by Bobbi Smith
Brage held out hope that Sir Thomas had been able to direct Sir Edmund completely away from the tower. If he had managed that, it would give him all the time he needed to head for home. However, if they arrived here in the next day or so, it would be difficult, but not impossible for him to still get away. Either way, it did not matter to Brage right now. What mattered was they had reached the tower without being taken and that Dynna would be protected by her parents.
Brage followed Dynna through the narrow gate and into the protection of the stronghold. At her call, one of her father’s men quickly ran to take charge of their horse.
Sir Eaton met them as they neared the hall. When he saw the tall man carrying the Viking shield and sword, he almost drew his own sword to defend against him. Dynna saw his nervousness, and she stepped between them.
“Have no fear, Sir Eaton. This is Brage. He has been my protector since leaving Lord Alfrick’s lands.”
“But he is a Viking, my lady!” Sir Eaton protested, still not relaxing as he eyed Brage.
“He is that, but he is here with me as friend not foe.”
“As you say, my lady,” he said, stepping back to let them pass. “Your parents await you in their private chamber.”
She ushered Brage inside, her head held high as she ignored the curious looks of her father’s men who were in the Great Hall. “This way.”
Dynna moved regally, and Brage followed closely. He took the time to look around the Great Hall and found that while it was spacious and clean, it was not nearly the size of Lord Alfrick’s.
Dynna stopped before a closed door and knocked only once before being bid to enter. Opening the portal, she saw her mother standing beside her father across the room. Unable to resist the love she knew awaited her, she ran to them and all but threw herself into her mother’s arms.
“Mother!” she cried, tears streaming down her cheeks. “I am home! I am really home!”
“Oh, my darling daughter, I have been so worried about you.” Lady Audrey hugged her daughter near as she shed her own tears of joy. She had seen Dynna only once since Warren’s death, and that had been right after the accident. She had wanted to take Dynna home with her then, but Lord Alfrick had stood firm and had prohibited it. “I had thought I would never see you again.”
“Nor I you, Mother,” she said. “There were moments when I did not know if I would ever get here.”
Lord Garman, Dynna’s father, cleared his throat to distract the two women he loved most in the world from their crying as he eyed Brage. “You have brought a visitor with you, Daughter. Who is this Viking who stands before us?”
“Father, Mother, this is Brage. He helped me escape Lord Alfrick’s tower.
“What? You had to escape and with a Viking, no less? What nonsense is this? Were you not cherished and cared for as Warren’s grieving widow?” Lord Garman demanded in anger and confusion.
“Nay, Father. It was horrible. Lord Alfrick ordered that I be married to Edmund. The priest had arrived and the marriage was to take place in a matter of days,” she explained. “I am sorry, Father, but I could not do it. Edmund is not the man Warren was.”
“We both know of his character, but surely you did not have to flee the place.”
“I did. There was no saving myself any other way. Matilda and I tried to run away several weeks ago, but we were caught by the Vikings when they landed to raid.”
“Word had come to us of the raid and of how Alfrick defeated the Norsemen and captured the . . .” Garman’s eyes narrowed in suspicion as he turned to look at Brage.
“Yes, Father, he is the Black Hawk.”
“And you brought him here?” He was outraged.
“He has come as friend. Alfrick set me to healing him after the battle. I learned by accident that Edmund planned to ransom him back to his people and, once the gold was paid, slay him before he could return home. It was then that I knew what I had to do.” As she spoke, she looked at Brage. He was standing silently, listening as she explained all to her parents.
“You had to escape and take the Black Hawk with you . . .” Her father finished the sentence for her incredulously.
“Do not be angry, Father. I could not suffer the thought of Edmund’s touch. I would have chosen death over the horror of a marriage to him. He delights in cruelty.”
Garman had had dealings with Edmund in the past and knew what kind of man he was. “It is all right, my child, I understand.” He went to her and put an arm around her.
“I entreated Brage to help me escape the tower. I promised him that in return for seeing me safely to you, we would help him get back to his own homeland.”
Audrey and Garman both studied the Norsemen. He was tall, darkly handsome, and fierce-looking as he stood proudly before them. It was no wonder his reputation was so terrible. He was an intimidating presence.
“We thank you for bringing our daughter to us, Brage,” Audrey said then introduced herself and her husband to the Viking.
Brage nodded in response to the older woman’s thanks. He understood where Dynna got her beauty. Her mother, though her hair was silvering, was a lovely woman, tall, slender and endowed with gracious charm. “It is good that we arrived here safely, and I thank you for your welcome.”
“Dynna is a fine judge of character. You shall be treated as one of us,” Lord Garman said.
“What is it you will need to make your journey home?” Audrey asked.
“A small ship, and help to man it. I, too, must escape the fate Lord Alfrick and Edmund had planned for me.”
“It is done,” Garman responded. “We will travel to the coast and arrange for your transport on the morrow.”
Dynna smiled up at Brage, thrilled that her parents were being so understanding of the situation. Audrey saw the look her daughter gave the Viking, and understood far more than what was being said aloud.
“There is only one more thing . . . A crucial matter, Father.”
“What, my child?”
