Aelswyn jerked at the violent pounding of fists on her door.
“It’s Edwina, my Lady! Pray let me in, they are after me, I beg you!”
She hesitated. Edwina was one of the kitchen maids, a young woman, hardworking and always happy. She couldn’t abandon her to her fate. Cautiously, she approached the door.
“Are you alone? Did they see you come this way?”
“Aye, and nay, my Lady, I was too fast. But they are close behind. The ladders were still down, they got in easily. I beg you, let me in now!”
Aelswyn reluctantly unlocked the door. She jumped back, keeping her seax ready; she had a bad gut feeling about this. The wooden panel was kicked open and Edwina stumbled in, a large man holding her in a tight headlock. Tears drew clear streaks in the soot on her cheeks.
She sobbed: “I’m sorry my Lady, he would have killed me otherwise, pray forgive me!”
Aelswyn stared at her wordlessly. She had been tricked, yet she knew they would have found her sooner or later. She pressed her back against the wall, as far as possible from her assailant.
That was it then. She felt oddly at peace. She was caught; her fate was sealed. Calmly, she lifted the seax, resting the cool blade on the tender skin of her neck. One quick slit and she would be safe. She let out her breath and closed her eyes, murmuring a last prayer. Christianity condemned suicide, and she begged the Lord to pardon her sin.
The Viking barked something in Norse, getting her attention. He held out a hand, his eyes switching between Edwina and her knife. What did he want? She didn’t speak his language. She ignored him and closed her eyes again. She couldn’t be bothered anymore.
“My Lady, he wants your seax. If you die, I die. That’s what he said!”
Aelswyn glared at the girl. “What difference does it make? Don’t you prefer to be killed now, rather than have them use you before?”
“But they won’t kill me, my Lady, they’ll take me as a slave. I’m too young to die; I implore you, for the love of God!” Edwina whined loudly, desperate to convince her.
Aelswyn sighed. Maybe this was God’s response to her prayer. He wanted her to suffer for her salvation. She couldn’t take her life at the price of another; she would be damned for it.
Slowly, she lowered the knife and placed it into the waiting hand. Edwina smiled and said something, in Norse. The warrior grinned and let her go.
Aelswyn’s eyes narrowed. She straightened and spoke in her most scornful tone: “How did I not foresee this? I should have guessed when you translated for him. You are nothing but a traitor, Lazzi!”
The girl bowed to her. “I am faithful to my kin, my Lady! I am no Briton, but a Dane; my parents were slaughtered by your father and I swore to avenge them. My part was to keep you safe and deliver you to my Lord, which I did. I mean you no harm, and neither does he. You are in good hands.”
“And whose hands are they? His?”
Aelswyn gestured at the warrior in disgust. The man was filthy and smelled like a wet dog, long red hair hanging from his helmet in muddy streaks. Very similar to the dead head on the stake, she recalled.
Edwina laughed. “Nay, this is Olaf, the second in command. He will guard and protect you until it’s time for you to meet their chief. I will remain here also, as you are not to be left alone with any male. I can translate as well if you want to make conversation.”
Aelswyn raised her eyebrows, her mouth twisting in a sneer. What conversation could she have with this brute? Although… “Ask him if he knew the messenger, the one that was sent today.”
“I can answer this one, my Lady. It was his brother, Rollo.”
“Tell him that I’m sorry for his loss then, it shouldn’t have happened.”
Edwina translated. “He thanks you for your words, but it was his brother’s pride to die this way. He fulfilled his destiny.”
Aelswyn frowned; these heathens were a mystery for her. How could anyone wish to be beheaded? And what did their chief want with her? Surely he didn’t plan to marry her, now that he had her inheritance in his hands. Would he sell her as a slave? Or worse, throw her in his bed? Was her father still alive?
As the horror of her situation began to sink in, she struggled to maintain a calm front. She wouldn’t let them see her distress. Her dignity was all she had left.