“Then I will reward her with whatever she desires if she can help my sister.”
“She will not take coin. She has often refused gifts we have brought back from raiding, saying her gifts are greater than gold and have no earthly value, or some such thing as that.”
“A true wise-woman.”
“She is more than that. You will see for yourself when we reach MacDomnail Castle.”
“Aye. And thank you for your blessing for mine and your sister’s betrothal. I will take good care of her.”
“I do not doubt that for a moment,” Magnus said. “My sister has a kind soul and a sharp mind. If she is convinced you are the man for her, I would never question it. I know better than to stand in the way of anything either of my sisters wants.”
“Aye, I can believe that. The elder of the two will not be gainsaid. There are times when I have truly pitied my friend, MacDomnail.”
“You and me both. I do look forward to seeing how she is settling into life in a castle. I imagine she has the dress maker scouring the country looking for enough leather to make trews that can expand as her belly does with the growing babe.”
“It would not surprise me.”
Magnus hesitated asking the next question. He did not know either man well and he’d sort of injected himself into the well-being and care of Elspeth, but he had to know.
“Tell me if your brother is a danger to your sister.”
Osgar looked at him and nodded. “I wondered if you had already made up your mind about him.”
“I am a man who will act when I need to, but I would rather have knowledge first.”
“Aye, very well. Our family has always played down my sister’s affliction. There are some who are convinced they are otherworldly gifts, while others are convinced it is a sickness of the mind.” Osgar shifted his position on the horse.
“And which do you believe.”
“We are Christians, Magnus. We believe in the holy father. There is no room in the Christian faith for gifts from enchantresses or pagan gods.”
“I believe in pagan gods as does my sister.”
“Aye, and I do not question your faith. Vigdis will marry me in my church, and if she wants I will attend a ceremony of her choosing. She has already said she will pray regularly with Saga in the prayer house Giric is having built for her. I have no quarrel with either undertaking.”
“But?”
“But my faith is my own. And if you’re asking me if my sister’s affliction is a gift from one of your gods, my answer would have to be that is not possible.”
It was a fair approach. Magnus had known plenty Vikings who had converted from their beliefs to the Christian God and he had decided long ago to leave them to it. But he was not so closed-minded on the subject. Magnus had seen enough of the world outside of his village to understand there was a great deal about the world he’d yet to learn.
“And you do not worry that we are about to put her wellbeing in the hands of a pagan who firmly believes in otherworldly gifts?”
“I do not, if it will bring my sister relief. But I will also pray in my chapel for her.”
“And your brother, which way do his beliefs fall?”
“My brother is more concerned with personal glory and wealth than who is the true creator.”
“Then he is the worst sort of danger to her.”
“I am glad you see it that way,” Osgar said. “That is why I plan to speak with MacDomnail about Elspeth staying on for the winter. She will be safer in his castle with his guards.”
“She could be equally safe in my village.”
To that Osgar did not respond. Magnus didn’t push the issue, but firmly planted Kenneth MacAlpin as a threat in the back of his mind. The man would not come within ten feet of Lady Elspeth.
* * *