“Should Edmund come here, our presence must be kept from him. There is no telling what he would do if he learned we were here.”
“We will keep the secret, Dynna. Now, come, let us have a meal and talk of what must be done so Brage can set sail,” Garman said.
“While you men confer, I am going to take Dynna abovestairs, so that she may bathe and change into a more appropriate gown. I will also lay out fresh clothes for you, Brage.”
Brage watched Dynna climb the tower steps, his gaze following her every move until he was sure she was out of sight. Garman did not miss his interest.
“I am thankful for your help,” Brage told Dynna’s father as he turned to him. “I was not sure what welcome I would get here.”
“Any man who keeps my daughter from harm earns my lifelong gratitude. Come, let us share a mug of ale while we await their return. You may leave your weapon and shield here. You are in no danger while you are within my tower.”
Brage wanted to believe him, but could not give them up again after having been without them for so long. Besides, there was always the threat of Edmund. “I will keep them with me.” His tone brooked no argument.
Lord Garman nodded. He led the way to a trestle table in the Great Hall. Brage placed his sword and shield within reach.
Lord Garman noted his actions, but said nothing. He could tell the Viking was a fine warrior, and he wished he had several men like him to help protect the tower. His own defenses were not good. His men preferred farming to fighting. They were not located near the coast and so had not suffered the devastating Viking raids the others had. Garman knew should they ever be attacked or sieged, they would not be capable of putting up much resistance. That was why he had agreed to Dynna’s marriage to Warren in the first place. Lord Alfrick could mount a strong force, and, with Alfrick as an ally, few would dare attack them.
“Thank you, Mother,” Dynna said as they entered the bedchamber that had been hers in her youth.
“For what, dear?”
> “For understanding my need to flee.”
Finally, Dynna was beginning to relax. Being with her parents provided the security she had longed for. Here with her family, no harm could come to her.
“So tell me all that has happened, Daughter.” Audrey pressed her for the details of her unhappiness and her escape.
Dynna told her all, starting with Lord Alfrick’s announcement that she marry Edmund whether she wanted to or not, and ending with her decision to escape with Brage.
“But where is Matilda? If you took her with you that first time, why is she not with you now? I cannot conceive that she would let you out of her sight.” She knew how devoted the servant was to her daughter.
Dynna explained how she had escaped, and how she had deliberately kept the secret of their plan from Matilda to ensure the woman safety.
“And what of this Brage?” She remembered the way Dynna had looked at him. “What is the Viking to you?”
“Why, he is nothing to me, Mother.” She felt color flush her cheeks. She had never been able to lie to her mother.
Audrey went on as if she had not heard her denial. “You have feelings for him. What manner of man is he?”
Dynna was not surprised by her mother’s perceptiveness. She always seemed to know what was in her daughter’s thoughts and in her heart. “I do not know what I feel for him, Mother. I have seen him fierce and savage, and I have seen him as a tender, caring man.” Her expression was thoughtful, then turned almost sad.
“Yes?” Audrey asked, knowing there was more Dynna had not revealed—not to her and perhaps not even to herself.
“I am afraid that when he leaves here tomorrow, I will never see him again.” She lifted her gaze to her mother’s. “I do not know if I can bear that.”
“So he does mean something to you.” She could easily understand why. The Viking was very handsome, and they had been alone together for days on end.
Dynna turned tormented eyes to her mother. “He does, but I do not understand it. What I feel for him is so different from what I felt for Warren . . . The power of it is almost frightening. Sometimes, there are moments when I think I have imagined it all. But then . . .”
“Then what?”
“Then he touches me again, and I know it is no dream—these feelings I have for him.”
“When he leaves here in the morning, it is almost assured that you will not meet again. You are from two different worlds.”
“I know.” Dynna was filled with anguish at the thought. Yet she knew she had to let him go. “But I can not hold him.”
The older woman nodded her agreement. “Do you have any idea how he feels about you?” she then asked.
“He has declared nothing, save that he believes me to be brave and that he has met none other like me.” She sighed painfully. “I do not feel brave when I think of being parted from him forever.”
“Then let us see what happens tonight. Perhaps he will come to see that you are important to him, also.”
“That would be a wonderful thing . . .”
Audrey only smiled. Her daughter deserved happiness, and if a union with this Norseman would bring her such, then so be it. A truce between his land and theirs would be a good thing, too—for trade and for an end to the threat of warfare. Not to mention the joy that shone in her daughter’s eyes at the thought of the warrior.
Audrey decided she would speak to Garman about the matter later, when they were abed alone.
Dynna bathed quickly, scrubbing her body and hair clean of the dirt of the many days’ travel. With her mother’s help, she quickly combed out her thick, tangled mane and then donned one of her mother’s tunics and embroidered overgowns. The color was a soft rose that lent a sparkle to her gray eyes and enhanced the flush of color in her cheeks the days in the sun had left.
“There, you look lovely. Come see in the mirror,” her mother encouraged as she drew her to stand before the polished bronze mirror.
Dynna was pleased with her appearance and gave her mother a quick impulsive hug. “Shall we return to the hall?”
