Jilliand by Clare Gutierrez

Author:Clare Gutierrez
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: River Grove Books

Determined to make whatever celebration was coming a success, Jilliand refused to think about what Rurik might soon do. After all, I am English. Instead, when he left her to walk toward the meeting hall, she took her plants home and then walked to the house of Rurik’s brother, Olav. It was overflowing with women and children. Many stood outside laughing and talking. Nodding to Jilliand, one of the children opened the door for her. Olga came to her, muttering about storms, visions of a great fire, and times gone by. Jilliand shared with her the bounty of plants she had gathered. The old woman laughed at her young friend. “Soon enough, we can work these. Now we work you.”

Puzzled, Jilliand watched as her friend limped past. When she asked how she could help, the room became quiet. “When the air around me is still, I know I have said or done something I should not have said or done. Which is it?”

Turid, Askold’s wife, smiled. “Come, Jilliand. We should talk.” She, Astrid, and Dir’s wife Helga gathered around her. “See the gown? It is new. The robe is also. A gift from Rurik. Your new house has a chair, new blankets, a thick sleeping pad on a carved bed, pots for cooking, and mats for the floor. There is plenty of wood for a fire. No need to venture outside. It is time. You will be bathed and made ready,” she finished gently.

Jilliand’s smile slowly faded as the realization sunk in. “No, I do not think so. I must speak with Rurik. This is not my celebration. We celebrate because his house is finished.” Her rising panic made her voice higher. The women looked at her and each other.

Olga noted dryly, “Just like a man. They speak not when they should; only when they should hold their tongue. It is as Turid tells you, Jilliand. Do not be afraid. You know him well enough.”

“Apparently not,” Jilliand retorted, turning to dash from the house, leaving the women staring after her.

Rurik was surrounded by his men—his brother, his jarls, his warriors, all friends and, most, family. He had never thought about this day much. That is until he first saw Jilliand. From that time onward, it seemed he thought of little else. The men sitting around teased him. With pride, he knew more than one man was envious; his woman was beautiful. Suddenly, the room fell silent, as the door opened and she stood there.

In broken words, mixing both languages, she asked to speak to him. He frowned. This is not the way it should be. She comes much too early. And alone …

Switching to English, she looked at him, “I would speak with you.”

The men began to laugh, as several called out to him, “She changed her mind!”

Calmly, he stood and walked to her. Taking her elbow, he led her outside, closing the door to the laughter following them. “Turid tells me we are to be …” She hesitated. “… married, I think.

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