Lord Caedmon was slain mysteriously, by Isobail’s hand or order, Alysa accurately suspected. As she was with child and Alric believed it was his, Lady Isobail was brought to live at Malvern Castle as Catriona’s waiting woman, a rank the insidious beauty despised.
How sad that evil had entrapped her father before his wife’s return. For when Catriona arrived, the lovers reforged their bond and made it stronger than ever. Peaceful months passed for her parents while Isobail plotted her wickedness and awaited the birth of her son, whose sire she did not know. Moran was born, and Alric secretly delighted in having a son. Shortly afterward, Catriona gave birth to Alysa, their only child, and Alric loved her more than anyone.
By then, evil had taken root in Malvern Castle. Isobail secretly poisoned Catriona when Alysa was nine years old, a fact Alysa did not learn until her father’s death a few weeks past, a fact which Isobail had boasted of to torment the dying prince.
Following her mother’s death, Isobail had pursued her grieving father until he weakened and wed her, only to sate his lust and to obtain his son, another fact which Alysa had only recently discovered. Isobail herself had never learned it before her violent death.
For years, Alysa had been tormented by her hateful stepmother and stepsister Kyra, and pursued for her rank by Moran, whom she had not known was her half brother until shortly before his death. It was a tangled web of deceits.
Alysa’s troubled mind focused on the center of the evil which had torn asunder her own existence. Isobail—a blood heir of warrior queen Boadicea of the ancient kingdom of Iceni, now a part of Logris, and the scourge of the invading Romans—desired to rule not only this land but also all of Britain. First the greedy woman had obtained control of Prince Alric by poisoning him to the point of death and keeping him there until she was powerful enough to take over Damnonia before ridding herself of her second husband; then she had tried to steal this land before conquering all of Britain.
Alysa suspected her stepmother’s evil and greed, and secretly battled them while trying to save her father’s life and defend it. At her mother’s death, Giselde—who had taken care of her since birth—vanished. Later, Alysa discovered the old woman living as a witch and healer in the forbidden royal forest. Alysa had visited “Granmannie” frequently, unaware the woman was her true grandmother.
It was Giselde who sent for aid from Kings Bardwyn and Briac, pleading with them to save Alysa and Damnonia, to send someone to check out Isobail’s evil mischief. That rescue came in the form of “Gavin Hawk,” a hired warrior who with his band of friends claimed to be there seeking adventure and riches. Alysa had met him in the forest while pretending to be Thisbe, her handmaiden and best friend at the castle. She asked the handsome mercenary for help in defeating the fierce brigands whom Isobail had hired to enforce her position.
Gavin Hawk made his presence known to Isobail and the raiders with daring deeds, then pretended to join the brigands led by a Norseman named Skane to defeat them from within, or so he had told her. His curious actions and secretiveness, despite their intimate relationship, had caused her to doubt him and to fear betrayal.
As the days passed, Isobail had Lords Daron and Kelton murdered and placed her men in control of those large feudal estates. If she had not been halted, she would have slain Lords Orin and Fergus and done the same! Isobail had been clever and daring, consumed by evil and greed. She had ensnared Sheriff Trahern and included her son in her evil scheme. Many were killed during Isobail’s reign of terror. The people had feared her, been duped by her, and controlled by her.
One of her seeds had been more evil than the other, had been just like her: Kyra, her daughter by Lord Caedmon. Isobail had despised the child who had dared to reflect her lovely and innocent-appearing visage and who had dared to plot behind her back to steal all that Isobail craved. Princess Kyra and Earnon, her lover, and Isobail’s sorcerer and adviser, had died mysteriously after their personal plot was uncovered and they were banished. Alysa had never learned who had slain them in the royal forest.
Things worsened as the days went by. Alysa had been unable to reach her father’s drugged mind with the truth of what was happening in his land. She had been unable to rescue him in his sorry condition; if she had tried, Isobail would have overtaken them and slain them.
