Catherine Palmer - The Briton

The Briton

Published by Steeple Hill Books

For Mary Edstrom Robitschek, my dear friend, encourager and prayer warrior. Thank you for loving and supporting me all the way back to Rosslyn Academy in Kenya, and for helping me survive seventh grade math.

Acknowledgments

My great thanks to four special people.

To my agent, Karen Solem, for representing me with such love and care. To my editor, Joan Golan, for believing in The Briton twenty-three years after I wrote it. To Mary Robitschek, for transcribing all 694 pages of the manuscript from hard copy to disk.

To Tim Palmer, for seeing the potential in the first book I ever wrote and for reading and editing its 694 pages more times than either of us likes to remember. May God bless you all.

Chapter One

December 1152

Amounderness in northeast England Like some relic of a half-forgotten age, the Viking longboat sliced through the icy waters of the natural harbor. Its once brightly painted bow was scarcely visible through a thick coating of barnacles and algae. The sails hung limp and tattered.

A soft dipping of oars drifted through the mist toward an ancient walled keep, where a thin shaft of light from an open window glimmered on the water. An anchor suddenly splashed into the water, shattering the light.

The dark-haired young woman at the window of the keep watched as a small boat, heavily laden with armed men, left the longboat and made its way to shore. A burly old Viking lord stepped from the boat and waded to the beach. Then, with a shout that echoed into the marrow of the womans bones, he called his men to follow him across the hard sand toward the stronghold.

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The barbarian has come, the woman whispered as she barred the wooden shutter.

She turned to find her younger sister looking at her with a petulant expression. Do leave off peering into the night, Bronwen. I want no gloomy tidings on the eve of our winter feast. Just look how Enit has arranged my tunic. Please come and drape it properly.

A chill ran through Bronwen as she hurried from the window across the rush-covered wooden floor toward her sister, who stood by a fire built on a stone hearth in the center of the room. The warm flicker of the flames served only to in-tensify Bronwens discontent. And the smoke, drifting upward to the vents in the roof, filled her nostrils with an acrid tang.

How could her father invite the Viking to their feast? To her, the barbarian stood for everything evil that her people, the Briton tribe, had worked so hard and so long to defeat.

Vikings! Raiders of villages, ravishers of women, pillagers of the countryside. Why would her father, with the Viking threat all but over, extend the arm of friendship to this barbarian now? Bronwen shook her head in dismay.

But she was forced to smile as she caught sight of Gildan fussing over the folds of her tunic with the nursemaid.

Sister, you look lovely just as you are, Bronwen admonished. Let me help you with your gown, and then I shall plait your hair. Most of the guests have arrived, and Father will be growing impatient.

Yes, only to have us make an appearance and then send us back up to our rooms again so the entertainments may begin. Gildan pouted as her sister arranged a golden gown over her tunic. I do think this waist is too long, Enit. And just look how pointed the sleeves are!

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The Briton

The old nurse clucked at her charges. You two sisters are even fussier than your mother, may she rest in peace. But you do look pretty. As they say, Fine feathers make fine birds.

Taking an ivory comb, Bronwen divided and began to weave Gildans hair into two long golden braids. Her sister was entirely lovely, Bronwen realized. Though she had been a sickly child most of her life, tonight Gildans pale skin glowed rosily and her blue eyes shone. She would make some man a lovely bride to carry on the great line of Edgard the Briton, their ancestor.

At the thought of marriage, Bronwen gazed into the fire. As her fingers continued nimbly in the familiar braiding pattern, Bronwen imagined she could see in the coals a dark shape. A mans black eyes flickered, and in the wraithlike fire his raven hair floated above his temples. Bronwen sensed a strength in his determined jaw, a gentleness in the curve of his lips and a high intelligence in the smooth planes of his forehead.

Sighing, she turned away from the vision she had conjured more than once in the flames. Her father would never link her with such a man. She must wed the one he selected, and his choices were few indeed. He must betroth her to one of the remaining Briton landholders in the area, for her veins coursed with blood of the most ancient tribe still dwelling on the great island of Britain.

Bronwen, just look at what youve done! Gildans voice broke into her sisters reverie. You have wrapped this ribbon backward. Do stop your daydreaming and help me with my mantle.

Bronwen gathered the soft woolen cloak and laid it over her sisters shoulders. She placed her own mantle on the heavy green gown she wore and arranged her thick black braids over its folds. Kneeling on a pillow, she waited pa-Catherine Palmer

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tiently as Enit veiled Gildan and set a circlet of gold on the younger womans head.

Bronwen, you do look fine, Enit remarked as she arranged Bronwens veil. Let me rub a bit of fat into those dry fingers. Youve worked far too hard on this feast. You must learn to let things go a bit, child. And do stop worrying over your fathers choice of guests. Edgard is a wise man.

The young woman looked up into Enits bright eyes. The old nurse had cared for her since Gildans birth had resulted in their mothers death. Enits skin hung in thin folds beneath her chin, and tiny lines ran randomly across her face. But when she grinned, as she did now, showing her three good front teeth, each line fell into its accustomed place with ease.

Thats better. Enit chuckled as Bronwens expression softened. Now hurry down to the great hall, you two imps, before your father sends up the guard. And, Gildan, remember, Silence is golden.

Oh, Enit! Come Bronwen, you carry the rush light, and I shall carry your mantle down the stair.

Enjoy the feast! Enit called after them.

Bronwen shook her head in contradiction of the nurses words. With barbarians in the keep and little to anticipate in the coming year, she felt the evenings feast must be far less than enjoyable. But at last she lifted her head, slipped her arm around her sister and set a smile upon her lips.

As Bronwen followed Gildan down the stone stairs, she breathed deeply the fresh scent of newly laid rushes on the floor. She had worked hard to prepare for the feast, just as she labored at every endeavor. Since her mothers death, she had been mistress of the hall. She had, on occasion, even managed the entire holding while her father was away at battle.

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The Briton

Standing in the light of the entrance to the great hall, the sisters surveyed the merry scene before them. Guests, all of whom were men, stood around the room discussing the latest news from the south. Bronwen recognized most of them.

Some were her fathers close friends, and others came only because they were loyal to the Briton cause. Few of the men held much land, and many served Norman conquerors.

Look, Bronwen. Those swinish Vikings are already inside the hall. How vulgar their tongue sounds! Gildan crossed her arms in contempt.

Bronwen spotted the Viking party in one corner, where they had gathered to tell bawdy stories and laugh raucously.