The Dragon's Redemption

Chapter 15 October Surprise

Defused light from the early morning sun brightened their room. Sam lay on his back admiring how the light illuminated Brieanna's hair. Her loose hair was flared out over her pillow as she slept. It had a silvery glow as the sun light touched it. Sam loved to run his fingers through the soft waves of her glorious hair. Her head was on his left shoulder and her arm curled over his chest. Her left leg flexed and laying across his legs. He wondered if they had spent the night sleeping in this position. She looked so peaceful as she slept. He continued to gently run his fingers through her hair. He savored the scent of her hair and the softness of her skin as he caressed her shoulder and back. He listened to her soft rhythmic breathing, and felt the gentle rise and fall of her chest. Sam was in no particular hurry to get out of bed, he lay just enjoying the moment with Brieanna.

She stirred slightly, her eyes color shifted as she slowly opened them, her eyes first a copper/russet, then a yellowish/gold as the sunlight fully illuminated her face. "Good morning wife," Sam whispered.

"Good morning my husband," Brieanna said than yawning and stretching. "I really need to get moving and put something decent on."

"I really like your current outfit!" Sam whispered as her took hold of her waist and pulled her on top of him, and kissed her. She laughed at him. Then running her fingers through his dark blond hair and watching him through partially veiled eyes said coyly.

"I'll freeze running around like this all day."

"We could stay in bed."

"It is early, no one else is stirring. Do you have any ideas on how we could entertain ourselves?"

"I was thinking...wrestling!" Sam than began to tickle her ribs as she squealed, laughing and flailing over the bed.

Later they were walking hand in hand near the house. The morning fog was thick lower down the valley but clear around the house.

"We don't have enough time to visit the cliff face this morning," Brieanna said. "Somebody kept me busy and we started our day late."

"Who could that be?" Sam asked innocently trying to look confused. Brieanna laughed at his statement.

"Aednat will be moving in today."

"That was very nice of Abigail to keep her for the week."

"She said we needed time to adjust."

"Adjust to what?"

"Adjust to a husband who keeps me up all night."

"You're the one that snores," Sam said teasing.

"I do not!" Brieanna laughed. "I really like not sleeping alone."

"So do I Sweetheart. I love sleeping with you. And I love wrestling with you in the morning."

"Even though I always win?" she teased.

"You are a feather weight Brie, but you know how to pin a man." That had both of them laughing as they walked back to the sod house.

Aednat arrived with Abigail in time to begin preparations for the morning meal. The newly married servants would take meals in their own homes, so it was only the four of them. "MOMMA, DA!" Aednat exclaimed as she ran to be embraced by Sam and Brieanna.

"You're moving in with us today baby," Brieanna said. "Would you like to see your room?" Hand in hand Brieanna and Aednat walked to the room. Aednat bounced on the bed as Abigail and Brieanna stored her clothes in a press of drawers at the bed side.

"Do you like your room?" Brieanna asked.

"Yes Momma. Can I see your room?" Aednat was given a tour of the house.

"Where's Old William, I thought he would eat with us?" Sam asked.

"His granddaughters are feeding him this morning. He was very excited over the invitation," Brieanna replied.

"It's good to have eggs again," Sam said as he ate scrambled eggs with cheese and bacon."

"I need to make more bread today." Brieanna said.

"I'll help with the grinding of the grain," Sam said, "I've never used a quern."

"I would be grateful for your help," Brieanna said, "Grinding flour is not my favorite pastimes."

"I expect to be rewarded for my efforts," Sam said grinning. Brieanna laughed.

"You grind the flower and I'll reward you beyond your wildest dreams."

"I have pretty wild dreams elf."

"Are you going to butcher the two cows this week?" Abigail asked.

"I've sold them to the village butcher. I need to walk them there."

"You were concerned that loosing those cows would reduce our herd too much," Brieanna said.

"Yes, until Old William pointed that we had three heifers that we could breed this season. So our herd will be up by one, which William said was really our maximum capacity. I plan to use the money to purchase dried cod and herring from the fishing families."

"That will give us a nice variety," Brieanna said. "Not to mention freeing me of having to make sausages from all the awful."

"We still have the pig to butcher," Sam said and put his arm around Brieanna, "but I will help you with the sausages."

"I'll hold you to that, and I do appreciate your help."

Now freed from much of the work of the summer and harvest they turned their time to making cloth. The women had spent much time during the summer spinning the wool. The looms were brought and set up in the great hall, and everyone, including the menfolk worked the looms. Even Aednat was encouraged to work the looms. There was a ready market for their cloth once the trading season started. November brought more rain and fogs. The low mountains were already snow covered, but their little valley received only a dusting of snow.

A group of long ships approached the island in the fog. "Ragnar we will divide our forces this time. I will land on the far side of the island with Eric and two of the long ships, so Ragnar you and the others need give us time to set up."

"I thought we had gotten them all," Eric said.

"We missed more than a few. Several of the merchant fleet's sailor reported they are still there. And so is our little blond," Loki said. "They obviously had more hiding places that we missed."

"If the fog holds we can get ashore undiscovered, why land on the other side of the island too?"

"I will be up on the high ground and will see where they hide," Loki answered. "This time none will escape. It might be fun to take our little witch in one piece to Harald."

"She can keep us entertained in the trip back," Eric added, then laughed. "I just love a surprise!"