Sandra Hill - [Vikings I 05] Read Online Free PDF Page A

as to wed with that bastard.” And God only knew what would happen to Wee-Jamie under Duncan’s guardianship.
    “But how much longer can we hold out?” Nessa wailed, rubbing her hands together anxiously.
    “I do not know. I am so tired of fighting this battle alone. If only father were still alive, or Donald, or Angus.” Her father, Malcolm Campbell, had died at Brunanburh eighteen years past, along with the son of Constantine, king of the Scots. Her brothers had died in various other battles since then. Her husband of five years, Kenneth MacNab, Duncan’s much younger brother, had died mere months ago, but little good he had been to her while alive. ’Twas he who had banished Cailleach from her lands. Only a stragglingband of Campbells was left of her clan and only Maire to hold them together against the onslaught of outside forces. It was a heavy load for a woman of only twenty and five years to carry. Unfortunately, there was no one else … for now.
    “What ye need, me bonnie lass, is a brave knight in shining armor to champion your cause.”
    “Hah!” Maire scoffed. “All my life I’ve had only myself to depend on, and that’s the way it’s always going to be.”
    “Many women say the same … but only till their true love comes along. Yea, what ye need is a true love.”
    “A true love?” Maire burst out laughing. “I thought you said I needed a knight in shining armor.”
    “And who be sayin’ ye can’t have both?” Nessa sliced her a condemning glare. Then, she put a fingertip to her chin, pondering. “Dost think there be any way ye could get the Viking to help in this fight?” Nessa asked tentatively.
    “Nay!” Maire exclaimed vehemently.
Blessed Lord! The woman can’t possibly be putting Rurik in the category of a brave knight. Or—may the saints rise from their graves—a true love
. “I want no help from the likes of that man. And one thing is certain. He must never, ever, know …” Her words trailed off as she bit her bottom lip. “… my
secret.”
    “Now, now, lassie, ye are not to fear. Old John has come up with a plan.”
    “A plan?” Maire squeaked out. Old John was the head of her guardsmen, such as they were these days. Even Old John, once a strong fighting man, had only one arm now and was nigh crippled with pain fromall his battle injuries over the years. “Why is this the first I’m hearing of a plan? He should discuss his plans with me.” The shrillness of her voice rang out, and several of the MacNab sentries glanced her way.
    Nessa slanted her a rueful look. “Old John could hardly come here to talk with ye. There be MacNabs all about the keep.” Pulling back from the parapet, Nessa prepared to leave. “Doona be worryin’ none. ’Tis in God’s hands now … and Old John’s.”
    Now Maire was really worried.

Chapter Two
    “Vikings, go home. Ye are not wanted here in the Highlands.”
    Rurik and his men were on horseback, staring across a wide gully at a dozen Scotsmen, also on horseback, all of them red-haired and florid-faced. Weapons were not drawn on either side, but all of them had their hands on the hilts of their swords, ready to fight if the need arose. Even with six against twelve, Rurik did not doubt that his band would win in an honest fight, but a good soldier fought no unnecessary battles; therefore, he held himself in check.
    Like many Scotsmen, these wore the traditional
léine
and
brat
… the
léine
being a long, full
shert
down to the knees, resembling an under-tunic, often of a saffron yellow color, and the
brat
, or
pladd
, being a mere blanket of sorts, which was fastened on the shoulder with a brooch, like a mantle, looped underthe sword arm and secured at the waist with a leather belt. Their legs were exposed at times, especially when riding a horse. In fact, many Highlanders dropped their
pladds
in battle, fighting naked… which was not so unusual; Viking berserkers did the same. The first time Rurik had viewed Stigand in such