The Dragon's Redemption

Chapter 2 Sam

Sam knocked gently on Abigail's door. "Is Brieanna here, Abigail?"

"She left for the cliff face before dawn. She left much earlier than usual."

"I keep offering to accompany her."

"She tells me she likes her alone time. Her knee was really painful last night. She refuses to allow anyone to see her pain or for it to limit her independence."

"How did she injure her knee? I have not asked her, but am curious."

"I found her lying unconscious in a field about eight years ago. She could not remember her name, but said she was eight years old and fell out of the sky."

"How did the village respond to that?"

"I told her to tell everyone she had been in a ship wreck. I named her Brieanna, it's Celtic for 'high, noble and strong.'"

"The name fits her well Abigail."

"The village decided to let her live. They were planning to toss her off the cliff, but decided to hold her in thrall. She works much harder than the other village slaves. Her lameness has been a blessing. She doesn't realize how it and her unusual features have spared her from the other demands the village men make on less fortunate female thralls."

"You mean her ears?"

"And her unusual hair and eye color and diminutive stature, not to mention her tart remarks. She has a mind of her own."

"I think she is beautiful," Sam said softly. "I love her hair, her arched dark eyebrows and long eye lashes."

"I would think so Sam," Abigail said. "I've seen your ears, in-spite of your effort to keep them hidden. You and Brie are obviously the same race. It is unfortunate that you too are held in thrall. Slaves are not allowed to marry, but you two would make a handsome couple. You are so very tall compared to her."

"I have loved her since our first meeting. I have not told her."

"What are you waiting for?"

"I need to complete my escape plan, I still have not secured a boat. If we were caught together she would face breaking on the wheel. I would rather my feelings remained a secret, than cause her or us to act rashly. I could not bear to see her body broken, and her violent death on the wheel."

"Well Sam you are lousy at keeping secrets. Everyone in the village knows the both of you are secretly in love. They see how you look at each other, and your smiles when you are standing close. It is good you have never been caught together.

"I thought she disliked me."

"She is an observant girl. She is aware of how you look at her and treat her. She talks about you all the time. She does tend avoid you, but I understand your and her caution. Just don't wait too long to tell her."

Their talk was interrupted as a loud bell was sounded announcing the alarm. "Viking's are upon us!" was shouted as the villagers mobilized. They would not face the invaders deciding in advance to retreat into several well concealed caves. They quickly gathered food and supplies, and in practiced order walked to their refuge.

"I'll go fetch Brieanna," Sam said to Abigail then he ran toward the distant cliff face. He realized they would not have time to reach the safety of the refuge caves, but he could not simply abandon the girl he loved. They would face the Vikings together. If worse came to worse he would take her precious life rather than surrender her to the Bezerkers.