Doing his best to gather his wits, he squared his shoulders and folded his arms across his chest. “I’m listening.”
Looking up at him, she smiled briefly, then her expression became serious. “Sometimes visions come into my head, sort of like dreams,” she began solemnly, “but I’m not asleep. Other times I only have an odd feeling. That’s why I needed to be by myself for a moment. I was hoping to see what’s been bothering me, not just have a sense that something is wrong.”
“And were you able to?” he asked, dropping his arms, suddenly captivated.
“Sadly, no, and I’m worried about leading you to the cove.”
“I don’t understand,” he muttered, shaking his head. “My men are waiting. I must capture Gander and—”
“But you won’t if things go wrong,” she said urgently, cutting him off. “I’m sorry, Master, but I don’t think I should take you. I feel this very strongly.”
“I am at a loss,” he exclaimed, throwing up his arms, then abruptly caught his breath. “Although...”
“Yes, Master?”
“It’s possible Gander guessed we came back here. He may be expecting us to arrive from over the cliff and not from the sea?”
Ailith closed her eyes, then quickly opened them. “That feels right,” she murmured, nodding her head as she stared off into space. “Ah! I see it now! Gander will attempt to attack as you make the journey. I see men waiting in the area with the bushes.”
A sudden shiver pricked his skin.
“That’s it, Master,” Ailith declared, lifting her gaze. “You’ll be attacked as you go through that area.”
Unnerved by her astonishing ability, his pulse began to race, but taking in a deep breath, he forced himself to focus on the information.
“There’s a thicket above that area,” she said earnestly. “From there you’ll be able to see where the men are hiding. Perhaps you could sneak up behind them.”
“Or I can go around them to the cove and free the oarsmen, while another group does that—assuming Gander and his fighters are actually there.”
“They are,” she said confidently.
“Ailith, you are much too clever!”
“How can a person be much too clever? Surely a person can never be clever enough.”
“That depends on whose side you’re on. You’re much too clever for Gander.”
“Oh, I see,” she said, her eyes lighting up as she broke into a smile.
Her happy expression touched his heart, but catching himself, he shook it off.
“Come,” he said briskly, turning around and setting off with a quick step. “We must start off.”
“It’s not very far,” she exclaimed, hurrying after him.
Though he heard her remark he didn’t reply. She had an odd effect on him, and he needed to regroup before seeing his men. Moving through the huge boulders and out to the beach, as his warriors caught sight of him, their chatter stopped and they looked at him expectantly.
“I have new information,” he shouted. “I believe Gander has guessed we came back to this beach.”
“This is bad news,” Bjørn exclaimed, striding up and standing next to him. “How do you know?”
“That must remain a secret,” Ulrick replied quietly, then turning back to face his warriors, he raised his voice. “There’s a likely chance Gander has planted men in heavy bushes at the top of the cliff waiting to attack, but we’ll be heading to a thicket overlooking the area. Once we know where our enemies are hiding, Bjørn will take some of you to deal with them, while I continue on to the cove with the rest of you to free our brothers and capture Gander, assuming he’s there and not also lying in wait.”
“What if he is?” Bjørn asked.
“Make sure he stays alive and bring him to me. Is everyone ready?”
Raising their swords, they let out a collective roar.
“Then we will go and we will win!” he shouted, and grabbing Ailith’s hand he started down the beach.
Quickly realizing her pace would be much slower than his men’s marching stride, he stopped to place her on Frey’s back. Glancing up to make sure she was safe and comfortable, he caught his breath.
Her long, silken hair shone like the gold coin, and in spite of the tunic falling loosely around her body, he could see the outline of her voluptuous curves.
She looked like a goddess.
Is that what you are? he thought. A goddess in human form? Is that why you see visions and feel danger lurking?
* * *
Ailith had once sat on the village donkey. It had kicked out its back legs and thrown her into the dirt. As the distant memory played in her head, her lips curled in a smile. She was now high above the ground on a beautiful horse with a handsome, powerful warrior beside her. She’d loathed him, but he’d brought her indescribable pleasure, and though she’d been his prisoner, the tide had turned. He was now falling under her spell, and captive to her charms.
Casting her eyes to the glittering blue ocean, it was hard to believe it had been a terrifying, turbulent mass of water the night before, then lifting her gaze to the squawking gulls, butterflies fluttered in her stomach. She’d had her own heavenly flights in the throes of passion. Looking over her shoulder at the mighty fighters marching behind her, she felt like a warrior princess.
“Is this the field?”
Ulrick’s query caught her attention. Shifting her eyes to the left, she found they’d reached the paddock.
“Yes, that’s it, and to reach the thicket we go straight ahead.”
“Hold up,” he shouted as he turned and faced his warriors.
As the large group came to an immediate stop, she watched him hurry to the men with the horses, point to the lush, green pasture, then march back to her.
“Slide off,” he ordered, opening his arms.
A mischievous grin crossed her lips.
Instead of swinging her leg around and slipping down, she toppled her body shoulders first. Though he easily caught her, she was in his arms, not standing on the ground.
“Thank you,” she said breathlessly, grinning up at him.
