As Sure as the Dawn(176)

Freyja returned later. “Rolf said to bring her to his grubenhaus.” Rizpah nodded, continuing to brush the girl’s waist-length red hair and then braiding it loosely.

Atretes came banging in through the back. He slammed the gate between the animal shelter and the family’s living quarters. Ignoring the girl, he glowered at his wife. “What did you think you were doing?”

“I don’t like watching someone in bondage misused.” She had had all morning and part of the afternoon to wonder what purpose she had served. The poor girl’s situation wouldn’t change, and she might have worsened it by angering Rolf. Would he take it out on the girl once he had her in his possession again?

Seeing his wife’s distress, and remembering his own captivity, the anger went out of Atretes. He stood thinking for a long moment, and then took his dagger from his belt and offered it to the girl. “For Rolf.”

Freyja’s hand fluttered to her breast, her throat aching with tears. She had never seen her son perform an act of kindness. It was clear Rizpah didn’t understand the significance of what he had done, but the girl did. She took the dagger and clutched it to her breast, weeping again.

Atretes put his hand on Rizpah’s shoulder and squeezed gently as he stood up. “Take her to him before there’s trouble.”

Rizpah did as he commanded. When she left with the girl, Atretes headed back through the longhouse. He took two oxen and a horse from the stalls. “Tell Varus I’ll settle with him later,” he said and went out the back way.

Villagers came out of their houses to watch Rizpah walk down the street with the Hermunduri captive. Washed, hair braided, and attired in a fresh linen tunic, the girl was lovely to behold, but it was Rizpah who held their attention.

Rolf was waiting outside his grubenhaus. He looked fierce, but as she came close, Rizpah saw he was more captive than the trembling girl beside her.

“Her name is Helana,” she told him, the girl hugging her side, her head down. “Her father was killed eleven years ago, fighting alongside the Chatti against Rome. Her mother died of fever this past winter.” She wondered if Rolf heard a word she said. He had eyes only for Helana. Rizpah was at a loss as to what more she could do. Clearly, she would be unable to talk the young warrior out of having the girl. But she need not have worried.

Helana let go of her hand and stepped forward shyly. Her gaze flickered to Rolf and color mounted in her cheeks. Trembling, she lifted the dagger in both palms.

A pained expression came into Rolf’s face as he looked at the dagger Helana offered him. He seemed suddenly agitated and unsure of himself. Glaring at Rizpah, he made no move to accept the weapon.

Rizpah didn’t understand anything other than he was ashamed and embarrassed.

“Rolf!” Atretes called as he came toward him from the woods behind the grubenhaus. He slid from the back of a mare and presented the younger man with the reins. “The two oxen are grazing back in the woods.”

Looking confused, but vastly relieved, Rolf accepted the proffered gift. Turning to Helana, he seized the dagger and looped the reins quickly over her hands.

Watching Rolf, Atretes was reminded of himself long ago. Rizpah didn’t know what was going on and looked up at him in confusion. He winked at her and smiled.

Helana stepped up to the mare and began stroking the animal’s neck in unhurried fashion. Rizpah wondered if the girl was considering mounting the mare and riding away as fast as she could. Apparently, the idea had occurred to Rolf as well, for he moved a step closer, his eyes fixed upon her. Rizpah knew if the girl did try to escape, she wouldn’t get far.

* * *

Helana leaned her head against the mare’s neck. Her heart was pounding. She looked back at the woman who had taken her from the men and felt reassured. No one had ever cared what happened to her. She stole a glance at the young warrior who had kidnapped her. Worrying her lip, she studied him. He was tall and powerfully built. He was blushing! She could see his throat work down a swallow.

Amazed, Helana studied him more. She had been terrified of him. And why shouldn’t she have been? He had grabbed her near the stream, gagging and binding her and then carrying her over his shoulder through the woods.

He had dragged her along behind him for a hundred miles, tying her to a tree each night to make sure she didn’t run away. And now, having exchanged the gifts of marriage, he looked oddly vulnerable, uncertain and embarrassed.

Her fear dissolved. A muscle worked in his jaw, but he was silent, as silent as he had been all during the time he had brought her here. She hadn’t known he could even speak until he was shouting at the men manhandling her. Tilting her head, she searched his eyes. After a long moment, she let the reins drop to the ground.