Reena understood his distress. “He threatened my safety, did he not?”
“You are too perceptive for your own good.”
“It is simple logic. Who else would he threaten that would stir you to such anger or force you to consider complying.”
He moved his hand to cup her face. “I will let no harm come to you.”
“I never doubted you would. But what of Mary? She cannot be condemned to suffer such a hideous fate.”
“I agree, though at the moment I have no idea of how to prevent it. And I have no idea of Mary’s whereabouts. The last message I received from the Dark One was that Mary was safe and in his care. I have no way of contacting him.”
Reena attempted to ease his concern. “The Dark One seems to know when he is needed. I am sure he will contact you soon.”
“I pray your words are true, for at the moment I can see no alternative to this problem.”
“We will find a solution together. There must be something we can do.”
“I would like to think there are possibilities,” Magnus said, his fingers interlocking with hers. “But it seems rather simple. I surrender Mary or you suffer, and when he is done with you he will continue his sadistic tactics on others. I cannot allow that; I protect what is mine. My people expect no less of me, and I expect no less of me.”
“And how will you deal with your honor, for I know it weighs heavy on your mind,” Reena said. “You gave your word to her parents that you would keep Mary safe and you are a man of your word.”
“I do not know.”
A knock on the door interrupted them and Magnus bid the intruder to enter.
It was Thomas, his wife Brigid clinging tightly to his arm.
“Decimus has ordered his men to make camp at the edge of the village, and he has made certain to let all know that he will be here for a week or more,” Thomas informed him.
“Everyone is frightened,” Brigid said with a shiver. “They fear his wrath and punishment.”
“Have you ordered all to stay clear of him and his men?” Magnus asked.
“Aye,” Thomas said, “though I do not think it was necessary. There is not a soul who would dare go near him or even dare look his way.”
“We need to talk, Thomas,” Magnus said and glanced at his wife.
Reena stood, kissed his cheek, and walked to Brigid. “Come, we will see what needs attention.”
“Evil cannot be trusted,” Brigid said.
“I agree,” Magnus said. “But rest assured that you have nothing to fear from Decimus.”
Usually warriors filled the great hall for the evening meals but not this night. This night saw only a handful of the Legend’s men gathering for the meal. All others stood guard over the village, their presence a show of force to Decimus’s men and a show of strength to the villagers.
Decimus’s men, of which there were few, ate hearty and thought little of strength and force. It was obvious they knew that their leader held more strength than all of Magnus’s warriors. They were under Decimus’s protection, and Decimus was protected by the king and the Church. There were no others more powerful.
“Tomorrow I wish to inspect your dungeons,” Decimus said, reaching for his goblet of wine. “In case I have use for them.”
Magnus knew he baited him, but he would not be hooked. “Do as you will, though my dungeons are not in use.”
Decimus turned dark glaring eyes on Magnus. “I heard a different tale. I heard that you took the earl of Culberry’s life in your dungeon.” He looked past Magnus to Reena. “Culberry tortured you did he not?”
Reena sat straight and placed a hand over her husband’s arm. “He tried but my husband rescued me.”
“Really? I heard it was the dog who rescued you.” Decimus threw Horace a scrap of meat.
Horace remained sitting beside Reena. He made no move to take the meat.
“A wise and obedient animal. I may have use for him.”
“Horace is mine and will remain so,” Reena said in a tone that had everyone at the table staring at her.
Decimus leaned his arms on the table and kept his dark eyes on her. “Foolish or brave; I cannot decide which one you are.”
“I have been known to be both.”
Decimus laughed and tension eased. “You speak with honesty.”
“To a fault at times, so I have been told,” Reena said.
“There is no fault in honesty.” Decimus turned to Magnus. “Your husband can learn a lesson from you.”
Reena was quick to defend. “My husband is a good, honest man.”
“Not when he harbors a heretic.”
Reena’s skin prickled from the seething anger that filled Decimus’s voice.
Magnus spoke up. “You have judged and condemned this woman without speaking with her.”
“She was raised by heretics, what would you expect?”
“Fairness.”
“Which I will offer her,” Decimus said.
“Marriage is fairness?”
“I give her a chance to renounce her evil ways and live a good, clean, holy life. She has the opportunity to marry a man who will deliver her from sin and lead her on a righteous path.” Decimus pounded the table with his fist. “You would be wise to pay heed to my words or I may think that you need a lesson in righteousness.”
Magnus gripped the arm of his chair and held his tongue. He could not defend his own opinions without causing a threat to the safety of those he loved.
Decimus calmed though his warning remained strong. “It would do you well to think on how my generosity would benefit Mary.”
“I will not see Mary harmed,” Magnus affirmed.
“Good, then we want the same,” Decimus said. “She will have a good life with me. I will teach her obedience and she will be a dutiful wife and serve me well.”
Decimus stood abruptly and his men followed suit.
“I will meet you at sunrise to inspect your dungeons.”
Without a word of gratitude for the meal or a kind good-night, Decimus pointed at his men. They turned and left the great hall, while he himself climbed the stairs to the bedchamber prepared for him.
“They obey like dogs to a master,” Thomas said.
“Like dogs fearful of their master,” Reena corrected, scratching Horace behind the ear.
“Decimus wields hefty power,” Magnus reminded them. “There is good reason to fear him.”
“It seems, then, that this woman has no chance of help,” Brigid said, sadly. “Decimus has sealed her fate.”
The two couples bid each other good night, Thomas and Brigid returning to their cottage and Magnus and Reena retiring to their bedchamber.
Reena sat on the edge of the bed. “I feel helpless just like I did when I thought there was no hope for my starving village.”
Magnus sat beside her, taking her hand in his. “But you found a solution.”
She smiled and rested her head on his shoulder. “I found you.”
He kissed her hand. “And glad I am that you did.”
Reena lifted her head to look at her husband; her blue eyes filled with sadness. “Mary has no chance of a rescue, does she?”
“Her rescue would mean the lives of many.”