“I paid no heed to time,” she admitted.
“That is obvious. I think it is time for you to retire.”
“I have a line or two yet to draw, then I will retire.”
Magnus placed his hand over hers. “It can wait.”
“In a moment or two,” Reena argued.
“Now,” Magnus said softly.
Reena chose to remain stubborn. “When I am done.”
“What justice can you do your work if you are tired?”
She glanced at the quill, then at him, and her hand stilled. She had expected to see a hardness in his dark eyes and a firmness to his mouth, warning her to obey. Instead his dark eyes held concern.
She nodded and stifled another yawn with her hand. He was right and she was foolish. She needed a clear, crisp mind and a steady hand to map accurately. She stood, about to tell him she agreed, when she lost her balance, her legs more tired than the rest of her.
Magnus was quick to circle the desk and scoop her up in his arms before she fell over. He walked to the bed, though his steps were not taken in haste, and he laid her down gently.
She stared at him for several silent moments, and then her eyes drifted closed; she was fast asleep.
Magnus shook his head. “Stubborn.”
He removed her leather boots and slipped the brown wool blanket down from beneath her with little difficulty, she being so light. He then pulled the blanket over her, tucking it in around her to keep her warm.
A tiny whimper beside him let him know that Horace had heard them and wished to join Reena in bed. With another shake of his head he picked up the pup, who looked half asleep, and as soon as he placed him down on the bed he curled up beside Reena and fell right back to sleep.
“A pint-sized lass who thinks herself indestructible and a cowardly plump pup. What am I to do with the two of you?”
Chapter 13
Early morning found the ground barely touched by snow and village activity relatively quiet, though Reena was up early. She woke and slowly stretched herself awake before recalling last night, and a heavy blush rushed to stain her cheeks when she remembered that Magnus had tucked her into bed. She rushed out of bed, dressed, and hastily combed her hair and tied it with a leather strip. Then she grabbed the map from the table and her brown cloak from the peg on the wall, and hurried out of the keep with Horace close on her trail.
Several villagers were busy feeding the animals and attending to outside chores, though they took the time to wave a morning greeting to her.
Knowing that the village thrived once more filled Reena with relief. She had feared another winter under Kilkern’s lordship, knowing it would have claimed heavy losses, and any loss would have been one too many. And then there was Brigid. There was no doubt that Peter Kilkern intended Brigid harm, and with no husband to protect her and a village weak in strength and spirit, what hope did her friend have?
Not so now. Brigid was well protected, and she had a chance to love again, which was why Reena was headed to the familiar cottage. It was time they talked.
Horace bounced happily beside her, and once he realized their destination, he took off barking, running straight for Brigid’s cottage.
A shout from Justin caught Reena’s attention, and she turned to catch his wave before he hurried toward the kitchen. She smiled. He was going to see Maura, which meant things had gone well between them.
Happiness was fast returning to the villagers. Even her mother and father appeared healthier and more vibrant when she’d last visited them, and the children laughed and ran in play instead of being forced to work the fields.
Reena thought on how good life was, and when she turned and saw Brigid standing in the doorway waving and smiling, her heart swelled with joy. Her smile had vanished with her husband’s death, but it had surfaced recently and could be spotted every now and again. Soon it would return permanently.
“Hurry out of the cold,” Brigid called. “I have apple biscuits baking.”
Reena picked up her pace, and Horace squeezed past Brigid to hurry in the cottage, making certain he was not left out.
Reena and Brigid hugged, and Brigid took her friend’s cloak and hung it on the peg near the door.
“I had a feeling you would join me for the morning meal.”
Reena walked over to the hearth and sniffed appreciatively. “So you made my favorite, apple biscuits.”
“Aye, I saw you wave to Justin. He certainly had a huge smile on his face for so early in the morning. Do you know where he was off to?”
“He had asked me not to speak of it to anyone, but I have no doubt the keep already gossips.”
“So tell me,” Brigid said eagerly. With a thick folded cloth, she grabbed the pitcher of mulled cider she kept heated near the hearth and poured them each a tankard, leaving the pitcher on the table.
Reena quickly joined Brigid at the table, cupping the full tankard to warm her hands. “Justin favors Maura, the young cook at the keep. He requested my help in meeting her, so yesterday I introduced them.”
“It went well?” Brigid’s excitement grew.
“Aye,” Reena said with a huge smile. “Very well, I would guess, since he was on his way to the kitchen.”
“Good, it is about time he found someone to love. And what of you? When do you plan to find a love?”
“We are not discussing me. I am too busy mapping.” Reena sounded much too defensive to her own ears. “I have no time for love.”
Brigid laid a gentle hand on Reena’s arm. “Love finds everyone.”
Her response was curt and defensive. “That is nonsense, and I do not wish to discuss me. I want to know what you think of Magnus.” She had not intended to be blunt, but now that the words were out, she was relieved.
Brigid took no offense; she knew Reena too well. “What about Magnus?”
“Do you find him appealing?”
