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CHAPTER 10

WHEN BRECC ARRIVED BACK AT the thegn’s longhouse, Rheged was out of his bed and donning his clothes for the day.

“You appear much improved,” Brecc said.

“I am.” He reached for his belt. “And though I appreciate how much Aisley’s brew helped me, I am ready to eat some real food.”

Brecc chuckled. If Rheged’s renewed vigor had been an insufficient clue to his improved health, the return of his appetite was testament enough.

“How was the river?” Rheged asked.

“Quiet,” Brecc replied.

Rheged grunted. “As it always is at this time of day.”

“It’s not that I wish it to be any different.” Brecc dropped onto a nearby stool.

“It’s just that you fear one day it will be,” his friend finished for him.

“Think on it, Rheged. It is well known throughout Wessex that the king and all his closest men and warriors are here. For the Vikings, that means only one location must needs be attacked to decimate the Saxons’ leadership.”

“Guthrum took the danegeld. He made an oath to leave Wessex in peace.”

“How much longer do you think that will last?” Brecc asked. “Until the gold is gone? Until their avarice overcomes their honor?” He rose and paced across the small room. “The Vikings have a history of breaking their oaths. It makes no difference which pagan god they pledge to, the oath means nothing to them when their coffers are empty. We have only to look to our neighbors, Mercia and Northumbria, to see that.”

“What you say is true, but the king has men positioned at our borders. They will ensure the Vikings do not come upon us unawares.”

Brecc ran his fingers through his hair. There was little point in pursuing this conversation. He and Rheged had exchanged a similar one when the royal party had first arrived in Chippenham almost a fortnight ago. Little had changed since then. Brecc’s disquiet remained, as did Rheged’s belief that all would be well. Thus far, Rheged seemed to have the right of it. But Brecc could not shake his conviction that should it happen, news of an imminent Viking invasion would travel far more quickly by word of mouth along the river than by a single scout navigating the countryside on horseback. The men who plied the waters to make a living were a tight-knit group. Not only would they pass along such a warning quickly, but they would also hasten to remove themselves and their boats from harm’s way.

“I pray you are right, my friend,” Brecc said.

“I am. You shall see.” Rheged gave Brecc’s shoulder a good-natured slap. “But whilst we are on the subject of rumors, I should like to know why you unexpectedly chose to take up dancing on the one night I was not there to witness it.”

Brecc glared at him. “Who have you been speaking with?”

“Ah!” Rheged grinned. “Surely you are aware that one of the most important rules of rumors is that one never shares the identity of one’s informant.”

“That is ridiculous.”

“So is the notion that you willingly danced the carole.”

Brecc raised his eyes to the ceiling. “You were gone. I took your place on the dance floor. You should be thanking me.”

“For enjoying the evening whilst I lay languishing upon my pallet? I think not.” Rheged leaned forward. “Who was the favored young lady? My informant was rather vague on that subject.”

“How very unfortunate for you.” Brecc slid his arm beneath his pallet and withdrew his sword. “I am scheduled for some sword practice. Do you wish to join me?”

“That was a remarkably blunt change of subject.”

Brecc slid his sword beneath his belt and started for the door. “Are you coming?”

“Aye. On one condition.” Rheged folded his arms and waited until Brecc turned back to face him. “If I win, you tell me who you danced with.”

“Agreed.”

Rheged’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. “Agreed? Just like that?”

“You heard me.”