by Leigh Bale
Now, she lost her appetite. Her brother’s life was in jeopardy, her people were dying and there was no peace.
Tears burned her eyes and she turned away so Wulfgar wouldn’t see. She stared down at her plate of food, unable to touch the tasty meat.
“You should eat.” Wulfgar’s voice reached her ears. “You’ve had a difficult ordeal and must keep your strength.”
He was right. Drying her eyes, she forced herself to take a bite and chewed without thinking.
Her stomach cramped with tension and fear.
I must get off this island. Please help me, Lord.
A calming peace enveloped her. She mustn’t panic, for she would be of no use to Dafydd then.
After the conquest of England, she could understand why King William had made Wulfgar an earl over one of the most powerful marches along the Welsh border. She could also understand why he had sent Wulfgar into slavery the moment he became a threat.
But why had the king spared Wulfgar’s life?
He set his empty plate aside and took a long drink of water. Then, he came to his feet and picked up the spear.
“Will you be all right if I leave you for a short time?” he asked.
Since they were on an island, she knew he couldn’t flee without help. But what if his men found him before Jenkin arrived? She mustn’t lose Wulfgar now.
“Where are you going?” She asked too sharply.
“Up that hill to see if I can see a ship.” He pointed to the west. “You’ll be safe here with Callum and Gara and I’ll hear if you cry out.”
There was conviction in his tone, and Ariana didn’t doubt his words. It seemed her slave had become her protector, which confused her even more.
He turned to go.
“Wulfgar?”
He stopped and turned around, waiting patiently for her to continue.
“Why did you jump in to save me?”
His dark eyes filled with emotions she didn’t understand. “I knew you would drown if I didn’t.”
“But you would be free if I were dead.”
Both of them understood her question. If their men found him later, he could simply say she had died, her body lost at sea. No one would know the truth. He would be free. Yet, he had done nothing but defend her. If he were truly a traitor, why didn’t he kill her?
His face darkened. “Despite what you have heard, I am no murderer. Nor am I a traitor.”
He turned and walked away. A shiver of foreboding washed over Ariana and she wrapped her arms about herself, staring after him. She wished she could believe him, but didn’t dare. Too much was at stake. And once she told him what she wanted from him, he might change his mind.
Chapter Five
Wulfgar returned to the hut a short time later, disappointed to see no sign of his men. He’d discovered a small lake where ducks nested along the shore and understood how Callum got fresh drinking water.
Gara stood upon one of the low hills, using a long staff to help Callum herd the sheep. Wulfgar’s temper had cooled. It did little good to tell Ariana he was no murderer of women. His stomach sickened when he thought of pleading his cause before the king. If his actions didn’t speak for him, he certainly wouldn’t explain himself to Ariana. She would have to trust him or not. It made little difference to him.
Ah, that wasn’t true. For some reason, what she thought meant a great deal to him. Why? He didn’t know, only that he was tied to this woman by more than chains.
Where was Ariana? Turning his head, he spied her, standing beside the hut, bouncing Gara’s baby on her hip. The little boy chortled as Ariana leaned her face close and kissed his sweet face. Though Wulfgar couldn’t hear her words, he caught the gentle tone of her voice and thought she’d make a lovely mother.
A bolt of yearning tore through his chest and he licked his dry lips. So much had been taken from him. All his holdings. His freedom. His future.
He had no time to care about this woman now. He must get off this island. Soon.
As he approached Ariana, he noticed her cheeks, nose, and arms were rosy with sunburn. Startled, she turned her head, then relaxed when she saw him.
His lips twitched with laughter. “I made this for you.”
He handed her a hat he’d constructed out of long grass. With the baby balanced in one arm, Ariana took the hat, pinching it between two fingers as she held it away from her. Her nose crinkled with repugnance and she stared at it like it was a dead rat.
“What is it?”
“A hat. Put it on your head, demoiselle. It’ll protect your pretty nose from the sun.”
