“That is exactly why Saga is teaching the women to defend themselves. Not only so they know how, but also it will become apparent quickly if the assassin is a woman.”
His brother scoffed, “Surely you do not think there are women among the elite.”
“Aye, I do and you clearly did not pay close enough attention to what my wife can do with an axe. I have seen her wield a broadsword as well as any man here. You must release your prejudice and accept her.”
“I will not jump into bed so quickly with our enemy,” he said and spat on the ground. “And the day will come soon when you realize your mistake.”
“Are you threatening me, brother?”
“I would not dream of it. But you need to keep your eyes wide open. There was no need for an attack on us until you brought that heathen into our midst.”
Giric grabbed him by the neck and squeezed. “You will hold your tongue or you will lose it. I have tried to involve and include you in this process, but you refuse to see a path forward where there is peace. All you can see is the past and you will bury yourself there.”
“She would have been my wife!” His brother said and jerked away from Giric. “You do not know what it was like to lose her at the hands of those barbarians.”
“They were not Saga’s kin and you know that; we do not even know if they were Vikings.”
“I know it in my heart. They are all alike and the sooner you accept that, the sooner we can get back to normal. She must be sent away or else we will all be slain in our beds.”
Giric shook his head as his brother strode away to the armoury. He understood his brother’s pain, but the only way to prevent the same thing happening again and again was the peace treaty he and Gunnar had struck. He was on the right path forward, every fibre of his being screamed it.
Just then a lone woman approached the gates, she was dressed head to toe in a green and blue flowing gown and held a basket full of flowers. The wolf in sheep’s clothing, mayhap? He was about to find out.
Walking to the gate, he noticed her bright green eyes and beaming smile. She was beautiful whoever she was.
“Who are you?” he asked as he approached the gate.
“I am Eloisa, and I have been drawn to your wife in my dreams. I believe I am to assist her on her journey.”
“I see,” he was not letting this woman near his wife. For both their sakes. “And what do you carry in the basket?”
“Herbs for my healing potions, my lord.”
She did not carry herself as a servant woman, rather she carried the air of a noblewoman.
“Well, Eloisa, we are not accepting any visitors today. Mayhap come back in a fortnight and we can receive you.”
She grabbed the gate posts. “But you must let me in,” she said. “I know about the assassin.”
Giric turned and stared hard into her eyes. How in God’s name would she know that? “Mayhap you are part of the scheme.”
“Nay, my lord. But I know about the scheme and I am come to assist.” Then looking over her shoulder, she said, “But the danger is closer than you think. Please let me in and I will reveal all that I know.”
He considered her for a moment and reached out to lift the heavy wooden post barring the gates. Two other guards assisted him in his endeavour. When Eloisa slipped through, they replaced the post and he turned to her.
“Know this, woman. I will tear you limb from limb if you bring harm to anyone within these walls, do you understand?”
“Aye, my lord,” she said. “You have nothing to fear from me.”
Giric was not so sure, but he would keep her in a guarded chamber during her stay. He did not trust one hair on her head.
Chapter Seventeen
For some of the women, learning how to conceal the weapon was easy; they chose to hide it up their sleeve, in their apron, pocket, or in some cases the bodice of their shift. For a precious few, their fear prevented them from understanding the lessons Saga offered. She’d have to find a different way to teach them.
“Remember to distract your attacker’s attention away from where you will strike. The goal is to keep them from seeing it coming. The likelihood that you will be in armed combat is minimal and so this is about the man who decides he’s having you tonight whether you like it or not. Or if the castle is ever attacked. You have the advantage of knowing every dark corner and can use that to your advantage.”
Most of them had not asked many questions and some giggled whilst Saga placed their hands into position as to how to defend themselves and when to strike.
