“Dunkerie!” a man shouted. He was a hulk of a man, easily towering over Aila.
“Catch!” Bregnan Bulcher called, tossing Aila a sword. She caught it with her left hand and swung out with all her might. Still she barely knocked the man back. His deep laugh nearly shook her bones.
“Is that all you’ve got little lady?” he chuckled. “No wonder your men are so pitiful. They let their women fight for them.” He raised his sword and Aila could almost see her certain death as she stood there. Calling on the anger inside her, she used the wind to have the man stumbling back, a look of shock on his face.
“Not all of their women need help,” she grinned. He lifted his sword again, vengeance in his yes now. Thunder started to rumble angry through the sky just when he brought his sword down. Aila saw another sword swing up hard to meet his midair as she started to call the lightning.
“Our women fight alongside us, not for us.” Aila nearly wept when Dagmar spoke. Well over six feet, Dagmar met the man swing for swing. She could clearly see that Dagmar was the better swordsman. Even if she wasn’t partial to him, she’d have been truly grateful for his assistance and leaned his way on the fight. When he’d finally bested the man, he handed a sword to her, “Get inside the gate and have Ragnic look at your arm and hand.”
“I’m fine,” Aila returned, steely determination in her stormy gray eyes. “I can hold my own.”
Time seemed to stand still as Aila watched those electric blue eyes bore into her. “Your arm is injured and needs to be tended, Aila. Not to mention your powers are just as effective from inside. I can’t have you out here distracting me,” he growled. One squeeze on her upper arm, where the arrow tip still sat sunken into her flesh, had Aila dropping the sword he’d handed her. “You need Ragnic to get that arrow out of your arm and look at your hand. If he clears you for battle and only if, then you can rejoin us.”
“Fine,” Aila sighed. She picked the sword up with her left hand and went back to the gate. As she stepped through, three large lightning bolts streamed from the sky, striking three men of Dunkerie dead.
***
Dagmar watched until she was safe inside before he turned to survey the battle. The men and some women of Hail were holding their own, but just barely. Dunkerie had apparently not learned their lesson last time. He’d make sure it sank in hard this time around. “Breslin!” he called.
“Dagmar!” came the reply. He ran toward his friend and scooped up a hatchet on the way. Throwing it hard, Dagmar sank it into the skull of a man who’d gotten the upper hand on a woman who was now on the ground. “Fight!” he yelled. Even as the woman gained her footing, Dagmar turned to see Breslin in the thick of the fighting.
With two Dunkerie men coming at him, he was fiercely outnumbered, for the Dunkerie men could fight like mad men. Smiling, Dagmar threw a knife, catching one of the men in the thigh. Seeing as that just seemed to piss him off, Dagmar lashed out with his sword, saving Breslin from a nasty scar along his torso.
“Take your sweet time why don’t you.”
“Don’t mind if I do!” Dagmar chuckled. Looking his friend in the eye he said. “Shall we?”
In answer, Breslin turned and met the oncoming sword with his own, the clash of steel against steel, ringing out. Dagmar dispatched the other man easily, hacking off an arm before thrusting his sword into the man’s entrails. Pulling his bloody sword back, he bumped into Bregnan who’d come to aid his brother. “Bloody bastard,” he grinned. He turned toward his friends as an arrow whisked through the air, catching his thigh. “Aw shit!”
Almost immediately the two brothers shielded Dagmar, but another arrow, this one from the opposite direction hit him in his torso, ripping through his side. “Bollocks,” Dagmar said as his eyes glazed over with pain. When Breslin turned to catch him as he fell, a third arrow caught him in the shoulder, forcing its way through his arm and into his shoulder cavity.
“Fall back!” Bregnan called as Breslin hefted Dagmar’s weight. “Fall Back!”
Dagmar couldn’t tell where he was at as fatigue swept through him. The pain came in waves, some mild and others were breath stealing. His mind was foggy as well, but he could remember his name and the events that had landed him wherever it was that he was at. The first time he’d tried to sit up, pain radiated through his body until he’d collapsed and he fought the almost constant darkness that wanted to swallow him.
