Legendary Warrior by Donna Fletcher Page A

a start.
    She looked around, sniffed the scent of fresh roasted meat, and saw that everyone was enjoying a substantial morning meal.
    “I thought you would be hungry being you slept through supper,” Brigid said and handed her a slice of black bread with cheese and meat piled on it.
    Reena took it, her stomach eager for sustenance.
    Brigid nibbled on a piece of cheese.
    After a bite or two Reena had to ask the obvious. “The last I remember was riding with Magnus on his horse. How did I get here?” Here was a soft bed of blankets beside a comforting fire that kept the chilled air at bay.
    “It was a sight for sure,” Brigid said excitedly. “First the Legend ordered that a fire be built and bedding spread for you, then he handed you to Thomas—a dear man with a huge heart—to hold while he dismounted. He then took you from Thomas, carried you to this bedding, which I prepared with haste, and lowered you ever so slowly and carefully, as though he thought you would break or perhaps he did not want to let you go. Then he covered you with a blanket and commanded that no one disturb you.”
    Speechless, Reena stared at Brigid.
    “There are whispers—”
    Reena would not allow her friend to finish. “Nonsense. The Legend but looks after his people, and besides, he has expressed interest in you.”
    “Me?” Brigid placed a hand to her chest. “Why ever would he be interested in me?”
    “You are beautiful, for one thing. And he is handsome beyond belief. You two would make a splendid couple, and I let him know this.”
    Brigid nodded, understanding her friend. “We shall see who interests him.”
    “I have no interest in him and he has none in me,” Reena said with a defensive edge.
    “We shall see.” Brigid smiled, though it faded slowly. “I am glad the Legend moves us to his land. I left much behind in the village, including painful memories.”
    Horace ran up to Reena and sat beside her, waiting for any morsel of food. She couldn’t resist him, and besides, she wasn’t as hungry as she had thought. Reena brushed the crumbs from her hands after feeding the remainder of her meal to Horace.
    “Kilkern did not bother you while I was gone?” Reena asked, concerned for her friend.
    “Nay, there was gossip that he had traveled to see the king in regards to his property, but we could not be certain, and no one wished to approach his keep to see if there was truth to the gossip.”
    “You need not worry any longer, you are now under the Legend’s protection.”
    “So Thomas informed me.” Her smile returned. “He is such a tender man, I enjoy talking with him.” She laughed softly. “Though I do most of the talking and he listens; he is a good listener, and since John died I have not known a man who would listen so patiently to my endless chatter. He even listened to me tell him about the garden I wish to plant in the spring, and he promises he will till the soil well for me.”
    “Aye, Thomas is a good man and I am glad you befriended him, since many fear his size and looks or they ignore him completely.”
    “The villagers will accept him once they get to know him. Old Margaret claims he is a special man. She insists that any man as large as he who can cradle a tender seedling and do it no damage has a loving touch.”
    Reena looked past the flames at her friend. “I am so glad to be talking with you again.”
    Brigid hurried over beside Reena and hugged her. “I worried so about you.” She squeezed her friend’s hand. “But I tell you true, Reena, a part of me prayed you would succeed, for I feared my fate with Kil-kern if you did not.”
    “I did not intend to fail.”
    “And you did not—you returned a heroine to our village, and everyone is grateful to you, though many remain fearful of Kilkern, for they know he will seek retribution.”
    Shouts to break up camp and make ready for departure interrupted their conversation. The two women quickly saw to their area and assisted those who