Gavin whirled as he heard many Vikings shouting and running toward him and Trosdan near the signal fire. He heard the angry Norsemen yelling, “Put out the fire quickly!” “Arouse our men and warn them!” “Ulf was right about the wizard! He is evil and treacherous!” “The quest was only a trick to fool us and weaken us!” “Slay them!” “Fetch our traitorous queen and she will die with them!”
Gavin hastily drew his sword, placing his vulnerable back to the large fire. He was vastly outnumbered by foes who were still alert and agile, men who seemed to have no fear of him being invincible. Amidst their hatred and rage, the Norsemen seemed to have forgotten all they had witnessed earlier and in days past. “Something has gone wrong, Wizard! Our forces will not reach us in time! Pray for the gods to save Alysa and our children!” He mentally and physically prepared himself to battle the approaching men to the death.
Alysa had felt the supernatural stirrings between the wizard and her grandmother. She, too, possessed a mystical mind, and she had seen and heard the contact between them. Nay, her mind shouted. She could not allow Trosdan to be slain! I will save him, Granmannie.
Despite Gavin’s prior warning, Alysa unbarred the door, grabbed her sword, and rushed forward on her sacred mission to save Trosdan from certain death. She never imagined what was occurring outside.
Twenty-three
Trosdan tossed a pouch of highly flammable liquid into the signal fire, causing its flames to reach greater brilliance and heights. The wizard grabbed a handful of tiny balls from his pocket and flung them toward the approaching foes. The chemical balls burst upon forceful contact with the hard ground, giving off loud bangs and heavy clouds of smoke which briefly frightened and halted the Norsemen.
“It is only a wizard’s tricks! Attack them!” one enemy shouted.
The magician tried another ruse to stallfor time. Trosdan seized a handful of powder and tossed it before them. Colorful stars seemed to dance in midair, temporarily mesmerizing the Vikings. He whispered to Gavin, “We must flee to the house and hold them off from there until our forces arrive. Come quickly while they are blinded.”
The prince and the wizard raced in that direction, to see Alysa hurrying toward them with her sword. Gavin shouted, “Get back inside! They are on to our ruse!”
Before the startled princess could obey, she heard a Norseman yell, “There they go! After them!”
Then another Norsemen yelled, “We are under attack! “
From all sides of the settlement, loud voices and running feet were heard. Swords clashed as the siege got under way just in time. The Vikings spread out to defend themselves, all except five who continued their vengeful pursuit of Trosdan, Gavin, and Alysa.
The first Norsemen reached them and fought with Gavin. As a second joined his friend, Trosdan rushed to the prince’s rescue. Just as the warrior was about to bury his blade in Gavin’s back, the wizard bravely and unselfishly stepped between them.
Alysa realized what was happening and charged the foe. Her shout and attack was enough to cause the Viking to jerk aside and only wound Trosdan. Alysa shoved her blade through the man’s body.
The other Norsemen reached them. Alysa and Gavin stood back to back in the circle of enemies which formed around them. “I love you, Hawk of Cumbria,” she murmured.
“As I love you,” he replied, his sword clashing loudly with the first man’s blade.
The settlement was overrun by warriors—knights, peasants, noblemen, kings—from the three united lands. Assistance arrived for Gavin and Alysa, who were fiercely struggling for survival. The Norsemen were forced to break off their attack on the royal couple to battle countless other men, who included Lord Weylin and Sheriff Dal.
Gavin said; “We must get you and Trosdan to the house until this matter is settled.” With Alysa on one side of the wounded wizard and Gavin on the other, they helped Trosdan inside and placed him on the bed. “Bar the door and do not open it again until I call out.”
Alysa closed and locked the door. She went to tend Trosdan. As she examined the wound, she was relieved to see that she had acted in time to prevent a fatal injury. “I must bandage it, Wise One.”
Trosdan could not believe he was alive. “You should not have risked your life to save me. I saw my death in the Runes. How can this be? The Sacred Runes are never wrong.”
Alysa reasoned, “You saw yourself stabbed by an enemy sword and assumed you would be slain. Your troubled thoughts traveled to Granmannie and hers traveled to mine. I had to rescue you, Wise One. I love you and depend upon you.”
