Page 85 of The Outlaw Viking

The answer is in yourself. Search your heart.

“Give me a break,” Rain muttered.

“What kind of break?” Selik asked, then added, “Do babies always put such a dreamy expression on your face?”

“Yes.” Especially when I’m thinking of having one with you. Then she decided to change the subject to a safer topic. “Do you think Uhtred will clean that hut as I advised?”

“Advised? You understate yourself, wench,” Selik said with a dry laugh. “You give orders like a seasoned warrior. He would not dare to disobey.”

“Well, I was really angry. After going to all that trouble to save his baby’s life, it could die in a few weeks living in that filth. How can people live like that?”

Selik was about to speak when he stopped abruptly, pushing Rain behind him. They were about a half-block from Gyda’s house, but she could see the Saxon soldiers surrounding it.

“I will kill the bastards if they harm Gyda or Tyra,” he said in an icy tone of voice.

“Pssst!”

They turned to see a hissing Ubbi hidden between two houses, motioning for them to come closer. When they backtracked without attracting the attention of the soldiers, Selik shoved her and Ubbi farther back between the houses so they were totally out of sight.

“The soldiers search for you on King Athelstan’s orders,” Ubbi said in a rush. “Sore angry he is over the number of Saxon warriors lost at Brunanburh to your blade, especially his cousin Elwinus. Dozens of them roam the city and harbor area. The king offers a hundred gold mancuses for you alive. Only twenty-five if dead.”

Selik’s jaw tightened. “Have they harmed Gyda or Tyra?”

“Nay. They ransack the house and outbuildings in their usual fashion, but do not touch the women. Tostir, one of Gyda’s servants, suffers a broken nose ’cause he did not respond quickly enough to one soldier’s orders, and the commander threatens to slit Gyda’s tongue if she does not stop haranguing him. But I think they be safe.”

“And my men and horses?”

“All out of sight. Gorm got a warning jist in time.”

“Take Rain to Ella’s shop. She should be safe there. Then meet me back here. Do not—do not—go to Gyda’s house. They will surely watch it closely from now on.”

“No, I don’t want to leave you,” Rain protested.

Selik’s face was steely with determination. “Do not think to gainsay me on this. Your safety and that of Gyda’s family could be jeopardized by a foolish move on your part. You will obey me or suffer the consequences.”

“But what about your safety?”

Eyes flashing angrily, Selik snapped, “My life is my concern, and only mine. Best you understand that now.” He turned to Ubbi. “Take her to Ella’s and make sure she stays.”

Selik disappeared before she had a chance to tell him to take care, to tell him that she loved him.

With dragging feet, Rain followed Ubbi through the city until they reached the street where the shops displayed lengths of fabric in a rainbow of colors and textures, everything from coarse wool to the finest silk. Some were even fashioned into ready-made garments—tunics and mantles and braies.

Finally, he stopped at one building that seemed more prosperous than the others. Although a young girl worked at the stall in front, Ubbi led Rain around the side to a back door. Knocking loudly, he waited until an elderly male servant answered, then demanded importantly, “We must needs speak with your mistress, Ella. Is she in?” The servant nodded and motioned them into a large hall where a number of workers were cutting and sewing various garments.

“Rhoda!” Rain exclaimed as she recognized the middle-aged woman who approached. “How did you get here?” Without waiting for a reaction, she grabbed her mother’s long-time cleaning lady and hugged her warmly. “You have no idea how good it is to see someone from home.”

“M’god, not the Rhoda nonsense agin! I thought I was done with that foolishness when Ruby disappeared a decade or so past. Me name is Ella, not Rhoda.”

Rain continued to embrace Rhoda, despite her squirming protests.

“Gawd! A bloody priest is caressin’ me. I will have to go to confession now, prob’ly get twenty Paternosters fer penance. Be on me bloody knees fer a whole day,” Rhoda complained.

Laughing, Rain realized that she still wore the monk’s disguise and released the nervous woman from her bear hold. Throwing back the cowl, she exposed her long blond braid and feminine features.

Ella put a widespread palm to her chest. “Lord, me heart feels like ’tis jumpin’ up me throat. Who be you, girl? A barmy comrade of Ruby’s, no doubt. She was the only lackwit to ever call me Rhoda.”

“Her daughter. Ruby is my mother, and Thork was my father,” Rain explained, crossing her fingers behind her back.