Legendary Warrior Read Free

Reena possessed a natural ability to draw and had an acute eye for detail and memory. She’d remembered much of what she had seen on her travels and had recorded all she could.
    Her father and her travels had come to an abrupt halt when Peter Kilkern had arrived. There had been no time for anything but work, and when her father had suffered his broken leg, they’d both known that he would never again map any lands, far or near.
    Patrick attempted to encourage his daughter to continue her mapmaking skills. He would whisper at night when her mother was asleep that she should go and travel and not return home.
    She understood that he wanted her safe and happy, but she could be neither if she left her family and friends behind to suffer, especially when she had it in her power to help them.
    “How do you know this map is accurate?” Brigid asked. “You have never been there.”
    “But I have,” she said with a sad smile. “My father’s tales have taken me there so often that I know the way without even glancing at the map.”
    “Then you also recall that anyone that trespasses on his land suffers a terrible fate.”
    Reena rolled up the map. “I will not be trespassing.” She shoved the valuable parchment in the sack.
    “What will you be doing if not trespassing?”
    “I will be offering my skills as a mapmaker in exchange for protection of our village.”
    Brigid shook her head. “What would he want with a mapmaker?”
    “I have charted many areas with my father. When he sees my work, I am sure he will see how it could benefit him.”
    “In exchange for protection? He will lead his army here in exchange for your mapmaking skills?” Brigid disagreed most vehemently. “I do not think so. He will want more than that.”
    “I will negotiate with him.”
    Brigid attempted to make her friend see reason. “Do you not remember your father’s tale? There is no negotiating with him. The man demands and no one dares defy him.”
    “I do not intend to defy him. I will provide a good exchange for his services.”
    “Mapmaking.”
    Reena stuck her chin out. “Whatever it takes.”
    Brigid’s mouth dropped open. “You cannot mean to offer yourself to him?”
    Reena laughed softly. “Do you really think he would want the likes of me?” She held her arms out from her sides and turned slowly. “My body is so thin that I fear a gust of wind will pick me up and carry me away.”
    “You are a stubborn one, you would demand the wind release you,” Brigid said on a gentle laugh. “And you underestimate your beauty.”
    “I do not think so and I do not care about beauty. I care that the villagers starve and that you are in danger. Something must be done.”
    “Your strength and courage always amazed me. If it had not been for your strong support, I would never have survived John’s death. And even now it takes strength to go do what you plan. If your father or mother knew of your intentions, they would never allow you to go.”
    Reena reached out and grabbed her friend’s arm. “You will not tell them. My father believes that I go off to map, and he hopes—” She could not continue.
    “He hopes you find a new home,” Brigid said. “Your father and I talk, and you would be wise to listen to him—there is nothing here.”
    “There is everything here; there is family and friends, and I cannot turn my back on them. We need help, all of us, and we need it before winter sets in. You know as well as I do that there is not a sufficient food supply for everyone. Many will starve, many innocent children. I cannot have that.”
    Reena slipped on a wool jacket and tucked her hair beneath a cap. “You must promise me that you will tell no one of this.”
    “And if you do not return with help?”
    “I will,” Reena said adamantly.
    “How long should I wait before I begin to worry over your safe return? Though you have not yet left I worry already, dressed like a young lad.” Brigid shook her head.
    “A young lad