Brigid stood and went to the hearth to check the biscuits. “What woman would not? He is a handsome one.” With a thick cloth in her hand, she moved the pan of biscuits from the hearth to a wooden board on the table.
“He needs to love—”
Brigid interrupted with a sense of excitement. “Aye, he needs a special woman.”
“I thought the same myself.” Reena was pleased her friend agreed. “A woman that will understand him—”
“And who he is, for he is no ordinary man himself—he is the Legend.”
“Aye, and much is expected of him.”
Brigid separated the biscuits with a knife and moved them to a wooden platter. “She would need to have patience and strength.”
“Two good traits not every woman possesses, though you do.”
Brigid was quick to disagree. “Nonsense, it is you who has the strength, and patience when necessary.”
Reena laughed and reached for a biscuit. “Patience is a skill I must learn.”
“You have patience. How can you possibly map without patience? The work is tedious at times, and yet I see you sit hour after hour hunched over, quill in hand, finely detailing land, buildings, faces.”
“That is different. I love my work and therefore—”
“You are patient and you take your time, no matter how tedious, and it is all because you love your work,” Brigid finished.
“Of course.”
“Then if you love someone, will you not be patient with him?”
“You understand love because you loved,” Reena said.
Brigid sighed, and the hint of a smile she wore faded. “Aye, I loved strongly and doubt I will ever find such a love again.”
“Do you not want to?”
Tears glistened in Brigid’s eyes.
Reena grabbed her friend’s hand and gave a comforting squeeze. “I am foolish for asking such a question.”
“Nay,” Brigid said, letting a tear fall. “You are a good friend, and I cry, for I miss John very much, and I cry because I miss loving him and being loved. And I cry because part of me wish
es to love again and part of me is fearful of loving again.” She shook her head. “I make no sense.”
Reena squeezed her hand again. “You make good sense, and I am glad to hear that you want to love again. You will meet someone special. John would want you to.”
“Aye, he was a good man and so unselfish,” Brigid said. “I will never find another man like him.”
“Nay, you will not, but you will find a good man, and that is what matters.” Reena had felt her friend’s pain when she had lost her husband, and she felt it now, and it saddened her to know that Brigid continued to hurt. She needed to fill her life with love again; it was the only cure for her empty heart.
“We both need to find good men,” Brigid said, wiping away the stubborn tears that continued to fall. “It is time we both love.”
Reena swiped at the last of her own tears.
A knock sounded at the door followed by, “It is me, Thomas.”
Brigid called out, “Come in.”
The large man had to bow his head and shift his body to fit through the door. His face took on a look of alarm when he glanced at Brigid, and he hurried to her side.
“You shed tears, why?”
“It is nothing. Sit and have apple biscuits with us.” She filled a tankard with cider for him.
Thomas turned to Reena, hoping she would offer an explanation. “You shed tears too. What is wrong?”
“Foolishness,” Reena said on a laugh.
Brigid laughed as well. “Sit, Thomas, everything is fine, we promise. It is woman nonsense.”
Reena saw to changing the subject. “The snowfall was not heavy.”
Thomas shook his head. “Your tears made me forget the reason I am here.” He turned to Reena. “Magnus looks for you; he waits in the great hall.”
Reena grabbed the last of her apple biscuit and stood. “Thank you for this.” She held up the half-eaten biscuit. “And for the discussion we both needed. I will see you later.”
She walked to the door, leaving the sleeping Horace by the hearth.
Thomas turned to Brigid. “Will you tell me now why you shed tears?”
“Memories,” Brigid said on a whisper, and tears rushed once again to fill her eyes. She did not want to cry, least of all in front of Thomas, but the memories had lingered in her thoughts, and she suddenly ached to have her husband’s arms around her once again.
The tears ran down her cheeks, and she wiped them away, though they persistently continued to fall. “Please excuse my foolishness.”
“You are not foolish,” Thomas said softly.
“Aye, I am.” A sob rose in her throat, and she fought it back.
Thomas watched her struggle, and it hurt him to see her suffer. He waited and watched and did not know what to do. Finally he could not take any more, and without thought to his actions he scooped her out of her chair and into his beefy arms, where he held her tightly.
Brigid surrendered to her pain, burying her face in Thomas’s hard chest, and sobbed.
Reena dusted the biscuit crumbs from her hands before she entered the keep.
Magnus stood near the dais, speaking with two of his men. When he caught sight of her he dismissed them and walked to where she waited by the hearth.
“I want to continue our mapping today.”
“That is fine, but there is an area on the map I am working on that puzzles me, and I thought perhaps we could have a look at it today, especially before the snow falls again.”
“It is not far?”
“Nay,” she said with a shake of her head. She hurried over to grab the map she had tucked in the corner by the hearth before going to visit Brigid. She spread it open on the table. “This is the map I began last night, and that is the area in question.”
Magnus looked to where she pointed. “Why do you question it?”
“The hill dips and the trees are dense; unless I can see the terrain up close, I cannot map an accurate lay of the land. And I think this would also prove an advantage point to an approaching enemy.”
