But it was her all too skinny friend who stood beside her that caught his attention, especially since he caught her shiver and thought for sure he heard her stomach grumble. She required food and rest, but he had learned fast that Reena put others before herself. He would soon change that.
“I am pleased to meet you and I look forward to becoming better acquainted, but right now I am sure you all must be looking forward to the morning fare.” He turned to Reena. “Take your family and friend and feast. We will talk when you are finished.”
“I am grateful for your generosity,” she said before walking with her parents and friends toward the wagons, where the women were busy arranging blankets on the ground and handing boards filled with breads, cheeses, meats and more to the crowd to take and eat in the bright sunshine.
“Reena.”
She turned and hurried over to him.
He placed a finger under her chin and gave it a slight lift. “You make certain you eat well.”
She smiled. “I will try, but I am so happy to be home, I do not know if I could eat a morsel right now.”
“I expect you to eat more than a morsel.”
“Is that an order?” she asked on a laugh.
“You are too skinny, and I require strength in those who serve me.”
She bristled. She knew her unintended weight loss made her appear frail, but her determination kept her strong.
“Do not underestimate my strength. I will serve you well.” She turned and walked away without waiting for him to dismiss her.
“Damn,” he murmured. His concern was for her, and yet he’d made himself appear selfish. It disturbed him to know that she had gone without food and shed weight, which had left her looking thin and frail. And it disturbed him even more to think that she thought him a better match for her friend Brigid, never thinking that he would find her attractive.
“Damn,” he said beneath his breath once more. What was it about her that he found attractive? The thought plagued him, and he would not rest easy until he discovered it for himself.
He walked off to find Thomas and set his plans in motion.
Merriment returned, if only briefly, as bellies were filled, tales were told, and hope filled hearts once again. Reena was thanked over and over again as she joined her village in a feast the likes of which they had not shared in far too long.
But merriment turned to serious discussion when many spoke of the repercussions Peter Kilkern would inflict on them when he learned of the Legend’s interference. After all, this was Kilkern land, and the Legend had no right here. What then?
Reena wondered herself, and her concerns grew when she realized that food was not being distributed to cottages but kept in the wagons. What were the Legend’s intentions?
It was not long before she had her answer.
Thomas informed her to gather the villagers once again, for the Legend wished to address them.
Children were still stuffing their mouths with honey cakes as they leaned against their parents and stared in awe at the Legend. Women openly admired him, though they kept their eyes from his. The men waited with caution, though less caution than before, since their stomachs were full.
Reena remained by her parents’ side. As she glanced around the crowd, she could see that many villagers had food in their hands, fearing that if they did not hold on to every morsel they could once again be close to starvation.
Magnus raised his voice for all to hear. “I will make this brief and easy for you all to understand. I have no right to this land and I cannot force the earl of Culberry to treat you fairly.”
Sighs were heard and tears soon fell.
“He rules this land as he sees fit, fair or unfairly. But you have a choice.” A sudden silence descended over the crowd. “You can stay and tenant his land for unreasonable fees, or you can tenant my land for reasonable fees.”
Grumbles and whispers rushed like a gust of wind through the gathered crowd.
“We have paid our tenant fee for the year,” one man called out.
“And you have nothing left for yourself. How will you feed your family?” Magnus asked.
“How do we pay you when we have nothing left?” asked another man.
“I will take no fee from you for one year’s time. You will have time to till the land, and I will provide food and shelter for you while you work the soil.”
“And in return?” asked a man suspiciously.
“You pledge your loyalty to me and tend my land with the care and love that you once did this land.”
Two men, their wives and children in tow, stepped forward. One followed the other, though their words rang the same.
“I pledge my loyalty to you.”