Suddenly, Alysa was grasped from behind. A Viking had slipped inside while the door was open and had hidden himself in the eldhus when he saw them approaching the house. His strong arm banded her throat and yanked her against his body.
Alysa tried to free herself, but could not. “Release me! I am your queen! Odin will strike you dead for this offense!”
The infuriated warrior shouted, “You are the one who will die, false queen! You tricked us with your beauty and lies. One of the slaves overheard your talk outside and warned us of your evil. Your Celtic forces are attacking us. You shall become my shield to escape. I will gather help from Hengist and return to attack them. Our vengeance will make your lands run red with your people’s blood.” He roughly jerked her more tightly against his hard and smelly body. “You are the ones who drugged us during the third quest and blamed it on Ulf. His charges against you were true, but your clever wizard duped us with his magic. Your cunning ruses got many of us killed and wounded. No doubt you slew Saeric, Aidan, Sigurd, Leikn, and Sweyn!”
Alysa shouted back, “Nay! It is Loki’s mischief which blinds you and dupes you. The slave lied about us. We are not foes. Release me so we can help our people defend themselves,” she commanded.
The irate, unconvinced Norseman shook her. “Einar must have guessed your evil, so you killed him with magic so he could not expose you. You were only stalling us with the contests and quests while your forces gathered and traveled here. Your rank will not save you, witch-woman! You are as traitorous as Astrid and Rurik, for their evil bloods flow within you. The legend and curse will end with your death.”
The Norseman was so focused on Alysa that he failed to notice the wizard rising from the bed with Alysa’s discarded sword. Trosdan jabbed it into the man’s side. The Viking screamed in pain and fury. But it was too late, for Trosdan yanked out the blade and quickly ran it through the man’s chest.
The foe staggered and collapsed. The weakened Trosdan nearly did the same. Alysa caught him and helped him back to the bed. She fetched the healing herbs and clean cloths. After washing the area, she sprinkled the mixture on the wound and bound it. With the old man’s instructions, she began to brew an herbal tea to prevent shock.
Outside the longhouse, the battle between the Norsemen and Celts raged on for a time. But the Vikings were vastly outnumbered, and many were drunk on untainted ale or dazed by drugged ale. Every structure and shed was searched to make certain no foe survived.
The Celts had been warned not to sip any of the ale to quench their thirsts. Gavin ordered all casks to be dumped, and he was obeyed. Soon, only Celts were alive, and victory was obtained.
King Bardwyn asked Gavin, “Where is my granddaughter?”
The prince replied, “She is safe in that house. I will get her.”
When Alysa opened the door, Gavin saw the dead Norseman on the floor. “What happened here?”
Alysa explained the episode to the men who were crowded at the door and revealed how their ruse had been exposed. When her grandfather—her king—made his way inside, Bardwyn and Alysa embraced affectionately.
The elderly king of Cambria and Damnonia smiled as his gaze roamed over her to make certain she was all right. “You have done a great and daring deed, Alysa. All is saved because of you and your husband and the wizard. This ruse and victory will become a timeless legend.”
Alysa hugged him again. “I am happy you allowed us to carry it out, Grandfathe
r, for we feared you might halt us. It was an exciting, but often frightening, adventure. I am glad it is over. At last, we can have peace. Where is Granmannie? How is she?”
“Giselde and Queen Brenna await us at your castle. When all are rested and tended, we shall journey there and celebrate.” Catching sight of King Briac nearby, Bardwyn hinted, “You have not met Gavin’s father, King Briac. He is as proud of you two as I am.”
Briac stepped forward and clasped Alysa’s hand within his. He and Alysa looked at each other. In his mind, he saw so much of Catriona—his first love—in his son’s wife: that same indomitable pride, courage, spirit, beauty. He was pleased with Gavin’s choice.
Alysa eyed the man who had given up his love for her mother for his duty to his land. Briac appeared a strong man, not one easily swayed by the opinions and dictates of others. She had been willing to go against Gavin to perform her duty, so she could understand how Briac had made a similar decision long ago. Gavin favored his handsome and virile father, and Alysa saw why her mother would have been drawn to such a man. She smiled at King Briac. “It is good to finally meet you, father of my valiant husband.”
