The horses were brought to a halt and Reena dismounted before the Legend could assist her. At the moment she wanted no one’s assistance; she preferred relying on herself and she preferred solitude. Solitude to draw and to think.
She walked around her horse to the Legend. He stood where he was, a glint of anger in his dark eyes. She assumed he was annoyed with her for dismounting on her own. Her actions did give the impression she did not wish him to touch her, but she would deal with that later. Now she needed time to herself. “What do you wish mapped?”
He pointed. “The area seen from the crest of that hill.”
She nodded, took her charcoal and paper from the satchel strapped across the back of her horse, and walked to the crest of the hill. She stood silent, staring at the land spread out before her. It looked as empty as she felt, and she forced herself to take a closer look. Her mind rebelled, noticing none of the new spring growth about ready to blossom or the way the land rolled like a gentle green wave cresting over each hill, nor did she see the birds busy foraging for material to build suitable nests in which to lay their eggs. She heard only the Legend’s words repeated over and over in her head.
What would cause a man to kill an entire family?
And not any man but his teacher, who had willingly shared his wisdom with his student.
She feared that he could provide no justifiable answer. If not, what then would she do?
Her mind needed settling. She could do nothing now, but later she would question him, and she would expect an answer. She began to draw, and in no time her hands flew fast and furiously and her mind numbed; she was lost in her mapping.
They rode on to another area, little conversation passing between them, and stopped for a light midday fare. They rested near a stream, spreading out a cloth that held meat and bread. The Legend had walked off, leaving Reena with his men. She did not share in their conversation but listened to humorous tales of their adventures.
An elderly man and woman looking worn from traveling on foot approached them cautiously. The woman appeared ready to collapse, and Reena was quick to stand and offer them rest and sustenance.
The man repeatedly thanked Reena for her generosity, and the woman looked ready to weep as they eagerly walked over to Reena. But a sudden abruptness halted their steps and fear filled their eyes, and Reena knew that the Legend had walked up behind her.
The man slipped his arm around the trembling woman, and with a courteous bow of his head he whispered, “My lord.”
A strong command left no doubt as to what they should do. “Join us.”
Reena thought about making conversation with the pair to help alleviate their fear, but the two ate as if they had not eaten in weeks and kept their eyes lowered, though they did remain huddled close to each other.
“Your destination?” Magnus more demanded than asked.
Reena admired the way the man met Magnus eye to eye, though his voice trembled some.
“My wife Beth and I search for a home. Being older and my hands—” He stopped and looked at his wrinkled and gnarled hands as if he did not recognize them. He shook his head. “I cannot create the fine bows and arrows I once did, so I am useless.”
“A skill is never useless,” Magnus said.
“A skill is only good if you can make use of it,” the man said with disgust.
“Then use your skill the one way you can.”
“How?” the elderly man asked, sounding hopeful that perhaps he was of some use after all.
“Teach what you know.” Magnus sent a signal to one of his men, who walked off into the woods without a word.
The man shook his head. “To who? Most villagers and lords have a bowman.”
“Skilled or not, there is always something to learn. I would be honored to have you share your knowledge with my bowman and do whatever you can to assist him. A cottage and food is included in the offer if you are interested.”
His wife cried softly, and the elderly man stood a little prouder. “I am John, and I accept your generous offer. I will do my share and serve you well, my lord.”
“I have no doubt you will. We must be on our way, but you are to wait here. Two of my men will return shortly and escort you to my keep. Once there, Thomas will see to your needs.”
“Bless you, Legend,” the woman said, her tears falling hard.
Magnus acknowledged her gratitude with a brief nod, then walked to his horse, ordering his men to mount.
Reena went to her horse realizing he’d left the food for the elderly couple to take with them. He lifted her to her horse, and as two of the Legend’s men walked out of the woods, the Legend, Reena and his men rode off.
She smiled, thinking of what a good man he was. Then she recalled his confession of murder, and she shivered.
“You are cold?” he asked. “A chill still clings to the air, spring has yet to fully blossom.”
“A slight chill, nothing more.”
“I have a heavy cloak if you need it,” he offered.
She looked over at him where he rode beside her, so large and terrifying all in black, his face mostly concealed by the helmet. Yet he was concerned for her well-being.
He cared for her and she cared for him. She could not be foolish and allow her doubts to cloud her emotions. She needed to seek her answers and understand. So her question was asked not out of curiosity but from a loving heart.
“Tell me about your teacher and his family.”
He stared at her for a silent moment, an indication he was deep in thought. Part of him wished he could remain there, in his mind.
Few knew the true story behind the tale that had earned him the title of the Legend. It was not something he wished to discuss or remember, and it certainly was not a tale he wished were true. By the time the story had traveled to his homeland it had grown into a legend—a legend that was far from the truth.
Could he trust Reena with the truth?
