Anna Markland - Viking Roots Medieval Romance Saga 01

Anna Markland - Viking Roots Medieval Romance Saga 01 Read Online Free PDF

Book: Anna Markland - Viking Roots Medieval Romance Saga 01 Read Online Free PDF
Author: The Rover Bold
the top of a steep hill overlooking the Seine. The village of Jumièges was visible not far away and he had a good view downriver, but there was no sign of the fleet. He suspected Hrolf and the other captains had been unable to resist the temptation to raid and plunder en route.
    He had come to trust the men with whom he travelled. They were inexperienced youths who’d confided that they too enjoyed the prospect of enriching themselves with booty, but assumed rape and murder went hand in hand with plundering.
    Confident as he was in them, their group was too small to attack a town. His other concern was to forage for food for themselves and the horses, though there was an abundance of spring grass for grazing. Scouting the area would give him knowledge and sustenance. Hrolf would need both when he arrived.
    When it was fully dark, he left his men with the wild horses, led Fisk down the steep embankment, then mounted and crossed the river. The full moon illuminated the outline of what looked like a partially finished building in the distance. It worried him; too much light made the excursion riskier.
    He tied Fisk ’s rope to a tree and crept towards what he saw now was a stone building under construction. He remembered the tales of the sacking of the abbey at Jumièges by Vikings three score and ten years before. This edifice must be the replacement. He marveled at the perseverance of the Franks who seemed determined to rebuild with stone—a process which took much longer than the wooden construction his people used.
    He suspected roofs didn’t blow off stone buildings. When Hrolf gave him land, he would build with stone.
    Keeping to the shadow cast by the building, he loped across to the wall and crept towards the end. He took a quick glance around the corner, expecting to see the front entryway. Instead there was only a narrow arched doorway, perhaps leading to a kitchen.
    As he stepped out of the shadows, the door creaked open. He retreated quickly, flattening his body against the wall when someone came stealthily from the other side of the building.
    There was enough moonlight to make out a man in robes, his head hooded. He seemed anxious not to be seen as he waited on the very spot where Bryk had stood moments earlier.
    What in the name of Thor is he waiting for in the dark?
    Th e answer came when the door creaked again and a young woman in white robes appeared. The monk pushed the hood from his head, revealing his youth, and took the girl’s hands, drawing her into the shadows.
    Bryk held his breath. If they detected him only paces away—
    It was his understanding that men and women who had dedicated their lives to the Christian God were celibate , a notion Vikings deemed ridiculous. His young companions were apparently unaware of this obligation as they kissed ravenously, their hands wandering over each other’s bodies.
    A cloud crept over the moon. Bryk strained in the darkness to hear their whispers. His knowledge of the Frankish language was limited, but their clandestine endearments touched his heart and evoked cherished memories of Myldryd. He clenched his fists, guilt washing over him. Had he not turned his back on warmongering, his beautiful wife might still be alive.
    The kissing couple broke apart abruptly, jolting him from his reverie. Censure in the whispered exchange that followed indicated they’d been discovered, though he’d neither seen nor heard another person approach. Annoyed with himself for his inattention, he drew his dagger and narrowed his eyes in time to see the lovers flee back around the corner of the building.
    Had the unseen person left?
    His breath caught in his throat when the clouds rolled on, revealing a second young woman clad in white robes. She leaned back against the wall and turned her face to the moon. She was tall and slender, and her beauty stunned him, but he swallowed hard, struck by the loneliness in her expression. He had an unwelcome urge to gather her into his arms
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