Anna Markland - Viking Roots Medieval Romance Saga 01 by The Rover Bold Read Free Book Online Page A

when Bryk and his men emerged from the forest. He had instructed his band to yell with gusto and brandish their weapons menacingly, but only those who posed a genuine threat were to be rendered harmless or killed.
    By the time the sun was up, they had ten monks lined up with their backs to the abbey wall, a score of villagers and workmen roped together, and two nuns tending to the handful of wounded. One of the nuns was the girl of the tryst. The other was ancient.
    As his men corralled the last of the horses, he strode over to the monks. To his surprise the old nun followed him. She beamed a big smile, took hold of his hand and addressed him in his language. “I am Sister Ekaterina. In the name of God, and our beloved Saint Catherine of Alexandria, we welcome you, Viking.” She pointed to the axe in his other hand. “You could have killed us all, but you chose not to.”
    His astonishment grew when she spoke to the man he recognized as the Abbot, pointing and gesturing, evidently repeating what she had said to him. The elderly monk seemed to have difficulty understanding her, but she persevered and he eventually made a sign over Bryk with his hand. It was one Christians made as a blessing and he returned the captive’s nod.
    The monk who had attacked Cath-ryn stepped forward, his face a mask of hatred. “What have you done with the nun, barbarian?”
    Ekaterina scowled at the monk as she translated.
    Bryk grabbed the front of the man’s robes with his free hand and dragged him to his knees. “She is safe, no thanks to you.” He looked to the Abbot. “This man called Spreeg attacked Cath-ryn.”
    Disbelief spread on the Abbot’s face as Ekaterina explained.
    Sprig scrambled to his feet. “You believe the lies of a barbarian? I am a monk. I have dedicated my life to God. He has stolen Cathryn away.”
    “But he knows your name, my son, how can that be?” the Abbot asked, his voice gentle.
    Sweat broke out on Spreeg’s forehead. “He must have tortured her. Perhaps she called out for my help.”
    Bryk had an urge to lop off the man’s head and be done with the matter, but he remembered Cath-ryn staying his hand. He didn’t see her approach from the trees, but there was no mistaking the joy on Ekaterina’s face as she waddled past him.
    “ Da! My child,” she gushed.
    He turned to see her fold Cath-ryn in a warm embrace. She kissed Ekaterina’s forehead then faced Spreeg. “The Viking speaks true, my lord Abbot. I believe Brother Sprig would have violated me if the Viking hadn’t come to my rescue.”
    It irritated Bryk that Cath-ryn didn’t call him by name. “My name is Bryk Gardbruker,” he told the Abbot. “Cath-ryn knows this and I speak the truth.”
    When the elderly nun repeated what he’d said it prompted an exchange of rapid glances between her and the Abbot.
    Cath-ryn blushed and s eemed reluctant to look at him.
    He’d evidently said something to embarrass her.
    Ekatarina grinned like a child as if she were privy to the world’s biggest secret. “ Da !” she exclaimed.

THE LIBRARY
    Two days later Cathryn strained without success to catch a glimpse of the river through the narrow window slit in the library, surely designed to make sure monks weren’t distracted by anything going on outside.
    One of Bryk’s men stationed downriver had sighted longboats approaching. He had immediately ordered the women into the library, and consigned the monks to their cells. The workmen were sent back to the village and instructed to remain there.
    His apprehension at the arrival of the man he called his chieftain was evident. Would the Viking leader show the same restraint or would they be massacred?
    Cathryn marveled how in two days Bryk had taken full control of Jumièges with a handful of men. Only two villagers had been killed during the raid, for which the local inhabitants were grateful. Everyone was aware of the atrocities perpetrated when the Vikings had last come to Jumièges. More than one