Season of the Sun Read Online Free PDF Page B

primitive beauty. The people who live there are savage and give no quarter. But then again, you would expect none, for they are as they are because they must be to endure.”
    â€œYou would truly take me to see these places?”
    He nodded. “Aye, I’ll take you trading with me. But when we reach Miklagard, I will have to take care to protect you, cover your hair and your face with aveil, for the men there would seek to capture you from me. The vivid red of your hair”—he touched his palm to her braids—“and the green of your eyes, aye, they would want you and they would try to take you from me.”
    â€œI remember Ireland, the vivid green of the trees and grass. It rained so much there, you see, more than it does here, and the colors were richer, almost lavish, and they blinded the eye. But there was always fighting, endless attacks by the Vikings on the Irish and by the Irish on the Vikings, and so much misery, and it never stopped. My father died in one of the attacks.” She stopped, gazing again around the square. “But this is a vastly different place and I have grown to a woman here. There is much here that interests me, mistake me not, and I have many friends, but . . .” She broke off, struggling to explain, but she couldn’t find the words to suit her feelings. She shrugged. “I grow foolish.”
    â€œNay, not foolish, merely you have a Viking’s longing for other places, the longing to taste the endless variety of the world. Everything I learn about you pleases me. Once you’ve wedded me, the life you wish will begin.”
    â€œYou make it sound so very easy, so effortless. I have never found life to be so accommodating.”
    â€œIt is. You must simply trust me and believe in me. Give yourself to me.”
    â€œThere is something else, Magnus. There is my little sister, Lotti. She is my responsibility and I would wish her to be with me.”
    That gave him considerable pause. “What about her father? Olav doesn’t want her?”
    â€œNay, he detests her.”
    â€œVery well, then, I will take two females home with me. Now, Zarabeth, I will go speak to Olav.”
    She looked deep within herself, was content, and said, “You’re certain you wish to wed me?”
    â€œNever doubt me, Zarabeth.” He kissed her again and was gone.

4
    O lav felt his breath hitch in his chest when the Viking strode into his shop. There was no mistake, this man was the one Zarabeth had spoken about. She had lied. This man was formidable, arrogant, and she desired him. He looked like a man who was used to having exactly what he wanted when he wanted it. He looked a proud bastard.
    Aye, she wanted this man. She didn’t want her stepfather. She would leave with this man without a backward look. He felt rage fill him. Zarabeth was just like her whore of a mother, Mara, ready to leave everything important for a handsome face and glib promises. She had probably believed every lying word out of the man’s mouth. Aye, she was just like Mara, that witch who’d beguiled him and seduced him into taking her for his wife. He wouldn’t allow Zarabeth to leave him, not like Mara had. He drew a deep breath, schooling his features, and prayed his thoughts didn’t show on his face. He recognized that this man, young as he was, was nevertheless an enemy to be reckoned with. He had no intention of underestimating him, not for a single moment. He dropped the pelt he was examining and moved forward to greet the Viking courteously. They exchanged names.
    Magnus eyed Olav the Vain. A fine-looking man despite his years. He was well-garbed in fine woolen trousers and a soft blue woolen tunic. His soft leatherbelt was studded with jet and amber. He wore three silver rings on his right hand and one heavy gold ring on his left. There were three armlets of fine silver inset with amber on his right arm. He was certainly better clothed