“You think me foolish enough to trust you. You’d see me dead and if not you another would see it done.” Brynjar snarled, the scars on his face giving him a distorted look. “Besides, it’s a good day to die.”
He flung Tait in the air and the lad spiraled out over the river, his fearful cries stabbing at everyone. The leper didn’t hesitate. He ran toward the river ripping his cloak off and shock had mouths dropping open and eyes nearly bursting from their heads to see… Raven.
She dove in and the rushing water swallowed her up.
Chapter 28
Wolf gave Arran a quick look and Arran drew his sword and ran with him. Wolf shed his furs and weapons as he went, the only thing on his mind—saving his wife and Tait. But first he had to get past Brynjar.
Brynjar had his sword drawn and was running toward them, his eyes filled with rage. He raised his sword, ready to strike Wolf but met Arran’s sword. Wolf ran past them and dove into the river, praying he wasn’t too late.
“Ready to die?” Arran asked, shoving Brynjar away.
“As I said, it’s a good day to die—but not alone.” Brynjar charged at Arran,
Arran deflected his blow easily and stepped away from him. “Do you know what I learned while you held me captive?”
“I don’t care,” Brynjar spat.
“You should. I watched you fight your warriors, kill those who displeased you or nearly beat you, and I learned how you fight. I waited for this day to come,” Arran said, pointing his sword at Brynjar. “I’m not going to let you have an easy death. I’m going to make sure that it’s slow and painful, make you suffer as you have made others suffer.”
“Aren’t you worried about your sister, Wolf, and the bairn?”
“Wolf will save them and he will expect me to give you what you deserve,” Arran said.
Brynjar laughed and drew a knife from his belt, waving it in one hand and gripping his sword firmly in the other. “You should have listened to what I said. I chose how I lived and now I choose how I die.”
Brynjar rushed the knife to his throat, but Arran was quicker. His sword came down on his hand taking the knife and several fingers with it.
Brynjar roared with rage and pain.
“You’re right. It is a good day to die and I’m going to choose how you die,” Arran said and raised his sword.
Wolf swam some of the coldest lakes and rushing waters in his homeland, his grandfather having taught him how to survive them. He managed to keep his head above water with sheer brutal strength. It wasn’t long before he caught sight of his wife and to his surprise, she had Tait tucked high up in her arm.
He thought he heard someone yell her name. When he was able, he cast a quick look to the shore and saw Fyn running along the water’s edge, Greta following after him.
“RAVEN!” Fyn’s voice boomed through the air.
Wolf was glad to see that his wife heard Fyn, her head turning his way. He also saw Fyn pointing up ahead and then he took off running. He realized what the man intended when he saw him climb out on a toppled tree limb that extended over the water.
Fyn intended to grab them. Wolf wished he could reach them before then. He could help snag them, giving Fyn enough time to grab firm hold, but he didn’t think he’d make it.
He saw his wife’s intentions as she got near the branch and wanted to scream at her. She hoisted Tait up high so Fyn could grab the lad and when he snatched him from her hands, she disappeared beneath the rushing water.
Wolf was grateful Fyn rushed Tait into Greta’s arms and started running down along the water’s edge. He was trying to find another spot to snag Raven. It had to be soon. The rough water tumbling her about was exhausting her and if he or Fyn didn’t reach her soon, she’d go under never to surface again.
The thought had him pumping his arms until they felt on fire. Fyn got his attention, waving and pointing and he saw what he pointed at. A cropping of tangled branches jutted out from the water’s edge. It could snarl them once caught in them and possibly cause them harm, but he had to take the chance. He had no other choice.
Fyn waited there, marking the spot and ready to help them.
Wolf wasn’t far from Raven and he could tell from her slow movements that her strength was waning, but she didn’t give up. She kept fighting to survive. He was nearly on top of her, a hand’s length away. He reached out anxious to grab her, keep hold of her and never let her go. The tips of his fingers grazed her arm and before he could take hold of her, she went under, the water sucking her down. He didn’t hesitate, he went under after her.