She had spoken not a word to anyone of his mother being the woman kept prisoner in the secret room. If she had he would have known, for the news would have run rampant through the keep, gossip being a way of life. But not a word was made mention; she had kept her word, keeping his secret.
Reena waited patiently, knowing he would speak when he was ready. And though he looked as if he warred with his own decision, she felt confident he would choose to share the past with her and free his tormented heart and soul.
He spoke low, his words for their ears alone. “William was a good man and was a master in understanding instinct. He explained that it was an important part of who we are and what we amount to. Instinct allows us to live with less fear and more hope. It allows for understanding and less ignorance. Instinct is an essential part of us all that is rarely acknowledged and barely used.
“He taught me that all creatures except man use their instincts to survive, for man’s arrogance causes him to ignore his instincts. At first his lessons seemed trivial and of no real importance to me until I began to realize the depth of his teachings. I spent a year with him, and it was a year I will never forget or regret.
“His thoughts and ideas were foreign to many, and he had moved his family several times to keep them from being persecuted, since there were many who believed he practiced dark magic. I asked him once why he did not keep his tongue silent so that he did not have to run and hide in fear. He laughed at me and told me that I should think about what I asked of him and when I had my answer I would need him to teach me no more.”
“Did you discover the answer?”
“Not until the very end.”
Reena felt her breath catch, and tears gathered in her eyes. This was difficult for him, she could see the way he warred with his memories and the hurt that surfaced and grabbed hold of him.
“Friends of William warned him that officials were on their way to accuse and persecute him and his family. His wife, Bella, believed as he did, as did their daughter Mary, a young lass of barely ten years with a voice sweeter t
han the heavens. When she raised it in song, all quieted and listened, for it was a sound so lovely it mesmerized.
“The warning came too late. Officials arrived and began to question William and his family. He understood immediately his situation and the danger he and his family were in. There was no longer anyplace for them to hide. He was quickly accused of heresy and imprisoned in a nearby keep’s dungeon, his wife was imprisoned shortly after him, and William feared that his daughter would suffer a horrible fate, left on her own.
“He knew it was only a matter of time before he and his wife would be put to death by fire. He asked that I spare them the suffering. . . .”
Magnus stopped and took a breath.
Reena fought a losing battle with her tears.
“He also asked that I made certain Mary did not suffer. He believed that together, they would all be happy in the afterlife. He asked as a good friend that I do this for him. I had to tend to the matter immediately and then leave and return to my own land. He told me to take the night to think on the matter for there was little time, and he told me to tell Mary how much she was loved and that they would unite with her soon, that she would understand.”
Magnus shook his head. “I could not do what he asked of me, not until I returned to the dungeon the next night, having bribed the same guard with a bag of coins to let me in. William and Bella had been tortured and lay in horrendous pain from their horrible ordeal. William begged me to end their suffering and see to Mary. I did not think twice.”
He paused, shutting his eyes for a moment. “I will spare you the details and tell you their deaths were swift and painless. Bella felt nothing, she simply smiled and whispered her thanks just before the end. Before William died he asked me if I had the answer to why he did not keep his tongue silent so that he did not have to run and hide in fear. I gave him the answer, and he smiled and told me that I needed him no more. I laid them side by side, went and took care of Mary, then left.”
Tears ran down Reena’s cheeks. “When did you discover the answer?”
“That moment before he was to die. I realized that he was not the one who ran and hid in fear. It was those who hunted him that were running and hiding in fear.”
“You tell me the true tale; what is the gossip that preceded you home?”
“It was said I confronted evil and without fear destroyed it and that only a man of strong conviction and honor, a legend, could do what I did. The tale traveled far and wide and I was hired by many monarchs to deal with their battles and wars, and I was substantially rewarded.”
“And all feared you because they thought you capable of turning on a friend and killing him without thought or remorse.”
“Aye. I was the Legend, a warrior without a heart or soul, a formidable commodity to those looking for protection from their enemies.”
“You told no one the truth?”
“No one would believe it, and I would place myself in danger if it were known I did it to save them from suffering. And my teacher would have expected no less from me, for instinctively he realized what would happen after his death, and that would mean his death was not in vain.”
“You would live to help others, while those in power thought you helped them.”
“Helping those in power allowed me to help others who were less fortunate, and it helped me to grow in my own strength and power until I became a force of my own.”
“I will tell no one the true tale, but . . .” She lowered her voice to a whisper. “I wish you to teach me the understanding of instinct.”
He stared at her for a moment. She was so very different than the women he had known. Her interests were more similar to his, wanting to understand all that she could.
“You practice much of it already.”
“Do I?” she asked, surprised.
“Aye, you do. The first part of understanding instinct is awareness. You must be aware of your surroundings and see all. You do that when you sketch.”
“I see everything and keep it clear and strong in my mind,” Reena said with pride.
