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Magnus’s deep brown eyes peered at her through the slits of his helmet. “He has been riding in the wagon since our departure, too lazy to walk, and now he wants to join you on your horse.”
Horace seemed to understand and jumped up near Reena as if insisting she reach down and lift him up.
“He is welcome to ride along with me.”
Horace barked and continued looking to Reena, completely ignoring Magnus.
Magnus dismounted and leaned down to scoop the pup up, but Horace, upon seeing the large dark figure approach him, scurried like a frightened rabbit beneath Reena’s horse and whimpered.
“He is threatened by you,” Reena said sympathetically, understanding the small pup’s reaction.
Magnus grumbled for a moment, then ordered the pup out from under the horse. Horace whimpered louder.
“I will get him,” Reena offered.
“You will not.” Magnus was curt. “He will obey me.”
Reena defended the pup. “But he is terrified of you.”
“He must learn.” Once again he ordered the pup from beneath the horse.
Horace started to shiver.
Reena did not hesitate as she slipped off the horse, scooped up the petrified Horace, and looked to Magnus. “Fear teaches fear. Strength teaches strength.”
Magnus felt as if he had just been reprimanded and taught a lesson. He reached out to hoist Reena back onto her horse, and Horace hurried to bury his face in the crook of Reena’s arm. He shook his head and placed a heavy hand on her leg. “I need no reminding of how to handle my dog.”
She would have argued otherwise but thought better of disagreeing. She was in his service now, and that required obedience. Besides, the pup was safe and comfortable in her arms.
“I am sorry if I offended.”
Her apology seemed to irritate him even more, and he marched off without a word, leaving a decisive chill in his wake.
Reena hugged the pup to her. “Do not worry, Horace. Brigid will calm the Legend.”
Horace whimpered and snuggled closer to Reena, tucking himself soundly in her arms.
“Brigid will be good for him,” she whispered so only she could hear.
Why, then, did the thought upset her?
Chapter 7
Reena sat by the campfire, perplexed. They were not that far from their destination, yet Magnus had ordered them to camp for the night. She had hoped they would continue and arrive near nightfall, but not so.
She huddled in the comfort of the brown wool cloak, grateful for its warmth, for the night had chilled considerably. Frost would soon be thick and heavy on the branches, and winter was not far behind. And a sorrowful winter it would have been if she had not enlisted the Legend’s help.
She knew even at this moment that while she sat warm, her stomach full, many in her village huddled before a dying hearth, their stomachs aching for a scrap of food.
A good reason why they should have continued on and not camped for the night when they were so close. Her village could have had food tonight and eased the torment they had suffered.
Thomas joined her, draping a wool blanket around her, adding more warmth and much more guilt. It hung heavy on her shoulders.
“Why do we stop? Why not go on? The village is so close.” She heard her own annoyance.
Thomas simply shrugged as he stretched out on the opposite side of the fire from her. “I do not question his decisions. They have always proven to be wise.”
“My people are hungry.” Her annoyance was replaced by a sense of defeat. What if she failed one person by being so close and not arriving on time? Losing one was as bad as losing ten, for they were all connected—they all cared for each other, thus one survival meant everyone’s survival.
