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Reena shivered and hugged herself. “That is another problem. I know Magnus well, but the Legend remains a mystery to me. I know they are one, and yet they appear to be two different men. While I feel comfortable with Magnus, I cannot help but feel a sense of unease, perhaps even a twinge of fear, when the Legend steps forth.”
“And who do you go with on this mapping quest?”
“Magnus.”
“Are you certain?” Brigid asked, her glance going past Reena, and her eyes rounding as she looked in the distance.
“The Legend waits for me?” Reena barely whispered.
“Aye, that he does in all his glory.” Brigid shivered. “I can understand your apprehension. His clothes are as black as the night, as is his helmet. I can understand how his enemies would think him a vengeful demon.” She lowered her voice to a hushed whisper. “I think it is time you get to know the Legend. Only then will you truly come to know Magnus.”
Reena nodded her head slowly, not certain if she actually agreed with her friend, but having no other recourse. Of course Horace peeking from behind Brigid and whining at what he saw did not help the situation.
“He waits,” Brigid said and gave Reena a slight push.
Reena caught sight of Thomas’s head near the peak of the roof and cast a glance his way. “He waits also.”
The two women hugged and reluctantly parted, neither ready to deal with men and love.
Reena hurried her steps, her legs trembling after catching sight of the Legend. His appearance certainly intimidated. He looked larger, broader, stron-ger and much more unforgiving. He seemed opposite of Magnus, and yet they were one.
He spoke not a word to her when she walked up to him; he simply grabbed her around the waist, lifted her up on her horse, handed her the reins, then mounted his own black steed. With his hand firm on his reins, he gave the signal to depart.
Two men led and two men followed.
Villagers waved farewells, children trailed along the side smiling and waving exuberantly, dogs chased at their feet, and laughter drifted in the crisp spring air. Reena then noticed the double guards at the barbican and that the portcullis remained descended a quarter of the way, reminding her that the keep was on alert, ready and waiting.
“You do not worry that Kilkern may cause us harm?” she asked.
The Legend kept his glance straight ahead. “We remain on my land and he knows better than to attack a lord on his own soil. He would have much to explain to the king. Besides, there are more of my men about than you know. Our protection is not in question.”
His imposing tone and arrogant confidence sent a shiver racing through her. Who was this man she rode beside? He sounded nothing like the Magnus she knew who treated his tenants fairly and was patient with a cowardly but loveable pup.
He was the Legend.
The man she had learned about listening to tales when she was young. The tale of the Legend had been the one that had caused her to huddle beneath the blanket in fright. She had promised her young self that she would keep her distance from the Legend, and here she was riding next to him and falling in love with him.
But what did she really know of the Legend?
His infamous exploits had earned him his name, but how had it all begun? He had not set out to become the Legend. Had life circumstances forced the roll upon him?
She suddenly became quite curious. “How did you become a warrior?”
He kept his eyes on the road ahead of him and answered, “Out of necessity.”
She waited for further explanation. When none was forthcoming, she continued her query. “What necessity?”
“Survival.”
His short answers gave the impression that he did not wish to discuss the topic, but Reena was persistent. “For yourself or others.” She purposely did not mention his mother, but she felt that perhaps the woman had helped determine her son’s fate.
He turned to look at her, and she swallowed the nervous lump that rose in her throat. His dark eyes glared, and his helmet concealed, and his lips, which she often thought tasted like warm honey when he kissed her senseless, were set tight.
She had asked a question that appeared not to please him, and she thought perhaps he would not answer her.
After several silent moments he spoke. “Are you certain you wish this discussion now?”
He had warned her about learning about the Legend. Was she ready? Or did she really have a choice? Was it not time she knew all about the man she felt she loved?
