One Snowy Knight Read Free Page B

this man onto the horse’s back. As well, waiting until they were missed and her people came searching for them was not a choice. Aid had to be summoned from the fortress. The warrior’s life and theirs hung in the balance.
    “If wishes were wings we could fly back to the dun, ” she muttered under her breath.
    Rising to her feet, she tried to decide what the best course of action was. She could not abandon the man here alone, defenseless, while she went to fetch help, not with dark closing in. Nor could she leave the children with him. Grabbing Andrew by the waist, she swung him up behind his sister in the saddle.
    “Andrew, you must ride for help. Do not run the horse. I know you love to do that. You must be careful he does not slip in the snow. Hie you to Craigendan and tell them to fetch a cart…and furs…any warming stones if they are ready. Tell Cook to heat water for baths and prepare hot broth for us all.” She handed him the reins.
    “Aye, Mama. I will be careful,” he promised solemnly, assuming the responsibilities of a man upon his small shoulders.
    “Our lives depend upon you, Andrew, my brave lad.” She moved to the horse’s head and rubbed his forelock. “My noble steed, carry my children safely to Craigendan…. Save us all and I shall see you get apples through the winter.”
    Closing her eyes tightly against the tears, she hugged the horse, and then said a silent prayer to the Auld Ones to keep her bairns safe. Hoping she was doing the right thing, she gave the horse a light slap on his haunch and set him in motion. With her heart pounding, she watched until the pale stallion disappeared in the blinding blizzard.
    Turning back to the man on the ground, she once again had to wipe the gathering flakes from his face. She attempted to tug him to a sitting position, thinking she could wrap her mantle around them both and lend him what little body heat she still had. When she went to lift him, she realized he still had his broadsword lashed crosswise over his back. Finding the strap’s buckle on the center of his chest, she released it.
    Then froze as the howl came.
    It was close by. The man groaned as she urgently rolled his dead weight, enough to drag the sword out from under him, and then dropped the leather sheath as she freed the blade. Holding the sword in her right hand, she used her left to release the clasp of her mantle. She would need her arms free to swing the sword. Keeping her eyes fixed upon the trees, she dragged her woolen cape over the man’s unmoving body.
    The deep growl sent a chill to her marrow as the threat of the snowstorm had failed to do. Low tree limbs rustled and then parted as the set of glowing yellow eyes peeked through the wintry foliage.
    Swallowing hard, Skena brought the sword up, preparing to swing, and praying she had strength enough to wield the mighty sword true.

Chapter Two
    Skena stood trembling, from the cold, aye, but more so from dread. With the specter of famine looming across the land, she feared wolves would soon be a threat they’d face. Foolishly, she had hoped the menace would not come this early in the season. Swallowing to moisten the dryness in her mouth, she watched the feral eyes narrow on her, judging how much a threat she presented holding the sword. Plainly, she posed nary a concern to the creature. Shoulders lowered, teeth bared, he edged forward, a low growl of intent rising deep in his throat. The animal scented her fear. Her weakness only emboldened him.
    Keeping her attention on the black wolf, Skena quickly scanned to see if there were others coming up behind him or circling around. Where you found one, usually there lurked a pack. Her luck holding, thus far no other pairs of bright eyes appeared; no dark forms skulked through the unmoving undergrowth around the dense pine trees.
    “Oh, please let him be a lone wolf,” she offered her wish to the Auld Ones, before whispering dark words to weave the charm of protection, drawing upon