Magnus studied her work and had to agree. “You have done a fine job, and I can understand your concern.”
“Thank you, my father taught me well,” she said with pride. “When I was young he would take me with him on his mapping quests and teach me what to pay attention to. It is because of him I am a skillful mapmaker.”
“But have no doubt you possess your own unique ability. Now let us go investigate this area of land that intrigues you.”
Reena smiled and rolled up the map. “I was hoping you would agree. I much prefer to have a clear outline of a map before I begin another one.” She tucked the map away in the corner and waited as a black fur cloak was brought to Magnus.
He resembled a large beast of prey as he descended the keep steps, and those who caught sight of him hurried off, many blessing themselves as they went.
Old Margaret was not one who feared him, but then she had lived long and seen much. Many villagers wondered over her age, for though her face was worn with wrinkles, there was a youthfulness to her that was remarkable. Short and slim, she moved with a graceful slowness that was either forced by age or due to the fact that she was in no hurry. No one knew for sure, but all respected her.
She walked up to Magnus and Reena. “The woods are quiet today; you will learn much.” She lowered her voice. “And be careful, someone watches.”
“I appreciate your warning,” Magnus said. “Do you have all you need?”
“I have all that is necessary,” she said with a smile. “Need brings trouble. Go now, for the snow will fall soon enough and this time it will be heavy.”
Reena gave her a quick hug and promised to visit with her soon.
Four of Magnus’s men joined them as they reached the edge of the woods, two dispersing in opposite directions and the other two, James and Philip, remaining near Magnus and Reena.
The fresh dust of snow made the woods appear magical. Everything in sight sparkled with a white freshness that startled the eyes. With no clear path to follow, they made their own, Magnus’s men taking the lead and proceeding with caution.
Reena studied the area well and corrected James when he faltered in direction.
James looked to Magnus. “Reena knows the way, do as she directs,” Magnus responded.
Reena was pleased with his confidence in her, but then she knew well of what she spoke. They arrived at the designated spot within no time.
It was a section of land that ran like ripples of small hills and was sheltered by dense trees, a perfect place for launching an unsuspected attack, or shelter from prying eyes.
With a nod from Magnus, his men separated and disappeared over hills and around trees to see if anyone lurked in the shadows.
Reena stood silent and searched the area with thorough eyes, taking into memory all she could. Magnus remained near when she followed a barely visible path, and the only sound in the crisp air was the crunch of snow-covered leaves beneath their feet.
Magnus did not care for what he saw. This land would need careful watch. In the spring he would order trees cut down, opening the area to a clearer view from the battlements. He had an uneasy feeling about the area, and he heard Old Margaret’s words whisper in his head.
Someone watches.
His men returned and reported seeing nothing. Magnus wanted to take immediate leave of the area; it was not safe. With few men to fight and the vulnerability of surprise, protecting Reena could prove difficult, and the thought that she was not safe here increased his unease.
He looked to see her venturing further up a hill. He caught up with her as she stopped on the rise and looked around.
“It is time to go.” He took her arm as if to protect.
Reena studied the area with such an intense glare that it gave Magnus the chills.
“Is something wrong?” he asked.
“What do you see?” She kept her sight focused directly in front of her.
A hand signal brought two of his men up
the hill behind and to the sides of them. His hand went to the hilt of his sword at his side before he answered her.
He attempted to view the area as intently as she appeared to be doing. “Fresh snow covers everything, no tracks of any kind, animal or man, and no scent that is foreign to the air.”
Reena nodded. “True enough, but look more closely.”
Magnus and his men studied the area for several silent minutes, and it was James who spoke first.
“Several thin branches are broken off some trees.”
Reena nodded and waited for more.
Magnus was next. “There is an indentation beneath the snow near the large stone.”
Philip followed. “There seems to be a piling of sorts, leaves or sticks not far from the indentation.”
Again Reena nodded and looked to the men. “Someone has been here.”
“Only one person?” James asked.
“Aye,” she confirmed.
“How can you be sure?” Philip asked.
“One indentation in the snow, slim branches broken off trees to create a fire sufficient for only one person and small enough so as not to be seen.” She turned slightly. “And look in the distance from this hill.” She pointed. “Through the opening in the trees.”
All the men looked and stared with wide eyes at a perfectly clear view of the keep.
“Gather several men and return here and cut down the trees in this area so that there is no place for anyone to hide,” Magnus ordered.
Reena offered her assistance. “A few specific trees will open this area quite nicely.”
“Then you will direct the men,” Magnus said and took her hand. “Right now we return to the keep to gather more men.”
“He is only one man,” Reena said, as though there was no reason to fear.
The four men laughed, and it was James who spoke.
“Magnus is but one man, and I watched as he alone conquered fifteen men.”
“I have no doubt as to the ability of one man to conquer many, but knowledge and intelligent action can almost guarantee victory,” Reena said. “However, I do not think this man means anyone harm right now. He watches, but does he watch for himself or for someone else?”
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