“There is nothing you can do for Michael.”
“I believe there is. Will you tell me about Decimus?’
“I do not see what good it will do.”
“Then you have nothing to lose by telling me what you know of the man.”
“You are stubborn.”
“Nay, I know what I must do to free not only myself but Michael.”
“How will you, a woman with no battle skills, free Michael?”
Mary shook her head. “I do not know. I only know I must try.”
Chapter 14
“Decimus approaches the village.”
Magnus, earl of Dunhurnal crossed his arms over his broad chest. “Make certain the villagers see our force of strength so that they feel protected. I want every warrior’s presence known.”
The warrior gave a quick nod and left to do his lord’s bidding.
“What does Decimus want with us?” Reena asked as she walked up to stand beside her husband on the keep’s steps. Her constant companion, Horace, a large hound, followed behind her.
“Go in the castle. Your presence is not needed here.”
She tilted her head to look up at the infamous Legend, a feared warrior whose exploits were well known throughout the Celtic lands. She sent him a smile to remind him that issuing orders did not work well with her. She would not run and hide while danger was about to descend on the village.
He shook his head. “I should know better.” Magnus took her chin between his fingers and rubbed at a smudge. “If you intend to make an impression, which you always do, it would be best not to make it with ink on your chin.”
Reena waited patiently while he rid her of the mark and felt her heart swell with love. That he was the infamous Legend did not matter to her, that he was a handsome man whose features could steal women’s hearts, that he was a strong and courageous warrior were all unimportant compared to the fact that he loved her, Reena, a simple mapmaker.
“I love you.”
He kissed her. “And I love you more than you know.”
She laughed. “I know how much you love me.” She lowered her voice. “You show me every night.”
He spoke in a whisper. “And if the devil were not at my gate, I would show you how much I love you right now.”
She took hold of his arm, her smile fading. “What could Decimus want with us?”
He pushed a lose strand of her long black hair behind her ear and met her inquisitive blue eyes. “We will find out soon. Remember Decimus is a powerful man. He has the power of the Church and the king behind him and even they fear him. Tread lightly in his presence and hold your tongue.”
She nodded. “I will do as you say.”
Thomas approached, a giant of a man in height and width, a good friend to Magnus and husband to Reena’s best friend, Brigid.
Villagers drifted up behind him, gathering in a crowd, seeking the strength and protection of their lord.
Thomas joined Magnus on the step below him. “They are frightened and there is gossip that even the Legend may not be able to protect them from Decimus. Do you know why he comes here?”
“I have a thought and it concerns me, no other.”
Reena was quick to object. “What concerns you concerns us all.”
“She is right,” Thomas agreed. “We stand together.”
“This might be one time we have no choice but to stand apart.”
Thomas and Reena had no chance to respond. The crowd had swelled to include nearly everyone in the village; her friend Brigid was sneaking up behind her husband and sending Reena a fearful look.
Reena understood her friend’s apprehension. It was a day such as this when a new lord rode into their village and killed Brigid’s first husband. The suffering was behind her now thanks to Thomas, but she imagined Brigid worried that sorrow would befall the village once again.
Whispers rushed like a sharp wind through the gathered crowd and turned to a sudden silence when Decimus and his men were spotted. They were in the distance, but fear that their words could reach his ears made everyone hold their tongues.
Horace growled, standing at full alert, and Reena ordered him to sit and be still. He sat, but a low growl continued deep in his throat.
Decimus approached on a fine black steed, the horse dressed in silk finery. A purple face mask and a gold blanket with two large purple crosses on either side were draped over the animal and pronounced the rider royalty of the Church.
Many villagers kneeled as the horse passed by them, not daring to gaze upon the man who rode him.
Decimus stopped in front of the steps of the keep, dismounted, and tossed his reins to a man that rushed to his side. He remained where he was, glancing around at the crowd. His dark eyes settled on the group waiting on the steps.
Reena found herself unable to take her eyes off him. If the devil had climbed out of hell, he would surely look like this man. Black hair the color of a starless night sky was drawn tightly back away from his face. His eyes were just as dark and could very well resemble the recesses of hell itself. His skin looked weathered by the sun yet his face held not a line or wrinkle and no expression marred his darkly disturbing features. And yet once your gaze rested on him, it was hard to pull away. It was said that Decimus could see your soul, and if it were not pure you would suffer his wrath.
He was tall and slimmer than Magnus and looked fit in form. He was dressed in fine silks and linens of black and purple and he wore two rings, one a blood-red garnet and the other a dazzling blue sapphire.
He turned a slow gaze on the surrounding crowd and they bowed their heads, with some falling to their knees, their hands clasped in prayer. He nodded, pleased by their supplication, then advanced up the steps with a confident gait.
Decimus stopped in front of Magnus, ignoring those around him.
“We have matters to discuss.”
“May I offer you food and drink first?” Magnus asked in an attempt to be civil to the devil.
“Have it served in your private solar; this matter is between you and I.”
Decimus bumped Magnus’s shoulder as he pushed past him and entered the keep.
Magnus looked to Thomas whose face grew red with anger over the insult to his lord. “You heard him. It is between him and me. Keep the warriors alert and make certain Decimus’s men are confined to one area.”
Reena caught her husband’s arm, preventing him from entering the keep. “Give him what he wants and send him on his way; he is evil.”
“I will.”
A servant directed Decimus to the solar, hastily left a platter of food on the table, then scurried out. Once outside the room, the young lass crossed herself and whispered a series of prayers as she hurried down the steps.
Magnus entered a few moments later, filled two goblets with wine, and handed one to Decimus. He then gestured for him to sit in one of the two chairs near the fireplace.
“This matter can be settled without difficulty or suffering; it is up to you.”
“I have done nothing that should bring me difficulty or cause me suffering,” Magnus said confidently.
“Are you certain of that?”
Magnus drank his wine, purposely delaying his reply to demonstrate to Decimus that he did not fear him. “Quite certain.”
“What of Mary?”