“The men await us,” she answered.
They left the bedchamber and started down the steps to the Great Hall.
It was as if Brage could sense the moment Dynna drew near. He lifted his head and looked toward the steps to find that she was descending with her mother. He said nothing. He could only stare. Dynna looked more lovely to him than she ever had before, and he took the time to appreciate her. The realization overcame him then that he truly would be leaving her. It would not be such an easy thing to sail from her.
The women joined them at the table, and Garman signaled for the servants to bring food. Dynna and Brage ate hungrily, for there had been very little for them to eat for the whole day.
“We will travel to the coast in the morning,” Lord Garman announced. “Weather permitting, I should be able to arrange for Brage to sail within a day.”
Dynna managed a smile she did not feel. She turned to Brage. “It is good that you will be returning to your home. I know how much you must miss it and your family.”
“It will be good to see them again, though I will not rest until the traitor has been revealed.”
Revenge was what drove him. Revenge was what had kept him alive when lesser men would have died from their wounds. She said no more, her heart heavy.
They passed the balance of the meal in easy conversation, and when at last it was time for them to retire, Dynna needed to have a few minutes alone with Brage.
“It would be safest for Brage to take the high tower room. It is secluded and few know of it,” Garman said. “Should there be trouble, he would be hidden there.”
Dynna almost wished her father had given him a room closer to hers, but for her own sake it was best that their rooms were far apart. Whatever they had to say to each other would have to be said now, this night. The next day, he would be gone.
“I will see him to the chamber then,” she told her parents.
“I will send maids with a bath and with the fresh clothing,” Audrey said.
Brage thanked them again, then rose, picked up his sword and shield and followed Dynna.
Dynna and Brage walked together to the stairs and mounted them slowly with measured tread.
“It will be over soon. You will be on your way,” Dynna said softly.
“I did not think it possible that I would leave here without a battle.”
“Perhaps there are times when things do go as they should. Perhaps there is such a thing as a happy ending.” She did not look at him as she spoke. The pain she was feeling over parting from him was too great.
They reached the high tower room and stood together, alone.
“Will you be there in the morning to see me off with your father?”
“I could not let you leave without saying good-bye.”
Brage went to her and held her, his mouth slanting across hers in a hungry exchange. At the sound of the maid’s knock, Dynna pulled away. She stared up at Brage, her gaze going over his beloved features as if memorizing them, etching them upon her heart. The second knock and a call sent her to the door to let them in.
“I must bid you good night, Sir Viking,” she said as the maids hurried to prepare his bath.
“Good night, Dynna,” Brage replied and he watched helplessly as Dynna slipped away. . . . out of his room . . . out of his life. He thought he saw a tear on her cheek, but he could not be sure.
When the maids had finished their duties and departed Brage sank down in the tub and began to wash away the grime from their travels. His mood was not good. Another knock at the door distracted him and one of the maids came back into the room.
“I was wondering if there was something else you needed” she asked offering more than just her maidly services. He was a fine specimen of a man, and she was not adverse to comforting him should he want it.
“No. Be gone. I want only solitude.” He wanted no quick tumble with a servant, and it surprised him that
he actually found the thought distasteful. There was only one woman he wanted in his bed only one woman who fired his blood and that was Dynna.
He cursed under his breath. Revenge was sending him home to his people to find the one who had betrayed them. But even as he tried to focus on his need to bring the traitor to justice, thoughts of Dynna kept intruding.
Dynna . . . A vision of her floated through his thoughts. Dynna the brave . . . Dynna the healer . . . Dynna the lover . . . He cursed again. Could not this attraction he felt for her be put aside and forgotten, as what he had felt for all the other women in his life had been?
Brage stared off into space thinking of her courage and beauty, of how she responded to his touch and kiss. He found himself longing to hold her again, to caress and make love to her that night in a real bed, not on a bed of nature’s pleasure, but one of soft comfort. He wanted to go to her chamber, but knew he could not, not that night in her parents’ home.
He finished bathing, then sought sleep, but it would not come. He had become accustomed to slumbering with her beside him. The more he thought of Dynna, the greater the ache within him grew to be with her. He thought of returning home, of seeing his family again, but he felt little joy in the prospect unless Dynna would be at his side.
Unable to rest, Brage rose and began to pace. What manner of woman was this vixen that she could haunt him even as he was preparing to sail for home and freedom. He stopped before one of the narrow tower windows and stared out at the cloudless night sky. The stars were bright and the moon was silver. It was a lovers’ night, and yet he was alone, as was Dynna.
Somehow, in that moment, Brage knew. It was a lovers’ night. They had been lovers. They were meant to be together—he, the fearless Black Hawk, and she, the brave Saxon who had tamed him. He finally admitted it to himself then. He loved Dynna. He had never said the words to a woman. He had never declared himself before, but he would now, for he did love her. He wanted no other.
Impulsively, Brage wanted to go to her that minute and tell her of his love. He wanted to ask her to go with him to his land and be his wife. He wanted her with him every day and every night. He paused in thought as he imagined her round with his child. To his amazement, he found the thought appealing. They belonged together, and he could not bear to be parted from her.