Once, mistrustful of Gavin Hawk even though she loved him and could not resist him, she had tried to flee to her grandfather’s kingdom to enlighten King Bardwyn and to seek his aid in challenging Isobail’s hold over Alric and Damnonia. But she had been captured by Isobail’s brigands, only to be rescued by Gavin, with whom she spent several days in a hidden cave. She had confessed the truth of her identity, but, to protect her, he had held silent about his true name and his mission. He had claimed he was helping her by pretending to be one of the brigands. Returned home under the guise of a kidnapping by Skane’s men, Isobail had turned against her brigand leader for such treachery. She had ordered Gavin to slay Skane and to take his place! Gavin, to further his ruse and to entrap Isobail, had done so.
Yet not all went well for Alysa’s side. More perils and problems plagued them. Isobail and her son tried to force Alysa to wed Moran, unaware, as was she, he was her half brother. To stall for time, Alysa agreed to the offensive betrothal. But Moran was not satisfied with her partial submission and delay. He tried to ravish her to force her into a quick marriage. That horrid night, she clubbed him unconscious and, with Teague’s help, fled the castle.
Teague was punished by imprisonment in the castle dungeon and tortured to obtain information. Thisbe, his love, was threatened with torture, too, rape, and death. Weakened from his beatings and fearing for his love’s life, Teague revealed Giselde’s location and prayed the two women were not at the cottage. Isobail guessed the woman’s identity and interference, and ordered Giselde’s death.
While her stepmother’s soldiers were seeking them, Isobail had declared Gavin a wolfshead and Alysa a traitor. The evil and desperate woman had put out the news that Alysa, with Gavin and Giselde’s help, had tried to poison Alric to take over this principality.
Things looked dark for Alysa’s side. But a message had been taken to King Bardwyn by one of Gavin’s men. While they awaited help, Giselde, Alysa, Gavin, his men, Teague, and Thisbe—who had been rescued by Gavin, Alysa, and his men via the secret passageway which nearly encircled the castle—were concealed in Trosdan’s cave.
When her grandfather arrived with his large army to meet her for the first time and to defeat their mutual foe, many secrets were revealed in the Druid’s hidden cave. Alysa learned who Giselde really was, and the truth about Moran, and the identity of Prince Gavin Crisdean. She discovered that her mother had been murdered by Isobail, and that Giselde had fled in fear of a similar fate.
Giselde had remained nearby to protect Alysa and to seek revenge on Isobail and Alric for Catriona’s betrayal and death, as Giselde had discovered the truth about Alric and Isobail’s liaison and their offspring! At one time, Giselde had tried to poison Alric herself, but had since realized that Alric was being used by Isobail and was innocent of Catriona’s death. Although she could not forgive Alric for his wickedness, Giselde had decided the man had suffered enough for his past deeds.
Before the attack’on Malvern Castle, Bardwyn had suggested Alysa and Gavin wed, as he had guessed their love and passion and they were more than suitably matched. Trosdan had performed the ceremony. That same night, Alysa, Gavin, and his men had entered the secret passageway to rescue Alric and other prisoners before opening the gates for Bardwyn’s forces.
But tragedy had struck again. Her father had died in her arms before Isobail’s downfall, died after confessing his sins to Alysa. The attack had been successful, and the villains had been conquered and slain, except for a few raiders who escaped after hearing of their defeat. Her grandfather, their king, had remained in Damnonia for two weeks to make certain all was smooth again before his return to Cambria.
During those two weeks, Bardwyn
and Giselde grew close, and decided to wed. All seemed wonderful. Peace had been restored. She was wed to her love. Her friends had found their own happinesses.
Then, during the last few weeks, news had come of a new threat. More Norsemen were preparing to invade them and to take possession of the Last Viking Queen: herself, as they believed Giselde was dead—and Astrid, Rurik, and Catriona truly were. This time, the Vikings were more determined than ever to conquer this isle and to reclaim the “only blood heir” to their throne. By now, the stories of Connal/Astrid and Rurik/Giselde were legends, legends which said only Alysa’s recovery could end the curse on them.
Yet few people knew the real reason for the Vikings’ persistence and motives: to capture Alysa and to make her queen, by force if necessary. Even so, Gavin refused to believe he could not defeat them and protect her with his prowess and wits. He did not understand or accept the power of destiny, or the power of magic.