He’d tried to talk, to ask what day it was. Everything he said though, came out as a groan. “Try not to talk,” Aila said, pressing a cool cloth to his forehead. Barely able to open his eyes, Dagmar gave into the fatigue once again and slept.
***
Aila pressed her lips together, worrying over the gash on Dagmar’s side. “I don’t have the power to heal him.” The fact that it went straight through was a good thing, but it didn’t mean he was out of the woods yet. “He needs, euccomia bark and papain to aid his healing,” Ragnic said. Also, some valerian root if Dragna has any, for pain relief. He could also use some turmeric for the swelling. I’ll see to his other wounds in time, but to get him on the road to recovery, we need those especially for the gash in his side.”
Aila was out the door before Ragnic stopped talking. She practically flew across the village to Dragna’s tent ignoring her injured arm that Ragnick had put in a tight sling. “Aila?” the old woman said. “Sit down.”
“I can’t,” Aila said, unable to control the shaking in her hands. “I need some herbs Ragnic sent me for. Turmeric, eucommia bark, papain, and valerian root.”
“Ragnic is a good man,” Dragna smiled. “I have everything but the eucommia bark and turmeric.”
“Then I’ll take these and go hunt down the others.”
“Do you think it’s wise to go out there tonight?”
“I can’t just leave him like that, Dragna. He would do it for me.”
“That’s because he loves you, Aila.”
“I love him too,” Aila said, her voice wavering. “I…I have to go.”
“Be safe child,” Dragna called as Aila left.
She all but threw the herbs at Ragnic, assuming he’d know which were which. Then she was back out the door with her horse saddled in less than ten minutes. She spoke quickly with Aislin and Aranath, both agreeing to go with her. “Thank you ladies for joining me. Without these herbs we could lose Dagmar and I just can’t let that happen.”
“We understand,” Aislin said. She looked keenly out over the snowy landscape. “The good news is that there should be plenty of eucommia trees around to collect. The bad news is that turmeric might not be so easy to find.”
“How do we recognize it?” Aila demanded, getting a quirked eyebrow in return. “Sorry. I’m a little testy, please how do we find it?”
“We look carefully,” Aislin said sensibly. “Turmeric grows big, beautiful leaves and will winter over nicely. The issue is finding the plants to begin with.”
The women agreed to split up once they reached the edge of the woods. “We need to meet back here in an hour.”
“Everyone knows how to leave a trail?” Aila asked.
“Yes,” both women returned in unison. Like mother, like daughter.
With forty-five minutes of searching relentlessly, Aila had managed to find some serious turmeric. She took both leaves and a whole plant, unsure what part Ragnic needed.
“Wow,” Aislin said with an impressed nod of approval. “I found some good eucommia bark as well. If you want to run these ahead, I’ll go after Aranath and make sure she gets home safe.”
“Sure,” Aila said, offering her thanks before she headed back. “If you’re not back in an hour, I’ll come searching.”
“Agreed.”
Chapter Two: Inner Healing
Dagmar finally felt reasonably normal. At least he thought he did. Either that or the afterlife was very sweet. This time when he opened his eyes Aila’s beautiful gray irises were staring at him. “You look tired,” he whispered.
“I’m
alright,” she smiled unable to push her tears back. “Just waiting for you to move your feet right now. I’m tired of pampering your sorry arse.”
“Pampering is it?” Dagmar laughed wincing as pain seared through his side. “I feel as if someone beat me with a tree trunk.”
“Sort of,” Aila grinned. “In the form of three very well-placed arrows. One more and I might not have you here with me.” Dagmar looked at her again and realized just how fragile she was. She didn’t like to admit it, which was part of the reason he’d fallen for her, but she was all woman and that thrilled him.
“I’m made of tougher stuff than that,” he smiled. “Ragnic say when I could get out of here?”
“Not yet. I think he’d like to make sure you’re well on the mend before we move you.”
“I feel great compared to whenever before was. How long have I been here?”
“Since just after sunup. I wasn’t sure Ragnic could get you back in shape, but he did amazing work.”
