She was not one to covet what another had, for she was well aware how fortunate her circumstances. But every time she visited MacDomnail Castle, she swooned just a little. Her own home was not that much smaller, but this castle always felt grander somehow. From the large keep to the towers overlooking the lands below, she appreciated every stone inch.
“Should we wait for our brothers?” Vigdis asked.
“Nay. I am known here and anxious to meet your sister and the healer.”
They dismounted in the middle of the bailey once a stable hand approached them and made their way into the keep. It would be soon time for the evening meal and as the kitchen was connected with the keep, the delectable aroma of roasting rabbit filled her senses.
“Sister!” a loud voice boomed from just inside the hall.
“Saga!” Vigdis called and ran into her sister’s open arms.
Elspeth watched as the two women held the back of each other’s necks and touched foreheads. No words were needed when such a bond was on display. Elspeth was a little envious since she had never felt that bond with another woman.
“Saga, this is Osgar’s sister, Lady Elspeth. Elspeth, this is my sister, Saga.”
The woman was like no other Elspeth had ever seen. She was tall and blockier than any other woman around her. Her arms were curved and muscular, evident from her sleeveless tunic. Instead of a gown, she wore what looked like leather trews much like the ones Magnus wore. Though his held a different sort of fascination for her.
“You do not look like your brother,” Saga said.
“Aye, but you look like yours.”
“You think me fat like Gunnar?” Saga said and took a step forward.
“Stand down, sister,” Magnus said from behind Elspeth. “She meant you look like me. The gods surely smiled on you when they blessed you with my looks.”
Saga’s entire demeanour changed from the first word. So it was not just Elspeth whom he could disarm with his charming manner.
“Brother! I did not expect to see you return so soon. I am pleased you are here,” she said and embraced him the way Elspeth often embraced Osgar when she was a wee lass.
The bond between siblings in this family was unshakeable. There was no doubt in her mind. Though she was quite close with Osgar, she regretted not having a similar relationship with Kenneth. But he was just so unlikable. Why did he have to be that way?
“I am pleased to meet you, Lady MacDomnail.”
“Thank you,” she said and smiled. Her expression, while before was striking in ferocity, now enhanced the incredible beauty of her Norse heritage. She truly was a sight to behold. “But please call me Saga. I do not feel like a lady, though my marriage dictates that I am.”
“And I wish you to call me Elspeth. I have heard much about you and have been looking forward to meeting you. Is it true you have bested four men at one time in battle?”
Magnus looked at her and grinned. Rolling his eyes, he said, “Do not encourage her, please. She will tell you she bested ten and four.” As he said this he put his arm around his sister and kissed the top of her head.
Saga pushed him away with surprising ease. “I have bested many men in battle, but all my strength is reserved for the babe I now grow in my belly.”
“How do you feel?”
“I feel well. Freydis says I need to rest more, but I do not believe my babe would want me to become fat and lazy.”
“That will not happen even if you do rest. You may be active, but you should not be practicing your battle exercises while you are with child,” Freydis said from the doorway.
A heartbeat later, Elspeth turned and locked eyes with the woman. The hall spun around her and a great pressure began in her head. The woman at the threshold of the hall turned white, her eyes wide and her mouth agape. Crackling noises grew around her as if the stone walls were about to split apart. She could hear muffled voices, but could not make out any words. The woman’s mouth was moving and she moved slowly toward her. Strong arms lifted and carried her out of the hall and up the stone steps away from the woman.
Saga opened a door and Magnus brought Elspeth inside and placed her on a bed. She covered her with quilts and sat beside her. The chamber still spun a little, then started to calm.
“Is she unwell?” Saga asked Magnus.
“She has been having episodes for the past few days,” Vigdis said from the doorway.
The room spun around her again and somehow Elspeth didn’t have to look to know the healer had entered the chamber.
“I will have to examine her, but I have to tell you that I am suddenly feeling a little unwell myself,” Freydis said.