Alysa gazed at the ancient wedding ring upon her finger and dreamily reflected on its history. The large stone captured the candle’s glow and sent forth purple glimmers as if it possessed a life of its own. This wedding ring had been passed from Viking queen to Viking queen down through the ages. She removed it and gazed at the ancient Viking symbols inside the band, symbols which translated to the words: “I command Thor to protect my love forever.” Legend claimed the ring had been created by Odin, the originator of the royal bloodline and had been given to the First Viking Queen, the only mortal woman to bear a child by him, a daughter who was protected and guided by Odin, as were all his heirs.
From daughter to daughter, queen to queen, the golden circle with its purple stone had been passed along until Astrid escaped to Albany with it and Connal. The ring, given to Giselde when she wed Rurik and to Catriona when she wed Alric, was old and priceless. After Catriona’s death, Giselde had taken it with her to her hidden cottage in the forbidden forest, to pass on to Alysa on her wedding day, which she had done when Alysa married Gavin Crisdean.
Alysa studied the ring and murmured, “If you possess real magic and power, why did my love betray me and desert me? Nay, you are only an old ring. But a lovely and special one. I will never take you from my hand until Gavin is lost to me forever.” A chill passed over Alysa at those intimidating words. If only her husband would return…
Astrid was never recovered. Nor was Giselde or Catriona. Now, she, Alysa, was last of the legendary bloodline. It was claimed the Norsemen could not be defeated as long as anheir of Odin’s sat upon the Viking throne. With Giselde as a royal heir who had wed a royal prince, Alysa’s bloodline was even stronger than Astrid’s had been, and the Viking hunger for her was ever greater. Since Giselde was nearing seventy—too old to bear future heirs—and Catriona was dead, Alysa knew she was highly coveted by the Vikings. Alysa pressed the flower and ring to her lips and whispered, “You will come back to me, Hawk of Cumbria, or I shall hunt you down and bewitch you when my task is done. Sleep well and stay safe, for you are mine.” Alysa knew what had to be done and finally accepted her role in it. A curious feeling of resignation and contentment washed over her. She returned to her bed and fell asleep quickly.
Alysa had managed to keep anyone from realizing her husband had been missing for days. Dal, Tragan, and Lann had returned to the castle an hour ago. Lord Keegan arrived with Weylin to spend a day with his friends, mourning Bevan’s loss. When word had been sent to her chambers of their presence in the Great Hall and their request to see Prince Gavin, Alysa had ordered Leitis to refresh them with food and drink until she joined them.
The young ruler donned a becoming lavender gown, her golden circlet, and matching cloth slippers. Her long brown hair was neatly braided into a large plait which hung down her back. A jeweled belt was secured around her slender waist and an exquisite medallion was about her neck and resting at the swell of her breasts. Upon her left hand was the legendary wedding ring. Its purple stone glittered each time light touched it, reminding her of its significance.
When Astrid escaped with her Celtic lover, she had innocently spawned a curse, a curse which alleged their defeat would be at the hands of their stolen heir if not reclaimed, a curse which would cease the moment their rightful heir was made ruler, by choice or by coercion.
The Viking who took her as his own would become undisputed leader, their High King. For years, the Vikings had lost track of the royal bloodline through Giselde and Rurik. But her wicked stepmother had learned the truth about Alysa and provided her Norse brigands with that priceless information. Isobail had wanted her slain or removed from this principality so the people would turn to her as ruler after she had secretly and cleverly murdered Prince Alric. Now, Alysa’s foes knew of her existence and location, as a. few of Isobail’s brigands had escaped into Logris and had no doubt joined forces with the other Vikings there. If she did not do something desperate and daring to prevent their attacks to capture her, her land would suffer terribly. Only by using the superstitious curse and her heritage could she save her people.
Alysa went to the Great Hall to find only Leitis there. “Where are the others?” the young ruler inquired.
The head servant replied, “Trosdan took them to his chamber to speak privately. He asked for you to join them there. I placed him in the south tower in Kyra’s old chambers.”