“You haven’t given up on me have you darling?”
“Not yet, but I’ve told Ragnic if it lasts much longer someone else can come baby you.”
“Heartless bitch,” Dagmar chuckled, wincing when the pain in his side flared. “Got me good didn’t they?”
“If Breslin and Bregnan hadn’t been there I don’t know if you’d have made it back.”
“How’s it been since?”
“Calm,” Aila said, a grimace on her face. “I know it’s only a matter of time before they come back. Ballsy bastards, attacking us on the Solstice. No respect for the seasons or symbols of this time of year.”
“Not everyone honors the Earth like us, Aila,” Dagmar said. “Still, I’d like to be ready should they attack again.”
“How about,” Aila said, “We just concentrate on making sure our people celebrate the Solstice as they should. I don’t want the battle this morning to mar the celebration tonight, especially when it’s perfect outside.”
“Perfect huh?” Dagmar grinned. “I don’t know about that, but right now it’s pretty perfect from where I’m sitting.”
“Lying,” Aila corrected.
“Whatever.” When she smiled and leaned down to him, Dagmar gladly kissed her, slowly going deeper into the ocean of need that never seemed to be satisfied between them. “Help me up won’t you?”
***
Aila helped Dagmar sit up and held him steady while he got his bearings. He complained of a headache, which Ragnic said would be normal. Having his medicine handy, she gave him some herbal tea to help him with the pain.
“You feeling any better?”
“Some,” he said. “I’m not ready to dance a jig yet, but compared to how I felt a few hours ago, I’d say I feel remarkable.”
“You don’t look so great,” Aila laughed.
“Like me for my looks? You shallow woman.”
Putting an arm around his waist, Aila helped Dagmar stand, steadying him before he took his first step. Pain etched itself on his face when he stumbled, but with each step he grew stronger and more confident in his ability to walk. A couple trips around Ragnic’s cabin and Dagmar was almost back to normal. “I need to see Aislin if I can.”
“Tonight?” Aila asked, obviously concerned.
“It’s rather important love.”
“Alright,” Aila sighed. She walked him gingerly toward Aisleen’s home and stopped just short of the door. Aislin was one of the first to have a structure put up for her. Built into the mountainside, her home stayed relatively warm during the increasingly cold nights as winter really got a grip on Hail. With its thick mossy covering, Aila sure hoped her friend liked her new home.
“I’d ask that you stay here for just a moment,” Dagmar said, looking awfully pale to Aila’s untrained eye.
“Hurry up then” Aila sighed. Aila waited and paced while Dagmar was inside. She noticed almost immediately that she couldn’t hear what was being said, except for the occasional roaring of laughter. It was unusual to be standing outside someone’s home and not hear them plain as day. Not that she was an eavesdropper or anything, but still, she noticed. Perhaps it’d make relations between married couples a little more private, especially for those who liked to get loud during such activities. Aila herself could scarcely bring herself to softly moan, let alone scream. No matter how great Dagmar was under the blankets, she was a severely private person, unless she was punching him in the face for making time with Asgurda. Sighing she knocked on the door to Aislin’s home.
“Well Aila,” little Edgar said. Aislin’s youngest, Edgar was the spitting image of his father, right down to Dufguss’ pretty green eyes. “Nice of you to drop in on us tonight as well. Dagmar’s already here.”
“I know young, Edgar,” Aila smiled, roughing up the boy’s cap. “I brought him by and was wondering if he’d fallen flat on his face yet. Seeing as just this morning the mule had three arrows sticking out of him, I’m surprised he hasn’t just collapsed at your feet by now.”
“Nah,” the little boy went on. “Dagmar’s made of sterner stuff. He showed those damn Dunkerie bastards how things are done by the Pict people of Hail. See if they try any of their bullshit again. We’ll show them exactly where they can stick it.”
Aila choked back a laugh and was warmed to find everyone else seemed to be doing the same. “Dagmar,” she sighed, coming to see him in the small nook where he sat leaning against the wall. “I need to get you home before you can no longer walk.”
