“Who said I’m a peasant?”
Saga regarded her garments closer. There was no doubt the woman had money coming from some source. Her gown’s fabric looked new and she wore gold rings adorned with various stones. She either had a wealthy benefactor, or worse—a husband. Saga would not want to get in the middle of a domestic squabble.”
“My money is my own. I was married, but my husband passed away last year. My uncle is now my steward, but he is often in his cups and so I am left to my own devices. It was not long after my husband’s passing that I began to have visions. They frightened me at first, but they started providing more clarity. It was not long before I started seeing you.”
“Who was your husband?
“Fraser.”
“TheFraser?” Giric asked, his whole demeanour changing to stand a little taller.
“Aye, the very one.”
“Lady Fraser, I apologize to you. You should have said that from the beginning.”
“I am Lady Fraser no longer. I have given my home to the church and kept back enough for my comfort. Minding my finances gives my uncle something to do.”
“Lady Fraser, I would like to formally introduce you to my wife, Lady MacDomnail, lately Saga Haraldson, sister to Chieftain, Gunnar Haraldson.”
“It is my great pleasure to see you and to formally address you, Lady MacDomnail,” she said as she grasped Saga’s hands.
“I will have a chamber prepared for you, Lady Fraser. You will remain with us for as long as you wish. I am afraid we’ve reason to believe there is an assassin sent for either myself or my wife. Or both.”
“I thank you for your kindness, Lord MacDomnail. My husband always spoke well of you. I shall tell you what I know when we have more time to talk of it—and in private. You both need to hear what I have to share.”
Giric went to fetch a couple of the maids who’d been training. Pointing to one, he said, “Lady Fraser shall be given my mother’s chamber during her stay.”
“Yes m’lord,” she said and scurried away.
“I must return to the men,” he said, placing his hand on the back of Saga’s head and kissing her forehead. “I will leave Lady Fraser with you and see you both at the evening meal.”
After he left, Lady Fraser linked arms with Saga. “We have much work to do, my lady.”
“I am preparing the women for possible attack. Can you believe they have never received any defensive training?”
“Aye, my lady, I can indeed. Your people have no barriers to women defending themselves. Such is not the case here. Men like to be in charge and the best way to keep a woman under your thumb is to keep her depending on you.”
“You are a wise woman, Lady Fraser.”
“Some have said I am too clever for my own good.”
“I have been accused of that myself. So tell me, Lady Fraser, why do I need your help?”
“It is Eloisa, and in my visions I see you abed and me tending to you.”
An eerie feeling crept into her belly. “And my husband? Do you see him in your vision?”
“I do not.”
Some part of Saga told her to keep her wits about her with this woman regardless of the respect she evoked from Giric. But she would play along regardless, if for no other reason than to glean what the woman knew or wanted to impart, for often what people did not say spoke loudest.
* * *
Sparring with Osgar always proved a thorough and entertaining workout. Being a couple inches taller than his friend afforded Giric an advantage every time. He knew every weak point on the man’s body and how to use it to his disadvantage.
He swung his sword sideways forcing Osgar to jump back and rammed him with his right shoulder as his arms were stretched wide. Osgar went flying to the ground. A heartbeat later, Giric’s blade tip touched the sensitive skin of Osgar’s throat. Blood pounding through his main artery was clearly visible.
“Do you yield?”