“You did that on purpose,” he muttered, setting her on her feet, then to her shock, he grabbed her and threw her over his shoulder.
“You walk too slowly,” he exclaimed for the benefit of his men.
“Put me down,” she begged. “I can keep up, I can, please put me down.”
“You’re getting what you deserve,” he replied under his breath.
“I was just having some fun.”
“Fun is for children playing in a yard, not a woman leading warriors up a hill as they head into a skirmish,” he scolded. “I’ll spank you while they watch so they know I have control of you.”
“Oh, no, please—”
“Not another word. They’ll appreciate seeing your bare bottom spanked hard,” he continued, carrying her effortlessly up the hill to the thicket a short distance ahead.
“Master, please, anything but that.”
“Will you behave?”
“Yes, I will, I swear.”
“I’ll put you down when we reach the trees, but while I’m watching the fighters in the bushes, you’ll find me a stick.”
She paused.
“What sort of stick?”
“You know very well,” he said tersely, landing several hot swats as he continued walking, “and for that, you’ll feel its sting before we head to the cove.”
Staying quiet for the rest of the hike up the hill, she silently cursed herself for pushing him. She didn’t know why she’d done it, but she had no doubt she’d soon be paying for it.
* * *
As they entered the small forest, Ulrick came to a halt, pulled Ailith off his shoulder, and stood her in front of him. Glowering down at her, he was pleased to see her red-faced and deeply embarrassed.
“Take me to the lookout point.”
“Yes, Master,” she murmured, still staring at the ground. “It’s this way.”
Walking through the trees, she stopped near the edge of a clearing and crouched down.
“Just below us,” she whispered, daring to glance up at him. Apprehension flickered in her eyes.
“Find the stick and come back here.”
“Yes, Master.”
He’d just given her an opportunity to escape.
If she didn’t return, he wouldn’t chase after her.
Wondering if he’d ever see her again, he waved Bjørn to his side, and gestured his men to move stealthily behind him, then turned his attention back to the bushes below.
Staring down the steep slope, the heavy foliage was closer than Ulrick had expected, and Ailith had been right. A group of men were clearly visible. Though the path through the thick vegetation was barely discernible, the would-be attackers were in a line holding long spears with their swords at their sides. They were few in number, but the element of surprise would have given them the advantage. They would have thrown their deadly spears, then drawn their swords and leapt out.
An angry frown carved deep lines across his brow.
There was no telling how many of his brave fighters would have been lost. When it came time, he would personally send his blade through Gander’s heart.
“I don’t see Gander down there,” Bjørn murmured. “Do you?”
“No, the devil isn’t among them. He’s a coward. Kill them all except one and bring him to the cove. We might need information, but Bjørn, keep the noise down. I don’t know how sound travels here, or how close we are to the bay on the other side. Do you know the men to pick for this?”
“I do, Ulrick.”
“Bring them here, then I’ll head off.”
As Bjørn crept away, Ulrick moved back from the edge, then straightened up and turned around.
Ailith stood by a tree, holding a long, thin stick.
She hadn’t run away, and she wanted to be punished.
Chapter Nine
With Bjørn busy handpicking the group to launch the surprise attack on Gander’s men, Ulrick seized the opportunity and marched across to Ailith. Wordlessly taking the stick, he grabbed her by the elbow, hustled her out of view, then bending her over and grasping her by the waist, he tapped her backside.
“Do you deserve to be punished?”
“Yes, Master,” she squeaked. “I’m sorry.”
“You will learn to hold your tongue and behave.”
“Yes, Master.”
“Not a sound,” he warned sternly, “and I mean it, Ailith.”
Tightening his hold, he peppered her backside with the thin, stinging rod. Though she kicked out and squirmed, she didn’t make a sound. Even when he finished with a flurry, she remained quiet.
Abruptly releasing her, he fisted her hair and jerked her head up. Gasping as her hands flew back to rub her scorched skin, she stared up at him, her blue eyes brimming with tears. The punishment had been brief, but severe, and he knew if he lifted the tunic he’d find her plump bottom marked with red lines.
“Have you learned your lesson?” he demanded, scowling down at her. “Will you stop your nonsense? Will you behave properly in front of my warriors?”
“Ooh, yes, Master,” she panted. “I’m hurting dreadfully.”
“From now on you’ll carry this with you,” he ordered, handing her the hefty twig. “It will remind you to keep your childish antics in check, and when you speak to me, it will be with respect. If I have to correct you again I’ll do more than just stripe your backside, and the punishment won’t be over so quickly. Do I make myself clear?”
“Yes, Master, you won’t have to whip me again,” she whimpered. “I know what I did was wrong. I’ll be much better from now on, I swear.”
“You know what will happen if you’re not,” he said solemnly. “Now follow me back to the edge of the thicket. You’ll stand quietly while I speak to my men, then take me to the cove.”
* * *
When Ulrick had sent Ailith off in search of the stick, she’d wandered a short distance, then sank into the soft ground and leaned against the trunk of a towering tree. Gazing up at the sun’s sprinkling light on the leaves, she’d let out a heavy sigh and thought about his parting words. When he’d said, Find the stick and come back here, she’d also heard, If you don’t return, I won’t chase after you.
