“I appreciate that, Raven, and I am pleased to know that Wolf will protect you with his life.” Arran looked once again to the man.
“That I will,” Wolf confirmed.
Raven chuckled. “Don’t be upset if it comes down to me having to save the both of you.”
Neither man laughed.
Gorm entered the common room, a light dusting of snow on his head and shoulders. “It begins to snow, but all is in place and ready.”
“Then there is nothing for us to do but wait,” Wolf said.
Arran shook his head. “The most difficult part.”
Talk lagged among them as they ate, though little was eaten. Raven felt somewhat vulnerable not knowing the reason for Brynjar’s arrival. She had made sure she never let her men go into anything without knowing what they were going into. She had never allowed random attacks on travelers. The men would learn who traveled the roads and why and what they carried on them. Only then would they lay in wait and seize the opportunity, leaving less chance of a surprise attack or losing any of her men. Nothing was known of why Brynjar was here, leaving them all vulnerable.
When word came that Brynjar was not far off, cloaks were quickly donned and Raven stepped outside with her husband and brother.
Arran took her arm to hold her back when Wolf continued to Gorm. “I need your word.”
“You don’t have to ask, Arran. If anything should happen to you, I will see Purity and your bairn well cared for and protected as will Royden,” she said, well aware of what he would ask of her.
“And you will convince Purity to find a good man to wed so she will not be alone,” he said to Raven’s surprise. His dark eyes warned when she laughed.
“Don’t waste your thoughts on that. There is no way Purity would ever love or wed again. She has loved you and only you for as long as she has known you.” Her smile softened and she laid a gentle hand on her brother’s arm. “I understand now how and why she feels that way, for I would feel the same if I lost Wolf, and I would never force her to go against her heart. It would be quite impossible for her to do.” She jabbed him in the arm. “So you have no choice—you can’t die today.”
“Either can you,” Arran warned.
“If death claimed me, he’d want nothing to do with me and spit me right back,” she said with a laugh that brought a smile to Arran’s face.
“And I wouldn’t blame him.”
They both laughed and went to join Wolf.
Snow fell gently around them and Raven couldn’t keep a grin from her face when she saw Wolf’s warriors all but surrounded Brynjar’s troop, not giving them room to attack, as they led them to the longhouse. Brynjar rode in the front, his hood draped low on his face. She had never seen the man, but she had heard stories of the many scars on his face that had destroyed his once good features.
Brynjar’s troop slowed and let their leader move forward on his own. He had barely dismounted when Wolf was upon him.
“Where is Brynjar?” Wolf demanded.
The man pushed his hood back and there wasn’t a scar on his face. “He had a task to see to. I am here to collect his intended, Eria.”
“No, you’re not,” Wolf accused. “You’re here to divert our attention from the true reason for Brynjar being here.”
Arran stepped alongside Wolf, recognizing the man. “Where is he, Rouard?”
The bulky man shrugged. “I ask no questions. I do what Brynjar commands. Give me Eria and I will be on my way.”
“Eria isn’t going anywhere with you and Brynjar knew that when he sent you here,” Wolf said, a stinging anger to his tone.
“We’ve had a long, tiresome journey. The men need rest and food. We will rest today and talk more tomorrow.” Rouard nodded as if it were settled. “We will make camp on the outskirts of the village.” He turned away and ordered his men to turn around, that they would make camp and eat. They all eagerly complied, many of them appearing worn out and definitely hungry.
“I will send drink and food to your camp,” Wolf said.
Rouard didn’t hide his surprise. “That is generous of you. I will speak with you tomorrow.”
Arran waited until the group was a distance away, Wolf’s men continuing to surround them, before he voiced his annoyance. “He lies and you let him.”
“His presence here is nothing more than a ruse. Whatever Brynjar has planned, he will see it done today. And tomorrow before dawn, Rouard and his men will be gone as long as Brynjar has succeeded. If not, they will attack,” Wolf said.
“We have to find Brynjar before nightfall,” Arran said and shook his head. “But how? He could be anywhere.”