Page 3 of The Red Wolf’s Prize

“Yea, ’tis a hard time that has come upon the land,” saidMaggie, regret showing in her eyes, the same vivid green as her daughter’s.Then shooting a glance at Cassie, she added, “When I think of the men theNorman lord brings with him, I fear for me own daughter as well.”

“I want to go with Lady Serena,” the flame haired Cassieblurted out while she squeezed the excess dye from Serena’s hair. “She will besaving me and the others from certain rape.”

Maggie smiled sadly. “Aye, but will ye be safe?” She handedthe drying cloth to her daughter. “’Tis a long road ye travel. I worry for yeboth. The woods are full of thieves.”

“Nay, Maggie,” insisted Serena. “The woods are full offleeing Saxons.”

Cassie wrapped the drying cloth around Serena’s head. “Wouldit not be better for us to flee than to stay and fall prey to the Bastard’smen? Have we not heard the tales of their terrible deeds as they ravagedWessex?”

Maggie nodded, her countenance fallen. “Aye, I have heard ofthe killing and the burnings. They even robbed churches. ’Tis a gift from Godwe have escaped such, and only because Talisand lies so far north. I pray thenew Norman lord will not harm the villagers. They will now be his villeins,caring for fields that are his.”

“I will worry for you,” said Serena fighting the urge tostay even as she knew she must go.

“Ye must not worry about me and Angus,” said the cook. “TheRed Wolf will need me to feed his men and Angus to keep his horses shod.”

Cassie nodded to her mother. “Aye, ye both will be needed.”

“At least the young women I take with me will not be here toface the Red Wolf and his men,” encouraged Serena. “We will search for mybrother and accept the sanctuary offered by Scotland’s king.” Serena finishedblotting the moisture from her dyed hair and unwrapped the drying cloth. “Iwish I could take all of the women, but not all want to go. Like you, Maggie,some have husbands.”

“Do ye know where yer brother, the young master is, m’lady?”asked Maggie.

“Steinar’s last message said he was at King Malcolm’s courtin Dunfermline, north of Edinburgh, where many Englishman gather, hoping for anopportunity to return to fight for Edgar Ætheling, the true heir to thethrone.”

Maggie sighed. “At least ye and the young women will haveprotectors traveling with ye. And I will pray ye stay safe.”

“We welcome your prayers,” said Serena. Looking into thefaces of the two women who were so dear to her, she added, “I am glad for allyou have done for me. Your friendship has meant more than your service. Andyour company, Cassie, will be most welcome.” She thought of those women whowould travel with them, and the face of another rose in her mind. “Do you thinkAethel would want to go with us? Her knowledge of herbs would be welcome.”

“Aethel? Nay lass.” Maggie gave Serena a wry look. “That onewould lift her skirts for any Norman who would have her. She’ll nay be runningfrom them.”

“I suppose you speak the truth,” Serena admitted. “Since shewent to my father’s bed, she has not been the same.”

“Or ye just didna see what she really was all along,” chidedMaggie.

The words saddened Serena. It was true that after beingrejected by Theodric, the captain of Talisand’s guard, Aethel had changed. Thedark-haired beauty attracted many men, including Serena’s father, the lonelythegn, but Aethel did not seem to be happy even with him.

“That leaves only Cassie and me and the three other women,”said Serena. “Leppe and Alec will go with us, disguised as village cottars. Ofthe Talisand fighting men that still remain after the slaughter at Hastings,they are among the best and will be faithful to protect us.” Wanting to assureMaggie they would have protection, she added, “Theodric and the other guardswill stay to defend Talisand, if need be. I have asked steward Hunstan to visitthe other manors to warn them of the Normans’ coming.”

“How soon do they arrive?” Maggie asked, glancing anxiouslyin the direction of the main gate.

“I know not the day,” said Serena, “but I expect it will besoon, so we must be away this hour. I fear I have waited too long as it is.”

Maggie nodded and looked at her daughter. “Send word as soonas ye’re able.”

Cassie’s eyes filled with tears as she embraced her mother.“I will.”

Blinking back her own tears, Serena sought to keep her voicesteady. “Do not worry for us, Maggie. I have my bow and my seax. We will bewell. And we will see you again, for I intend to return with Steinar to chasethe Normans from Talisand.”

Serena glanced once again at her reflection. Her hair nowbore the color of the brown stain and was nearly dry. She felt changed insideas well as out.

“Ye look so different!” exclaimed Cassie as she formed thenewly dyed tresses into a long plait.

“Aye, she does,” said Maggie. “But the color does not hideher beauty. Mayhap a plain tunic will help.” Maggie handed Serena a dark greentunic, and she slipped it over her shift.

As the folds of the rough wool settled around her, she felther new life settle around her as well. The servant’s garment was a starkcontrast to the soft wool of the fine gowns she had worn as the Lady ofTalisand. She looked down at her ankles that showed beneath the hem. Theborrowed tunic did not fit well, either.

Seeing her shrug, Maggie said, “It will do ’til ye reachScotland.”

Serena sat on the chest at the end of her bed and pulled onthe woolen hose and soft leather half boots the female servants wore. Cassiehanded her a leather belt, which Serena wrapped around her waist. She securedto it her seax, the single edged blade her brother had given her lastChristmastide. Grasping the polished wooden handle, she silently vowed to useit if threatened.