Sean didn’t move. He didn’t breathe. He didn’t dare react at all.
The men’s sighs of relief quickly changed to hoots and hollers of triumph. One man slapped Nell’s arse.
“You like this one don’t you, Warrior?” The leader’s smile reached his eyes this time, no doubt convinced he now had the upper hand.
Sean had hoped the men had missed his earlier interchange with Thomasina. If she’d stayed above, it wouldn’t have mattered if they hadn’t.
“Be at ease, men,” the leader announced in a loud voice. “There’s no worry here.” Thomasina gasped, the blade against her skin. “He won’t be stopping you from your fun now.”
The man who had been about to mount Nell jerked her close and threw her back on the table. He yanked her skirts up, spread her legs, and freed his ready cock.
They all nodded with appreciation, moving in close, ready to take their turn. Others moved about the room helping themselves to libations as if Sean were no longer present. Occasional nervous glances were the only sign that he still held their attention. His chest heaved in one low breath. He kept his eyes locked on Thomasina’s which were wide with fear. He pressed his lips together and his nostrils flared.
“Holding a lad hostage does not seem very soldier-like,” Sean said.
“No? I assure you ’tis very soldier-like in our army.” The leader guffawed and the others joined in. He turned Thomasina’s head, forcing her face toward him. “Bet you have a tight little arse.” He glanced at Sean without turning toward him. “Does he? Is that why you keep him to yourself?”
When his hand began its descent toward Thomasina’s backside, Sean pitched himself forward, his sword pointed straight out in front. In the blink of an eye, he speared the man through the chest. The dagger dropped harmlessly to the floor. Sean withdrew the sword as the body dropped to the ground. He shoved Thomasina behind him when he turned around to face the others. His sword at the ready before any of them even realized their leader was dead.
“Any other takers?” Sean asked.
Nell elbowed the man who was just positioning himself and rounded on him. She kicked him in the groin and he dropped to the floor with a hiss of pain. The scarred man took a step toward her.
“Enough!”
A large sound—a Saxon war cry—erupted outside. Sean’s blood surged in response to the primal sound. The grip on his sword tightened. The front door flew open, banging against the wall with the impetus. The soldiers’ eyes locked on to the armed men pouring into the room. Therabble. Armed with blades, axes, daggers, clubs, and a burning desire to rid themselves of the Normans’ abuses.
The soldiers stilled. Any chance to get their weapons blocked by the oncoming men. With no way to protect themselves, this would be a slaughter. Sean raised his sword, unsure which side he was on. Battle lust heightening his awareness. The woman behind him trembled uncontrollably. He could smell her fear.
Against the six unarmed Normans, the mob advanced, attacking without mercy. Slashing. Stabbing. Slicing. All staying clear of Sean.
Sean recognized Ivan, his beady, little eyes glistening with excitement where he watched from the doorway beside a much taller, hooded man. Blood squirted from the man closest to Nell as he dropped. The bald man from earlier had sliced the man’s throat, nearly decapitating him. The wench screamed in horror then worked her way through the malaise to the door, keeping her gown out of the blood that quickly pooled along the hard, dirt floor.
Thomasina shifted closer to Sean. The movement kept Sean’s focus on protecting her. He took her hand and made his way toward the front, against the tide of incoming men who shoved past him. They were intent on the Normans alone and had no interest in him. Sean and Thomasina were able to leave the room unmolested.
Outside, the death throes of the men could be heard mingling with the eerie, night sounds of wild beasts howling as if in sympathy. Sean and Thomasina ran to the grazing area where her horse was. He leapt onto Roana then reached his arm around Thomasina’s small middle to pull her in front of him. He cradled her against his chest. She was ice cold. A rein on either side, he turned the animal back toward the road.
A small, dark figure stood blocking their path. Ivan. “You not going to help us purge the land of these Normans?”
“I have no fight with the Normans.”
“They’ve killed and raped and if they can do it here, it won’t be long before they make it over the sea.”
Sean had seen the proof of what he said. He needed to get Thomasina away. “Ye prefer chaos then? Slaughter like this?”
Ivan stepped closer. He glanced between Sean and Thomasina. “The end is the same. Taking back the land.”
“Take it back from the Normans? For who? The Danes?”
Ivan laughed. “The Danes had their chance. No. Not the Danes. The Godwins.”
The animal sidestepped away from Ivan.
Sean had heard there were no Godwins that survived the battle when the Normans invaded. “I think ye’d be hard pressed to find a Godwin to crown.”
Ivan nodded. A slow, calculated nod as if he were assessing a game he planned to win. “I wouldn’t be so quick to think that. Will you fight with us then?”
“Not like this.” Sean tipped his head toward the inn where the sounds of the dead and dying could still be heard. He pulled the reins to go around the little man. Ivan stood fast then stepped away and allowed them to pass.
