fireplace occupied a whole wall and was made of thick round stones, the mantel being one solid beam of wood.

With his arms crossed over his chest, Magnus took a stance in front of the cold hearth.

Reena decided to offer an apology, hoping to avoid a confrontation. “I am sorry for not seeking your permission to leave the village. My only excuse, and a poor one at that, is that I have yet to grow accustomed to answering to anyone for my actions.”

She shivered, not certain whether she was chilled by the cold room or by his chilled expression.