The Cumbrian king replied, “Brenna and I have heard much about you, Princess Alysa. We look forward to learning more in Damnonia. We are proud and happy that our son chose such a unique woman to be his wife and joint ruler. When the time comes for me and Brenna to leave this life, we shall depart knowing you are a worthy wife and a superior ruler.”
Alysa smiled again and thanked him for his confidence in her. Briac’s expressions and personality were so like Gavin’s. Yea, she decided, she liked and respected this king. She glanced past him and greeted Gavin’s friends: Weylin, Dal, Tragan, Lann, and Keegan. How she wished Sir Bevan were here with them at this glorious moment, and perhaps he was in spirit.
To all the men near the doorway, she said, “Your timing was perfect. Together we have won a marvelous victory.” Sir Lann entreated eagerly, “Tell us about the ruse and quest. How did Gavin get here? Why did you vanish so secretively?”
Trosdan, who was sitting on the edge of the bed, re sponded to those queries. “Prince Gavin is wise and brave. He allowed me to enchant him into becoming a Viking war rior named Eirik. He realized he could play his vital role more convincingly if he truly believed he was Eirik. To save all, he took a great risk to dupe the Vikings. Until this morning, he did not know he was Prince Gavin. We broke his spell and all worked together to complete the ruse. I was the one who compelled him to act so strangely back home. It was necessary that no one knew where he had gone or why, so no slips could be made. When I approached Prince Gavin with this plan, he knew it was the only way to obtain victory and peace, so he agreed to allow me to enspell him. He is truly a great man, a matchless warrior and ruler.”
Gavin was pleased by the Druid’s cunning explanation, and let it stand unchallenged. He briefly related what they had done here, then suggested, “It has been a long and hard day for everyone. Let us finish our tasks outside and rest so we can leave this place in the morning. I am eager to get home with my wife.”
Briac embraced his son. “I am proud of you, Gavin. Your mother will be happy and pleased to hear this news.”
“In a few months, there will be more to make you proud and happy. Alysa carries our children. Twins, the wizard has predicted.”
All eyes glanced at the beaming Alysa, who smiled and blushed. Bardwyn hugged her. “More than one victory has been won.”
Gavin snuggled in the bed with Alysa. He sighed in fatigue, releasing all lingering tension. “You and Trosdan were right about everything, m’love. The plan was cunning and successful.”
“And we were reunited on this conqueror’s moon as he vowed. I am so happy, Gavin. I can hardly wait to get home to see Granmannie and to meet your mother.”
“You two will like each other; I am certain of it. I love you, my beautiful enchantress,” he murmured, closing his mouth over hers.
A few day’s ride from there, the Jute chieftain was saying to his closest friends, “When our spies return with news, we will know if the Norsemen have kept their word to depart soon. If they are still there, we must ride against them to appease Vortigern. If they leave peacefully as promised, we shall do nothing to challenge them.”
The following morning, the Viking bodies were burned and their camp was destroyed, leaving only stone shells of their longhouses. As they worked, numerous Logris peasants arrived with homemade weapons to join a battle which had been won last night. Alysa was delighted by their change of heart and courage, and was surprised to learn the peasant girl was responsible for it.
After the news had been shared from both sides, the leader of the peasants confessed ruefully, “She forced us to realize you were right, Your Highness. We can no longer live in such terror and pain. Villagers and noblemen have agreed to join forces to drive all Norsemen and Jutes from our land. If King Vortigern resists our demands for peace, we will replace him. Logris belongs to us, and all barbarians must be sent fleeing or be slain. You have given us the courage to unite and move against them.”
After a short talk, Alysa observed their departure, waving a final time to the petite young woman who had done far more than keep her promise to the Damnonia princess.
The Celts separated into three bands to return to their homelands, except for Bardwyn and his retinue and Briac with his, who were to journey to Damnonia for a visit before returning to their kingdoms.
Along the way, Weylin revealed his love for Lady Kordel and his intention to wed her. Gavin and Alysa were happy for their friend and eager to give the wedding at Malvern Castle.
The few who were injured, including Trosdan, healed steadily. The group was a joyous one, repeating stirring tales over and over. The Damnonians were thrilled by Prince Gavin and his friends’ aid and roles in this enormous victory, and vowed never to go against them again.
