Page 32 of The Red Wolf’s Prize

Serena woke in a cold sweat with an image in her mind of theRed Wolf’s deep gray eyes staring intently at her as if he knew the truth ofwho she really was. It was her greatest fear.

Rising from her pallet where she slept among the servants,she donned her tunic and shawl and slipped outside into the dull light of anearly morning without sun. Above her, dark threatening clouds covered the skylike a heavy blanket. It would rain this day. Gathering her shawl tightlyaround her against the chill, she walked to the river’s edge and stood lookingdown at the smooth rocks scattered on the small shore, content to be alone withher thoughts. Often she had come here to think. After Hastings, sometimes shecame to shed tears away from the eyes of others.

The honking of a flock of geese above her drew her attentionas they winged their way north toward Scotland where Steinar was. Where sheshould be even now.

Returning her gaze to the river, she stared at the waterflowing with nary a sound. The wide rippling thread reflected the color of thesky, only a deeper shade of gray—the color of the eyes in her dream, just asdeep and just as mysterious.

The eyes of the Red Wolf.

His coming had changed everything. For a moment, she wasoverwhelmed with a deep regret that brought tears to her eyes, a few escapingdown her cheeks. She brushed them away as thoughts of her father and Steinarfilled her mind. They had been her strength, her protection, but they hadabandoned her, leaving her alone and vulnerable. They had not meant to leaveher but still they were gone.

No sound warned of his approach, but the uneasy feeling ofbeing watched made Serena turn in nervous anticipation to see Maugris silentlywalking toward her.

“Oh, ’tis you.” She let out the breath she’d been holding asher heart slowly returned to its normal cadence. The wise one did not threatenher.

“Yea, only Maugris,” he said with a warm smile as he joinedher to stand by the river.

She snuck a glance at him. He was looking straight ahead.“They say you are his wizard.”

“I am no wizard for I worship the Master of the Heavens thesame as you.”

“What are you to the Norman lord, then?” She had wonderedmany times about the nature of their relationship.

“Merely his advisor and I think a friend.”

“He is fortunate to have you, sir, for I perceive you arewise and surely a man such as the Red Wolf would need your wisdom.”

“You, too, were helpful to him yesterday in the village. Doyou always have such care for the villeins that you would step in the path of awolf?”

“I suppose I do.”

“And do the people always defer to you?”

She hesitated, fearing the question. “As a handmaiden totheir lady—”

“It is possible a handmaiden could rise to that level,” heinterrupted, “but it is not common. You were not merely passing messagesyesterday, but speaking as one whose words are heeded in her own right.”

Serena was uneasy at the turn of their conversation. Whatwas he suggesting?

His pale blue eyes suddenly bore into hers with new fervor.“Your defense of the woman who was nearly violated by Sir Hugue was the actionof one who assumes responsibility for the maidens of Talisand. A servant mighthave run away, glad to have been the one spared, but from what I heard, youwould have killed the knight had not Sir Geoffroi stopped you.”

“In the absence of Lady Serena, surely I must defend thewomen.”

“Indeed, my lady, I well understand.”

She inhaled sharply at his words. “Why do you call me ‘lady’good sir?”

“I call you ‘lady’ for that is what you are…Lady Serena.”

She gasped at his revelation of her true identity, andquickly looked around to see if anyone had heard. She was relieved to see theystood alone on the river bank. Lowering her voice to a whisper, she asked, “Howdo you know this?”

“I have the gift of visions and of the sight and discernmany things others do not. The first time I saw you, I doubted you were aservant.”

“Was it my temper? I have worried it might draw attention tome. Servants are meek and compliant.”

He smiled. “Nay, not all servants are compliant.”

“What then?” Serena had to know what had given her away forshe would change it.