“Aye lass,” Dagmar smiled. He grabbed a package off the small table and turned to Aislin. “Thank you darling. I’ll be sure to get some more skins to you soon.”
“See that you do,” she smiled. “After you can walk straight and shoot straighter.”
“She likes me,” Dagmar joked as he walked to his tent with Aila.
“You think everyone likes you,” Aila pointed out.
“You like me,” he chuckled.
“Much to my peril I’m sure.” Helping him into his tent Aila made him as comfortable as she could before she got him to release the package.
“You need to open it love,” Dagmar instructed as Aila sat down to undo his boots.
“I’ll get to it in due course.”
“Now,” he demanded softly. “If you don’t mind of course.”
“I don’t mind,” Aila said. She grabbed the package and set in it her lap, carefully removing the patchwork paper covering.
“Aislin said her youngest and his friends helped decorate the package.”
“I can see that,” she smiled. She opened the package fully and just stared at the ermine covered boots that now sat in her lap. “You had these made for me?”
“I know your fondness for ermine skins so I used the last ones I caught to have Aislin make you a pair of boots to match your tunic and leggings.”
“Dagmar…” Aila sighed. Putting the boots aside, she crawled over to sit with him. “I would have waited until tonight to give them to you so you could wear them to the festival, but give my condition I thought it prudent to do it now as I may be sleeping later.”
“Not if I can help it,” Aila grinned, giving Dagmar a wink.
“Oh love,” he sighed. “I can’t do that, despite wanting you.”
“I’m not asking you to make love to me,” Aila laughed. “There are other related activities we can do to pleasure each other, aren’t there? Certainly straight up sex isn’t all you know how to do.”
“No,” Dagmar argued. “However, given that I was shot three times this morning it may not be a good idea to get my heart rate up.”
“I already discussed it with Ragnic. He says as long as you’re comfortable with it, its fine.”
“Of course he’d say that. He’s a man.”
“He’s also a healer with plenty of experience. I say if it won’t kill you, we should try. Even if just as payback for my boots.”
“I had them made for a reason, Aila,” Dagmar said, taking her hands. “I know that we’ve cert
ainly had our differences and that some of them were nasty and unsolvable. Over the last three weeks though, I’ve come to see that you are a remarkable woman and I’m so very blessed to have you in my life. I know that we both want to rule the people of Hail, we have our own strategies and ideas. Lately though we’ve been able to bring those things together to benefit our people.”
“Yes we have,” Aila smiled “It’s been nice to work together and see our people thrive because of it.”
“Would you be willing, Aila, to rule by my side, not just as my best friend, but as my wife as well?”
“What?” Aila asked, her eyes going wide.
“I’m asking you Aila Dagny Forsberg, if you’d consider spending your life with me. Will you marry me?”
***
Dagmar didn’t know if the look on her face was a sign that she was happy, sad, or ticked off. Her stormy gray eyes were filled with an emotion he couldn’t read and he was deathly afraid she might burst into tears. The tears came, but thankfully it wasn’t the deluge that Dagmar had feared.
“I’ve dreamed of this day, like most women, I suppose. When I was eight I hoped one day we’d love each other. The more I tried though, the harder you fought me until I was convinced we weren’t right for each other after all. Then things changed. I can’t even tell you what it was that shifted between us, but whatever it was, I’m so thankful it did. Four weeks ago if you’d asked me to marry you I probably would have fallen down laughing. Now I know that I’m saying yes to my best friend. I’m saying yes to a man that I can count on to not only protect and provide for me, but a man with whom I want to share my life. A man I can rule alongside knowing that neither of us is less because we rule together. You smooth out my hard, choppy edges Dagmar and I am eternally grateful for you.”
“So is that a yes?”
He could admit he deserved the punch in the arm. The fact that she punched the arm that had taken an arrow earlier in the day, however, made his eyes smart with tears of his own. Her apologies rolled off her tongue as quickly as her acceptance speech, but Dagmar took it all in stride.
Desired By The Cowboy (Love In Collin's Ranch 2) Page 34