Alysa smiled and thanked the tall, stout woman who had been at the castle since her childhood. “I hope all goes well with your new marriage to Sir Piaras,” she remarked, happy that two people so special to her had fallen in love and wed.
Leitis’s eyes sparkled with joy. She tucked a straying reddish-gray curl back into her neat bun and grinned. “But we shouldna have waited so long, Princess.”
The two shared laughter, then Alysa headed for the south tower. She had not been in this section since moving from the second floor after her marriage. Isobail’s evil seeds—Moran and Kyra—had lived on the first floor, but both were dead now because of their mother’s darkness which had engulfed them.
Trosdan answered her knock and she went inside. Weylin, Keegan, Dal, Lann, and Tragan were all present. The men were drinking ale while they awaited her arrival, all except Trosdan. Alysa took a seat and glanced at each man’s expectant face.
Trosdan said, “You must listen closely to Princess Alysa’s words and heed them. Before she speaks to you, there is something I must reveal,” he began mysteriously, then related Alysa’s Viking heritage and the Norsemen’s superstitions about her.
The Cumbrian knights looked baffled by the man’s words and by Gavin’s absence. Their friend had previously informed them of his wife’s ancestry and the Viking threat to her.
Alysa said, “Trosdan and I have a plan to defeat the Norsemen with little bloodshed, which I will explain to you in a moment. First, there is other news I must share with you, news which saddens me.” She told them about Gavin’s departure and read his note to them. “I do not know why he left or where he has gone.”
Sheriff Dal exclaimed, “He would not leave without telling us!”
Alysa refuted, “It appears he has done so, Dal.”
“But why would he vanish?” asked Lann skeptically.
Alysa held her chin high and kept her voice controlled as she replied, “He was angry with me for joining the battle and for claiming a victory which he viewed greater than his own. I have known Prince Gavin only a few months, but you have known him since childhood and have ridden with him for years. Perhaps you can understand better than I why he would do this to me, to us.”
The men gave serious consideration to the perplexing matter. Weylin spoke up. “He was plagued by Bevan’s death, and he has acted strangely of late. Perhaps he only needs time alone.”
“If that were so, Weylin,” she reasoned, “he could camp in the forest or confine himself to private chambers. He is gone.”
“Are you certain no message or summons came from his father, our king?” Tragan inquired worriedly. “Perhaps he only wished us to remain here to protect you
and your land.”
Again she reasoned, “If that were so, why not tell one of us? Of late, he has behaved and talked as a man imprisoned. Perhaps he only wished his freedom and will send for his friends soon.”
“Nay,” they all seemed to say in unison.
Keegan suggested, “What if Gavin has a plan to thwart the Vikings and did not want to worry us or have us resist it?”
“I do not believe that is so, Keegan. You have not seen him of late. He has been miserable here without his friends. He was restless. He longed for his old life and was excited by our impending war. When I took command, he changed. That is all I know.”
Dal persisted, “But why did he not tell us of his pains and plans?”
“You know more of men’s pride than I do. To say such things might be viewed in his eyes as a failure, a weakness, a mistake. Gavin is not a man to… accept any kind of defeat easily. He was a carefree warrior and was not happy being the bored ruler stuck in one place.”
“I think there is more to this matter,” Keegan decided aloud.
“As do I,” Alysa concurred. “But until, and if, Gavin chooses to return and enlighten us, we must accept his wishes. By drugging me, he made certain he had plenty of time to get away. Enough of this depressing matter for a while. I will tell you of our plan to defeat our invaders. Trosdan and I will ride to their camp and I will declare myself their queen. I—”
“You cannot endanger yourself!” shouted Weylin.
Alysa smiled at the dark-haired man. “Hear me first, dear friends, then you can speak. I promise you the Vikings will not harm me; I am priceless to them. It will require time for me to prove my claim to them, then time for them to carry out a quest for their leader, my husband.” When the men started to object again, Alysa lifted her hand and said sternly, “Be silent until I finish! The plan is complicated and cunning. It will work.”
The Last Viking Queen Page 8