From the frown creasing her forehead, he could tell she didn’t like his offering, nor the way he spoke to her. He supposed he didn’t speak like a slave should address his mistress.
She settled the hat on her head and breathed a sigh of relief as the rim shaded her eyes from the bright sun. “Thank you. Though I fear it wouldn’t be stylish at court, it does serve a purpose on this island.”
She was sensible and also kind with her praise. The more he knew her, the more he liked her. And he didn’t want to like this woman. He wanted to be free of her. She would only hinder his plans. If his life weren’t in such a shambles, things might be different between them. On the ship, he’d heard her men speak of her father.
“Where is your husband?” he asked.
“I…I’m not married.” She pursed her lips after speaking and he realized she wished she hadn’t responded so quickly.
Her news pleased him and he didn’t understand why. He was already betrothed, but thought she might be worth angering King Rhys by breaking their agreement. It didn’t matter now. He had nothing to offer her. No home or title.
No honor.
Doubt filled his mind. What if he failed to clear his name? The rest of his life’s happiness and his mother’s wellbeing depended on his success. He must succeed.
She took a deep breath and let it out with exasperation. “I’m from a small, inconsequential clan.”
Definitely Welsh. Because they were his enemy, he had made it his business to know most of the clans and who their rulers were. Why had she traveled all the way to Hedeby to buy him? He sensed desperation in her, some specific reason she needed him. Jenkin had offered him freedom if he would comply. So many questions swirled around Wulfgar’s mind. Could he get her talking and hope she’d let down her guard and speak freely to give him clues?
“You didn’t buy me to work in the fields, nor to fight for you.”
Her gaze met his. In her eyes, he saw anxiety and fear.
He answered for her. “You need me.”
She turned away, but didn’t deny his words.
“Why is it a secret?” he persisted.
She bit her bottom lip. “There’s much at stake. I want my men here before I disclose my plan to you.”
“So they can force me to do your bidding?”
Her head jerked up and a guilty blush spread across her face, mottling her sunburned cheeks.
He snorted. “Is the chore so detestable that your men must force me to submit?”
They could try. He would never do something unless he wanted to.
She paced in front of him, rocking the baby. “There is great danger.”
“Then, tell me what you want and have done with it.”
She shrugged one slender shoulder. “It doesn’t matter until my men find us. We’re stuck here.”
Wulfgar sat down and began to pluck feathers from two ducks Callum had snared earlier. To fight off boredom, he regaled Ariana with light, amusing stories. As he thought of his family, the topic soon turned serious.
“My mother was a gentle woman, but I knew better than to disobey her,” he said. “Even my father’s booming voice didn’t impact me as much as my mother’s quiet disapproval. I was first born and many responsibilities come with a title. I didn’t take them lightly.”
“Were you a protector even then?” Ariana asked.
“Yes.” He brushed feather
s from his lap. “After my father died, it was my duty to care for my mother and younger brother.”
Wulfgar talked of his childhood and the mischief he’d gotten into. He spoke of daring deeds and battles he embellished on purpose for her benefit. Soon, she laughed with delight.
“And what of you?” he asked. “Did you have a happy childhood?”
She looked away. “It’s been a hard life, but I have many wonderful people whom I love. My mother died when I was young, so I don’t remember much about her. My Aunt Frida raised me to be a lady, but I fear my brothers undid much of her teaching. They taught me to ride and to defend myself if we were attacked. Father didn’t approve of the things they showed me, but he was so busy leading our people and defending against the Normans that he could do nothing to stop it.”
“So your father is a ruler?”
She glanced at him, her smile fading. She’d let down her guard and said too much. “A ruler of sorts.”
“How many brothers do you have?”
She tensed, her mouth going dry. “I had five. All of them died fighting the Normans, except the youngest.”
