Here it was, right on her lap. “Is this enough to take us on a big ship north?”
Paden said, “Probably. I’m not sure what coins those are. They are different.”
“Mayhap,” Hagen said. “But probably not enough for what you need, because if you choose to go, you should take guards with you as escorts. Two women alone on a ship full of men would not be good.”
“You always think the worst will happen.”
“It will, in this case. Would you feel safe on a ship with two score men on it?”
She frowned, having not given it much thought before, but he was right. “I don’t know.”
They arrived a short time later, Magni running to help them out of the boat. “What is that thing? It looks like a monster of some kind.” He pointed to the armor in the bottom of the boat.
“Nay, it’s armor built to protect my body.” Brynja lifted it carefully out of the vessel.
Magni stared at the protruding breast plates. “Aye, it would not fit Hagen, would it?”
“Nay, it’s for Hildi or me. Mama buried it for us, and we found it with Hagen’s help. How is Hildi?”
Magni didn’t answer, instead running back to the cottages. “Tenney, stay over here!” The boy liked to play chase, and he giggled until Magni caught him.
“Why are you two awake? Isn’t it Tenney’s bedtime?” Hagen asked.
“We stayed up in case you returned.”
Brynja stopped, remembering her manners. “Hagen, Jowell, Paden, I cannot thank you enough for taking me to Tiree. Hildi and I have always wished to go but never had an escort. I will pay you each a coin for taking me.”
“No need,” said Jowell. “We were happy to help. Just remember the arrangement you made.”
She blushed because she knew this part would be difficult.
Hagen said, “We’ll wait for you to gather your belongings, and to check on Hildi.”
She nodded, knowing full well she had no plans to go with them. She’d only agreed in order to convince them to take her to Tiree. It was the only thing in her life that she had to see to fruition. It was done and she’d apologize, but she was not going to Duart Castle. There were too many people there and she’d never leave Iona. Well, unless she was going to the land of the Norse.
She made her way into Beatris’ cottage, trying to be quiet, though Beatris sat at the table. Hildi was sound asleep.
“Is she better, Beatris? Did she awaken yet?”
Beatris started at her entrance, but replied, “Nay, lass. She sleeps on and the bump on her head hasn’t gone down much. I don’t know what to do for her.”
“May I sleep here with her?”
“Aye.”
“We found a bit of treasure. Where would be a safe place for me to hide it?”
“I have the perfect place. My father insisted we build a hiding spot into the hut when the men built it for us.” She pulled a chest out then removed two boulders. “Put it in here. No one will ever touch it.”
Brynja set the box full of coins inside the hiding spot, then closed it up, pushing the chest in front of it. “I must tell the Grants to go home, then I’ll return.”
Beatris asked, “Didn’t you promise to go with them if they took you to Tiree?”
“Aye, but only if Hildi was better.”
“Oh, of course. I didn’t hear that part.”
“I’ll be right back.” Beatris never heard it because she never said it before. But she would now. She made her way straight to Hagen and said, “Hildi is no better. She has not awakened yet, so I cannot leave her.”