“That is a good beginning in understanding instinct.”
They remained in discussion until they reached their destination.
Reena immediately understood why the area was important to him. “Guards could be posted here without being noticed, and the rise in the distance would give a clear view to anyone who approached.”
“I thought the same when we first passed through here, but I wanted a more thorough mapping of the area.”
“We should investigate the areas heavy with foliage.” She pointed out one or two. “The information may prove useful.”
A couple of hours were spent walking the surrounding area. Magnus and Reena remained by each other’s side, each sharing their opinions and thoughts about the land. His strong hand was there every time the terrain became more demanding with hills and ruts and fallen trees. He made sure of her footing and her safety.
Reena talked continuously even as Magnus lifted her about the waist to assist her in mounting her horse. She offered excellent suggestions to him and he listened carefully, though he could not ignore his growing need for her.
What surprised him the most was that while he desired her and wanted very much to make love to her, his need for her sprang more from the fact that she filled his life with joy and love. He could not think of what a day would be like without her. She was so very much a part of him now that he could not imagine her not being in his life.
The thought frightened him, a man who supposedly knew no fear. Yet he feared not having Reena by his side. He was hopelessly in love, and it was time he did something about it.
They camped for the night in a small clearing. They enjoyed a meal of roasted rabbit and good conversation. It was not long after that Reena found herself alone with Magnus. They sat by the fire, next to each other, and Reena wondered if their solitude was intentional.
Today she had come to understand the Legend more than she’d ever thought possible, and she had realized that Magnus and the Legend were truly one and the same. His dark and imposing helmet instilled fear in many, but it was actually meant to conceal his caring nature. While many believed the Legend brought harm and suffering, others thought of him as a savior. He had saved her village from further suffering, he had saved the elderly couple from certain suffering, and he had saved his teacher and his family from a horrible suffering.
The Legend was a man with a tender heart and soul, and she loved him more than she ever thought possible. She loved him for his strength and courage, and she loved him for his tenderness, and she was annoyed at herself for not realizing his true nature the very first time they met. A man who could love and protect a small cowardly pup had to have a tender heart.
The question was, what now?
While she had no difficulty with patience for mapping and drawing, patience itself was not one of her stronger virtues. So she thought it was best to speak her mind.
She reached her hand out to him as he reached for her.
Chapter 24
Their hands locked, and it was Magnus who said, “We have things to discuss.”
“Aye,” she agreed with a nod. “I thought the same myself.”
“We often think much the same.”
“I have noticed,” she said and smiled softly.
Her smile hit his gut hard and sent a silent groan rippling through him. He could not stop himself from reaching for Reena, and in one swift swoop he had her in his lap and his cheek next to hers, soft, silky and kissed by the fire’s warmth.
Were her lips that warm?
His groan was not silent this time, and he whispered against her cheek, “I am going to kiss you.”
“Please.” Her murmur was urgent, and it sent his blood rushing through him like a raging river.
Their lips touched like hungry souls reaching out for sustenance, and they tasted long and hard of each other until finally they broke apart for much needed breaths.
Foreh
eads rested against each other, breathing was heavy, and love filled both hearts. Neither spoke, but then neither could, and thoughts made no sense. The only sense was that they were in each other’s arms safe and secure and in love and wanting to make love.
She cupped his face in her hands and with a quieted breath she whispered, “I love you.”
If he thought her smile punched his gut, he was mistaken. Her words devastated and thrilled all at once, and he needed to speak from his heart as she had done. “As I said, we often think the same, you and I, for I love you too.”
She smiled, joy filling her heart, and she gave him a quick kiss. “You are sure?”
His own joy caused him to tease. “I must have a moment to reconsider, for you can be stubborn at times.”
She kissed him again before continuing. “And you are demanding.”
He feigned shock. “Me demanding? Never!” His teasing turned to loving and he gazed in her blue eyes. “I demand but one thing of you.”
“Tell me,” she murmured.
He tightened his arms around her waist, pulling her closer to him. “I demand you love me forever, for that is how long I shall love you.”
They kissed slowly and lovingly, and when their lips parted, they rested cheek to cheek.
Reena took a moment to gather her thoughts, and after carefully considering her decision, she spoke up. “There is something I ask, not demand, of you.”
Her serious tone had him paying close attention. “Tell me.”
“I have thought much on love of late, and I realize the enormous responsibility that comes with it. It cannot be taken for granted or expressed on a whim. Love is born in the heart and soul of two people and it is to be cherished, nourished and protected. I love you with all my heart and I wish to love you forever—” She paused. “But the love I speak of is the love I wish to give to my husband.”
“Are you asking me to marry you?” he asked with a grin.
She eased away from him and held her chin up high, ready to defend herself. “Do you wish to marry me?”
Legendary Warrior Page 20