Sadness settled over her, and her stomach fluttered. She didn’t want to tell Wulfgar personal things about her life. He was a Norman, a minion of William the Conqueror, who sought to rule all within his grasp. Vengeful, conniving, and ambitious. The Conqueror destroyed all who defied him, scorching the land so nothing would grow. If people would not bow to his sword, he would humble them with starvation. She could never trust Wulfgar and she must not forget it.
“And where is your youngest brother?” he asked.
She stiffened and looked toward the sea. “He’s in danger. I fear for him. Oh, how I wish my men would find us soon. I must get home.”
“Where is your brother?” he persisted.
“He’s being held for ransom.”
“Then your family must have wealth and prestige.” He nodded and looked down at the plucked duck dangling from his fingers. “Is that why you bought me? To fight to free your brother?”
Shrewd man. “I don’t want you for battle.”
He cocked an eyebrow. “Who holds your brother? Perhaps I can help.”
The only help he could offer would be to disclose the location to the secret entrance into Castle Cynan. Then, Ariana would sneak inside and steal her brother out from beneath the nose of Edwin of Carlinham. Edwin was an evil man if ever one lived. She clenched her hands, fighting the hatred she felt for the man. As a Christian, she knew the Lord was a God of peace, not of hate.
“Do you think I’d ask the help of a Norman if I had any other option?” she said.
His eyes narrowed. “I feel much the same toward the Welsh.”
The hostility between their people had withstood time. Looking at Wulfgar, she tried to tell herself she hated him. Truthfully, she didn’t know what to think about this man she could neither accept nor shun. Where Edwin of Carlinham had been cruel and treacherous, Wulfgar had been kind and merciful.
She crinkled her forehead. “You sought to control the Welsh and place yourself as a ruler over them. My people fought back to defend their lands.”
Wulfgar’s chilling gaze swept her. “I defended our border at request of my king. I sought peace with your people and at every turn they refused.”
She sucked in a harsh breath and gave a bitter laugh. “Peace as long as we agreed to your terms. While you were lord of Glyndwr, you would accept no less than our total submission. For your King William, of course.”
His jaw clenched, but his icy stare softened with emotion. Compassion? Surely not. It’d be easier to hate him if he hadn’t been so kind to her.
Regaining her composure, she reminded herself that she still needed Wulfgar’s help. For Dafydd, she would curb her tongue. “I don’t wish to fight with you, Wulfgar. We both have many grievances that cannot be resolved here and now. Let’s speak of more pleasant topics. Tell me how you earned your spurs to become a knight.”
He frowned, but complied with her request. “I was sixteen years old, quite young to be knighted. I was only seventeen when we crossed the English Channel and William won his crown. I watched my father die proudly upon the Hill of Senlac. For my family’s loyal service, I was rewarded with the Earldom of Glyndwr.”
Ariana stilled as she watched him. He stared at the feathers strewn around his feet, his voice raw with emotion, his thoughts obviously absorbed by memories. Like her, he had lost his father to war, but he had also won much through battle. It was more than sad that there could be no peace between their people.
She cleared her throat. “Tell me, is it true to become a knight you must run and mount your war horse over its rump while you are dressed in full battle gear?”
Wulfgar’s deep laughter filled the air. “Yes, but I’ve never heard it described in such a way.”
The spark of anger seemed to have vanished. Sudden warmth blanketed her as she stared at his hands. While her delicate skin was now red with sunburn, his arms, face and feet had turned a deep, rich bronze. With his long hair and flexing muscles, he looked like an invincible warrior.
“Why did you buy me?” he asked again.
“Tell me instead why you were sold as a slave.”
He gave an impatient scoff. “You already know why.”
“But I wish to hear your side of the matter.”
A troubled frown tugged at his brows. “Do you wish to hear the truth or merely amuse yourself at my expense?”
“I wish to understand why you betrayed your king.”
Wulfgar’s eyes darkened. “If you doubt my honor, I would simply make myself a fool by telling you of the injustices done to me.”
Her mouth tightened. “Your own king didn’t believe you were innocent. Why should I?”
He sighed and crossed his arms. “I misjudged you, I see.”
