“I’ve heard some about him,” the leper said and offered freely what he knew. “He’s a Northman, a Viking, a brutal beast. I suppose that’s why many refer to him as the Beast. I heard someone say his name was Wolf, but I don’t know if that was in jest.”
Royden thought out loud. “What would a Viking want in these parts? They’ve settled farther north. They no longer come to this region.”
“King David would disagree with you on that. His appointment of a Scot to be first Bishop of Caithness did not sit well with King Eystein of Norway. King David is foolish to think that King Eystein will sit idly by and do nothing while King David tries to regain the area for Scotland.”
“With the King so busy defending land that far north, no wonder he has little care of what happens in this area,” Royden said.
“More land more power,” the leper said.
“True enough,” Royden agreed. “And the reason so many battle. What else do you know about this Northman?”
“Heard he’s a fierce warrior and demands that his warriors be the same. He also hates defeat.”
“He wins at all cost,” Royden said, recalling what his wife had told him.
“Defeat comes to everyone, one time or another,” the leper said, his throat growing raspier.
“Do you need a drink?” Royden asked, concerned for the condemned man. While he would spend the day with family and friends, the leper would go off alone… always alone.
“A gentle brew if you please. Ale hurts my throat or what’s left of it.”
Royden almost shuddered. He may have lost a hand but the leper’s body was being eaten away at each day.
“Wait here. I’ll get you a brew to take with you.” Royden went to the kitchen and in no time Bethany had one of the hide skeins filled with an herbal brew Wren had asked her to keep ready when someone was in need of soothing. She also wrapped food in a cloth and Royden returned with both to the leper.
“Place it on the ground just inside the edge of the woods,” the leper said.
Royden saw his hooded head peeking out from behind a tree and did as asked, then stepped a good distance away.
“Again I thank you for your generosity,” the leper said.
“As my wife offered and I agree, food and drink will be provided for you whenever you pass this way and if you should hear any more about this Northman—”
“I will tell you all I learn about him,” the leper said.
“Take care, my friend,” Royden said.
“You are a good man, Royden, and you have a good wife. May the Lord always bless you both.”
Did he hear the leper sniffle back tears? Royden’s heart went out to the poor man and recalling his name said, “Safe journey to you, Brother Noble.”
Royden walked away. It wasn’t until he got to the far side of the practice field that he glanced back. The food and drink were gone and so was Brother Noble.
He went to the rain barrel and washed the sweat from his chest and face before slipping his shirt back on. The village was just beginning to stir to life when he entered the keep. He hoped to find his wife still abed. He had a need for her that couldn’t wait. It was a deep need born of a love that had stirred, grown, and strengthened through the years, and would continue to grow ever stronger. He wanted to wrap himself around her, plant himself deep inside her, and join with her in that love.
His quick pace had him up the stairs in no time and he lifted the latch on the door as quietly as he could so as not to wake her—yet.
“Where did you go off to?” Oria demanded when he stepped in the room.
Royden had to smile. His wife stood by the fireplace, stark naked, her shift dangling from her hand, her blonde hair in wild disarray around her head and shoulders, and her green eyes sparked with a touch of anger.
Oria dropped her shift and reprimanded him as she approached. “Never do we leave our bed in the morning without waking the other. Never. Ever. Never!” she emphasized, shaking her finger at him. “What are you smiling at? This is not humorous.”
“You. You’re beautiful and I love you with all my heart,” he said and his hand hurried to the back of her neck to take hold as his lips came down on hers.
His kiss not only stirred her passion, but his words touched her heart, and she was swept up by the kiss that easily sent her desire soaring. Though, when the kiss ended she jabbed him in the chest.
“Don’t ever do that again—leave our bed without waking me—not the kiss. I love when you kiss me,” she said and rubbed his hard chest where she’d jabbed him.