The Wolf'sRose

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Rose was in the cooking area of her home when the door opened. When she turned to acknowledge the women in the doorway, all three dropped to one knee and raised their right fist and placed it over their heart and said as one, "My lady, here do I pledge my troth to you. My life, my loyalty and my fealty is yours always. So say one, so say we all." After saying the pledge Rose felt a shift in the air. Looking over at Dougal sitting in the common area of the house, she saw his look of astonishment and realized that he had felt it as well.

 The woman approaching her was tall and muscular in a feminine way. Her muscles were sleek not bulky like Mikkel. Standing before her, the woman bowed and again raised her right fist over her heart. "My Lady, I am Hildi. My shield maid sisters are Greta and Isska. We are to be your personal guards and it is our hope that you will also allow us to becomes friends." Bowing again, Hildi extended her hand. Rose realizing that the woman was waiting on her to take the offered hand, Rose stuttered an apology and shook the woman's hand. 

"I would like that. I haven't had any friends before except Dougal here. Now, if you are here to help cook, please make yourselves useful and pick a chore. The chickens have been killed, and plucked and placed on a spit to roast as have the stag. The breads were baked this morning and there are sweets to be made with honey and cheeses to warm and fruit to set out." Rose watched as one woman went and fetched a bucket of water and began to wash the tables of blood where the meats had been prepared. Another woman grabbed a broom and began sweeping. Rose turned to Hildi, realizing that something had just occurred to her.

"Wait a minute! Did you say Shield Maidens and personal guards?" Roses voice rose an octave in her anxiety.

Hildi bowed and answered, "Yes, My Lady. You are very valuable to us as a people. You are the Alpha female and the Jarl's mate. You are the highest ranking female of the land and as such, you will come under occasional attacks. Some will be overt, some will be subtle. We are here for the overt threats. When you go out among the people, we will accompany you as your personal guard and protection. It is our privilege and our right to protect you. My grandmother protected the Jarl's mother when she was young. Isska over there, her grandmother also helped to guard Mikkel's grandmother. This is something we do gladly and with a great deal of honor. And if Mikkel is not present and someone offends your honor, it is our place to correct that. Please, My Lady, do not be offended or upset that you are guarded. The fact that you are is merely an indication of the wealth of honor that our society has for you."

"My Lady, is there perhaps a cellar where your wine and ale are stored?" Greta asked.

Dougal stood up and answered for Rose. "Aye, there is. Out back is a set of steps leading under the house. If you will come with me, I will show you where everything is and help you to bring it up. Do you think that your Master would like some traditional meade? I have some that should be ready for serving."

Rose never heard Greta's answer as they walked outside and around the corner of the house.

Some miles away in the village the men were in talks of the trade routes. Mikkel had wanted to strangled the Sheriff right away. The priest at least was honest in his greed and dislike of the Northmen.

"I am at a loss, my friend. I really have nothing more to offer you. Our two communities would do well with trade. But you must pay the taxes for merchandise brought to be sold in our village." The sheriff insisted.

"So there is no incentive for me to trade with you. If I am paying out more money than is worth the travel, then I will collect my men and go elsewhere." Mikkel stood and went to leave when the priest yelled, "Stop!"

 Mikkel turned slowly to look at the old man. Raising one eyebrow in inquiry, he waited. "There is one thing. A girl. A waif really. She needs looking after. I'm sure she would make your lady wife a wonderful maid. If you could see your way to taking her off of my....I mean our, the village's hands, we would be eternally grateful. " Mikkel didn't like the feeling arising in his gut.

"Really? And just where is this poor waif that needs a home and to be taken care of?" The feeling was getting even stronger.

"On a farm on the outskirts of the village. Poor thing. It's all she can do to keep the stead up. She has no one. Her mother just died some days ago and she is all alone. If you could see your way to taking her with you, then I'm sure we can come to some sort of arrangement." The priest said. 

Mikkel saw red and knew that his beast was coming forward and that the men from the village could see it. In a growl filled voice he spoke before the change took him entirely."That waif you speak of is my future Lady Wife and you would do well to learn to be honest. You are afraid of her and her land is rich and will grow good crops and has good hunting. More fool you, idiots. She has given the stead to her servant, Dougal. But, because of your underhandedness, I think I will pay him handsomely for it and allow some of my unmated men to live on it to protect my interests here in the town. Who knows, mayhap they will find their mates among your village females." To which the gathered men looked horrified. "Just remember, two generations ago, we took what we wanted instead of offering trade. Think on this, we have helped to establish the spice and gold trade with the East and have amassed great fortunes along the way. This tiny village is nothing to us and personally, I would not care if you were wiped from the face of the world. But, my Rose appears to be a gentle and forgiving creature. I say that to remind you of what we are. Also, I believe it is custom to bring home to sup the people who sat at the bargaining table. So, Sheriff, you and the Lord Mayor and the Priest will accompany me to the farmstead to partake of the feast MY Lady Wife and her Shield Maidens have prepared for us." Without another word Mikkel turned and left the building, his anger coming to a low simmer. He felt a great deal of perverse pleasure in forcing the men of the town to sit and dine with a proposed witch and a pack of wolfmen and women.

Turning to Lothar once outside, he thanked his friend for trying to negotiate in his stead. "My friend, I am truly sorry that you were subjected to that before I arrived."

"It's alright, MIkkel. We expected nothing less. By the way, What does she look like? Our new Luna?" Mikkel grinned.

"Bright orange hair the color of a flame, freckles, small in stature, eyes the color of amber, and her scent. Her scent is incredible. She smells of honey, sage and thistle. Come, I must get back to her. Already I am anxious without her and we haven't even mated yet." Going into the stables, they saddled their large horses and rode away leaving the village men standing outside their meeting house staring after them. Before getting too far away Mikkel turned back to the men. "Sirs, it would be considered a great insult to myself and my men if you refuse my gracious invitation." Turning, he rejoined his friend and second and they rode off.