He’d given her the chance to escape.
She could disappear into the woods never to be seen again.
But his unspoken words, I won’t chase you, had rung louder in her head than his instruction.
Closing her eyes, she’d recalled how divine she’d felt the night before wrapped in his muscled arms. Waking up curled against him, he’d held her so tightly she’d been unable to wriggle from his engulfing hug, but she’d had no desire to go anywhere, and she’d sensed he didn’t want to let her go either... not ever.
But he had.
He’d let her go.
Resting against the tree surrounded by the songs of the birds, and the occasional sounds of wildlife scurrying across the forest floor, the truth had dawned on her.
He’d given her the opportunity to escape to find out if she wanted him.
His need for her could only be satisfied if she chose to be with him.
Her eyes had popped open.
A sunbeam sat directly in front of her, and as the shaft of light had miraculously rippled, an epiphany had swept over her.
She wanted to be with him.
But a flash of fury had suddenly risen up from her soul.
He’d captured her.
Don’t hold anger toward Ulrick. It is the gods who chose how the two of you should meet.
As Magnus’s words had echoed through her head, surging emotion had flooded her heart, and she’d known Ulrick was her destiny.
Ready to face her future, she’d taken in a long, deep breath, and as she’d placed her hands on the ground to push herself up, her fingers had curled around a long, thin stick.
Now following him through the trees back to his warriors, though her bottom stung with a prickling heat, and her face burned red from his scolding chastisement, her heart was full, and her soul at peace.
Looking ahead, she spied the gathering of warriors. Though they were still and silent, she could sense their anxiety. Drawing closer, she noticed Bjørn off to the side with a separate group.
“We’re ready,” he said softly, marching toward Ulrick.
A chill suddenly shivered down her spine.
“Move up to the clearing,” Ulrick replied. “When you’ve finished with Gander’s fighters and sent them to hell, send a runner ahead to stand at the edge of the cliff top. I’ll be in position above the cove. When I see him I’ll move onto the beach, free our men, and capture Gander.”
“The gods be with you,” Bjørn said solemnly.
“The gods be with you,” Ulrick repeated.
As Bjørn turned back to his group and waved them forward, Ulrick beckoned her to join him.
“I’m here,” she said, hastily stepping up.
“We’re ready to head to the cove. Is it very far?”
“Not far at all. We’re already halfway through the thicket, and once we get to the other side it’s only a short walk to the bank. We climb down there to reach the bottom of the cliff. You won’t have to worry about being seen. There are plenty of rocks to hide behind, and you’ll have a clear view of the bay and the beach.”
“Good,” he said with a nod, then raised his arms in the air and faced his warriors. “We’re moving on to the cove,” he declared, though keeping his voice low. “As we walk through the thicket stay alert in case Gander has lookouts up here. When we make our way down to the beach, use the rocks for cover. We need to surprise him. He might take it into his head to kill our brothers if he sees us.”
As a murmur rippled through the group of powerful warriors, Ailith saw their faces contort with rage.
“Ailith, get us there as quickly as you can,” Ulrick muttered. “We must find the oarsmen G
ander is holding.”
“Yes, Master.”
They began walking through the trees, but as they passed Bjørn and his group crouched down and ready to attack their enemy in the bushes below them, another chill shivered through her body.
“Master, I’m not sure I should mention this, but, uh...”
“Go ahead.”
“Just now, when I saw your warriors ready to pounce on Gander’s men, I had a bad feeling.”
Though they continued walking, he stared down at her with a worried frown.
“Should I call it off?”
“I’m not sure. I mean, I’m not sure what the feeling is about. That’s the problem. Sometimes I sense something, but I can’t figure out what it means. I just know if it’s good or bad.”
“The moment you know more, tell me, and thank you, Ailith. Don’t ever hold back.”
She nodded, then almost smiled. Though still brusque, the tone of his voice had been kinder.
“I won’t, Master. Whatever is wrong will come to me,” she said confidently, but silently hoped the revelation wouldn’t be too late.
* * *
The trek through the woods and across to the cliff’s edge had been an easy one. Spread out in groups of three, the warriors began to climb down to the shore using the rocks embedded into the slope for cover. As they neared the bottom, Ulrick signaled them to stop so he could study the scene below.
There were two boats on the sandy beach. Gander’s, and another Ulrick didn’t recognize, but he could see only a few people moving around. As Ailith’s vague warning sprang to mind, it occurred to him Gander might have had more fighters lying in wait and he’d missed them.
“Ailith, is there anywhere else in those bushes Gander could have placed his men?”
“From our vantage point you would have seen them,” she replied. “Why do you ask?”
“There’s hardly anyone on the beach, and there couldn’t have been more than a dozen fighters waiting to spring their attack.”
“Maybe he sent more men there after we passed by.”
A pang of fear gripped his heart.
“No, sorry,” she added hastily. “We would have spotted them through the trees or when we walked to the cliff edge.”
Rough Warrior Page 7