Lord of Falcon Ridge by Catherine Coulter Read Free Book Online

You say your land is savage? Youswear my sword won’t hang lifeless by my side?”
    â€œMore savage than you can imagine. But don’t forget, I was but five years old.”
    â€œI will go with you as well,” Laren said. “Merrik is right. It’s time for an adventure.”
    Merrik opened his mouth, then wisely closed it.
    Cleve said slowly, “I was born Ronin but I’ve been Cleve for twenty years. Cleve I will remain.”

4

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    Rouen, Normandy
    Palace of Duke Rollo
    Midsummer A . D . 924
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    D UKE R OLLO OF Normandy, a man of many more years than were allotted to most men, sharp of eye and strong of will, and ready for any adventure, leaned forward, and said, “Cleve, Laren has told me of your beginnings. I, too, wish to see that you regain what is yours, that you find your family, though it has been nearly twenty years, a long time. People die. Few are like me and my brother, Hallad. Ha, that Hallad. I am convinced that he will sire another child even as he is being laid out for burial.”
    â€œThis is true, sire,” Cleve said. Laren’s father, Hallad, had sired another three sons off his young wife he’d wedded five years before. He was still as hail and hardy as Rollo. It sometimes terrified Cleve. It reminded him of King Sitric of Ireland, a young man who was older than death, if judged by years. Had Rollo and Hallad been touched by the same magic?
    â€œBut surely you would rather speak of the marriage between William and Chessa, daughter of King Sitric.”
    â€œOh, aye. It is time and William knows it. He doesn’treally want this marriage, but he will do it. He misses his wife, you know.”
    â€œHe must breed more sons,” Cleve said.
    â€œHe understands what he must do. You told him that the princess was comely.”
    â€œAye, she’s comely.”
    â€œIs she submissive?”
    â€œThere is a brightness about her.”
    â€œDoes that mean submissive?”
    â€œNot exactly, sire, but surely William won’t know disappointment in her. But you didn’t ask me these questions before. The marriage is arranged. Merrik, Laren, and I will remain here until the princess arrives for her marriage. William has asked that we wait.”
    â€œAye, I know it. Merrik will spend all his time with Taby, Laren will tell me skald’s tales, and you, Cleve? What will you do?”
    â€œI will bask in the brightness of your court, sire.”
    â€œAh, well, don’t tell me then, what you will really do. Ha, I’ll wager she’s a comely young girl. That’s it, isn’t it?”
    It was the truth, but Cleve merely smiled, a sated smile. Her name was Marda, she was buxom and merry, and she pleased him mightily.
    â€œThen you, Merrik, and Laren will travel up the eastern coast of the Danelaw to Scotland. Will you take Kiri with you and that damned cur of hers? Do you need more warriors?”
    Cleve nodded. “Kiri and Irek, aye, they’ll come. It will be our home. We don’t have need of more warriors. We will have two warships and forty men. It seems that all Merrik’s men grew bored and testy. All want to trade, mayhap fight and plunder and enjoy new women if they can.”
    â€œAye, it is a man’s way. Merrik’s warriors are amongst the best. Still, I should like to send some of my own warriors with you. Just a few, Cleve. My captain is Bjarni, a man who is loyal to me and stronger than the oak tree from which Ihang scoundrels.” Rollo sat back in his huge throne and rubbed his shaven chin. “I do not like Laren going. She is a woman. She could be harmed. Taby would not like it.”
    â€œShe survived for two years as a slave, sire. She is able to see to herself.”
    â€œShe is a woman. Women haven’t the strength of men.”
    â€œShe is nearly as skilled as I with a knife. ’Tis true Merrik’s sword drags her arm to the ground, but a knife will