“He would not trust any of you to do his bidding,” Soren suggested. “That is why he took Ander. He will torture him until he follows his orders and then send him in to say the prayers.”
“But he is not practiced in our worship!” Marcus objected. “He knows not the prayers or the ceremonies or how to bond with us.”
“The gods have marked him, Marcus. As they decided that Einar would have powers and knowledge such as he had,” Aislinn added. “Already Ander has learned much through dreams and visions.” They grew quiet, taking all of this into consideration.
“Ander is a faithful servant of his God,” Marcus said. “Would he not rather give up his mortal life to save his immortal soul?”
“Aye, Marcus, he would,” Soren agreed. “Unless he thought hewasfighting evil.” His voice had dropped so low it had been difficult to hear him.
With a quick signal, William motioned to all of them to cease talking. Ran watched as glances were shared and nods of assent went through the group. She thought she understood what was happening, but she wanted to speak to Soren in private.
“’Tis late and there is much to think on,” William announced. “We will make our plans on the morrow.” Standing, he held out his arm to his wife. “Brienne?”
Everyone watched as they left and walked toward their tent. Marcus and Roger remained, speaking about some matter. Aislinn told her of the uneasy friendship between the two—one who relied only on what he could see or know and the other who had faith only in the unknown and unseen.
She and Soren had been sleeping apart, but she did not want that now. A sense of impending disaster grew within her with each passing hour and day and she wanted to be with him.
“I will walk you to your tent,” Soren said, waiting for her. “Come.”
“Ran,” Aislinn touched her arm before she could walk away. “I have moved my things to another tent, so that you may . . .” Aislinn looked at Soren and back at her, now the priestess was the one to blush. “I thought you would like to be together.”
Ran smiled as the young woman rushed away. As always, the brutish Norman soldier dogged her steps. Hand in hand, Ran and Soren walked to the tent positioned nearest the water and entered. As soon as they did, the winds began to swirl and blow outside.
“I thought you were controlling them?”
“I am,” he said, with a mysterious smile.
Did he plan to take her again now? Did his hunger match hers? She began to unlace the strung-together laces of her gown hoping to save them from further damage when he placed his hand on hers and shook his head.
“The winds will cover all manner of noise this night,” he whispered, as he put his finger to his lips. “Fog would be a welcomed help.”
A minute passed and then the back flap of the tent lifted and William entered. With a nod to her, they sat down in the dark tent and discussed a plan of Soren’s that he had hinted at.
The night that she thought would be spent in his arms was instead spent with a parade of visitors, whose arrivals and departures were covered by the winds whipping outside or by the fog that formed and dissipated several times through that night.
“So what is the plan then, William Warblood?” Marcus asked.
Ran walked out of their tent to find the discussion going on in the center of the camp. Loud enough for everyone to hear.
“The same we used before, the two go into the circle with the priest and perform the ritual. The rest of us will deal with whatever Hugh brings against us outside the circle.” William glanced at Marcus and Aislinn. “Once you reveal and open the circle.”
“It will not work,” Soren said, walking up and sending the discussion into an uproar. “I know you are the trained knight and warblood, but we need to attempt something different. He will use whatever and whomever he can against us—against Ran and me. He has her father and all his men. He has my friend.”
“And how do you think it should work, Soren?” William asked. Ran winced at his belligerent tone. When he crossed his arms over his massive chest and his gaze grew red, everyone but Brienne became nervous. “You do not know this man. There are no limitations to his evildoing. He will crush your friend and then destroy all of us.”
Soren stood and went toe to toe with the warblood then. Not a good idea from the growling sounds the slightly blue warrior was making. Brienne stepped between them, whispering furiously to her husband, who once again was his human self. Letting out a breath, William spoke calmly now.
“How do you think this should be handled?”
“I think that I will make a bargain with de Gifford to protect all that is important to me.” His gaze fell on her and she felt the heat of a blush in her cheeks once more.
“You are not with us, Stormblood?” Marcus asked.
“I do not know any of you. Why should I accept your word on this?” Soren said, indignantly. “Lord de Gifford has offered safety for me and those I care for. I can protect my lands and retain my power when his goddess comes.”
“When did he offer this to you?” William asked.
“I went searching for Ran’s father. Lord Hugh and I spoke.” Ran winced again, knowing full well it was not a discussion. But for their purposes here and now, she did not contradict him.
