Viking Warrior by Connie Mason Read Free Book Online

sips, then pushed the horn away, signaling that he had had enough. Thora glanced at Reyna. Reyna nodded, indicating that Olaf had consumed enough to dull his pain. Then Thora laid his head back on the pillow. A few minutes later, he closed his eyes and slept.
    “If you have things to do, I can sit with him,” Reyna offered.
    “Thank you, I should see to the preparation of food for the warriors that will help defend us against the raiders.”
    “Where are your daughters?” Reyna asked. “I did not see them in the hall.”
    “I sent the girls inland to my brother’s farmstead with young Eric for protection. The Finns have come for plunder and slaves.” She drew herself up to her full height. “No daughters of mine will become slaves.”
    Reyna’s voice was strangely calm despite the insensitivity of that statement. “My mother said the same, yet I was taken captive by your son and sold to a foreign master. Now I am Wulf’s slave.”
    Thora had the grace to flush. Her words held a hint of pity. “I am sorry, Reyna. It may not be fair, but it is the way of life in our harsh lands.”
    “Some of us are unluckier than others. If there isa change in Olaf’s condition, I will summon you.” Bitterness tinged Reyna’s words; she did not want Thora’s pity.
    Thora nodded and left the alcove. Reyna pulled a bench up to the bed and sat down to watch over the wounded lad. Olaf slept most of the day, moaning softly in his sleep. Toward evening, the fever she had been expecting arrived.
    Rummaging in the medicinal chest, Reyna found willow bark and left the alcove to brew an infusion to cool his fever. Thora saw her and sent her a worried look.
    “Has Olaf taken a turn for the worse?”
    “He is feverish. ’tis no more than I expected. Can you boil some willow bark tea? It should help bring down his fever.”
    “Of course, and I will send a thrall to fetch cold water. I have found that bathing feverish patients with cold water helps.” Thora searched Reyna’s face. “You look exhausted.” She led Reyna to one of the tables being set up in the hall. “Sit down—you need to eat and rest. I will boil the tea for Olaf and bathe him myself.”
    Reyna sank onto the bench. She was tired and worried. Though he might be her enemy, she didn’t want Olaf to die. He was young and ought to have a full life ahead of him.
    Thora placed a heaping plate of food before her. “Eat your fill; once the Finns arrive, there is no telling when we will eat again.”
    “Do you think they will prevail over the Norsemen?”
    “Our men are strong and prepared. Fear not, they will defeat the enemy.”
    Reyna’s stomach growled, and she dug into her food. She had been given a generous portion of roasted pork, cheese, vegetables, bread and freshly churned butter. While she ate, Wulf returned to the hall and strode over to join her. “How is my brother?”
    Reyna pushed her empty plate aside and glanced up at Wulf. “Feverish, but I expect him to recover.”
    “Why are you not with him?”
    “Your mother ordered me to eat and rest while she bathed Olaf with cold water and fed him willow bark tea to bring down his fever. Did you find the warriors you need?”
    “Many of our kinsmen, kraalls and warriors from neighboring farmsteads have begun to arrive, armed and ready to defend our shores. Surprise is on our side. The raiders have no idea we have been warned, or that we plan to set up two lines of defense to protect our farmstead.”
    “What happens now?”
    “After I look in on my brother, I intend to see to my weapons and then get some rest.”
    “Shall I return to your hall to night?”
    “No, remain here with Olaf. He might have need of you.”
    “Am I allowed a weapon to defend myself?”
    “We defend our own,” Wulf growled. “A weapon will be of little use to you.” So saying, he strode into Olaf’s sleeping alcove.

    Reyna spent a restless night rolled up in a wolf pelt beside Olaf’s bed. Except for those on guard