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Magnus was next. “There is an indentation beneath the snow near the large stone.”
Philip followed. “There seems to be a piling of sorts, leaves or sticks not far from the indentation.”
Again Reena nodded and looked to the men. “Someone has been here.”
“Only one person?” James asked.
“Aye,” she confirmed.
“How can you be sure?” Philip asked.
“One indentation in the snow, slim branches broken off trees to create a fire sufficient for only one person and small enough so as not to be seen.” She turned slightly. “And look in the distance from this hill.” She pointed. “Through the opening in the trees.”
All the men looked and stared with wide eyes at a perfectly clear view of the keep.
“Gather several men and return here and cut down the trees in this area so that there is no place for anyone to hide,” Magnus ordered.
Reena offered her assistance. “A few specific trees will open this area quite nicely.”
“Then you will direct the men,” Magnus said and took her hand. “Right now we return to the keep to gather more men.”
“He is only one man,” Reena said, as though there was no reason to fear.
The four men laughed, and it was James who spoke.
“Magnus is but one man, and I watched as he alone conquered fifteen men.”
“I have no doubt as to the ability of one man to conquer many, but knowledge and intelligent action can almost guarantee victory,” Reena said. “However, I do not think this man means anyone harm right now. He watches, but does he watch for himself or for someone else?”
“So he gathers information now,” Philip said.
“Aye,” Reena said, “but the question remains—”
Magnus finished for her. “Is it one of Kilkern’s men or someone else?”
Chapter 14
Winter set in strong and hard in the following weeks, mostly cold, harsh weather, with one snowstorm that dropped enough snow to linger for a week. A stinging coldness now filled the air, and the villagers remained in their cottages. The animals had been given shelter in a stone and thatched building that needed much repair, but for now it would keep them safe from the inclement weather.
The village folk were also aware that they were being watched, and in return they watched and reported any suspicious movement near the surrounding area. So far, no stranger was spotted, nor did any stranger approach the village for shelter.
Guards were posted along the battlements and surrounding the keep. All was in readiness if there should be an attack, and all felt safe with the Legend’s ability to protect them.
Reena and Magnus spent day after day together. She would go over an area of the keep with Magnus in the morning, and in the afternoon she would map, then in the evening they would go over the map she had worked on to see if it needed further detailing.
Conversation flowed easily between them, laughter was plentiful, and even silence between them was comforting. They worked well together, each almost knowing the other’s thought or action.
Magnus praised her mapping skills and her drawing talent. He commented on how pretty she looked in the new clothes he had ordered stitched for her, and which she had refused at first to accept. It was only after he had convinced her that the garments were not a gift, that he expected her to wear his colors, that she accepted them without objection.
She favored the deep green and brown underdress and tunics, the wool being soft and gentle against her skin. It was the dark blue underdress with the light blue tunic trimmed in gold that she favored the most, but it did not fit with his colors. Magnus had insisted the garment was for special occasions and she had no choice but to wear it. She’d had no special occasion to wear it yet, but she looked forward to such an event, so soft and beautiful were the garments.
Today she wore a brown underdress and green tunic. She tied her long black hair with a leather strip and gathered charcoal and paper to join Magnus in his solar. Their plan for today was to investigate a room off the tower room. When Magnus had first showed it to her, she’d wondered how he had ever found it. It looked as if it were part of the wall, a room built specially to hide someone or to hide secrets.
Magnus bade her enter when she knocked on his door. She caught her breath at the sight of him, and try as she might, she could not prevent herself from feeling a rush of joy in seeing him. She wondered, and worried, over her recurring enthusiasm with him. Her continuous efforts to bring Brigid and him together were proving fruitless, neither seeming interested, though they were friendly in manner when in each other’s company.
Looking at him now had her heart jumping, as it often did. He looked so handsome dressed in dark brown leggings and undershirt, topped by a soft leather tunic in a buttery color. He looked so very appealing.
She blushed at the thought and hurried toward him.
