A cold calm settled over Svanna. She looked about for a weapon, anything, but her limbs appeared frozen.
‘You remain a wolf’s head.’
‘Ingebord?’ he said, his eyes widening with shock. ‘Why are you here, not the little girl?’
The nurse’s scream echoed throughout the tower, freeing Svanna from her paralysis.
Svanna grabbed the heavytaflboard and slammed it into his face, knocking his helm sideways. The man’s face registered shock. Svanna brought the board heavily down on his head, breaking it in half. He gurgled and ceased to move.
‘Good,’ Svanna muttered, tossing the boards to one side. ‘Next time, use the front door instead of sneaking in.’
‘You kill him?’
‘No, his lungs fill with air.’ She dragged the unconscious man into the room. ‘Hand me the loom. I can use the braid to tie him up. And get help!’
The nurse needed no further urging and ran to get the guard. Three rushed in with drawn swords.
‘Shall we dispatch him, my lady?’
‘No,’ Svanna said, from where she stood guard. Thinking strategically instead of emotionally was vital. As much as she might like to see him breathe his last, he was too valuable as a hostage, particularly if she had to bargain for Rand. ‘Only living hostages are worth something. Tie him up properly. Put him somewhere secure but uncomfortable. Keep a guard on that hole in case anyone else tries.’
She went out into the courtyard and put a hand over her eyes. Her entire body started to shake. She’d bested a son of Drengr and had not given way to violent anger. She wanted to collapse in a heap, but more than that she wanted to know where Rand was and that he was safe. She knew then she’d sacrifice everything for his life. She froze.Strategically instead of emotionallyseemed to work for everything except Rand.
‘My lady?’ the nurse said, curtseying low and interrupting Svanna’s thoughts. ‘I was wrong. I’m sorry. Your quick thinking saved everyone.’
‘Thanks to you, we have an important hostage.’
The nurse screwed up her face. ‘I suppose so, but I remain sorry. I thought Birdie would be safe here.’
‘Horsemen are coming, my lady,’ came a shout from the ramparts. ‘At speed.’
Svanna scrambled up onto the ramparts. Her one consolation was that they were unlikely to be late-arriving supporters of Turgeis. ‘Do we know who they are?’
‘Not yet, but Lord Randolfr would come in through one of the tunnels, not risk a flanking movement.’
Svanna narrowed her gaze and looked at the lead horseman. Every fibre of her being knew Rand must be the lead horseman. ‘But then you would be very wrong. Rand is risking everything to rescue us. We need to give him a chance.’ She slammed her fists onto the ramparts. ‘Redouble your efforts. Use every arrow. Make a lot of noise. Turn their attention to us. Give him a chance.’
* * *
When Rand glimpsed the besieged Donaghmoyne with the black clouds towering over, it appeared to be a vision from one of his nightmares, the sort that always plagued his sleep when he was away. He’d known this day would arrive when he would have to fight for his home. What he’d failed to realise was that he would also be fighting for the two most important people in his life—Birdie and equally Svanna. His family. His mouth dried. Svanna belonged to him in a way he didn’t want to think about, but he needed to ensure his family and particularly Svanna were safe.
He unsheathed his sword and urged his horse forward, yelling for his men to follow. Immediately, the defenders of Donaghmoyne started shouting and firing arrows.
The attackers appeared utterly amazed at the cacophony and started to run.
‘Stand and fight like men!’ Turgeis shouted from where he stood, directing the attack.
‘Your men appear to have a problem with that,’ Rand remarked, pulling his horse to a stop. ‘They act fiercely and then run like the cowards they are.’
Turgeis bounced from foot to foot. ‘Come down and say that to me!’
Rand swung himself off his horse. ‘Gladly. Shall we have at it?’
Turgeis advanced a step and then retreated. ‘You’ll regret this.’
‘This reckoning has been a long time coming, Turgeis. Overdue.’ Rand swung his sword. ‘Fight me like a man or prepare to die like the vermin you are.’
* * *
