Viking Pride by Darlene Mindrup

Author:Darlene Mindrup
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Barbour Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2013-09-30T00:00:00+00:00

eight

Several hours later Arietta awakened to the sound of scraping. She slowly opened her eyes and saw Gwyn sitting across the room, carding her wool.

Arietta lifted herself to a sitting position, throwing her legs over the side of the wooden bunk. She placed one hand to her swimming head, trying to still its rhythmic movement.

Gwyn placed the two spiked brushes on the table and came to sit beside Arietta. No one else was in the hut.

“Where is everyone?”

“Wulfric and Sidroc took the children with them. They said you needed the rest.”

Arietta’s mind was beginning to clear. “How did I get here?”

“Wulfric carried you,” Gwyn explained. “You have slept a long time. How are you feeling?”

“Hungry.”

Gwyn laughed, rising to her feet. “I will get you something to eat.” She placed slices of cheese on bread and handed it Arietta, who wolfed the lot down, drinking the cup of goat’s milk that Gwyn placed next to her.

“Arietta, there’s something I have to tell you.”

Arietta licked her fingers clean of the cheese residue.

“Edwynn has been injured,” her sister continued.

Dropping her hand slowly to her lap, Arietta grew very still. “How?”

Gwyn sighed, getting up and crossing to pick up her carding implements. She began scraping the brushes together without looking at Arietta. Knowing her sister, Arietta realized that something was bothering Gwyn that she was reluctant to divulge. “Tell me. How serious is it?”

Gwyn lifted her head and stared ahead unseeing. She glanced at Arietta, then continued with what she was doing. Finally she spoke. “Someone tried to kill Godfred. Edwynn stopped them.”

The blood drained from Arietta’s face, her body going cold all over. “I cannot believe it.”

“Well, it is true. A man from the village was about to shoot an arrow at Godfred when Edwynn noticed him and shoved Godfred aside. The arrow pierced Edwynn’s chest instead.”

Arietta came to her feet. “I have to go to him.”

Gwyn placed her carding tools back on the table. “Of course, but please wait for Wulfric to walk you to the village.”

Arietta was already heading for the door. “I cannot. I have to see how badly Edwynn is hurt.”

Though she might not love Edwynn as she loved Wulfric, she loved him nonetheless. He had always been good to her and her father, and although he aggravated her at times, he was her very good friend.

“Arietta!” Gwyn called.

Arietta turned sharply. “Do they know who did this?”

Gwyn was distressed, that much was obvious. “It was Aelwyn.” She placed a detaining hand on Arietta’s arm. “Please wait for Wulfric.”

“I will be fine.” She hugged Gwyn, then pushed her gently away. “I am not certain when I will be able to return.” She grabbed her cloak from the peg by the door and quickly hastened out into the cold before Gwyn could stop her, heading swiftly for the village.

When she reached Edwynn’s hut, she found several people gathered around it, murmuring amongst themselves. She pushed her way through, knocking briefly on the door and entering at Edwynn’s quiet voice bidding her come.

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