The Mercenary's Claim Read Free Page B

wouldn’t notice the need for it even if it were upon him.”
    Kirsten paled and her eyes grew wide. “And you and Vatti would… and all our people would… oh, Mutti, what can we do?”
    “We can pray. Then we’ll get the bandages and herbs ready to care for the wounded. And make sure you remember how to open the trap door to the secret tunnel. It won’t come to that, but it doesn’t hurt to be ready for anything. Then make sure your knife is sharp and you’ve plenty of arrows for your bow.”
    Kirsten found herself praying for the success of the man who had just forced her parents to give her away as a prize.

Chapter Two
     
     
    Kirsten gazed nervously around the great hall but only when she thought no one was looking. The hastily decorated room glowed with as much warmth and color as her mother had been able to manage on short notice. Where usually other people of noble birth and wealthy commoners lined the tables, this night the hall was filled with rough looking men drinking ale and feasting on victuals Kirsten was sure they had to have brought themselves. There had not been half this amount of food left in the whole town before today’s battle. Now the siege was broken and for the first time in a long time, smiles and raucous laughter were the order of the day.
    “Where is Gustav now?” Lady Helena asked her. She didn’t have to keep her voice down to ensure they were not overheard, so she merely leaned in a little to get Kirsten’s attention. “I’ve lost sight of him again.”
    “He’s over there by the lord falconer and his lady. Those soldiers are going to frighten Seychat, petting her that way. Don’t they know she’s not a cat? She’s a noble bird.”
    “I knew you’d be able to find him. You haven’t taken your eyes of him since he opened the gates in triumph.”
    “When there’s a snake in the room, it’s best to know exactly where he is, don’t you think?”
    “That snake saved all our lives. And see, he’s leading them away from the falcon, with a smile and a jest, obviously.”
    Someone clanged his knife hilt on a shield and others took up the rhythm until Gustav approached Lord Ludolf and they both gave a mighty shout then raised a goblet to drink, exciting uproarious cheers from the crowd.
    “Where did that custom come from?” Kirsten demanded. “I’ve never seen men do that before.”
    “We’ve never celebrated the end of a siege before either. It’s just what men do. They sing songs and make up games as they drink. It gives them joy and eases the pain of battle.”
    “These men aren’t wounded.”
    “They’ve lost friends and comrades today. Of that, you can be sure. And killing takes its toll, no matter what men may say about battle being glorious. It’s good to feel alive after seeing so much… Well, anyway, it’s a custom I suppose Gustav and his men brought with them. Seems like Sir Steffan and Father Paulus understand it well enough.”
    “Wherever he goes, the din gets louder and the shoving starts anew. There’s more ale on the floor than there is in their bellies. Filthy louts, all of them.” She turned her head away in disgust.
    “Kirsten, you’re talking about the men who saved our realm from disaster. Please remember that.”
    “But who’s going to save me from disaster?” Kirsten whined.
    “What disaster is that, little one?” A jovial voice boomed behind them.
    “How did you get there?” Kirsten asked petulantly. “I thought you were talking to my father.”
    Gustav’s smile suddenly developed an edge of frost about it. “I was. Now I’m here. What disaster do you need saving from?”
    At the same moment, both mother and daughter spoke. “The lack of a dance partner,” Lady Helena declared with an attempt at a merry chuckle.
    “Wouldn’t you say that being given away in marriage to a complete stranger is a disaster?” Kirsten hissed. She turned a bitter scowl on Gustav but was stabbed with doubt a moment later. She knew her duty