The Frisian: The Legacy of Willibrord, A Medieval Quest of Betrayal, Vengeance and Glory (Lordship Series) by Richard van der Ven & First Steps Publishing

Author:Richard van der Ven & First Steps Publishing [Ven, Richard van der & Publishing, First Steps]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: First Steps Publishing
Published: 2024-01-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Sixteen

‘I know what they told you,’ the green-eyed girl started in a strange accent of English, one I hadn’t heard before in Ipswich. She looked at her fallen comrades, her face fixed on the deadly scene for a while, unblinking, unyielding. Though her companions were no longer with her, she somehow refused to avert her gaze as if to imprint their memory upon her mind. Yet despite her sudden loss, her stoic expression betrayed no emotion, her face hard as stone. What would she have gone through, I thought, her whole appearance raising so many questions.

Unwavering, she faced me again, her words departing her lips as calmly as if she stood in the market, buying groceries. ‘Since you have not killed me yet, tell me something, young man. Your armour reveals you are a warrior, not part of the guard from Ipswich. So, who are you?’

Even though I was the one who should be asking the questions, my sword at her throat, I felt compelled to reply. I explained the details of Thegn Ralf’s orders, and she listened intently, her eyes neutral and unemotional, almost as if she had already anticipated the worst and was now simply resigned to her fate. Despite my nervousness, her calm demeanor had a strangely soothing effect on me, and I found myself speaking more freely and openly than I had initially intended.

Once I finished recounting everything I knew, a moment of contemplation silenced us both. I could hear the faint sound of a stream rushing by and the distant chirping of birds in the woods beyond. The young woman’s gaze remained steady, and I felt unsure of what to say or do.

Finally, she spoke. ‘Thank you for telling me all of this,’ she said, her voice barely above a whisper. ‘I knew there was a reason we were attacked, but I had no idea that Thegn Ralf wanted us dead so badly.’ Her eyes misted with anger. ‘We simply starved in our hovels and saw no other option than to leave our village. Just twenty men, eight women, and six children survived to venture out into the wilds. Some came from Saxon lands, their families in debt, others, like me, slaves from Ireland. We want nothing more than to survive and if possible to taste the freedom we once enjoyed.’

I understood her wish but felt helpless. ‘I cannot guarantee that Thegn Ralf will leave you alone, but I assure you that I have no intention of harming anyone else here. My only goal is to complete our task, to eliminate the threat of the rebels.’

I paused for a moment, considering my words. ‘I can tell the guards that these two enemies were the last of your group. Commander Einar will want to return to Ipswich before nightfall, which means you will have the opportunity to escape from this place. I suggest you leave as soon as possible, as he may return to search this area another day.’

She concurred, her eyes still fixed on mine.

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