He was grateful she didn’t respond because he truly didn’t know what he would do if she said go ahead and bend me over the table. He shook his head. Those thoughts would no doubt get them both into trouble.
When she still didn’t say anything, he turned to her. Her eyes were wide and didn’t seem to be focusing on anything in particular.
“Lady Elspeth, are you unwell?” he asked and touched her arm.
She seemed to break from the spell and regarded him and her surroundings as if she didn’t know where she was.
“I—”
“Please, sit here,” he said and pulled over a stool. “Tell me what is happening.”
Elspeth placed her hands on her head and closed her eyes. “Danger,” she whispered.
“Here? Now?”
She nodded.
Magnus went to the doorway of the armoury. He’d left it open a little and now looked through the crack. Men trained with swords, a young boy pushed a cart full of vegetables, and some men kept watch at the gate. All appeared normal by his estimation. He’d been granted a full tour of the grounds and defences when Saga had first come to live there. Giric was more than generous with sharing the purpose of each man present and even shared some of the castle’s few weaknesses. So by his informed estimation, there was no current threat—not that he could see, at least.
Turning back to Elspeth he was surprised to find her standing directly behind him and staring at the door. Unblinking, she stayed like that for a few moments and appeared to break free from the spell. Fear crept into his heart. She looked around her and met his gaze with a furrowed brow.
“How did I get here?”
“Lady Elspeth, I believe we should return to the keep. We can resume your training on the morrow.” Magnus collected her dagger and returned the sword to its proper place.
He opened the door wide enough for her to pass through and when he stepped out, something caught the corner of his eye. MacDomnail’s brother leaned against the forge that was on the other side of the armoury. Was he the threat? Magnus scanned the man’s height and size. Unless he was a master swordsman, there was no way he would get to Elspeth.
Donnan spit on the ground and slowly walked toward them. Magnus clenched his jaw when Elspeth reacted by standing a little behind him.
“What do you want?” Magnus asked.
“I live here. I don’t have to want anything. I can go wherever I want. And I can do whatever I want.”
“You’re upsetting Lady Elspeth. That is something you are not permitted to do.”
“Oh aye is that so? And are you going to stop me if I want to speak with her?”
“I will.”
“Do you see all these men?” he asked and pointed behind Magnus. “If you so much as look at me the wrong way, they will be on you in a heartbeat. I cannot imagine even a mighty Viking like you can take on twenty men.”
“And if you so much as look at the lady the wrong way, you will find out soon enough just how easily I can best twenty and one men.”
Donnan’s eyes went wide for a moment before he masked his obvious discomfort at Magnus’ claim. He might struggle with the number, but he’d fought men with far more motivation than these. And he didn’t believe for a moment they’d do anything to support any abuse of Lady Elspeth. No, this man liked to throw his weight around to make up for the fact that he was weak, both of body and of mind.
“You are rather fearful of that which is new to you,” Magnus said. A true test of strength lay in one’s adaptability. Change was inevitable, he’d learned quite recently through his sister’s marriage, but preserving oneself and one’s standards through that change was what separated true men from weaker ones such as the one standing in front of him at the moment.
“I do not have to explain myself to you,” he said and spit on the ground in front of Magnus’ boot. “You both will bring demise to our family. My father is rolling in his grave.” Donnan pointed his finger at both him and Elspeth. “Vikings and witches do not belong here.” He walked past them and glared especially at her. “You better keep your door locked at night while you are here. I am not the only one who thinks you bring evil into this place.”
“Are you threatening her?” Magnus asked and stepped in front of him. He was fast losing patience with the man. Understanding he was being baited only quelled his rising anger so much.
“Like I said, I live here. I can say and do anything I want.”
“Is that what you think?” Giric said as he approached from behind Donnan. The latter jumped at the sound of his brother’s voice.
“I believe your brother may need an education, MacDomnail,” Magnus said. “He is of the mind he can threaten Lady Elspeth and that he will not be held accountable. This is the second time he has attempted to upset the lady. I hope that you will now take some action to protect us or we will not remain one more moment.”
“Good! I don’t want you here. No one wants you here. And take your filthy Viking sister with you. No one wants her here either!”
