Page 82 of Summer Warrior

“Somerled, you dog! Because of you, Rognvald banished me from Orkney. Today, I will have my revenge and your head!”

Seeing Maurice finishing off the other pirate, Somerled climbed over the lashed gunwales back to the dragonship.

Wielding his axe, Sweyn climbed aboard the Norse ship and rushed forward, knocking his own men out of the way to get to Somerled. He raised his sword, his eyes narrowed on the man whose time it was to die.

RAGNHILD HAD NEVER BEEN in the midst of a battle but when Somerled called for bows to be readied she did not hesitate. When he gave the command to loose arrows, she had settled her bow next to Maurice’s shoulder and fired into the charging Norsemen. At her side, Liadan, too, sent arrows into the chests of the pirates.

Ragnhild had been gratified to see them fall for she remembered the stories of their killing, raping and burning. The few children who had escaped were now orphans, left to mourn alone. She was glad when her father and Somerled had discovered the den where the pirates made their dragonships. Best to destroy them in their nest like the vermin they were.

She had never seen Somerled fight, never witnessed his command of his men. It was a sight she would never forget. His orders were quickly obeyed, as he fought alongside his men with sword and shield. It was clear why the Gaels named him their champion. He rose above others as his powerful arms wielded his sword with swift efficiency, slicing through the Norse pirates as if he were harvesting wheat. His fair hair, held back by braids on either side of his face, allowed her to mark him when the fighting grew intense and close. Never did he falter or lose his footing, never did he fail.

She pressed her lips together and blinked back tears to think such a valiant warrior was hers, a warrior who was fierce with his enemies yet tender with her.

Silently, she asked God to let him live that they might have a lifetime together.

A few of the pirates began to cross over to Somerled’s galley where she and Liadan stood behind Maurice. When two attacked at once, Ragnhild feared for her life.

It was then Somerled ran back to his galley, attacking the giant pirate like a maelstrom, his silver blade slashing and blocking the pirate’s thrusts. With a rapid stroke, Somerled gutted him.

Suddenly, an axe-wielding, muscled pirate boldly shouted Somerled’s name from the shore. She shuddered as she recognized Sweyn Asleifsson, the gold Thor’s hammer still displayed on his chest. His lank brown hair, bleached from the sun, was longer than when he appeared in her father’s court but his beard and roughened features were the same.

As Sweyn climbed onto the Norse dragonship, Somerled tossed Ragnhild a smile and crossed back to the deck of the Norse ship to meet the challenge.

The fighting subsided as all turned to watch.

Swaggering with confidence, Sweyn circled Somerled, who turned, keeping the pirate in front of him. Tossing his shield aside, Somerled drew a long dagger from his belt. With knife in one hand and sword in the other, he faced his enemy, his gaze fixed and determined.

Ragnhild inhaled sharply, her eyes never leaving him.

Sweyn lunged.

Somerled gracefully moved aside, avoiding the axe’s blade.

Sweyn swung his axe in a large arc, aiming at Somerled’s head.

Somerled jerked his head aside and let out a loud sigh. “Let me know when you mean to fight, Sweyn, for this game you play is becoming tiresome.”

Sweyn’s face turned an angry red.

She suspected it had been Somerled’s intention to raise the pirate’s ire to make him grow reckless. She remembered him as a dishonorable hothead, the one who had accosted her in her father’s stables.

Somerled brought his sword down, the blade close to Sweyn’s chest. The pirate tried to move out of range but tripped over a body. At once, Somerled was on him, kicking his boot heel into the pirate’s belly, sending him reeling back.

Sweyn managed to remain standing. Gripping his axe, he took up his shield and raised it before Somerled.

Somerled brought his sword down on the round wooden disk, the blow so forceful the shield gave a loud crack, cleaving in twain.

The Norse pirates who had been watching backed away with stunned looks. Their necks were quickly under the blades of Somerled’s men.

Ragnhild glimpsed fear on Sweyn’s face. He threw away what was left of his shield and regained his footing, pulling a knife from his waist.

Like a golden lion attacking his prey, Somerled unleashed his fury on the Norseman, defeating every swing of Sweyn’s axe and the short thrusts of his blade.

Silently, Ragnhild cheered.

Somerled forced the pirate to the gunwale.

She glimpsed a plea in Sweyn’s eyes. Somerled must have seen it, too, for he said, “I have twice granted you mercy. There will be none this time.”