Legendary Warrior (Warrior 1)

“I have a line or two yet to draw, then I will retire.”

Magnus placed his hand over hers. “It can wait.”

“In a moment or two,” Reena argued.

“Now,” Magnus said softly.

Reena chose to remain stubborn. “When I am done.”

“What justice can you do your work if you are tired?”

She glanced at the quill, then at him, and her hand stilled. She had expected to see a hardness in his dark eyes and a firmness to his mouth, warning her to obey. Instead his dark eyes held concern.

She nodded and stifled another yawn with her hand. He was right and she was foolish. She needed a clear, crisp mind and a steady hand to map accurately. She stood, about to tell him she agreed, when she lost her balance, her legs more tired than the rest of her.

Magnus was quick to circle the desk and scoop her up in his arms before she fell over. He walked to the bed, though his steps were not taken in haste, and he laid her down gently.

She stared at him for several silent moments, and then her eyes drifted closed; she was fast asleep.

Magnus shook his head. “Stubborn.”

He removed her leather boots and slipped the brown wool blanket down from beneath her with little difficulty, she being so light. He then pulled the blanket over her, tucking it in around her to keep her warm.

A tiny whimper beside him let him know that Horace had heard them and wished to join Reena in bed. With another shake of his head he picked up the pup, who looked half asleep, and as soon as he placed him down on the bed he curled up beside Reena and fell right back to sleep.

“A pint-sized lass who thinks herself indestructible and a cowardly plump pup. What am I to do with the two of you?”Chapter 13Early morning found the ground barely touched by snow and village activity relatively quiet, though Reena was up early. She woke and slowly stretched herself awake before recalling last night, and a heavy blush rushed to stain her cheeks when she remembered that Magnus had tucked her into bed. She rushed out of bed, dressed, and hastily combed her hair and tied it with a leather strip. Then she grabbed the map from the table and her brown cloak from the peg on the wall, and hurried out of the keep with Horace close on her trail.

Several villagers were busy feeding the animals and attending to outside chores, though they took the time to wave a morning greeting to her.

Knowing that the village thrived once more filled Reena with relief. She had feared another winter under Kilkern’s lordship, knowing it would have claimed heavy losses, and any loss would have been one too many. And then there was Brigid. There was no doubt that Peter Kilkern intended Brigid harm, and with no husband to protect her and a village weak in strength and spirit, what hope did her friend have?

Not so now. Brigid was well protected, and she had a chance to love again, which was why Reena was headed to the familiar cottage. It was time they talked.

Horace bounced happily beside her, and once he realized their destination, he took off barking, running straight for Brigid’s cottage.

A shout from Justin caught Reena’s attention, and she turned to catch his wave before he hurried toward the kitchen. She smiled. He was going to see Maura, which meant things had gone well between them.

Happiness was fast returning to the villagers. Even her mother and father appeared healthier and more vibrant when she’d last visited them, and the children laughed and ran in play instead of being forced to work the fields.

Reena thought on how good life was, and when she turned and saw Brigid standing in the doorway waving and smiling, her heart swelled with joy. Her smile had vanished with her husband’s death, but it had surfaced recently and could be spotted every now and again. Soon it would return permanently.

“Hurry out of the cold,” Brigid called. “I have apple biscuits baking.”

Reena picked up her pace, and Horace squeezed past Brigid to hurry in the cottage, making certain he was not left out.

Reena and Brigid hugged, and Brigid took her friend’s cloak and hung it on the peg near the door.

“I had a feeling you would join me for the morning meal.”

Reena walked over to the hearth and sniffed appreciatively. “So you made my favorite, apple biscuits.”

“Aye, I saw you wave to Justin. He certainly had a huge smile on his face for so early in the morning. Do you know where he was off to?”

“He had asked me not to speak of it to anyone, but I have no doubt the keep already gossips.”

“So tell me,” Brigid said eagerly. With a thick folded cloth, she grabbed the pitcher of mulled cider she kept heated near the hearth and poured them each a tankard, leaving the pitcher on the table.