Alysa’s heart leapt with joy to see all of Trosdan’s predictions coming true. Yea, this was a multiple victory, she decided.
On their way home, Gavin recovered his horse Trojan and all of his possessions from the old man who lived in a secluded glen. Trojan was as happy to see his master as Gavin was to reclaim his loyal steed. The man who had been safeguarding the animal and belongings was thanked and rewarded for his help and kindness. Prancing with excitement, Trojan was eager to race the wind with his beloved master upon his back. Gavin chuckled and mounted, and off they galloped to rejoin the others and continue their journey to Damnonia.
At the castle, Giselde, Brenna, Teague, Thisbe, Leitis, Piaras, and all others hurried out to greet the returning party. Again, the splendid tales were repeated and everyone cheered.
Alysa and Giselde looked deeply into each other’s eyes and smiled knowingly. “It is over, Granmannie, and we have won.”
The gray-haired woman replied softly, “Yea, my precious child, the evil past is over, and a beautiful future is only beginning.”
Brenna joined the two women. Alysa embraced Gavin’s mother, and was not surprised by her immense beauty and gentility. “We shall have many days to get acquainted. I am very proud of you, Alysa, and very happy my wandering son discovered such a treasure on his adventure here. It warms my heart to see him so content.”
Alysa and Thisbe exchanged news of their pregnancies, and both rejoiced for each other. Soon, Teague and Thisbe would be returning to their feudal estate to run it for Lord Daron’s heirs. She recalled the peasants’ promise to rescue Lady Gweneth and her girls during their defeat of Horsa and Hengist and to send them home. This time, Teague and Thisbe would be safe and happy there. In the years to come, Teague would inherit his father Lord Orin’s title and estate.
Lord Keegan’s wife had arrived with Queen Brenna and would go to live at Land’s End with her husband. Alysa could imagine how happy both would be there and together again.
Also with Brenna was Sheriff Dal’s betrothed, so another wedding of one of Gavin’s close friends would take place soon.
That left only Tragan and Lann unmarried, but surely she and Gavin and their friends could help them find good wives.
Alysa eyed the five quest treasures which would be hung in the Great Hall as trophies of their stunning victory over the Norsemen. From this day forth, every time she looked at them she would recall her exciting days and nights in Logris with a Viking named Eirik.
In her chambers, Alysa glanced, around the large room. It looked so different from when Prince Alric had occupied it, and had died in a dark and dank chamber months ago. But her father was with her mother now, and both were at peace, a wonderful peace which they had savored so rarely during their turbulent existences.
The nights were getting cooler as winter approached her land. To chase away a damp chill, a small fire was burning in a braiser and casting warmth and a sensual glow about the room. Alysa removed the false ring and slipped the ancient wedding band on her finger. Many Norse queens had worn it. From her own Viking bloodline, Astrid, Giselde, and Catriona had worn it. One day she would pass it on to the daughter she now carried within her body. The legendary ring was back where it belonged, as were she and her husband.
As if she had mentally summoned him, Gavin entered the room and locked the door. He went to his wife and took her in his arms. “I love you, woman, and cannot wait a moment longer to have you.”
He lavished kisses over her face and lips, and she laughed merrily. The feast was still continuing downstairs, but they did not care. They needed to be alone, totally alone, for a time.
Princess Alysa Malvern and Prince Gavin Crisdean removed their garments and entwined on their bed. Trosdan had told them he would remove the scar and replace the royal Cumbrian crest tomorrow. But for tonight, they only wanted to cuddle in their own bed and to share wild, sweet caresses.
Author’s Note
I hope you enjoyed reading THE LAST VIKING QUEEN, Book II in my medieval fantasy series that began with WILD IS MY LOVE. It was fun working with those special and exciting characters again, and they “insisted” I allow them to finish their story. I want to thank all my faithful readers and the many booksellers who requested this continuation of Alysa and Gavin’s adventures. I want to thank Zebra Books for reprinting WILD IS MY LOVE and, most of all, for publishing the original/unabridged edition of this book as I wrote it years ago. Who knows? Perhaps there’ll be saga #3 one day…
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