“Come,” he said and guided her by her elbow. “I will explain once we are on the road to home.”
Once mounted, they trotted out of the centre of the town and onto a well-worn road. The trees rustled and creaked around them drawing her attention time and again. There was comfort in the sound and smell of the vegetation all around. Living on a small island, things like wood and wild herbs for medicine could be in short supply if one were not prudent in their use. Here, that did not seem to be as much of a concern. Even in her homeland, they were cautious overusing the woodlands. Land was in such short supply that was why they had set out to find new places to settle in the first place.
“Do you like what you have seen so far?”
The comment drew her out of her musings. “I was thinking how fortunate you are to have such a bountiful place to live. And yet I do not understand why those men back there have so little. And what sort of employment do the children have to earn your coin?”
Giric’s brow knit. “They have no employment. They beg for money to help their families who are struggling to make ends meet.”
“And are you not responsible for everyone in your village?”
He shook his head. “The people of this town engage in free commerce. They buy and sell and barter from one another. I do not provide for them.” He pulled back on the horse’s reins. “You do not approve?”
“At my home, you said your people were better off because they had the right to choose. But I do not see that. I see people who are hungry. My people are not fat, but they are fed and no children in my village have to beg for food.”
“It is not that simple here,” he said. “Your village holds a few hundred. The cities here on the mainland hold thousands. It is not possible for one laird to feed so many.”
She shook her head. “Your people are not better off than mine.” She turned her head away from him and trotted on ahead to ride with Freydis and Vigdis. Without knowing the way to his castle, she had to wait for him to catch up and was grateful that he remained silent for the next few miles. His description of his home thus far was not what she expected. She now wondered what awaited her at the castle.
* * *
Giric could not put his finger on the moment Saga’s mood soured, but considering how sick she’d been on the crossing, he figured she would prefer silence during their travels. Once at the castle, he’d have a bath carried to their chamber and ensure her every comfort. He hoped she would see that people were better off having a choice for how they wanted to live versus having that taken from them. But that was a debate they need not have this day, or at all if she did not wish it. He would not impose his values upon her, rather he hoped she would understand in time once she lived among his people longer.
“Have you sent word ahead of your arrival?” Osgar asked from beside him. He’d been hanging back whilst Giric rode with Saga, but now that she had moved away, Osgar joined him.
“Aye. I sent word to my sister, Aislin. She has far more sense than my brother, Donnan. He had ranted and raved about me taking this journey. That lad needs a broader view of the world. I hope to keep him far away from my wife at least until she settles.”
“I agree with you there, my friend. I have wondered how your wife will fit in.”
“Is that a comment about her height?”
“No, merely an observation about the differences in how we see one another. You realize that most of the people living in your castle and surrounding village fear the Vikings. And now you bring one into their homes and expect them to love her outright. I am saying be patient with them and with her in the coming days.”
Giric shrugged and watched Saga as she trotted ahead of them. Her back was straight as she sat tall on the horse. He was well aware of the danger of the situation, but the effort was well worth the risk if the final outcome resulted in peace among his people and hers.
After a couple hours, they finally reached the roadway leading to the castle. Giric rode up alongside Saga and offered her a smile.
“Would you prefer to ride with me as we cross over the drawbridge, or ride yourself?”
Her quizzical expression nearly made him burst out laughing. “Why would I ride with you? I am perfectly able to ride by myself.”
“Some women prefer the protection of their husbands upon arriving at her new home for the first time.”
Shaking her head and laughing, she said, “Why would I need your protection?” She looked ahead of them and back to him again. “Am I in danger here?”
“No—I—never mind. You will soon see that you are unlike most of the women here.”
“Your women are weak and need a man’s protection in their own home?”
When she put it like that, it sounded deplorable. But that was not what he meant. “Our women are not weak, not at all, but it is our job to protect those under our care.”
Saga shifted in her seat, so her body was turned to face him. “Your words do not make sense to me. I will see how your women are treated and if I do not like it I will tell you so.”
Of that he had no doubt. Something told him there would be much upheaval in his world henceforth. Giric smiled to himself. He had to remember that she was a warrior first and weakness was not in her vocabulary. He’d offered her the same courtesy he’d offer any woman entering his domain. The danger to any woman was from men who assumed they could take liberties even when told outright they were not welcome. Giric did not tolerate such behaviour, but acknowledged some men simply took what they wanted. He’d run off more than one guard for such behaviour.
As they approached the castle he said, “Here we are. Do you like it?”
He watched as she took in the view of the guard towers as they passed through the outer wall of the bailey. She stopped and stared as they entered the main courtyard and watched the men spar with wooden swords and the kitchen lads wheeled carts of vegetables. She placed her hand on her forehead and looked up at the tall round towers that flanked the drawbridge leading into the inner courtyard of the castle.