Ariana stared. “What do you mean?”
Unfolding his arms, he stood and leaned near, his eyes glittering. “I thought you had a mind of your own, my lady. Until this moment, I believed you were different from the rest, and that you thought for yourself. Otherwise, why would a woman such as you come to the slave market to purchase a man such as me? I still don’t know who you are and why you bought me. I don’t believe it was on a whim. What do you want? What service do you require of me? Speak it and I’ll comply if it is within my power. I yearn for my freedom.”
She wished it were so easy. Edwin would be more than happy to hand Dafydd over in exchange for her. If her men had died at sea, she didn’t want to take the chance that Wulfgar would try to gain advantage for himself by giving her to Edwin.
She must wait for her men.
Wulfgar sighed. “Once you know me better, you’ll regret not trusting me.”
She drew herself up indignantly. “I don’t wish to know you at all.”
“Is it because I’m a Norman that you don’t trust me?”
Of course. Norman. Barbarian. They were the same to her. “And also your past crimes. Words mean very little, but actions speak the truth.”
“Given time, you’ll come to see my actions are honorable where you’re concerned.”
Her brows rose in question and her voice laced with sarcasm. “Only where I’m concerned? What about your king, Wulfgar? You should be grateful he spared your life. Slavery is the least you deserve. Do you think I can be persuaded to free you because you say you are innocent?”
“No, I don’t believe I’ll ever be able to walk away from you so easily.”
She swiveled toward the sea and let out a shriek of delight. “Look!”
Wulfgar jerked his head around.
“Jenkin,” Ariana cried.
The tall frame of Raulf stood at the tiller of Wulfgar’s ship with Jenkin nearby. Ariana’s men accompanied the Normans. They must have been forced to abandon her father’s damaged ship.
Ariana ran to the beach. Wulfgar picked up his spear and followed more slowly. It appeared that God had answered her prayers after all.
The men waded through the splashing sea to the shell beach. Evan reached Ariana first, followed by Jenkin. Raulf and Arnulf secured the moorings of the ship to large rocks, then joined them. The Welsh shouted joyous greetings, but each man carried a sword or battle-ax, ready to fight.
Jenkin wasted no time with niceties. He stormed over to Wulfgar, a snarl on his lips. “Did you touch her?”
Raulf drew his blade. Both the Welsh and Norman warriors faced off against one another. They would fight again! After all that had happened, after all they’d been through, they would still fight.
Ariana inhaled a sharp breath. If they killed each other, it could jeopardize her brother’s life. More and more, she saw her plans vanishing with the tide.
She stood between them, tired of dealing with this nonsense. How she hated death and killing. “Stop this bickering, you fools.”
Clutching her jeweled dagger, she pushed herself in front of Wulfgar and faced them all like a mother bear protecting her cub. In her tattered clothing, she waved her weapon in front of them. The men’s eyes rounded as they caught the gleam of her bare ankles. Fury covered Jenkin’s face as he glared at Wulfgar. Austin flushed and gripped his sword with hardened knuckles.
“Did you touch her?” Jenkin bellowed.
Callum stood near his hut with Gara and their baby behind him. With these angry voices, he’d picked up his spear, looking confused. No wonder why. The strangers were both friend and foe. The child cried and Gara comforted him.
Wulfgar’s dark eyes blazed. “Why don’t you ask her?”
Everyone stared at Ariana. She grit her teeth and pulled the ragged skirt of her hem over her bare feet. “No, he hasn’t harmed me. Some Viking fishermen ripped my dress, but they fled after Wulfgar taught them a lesson. He defended me. He saved my life.”
No one moved. No one said a word. They gaped at her in astonishment.
Jenkin’s frown eased slightly. “Have you told the Norman slave what we want from him?”
Dear Jenkin. He was as delicate as a bull trapped in the kitchen.
“He knows some of it, but I’ve waited for your arrival to tell him everything.” Ariana rounded on Wulfgar. “You and I must speak privately.”