She smiles with tears in her eyes, which is a rarity for Catherine. I can count on one hand the times I’ve seen her shed tears, for she is far braver than anyone I have ever met, which is why I decided to do something that would surely upset the ealdormen.
“You are courageous, clever, and think as a true warrior should. I do not trust anyone more than you to fight alongside in battle. Therefore, I announce you a knight of the queen…if that is what you want?”
Catherine takes a moment to process what I just offered. If she accepts, she will be the first woman sworn into knighthood. This is unheard of…which is why she lets go of my hand and kneels in front of me.
“I humbly accept, my Queen.”
Louis appears, offering me his sword.
Accepting, I place the sword on her right shoulder. “Repeat after me. I, Catherine of Northumbria, do solemnly swear and pledge my allegiance to Queen Emeline, Queen of Northumbria and Mercia. I will defend and obey her until death shall take me. I uphold my honor of knighthood with promise.”
I’ve never felt prouder as she repeats those words.
Once she has finished, I move the sword to her left shoulder. “Arise and be recognized as a knight of the queen.”
Catherine lifts her chin, a tear sliding down her cheek.
“My daughter, the first knight in history…and I could not be prouder.” I cup her cheek gently, brushing away her tear.
Catherine stands and hugs me tight. “Have we upset the Lord?”
“I fear I angered him long ago, and here I still stand.”
And it is the truth.
I have never felt further away from my God than I do now. Even in times of utter desolation, I was still able to find solace in Him. But not now.
When I hear the gentle rustling of leaves, it seems my faith is to be tested once again.
Still wrapped in an embrace with Catherine, I discreetly whisper into her ear, “There is someone in the trees.”
Catherine gasps but remains calm. “How many?”
“I cannot see, but from what I can hear, there is only one…one with light footing.”
“You can hear that amongst the wind and nature?” she asks, surprised.
“Yes, for you forget, I was taught by the best warrior this land has ever seen.”
Skarth taught me to use all my senses, and often, the clues are in what you do not see or hear. The universe speaks to us—we just need to listen.
I close my eyes and peel back the outer layers, focusing on the undercurrent that speaks to me in hushed whispers. The noise came from my left, and the moment I let out an exhale, I hear someone’s footsteps along a branch.
Without hesitating, I throw my blade toward the tree, and when I hear a yelp, followed by a surprised cry, I open my eyes and see a tuff of long blond hair tumbling to the ground.
Pushing Catherine aside to safety, I run toward the stranger, but when he lifts his chin, I come to a stop and raise my hands. “I mean you no harm.”
The stranger is a young boy, and by his clothing, I know he is a Dane.
“You threw your blade at me,” he spits, yanking it out of his leather vest, which stopped the blade from piercing his skin. He stands angrily.
“It was a warning. What are you doing, sneaking around in the trees, seggr?”
His anger soon fades, replaced by shock that a Saxon knows his native tongue.
“How do you know that word? You are Saxon.”
“What is your name?”
