Ascent: A tale of danger, adversity, and love (House of Normandy Book 1) by Cathie Dunn

Author:Cathie Dunn [Dunn, Cathie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction & Literature
Publisher: Ocelot Press
Published: 2022-04-07T23:00:00+00:00

***

May, AD 907

Bayeux, Neustria

Comfortably cushioned, Poppa reclined on a blanket, feeding Geirlaug, her infant daughter. Close by, little William threw pebbles into the waves that lapped over the stony beach under the watchful eye of Magda, a servant girl who’d been looking after Landina’s daughter, Emma.

Her heart swelled with immense pride as she watched the delight in her five-year-old son’s face whenever a stone hit the water. They usually sank immediately, but that did not dent his joy.

But when her eyes fell on the chubby cheeks of her daughter, she realised the girl held a special place in her heart. God be thanked, both children were hale, with good appetites.

When Geirlaug, now fully sated, smacked her lips, Poppa covered her sore breast again. Then she lay the bundle onto the thick fur coverlet they’d brought with them. Within an instant, Geirlaug was soundly asleep, her rosebud mouth blowing little bubbles in the air.

Poppa smiled, and gently stroked her daughter’s hair that already framed her round face in thick, dark curls.

“Mother, look!” William shouted, and Poppa shielded her eyes from the sun as she gazed over to where he stood.

“Yes, my sweeting. I’m looking.”

“Watch what I can do!” And he threw a large stone into the waves as they approached. Water splashed high, dousing him in fine mist.

“Well done!” She laughed at his happy face, safe in the knowledge that Magda would pull him back should the water reach him.

Leaving them to their play, she lay on her side, her arm draped around the babe. Poppa breathed in the salty sea air, relishing the rays of sunshine warming her. It had rained almost every day since the feast of Easter, keeping them confined in their homes. Now, the sun made a welcome change.

She closed her eyes, tilted her face towards the sun, and let her thoughts wander.

Grateful for a chance to escape the hall after so many weeks, she still could not shake off a sense of worry. Last night, young Emma complained about stomach cramps. She’d thrown up her meal, and during the night, she’d developed a fever.

This morning, Landina went to feed Emma a few spoonfuls of broth. Poppa had offered to sit with her, but Landina declined with the excuse that the small chamber would be crowded.

She agreed. It was not good for the sick child to have anyone hovering, prodding you where you were sore. Poppa remembered the most recent time she’d suffered from a fever. Her head had felt like splitting, and the slightest noise from those fussing over her caused her more discomfort. No, Emma deserved a calm environment to help her recover.

Deep down, Poppa was relieved. She’d been keen to take her children out into the sunshine, to let them breathe the fresh air of the sea. After being cooped up, it was their first chance.

But a sliver of guilt remained.

She sighed. It did not help that Sigurd was away. He and Hrólfr had taken the boats up the River Seine. Yet again were they trying to recapture Rouen.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.