“To witness the dawn of a new age,” he said and grasped Giric’s shoulder. “Your marriage is the talk of Prestwick so I came as soon as I heard. Your father and mine would be proud of this moment.”
“I believe you are right. My father talked to me on many occasions about the best way to bring peace to this situation.”
“You are all fools,” Naywin said. “She will slay all of us in our sleep.”
“Perhaps some, but surely not all,” Saga said in an attempt to lighten the mood and put the woman in her place.
Giric turned to look at her. She shrugged and smiled and he burst into gales of laughter. Leaning in close and whispering in her ear, he said, “I believe I shall enjoy having you protect me.”
“I will see my sister safely to her chamber for the evening now, Giric,” Norfolk said. “She will bother you no longer this night.”
After they retreated, Giric turned to her. “Would you like to mingle with the lords and ladies now so I may introduce you? I believe a lot of uncertainty can be dispelled once they meet you and realize you are not a big scary Viking.”
“But I like being a big scary Viking.”
“Aye, but there are no enemies on the drawbridge to slay at the moment.”
“No, they are much closer,” she said. This was a different kind of warfare—one of deceit and cunning. She would be mindful and watchful of all those she met.
For the next couple of hours Saga was introduced to several people. She noted the wide-eyed appreciative glances she received from the men in contrast to the frightened looks of the women. Oh she was going to definitely have to do something about that. Both Freydis and Vigdis were deeply engrossed in conversation with MacAlpin and Aislin so she did not mind leaving them to meet some of the other guests.
From time to time she noticed a woman staring at her from the periphery of the crowd. She offered a smile each time their eyes met, but never approached her. At a moment when Giric was engaged with Norfolk again about how wonderful their union was and the change it would bring, Saga made her way to the hall’s entrance way to where the woman stood watching her.
“I wondered when you would come to me,” she said. Offering a deep curtsy, she said, “I am Eloisa, the village healer.”
“I am Saga of Islay. Can you tell me why you stare at me so?”
“Aye, lass. I can.”
Saga waited. Nothing. “Will you tell me?”
The woman laughed. “There is an aura around you. One that speaks of power and of great strength. But there is also danger surrounding you.”
“Do you profess to be a seer?”
“A seer?” The woman scratched her chin. “Aye, I suppose I am a seer as well as a healer.”
“And you see that I am in danger.”
“Aye, grave danger.”
“Then your powers are merely the result of good observance. There isn’t a person here who actually wants me here. Except for my husband.”
“Aye, but the danger runs far deeper than the fear instilled in the hearts of those present. You must come to my cottage and let me cast the bones for you.”
“Ahhh there you are,” Giric said from behind her.
Saga turned at the sound of his voice but when she turned back, Eloisa was gone.
“Who was that woman?” she asked him.
“What woman?”
“The one who was just standing here.”
“I saw no other woman but you, wife. I thought you were standing at the door to indicate to me you wanted to retire for the evening so I said our farewells. MacAlpin will see that your sister and Freydis are shown to their chambers.”
Giric placed his arm around her waist and led her out of the hall and toward the stairs. She looked back over her shoulder once and thought she saw the sash of the woman’s gown disappearing around the corner. Perhaps she was tired from her travels and the activity of the day. She was grateful for the escape from the crowd and the full impact of where her husband led her, hit home.
