Chapter 1
Serena contemplated her reflection in the small silvered glass.
Soon I will be another woman. Soon I will have another life.
While she could not change her violet eyes or her curves of a woman full grown, her flaxen hair was another matter. Undoing her long plait, she let the loose waves fall below her waist to shimmer in the early morning sunlight streaming into her bedchamber through the open shutters.
With a sigh, she lifted her hand to touch the gilded frame of the silvered glass.
She could still hear her father’s voice when he told her he had bought the extravagant gift from a Spanish merchant who claimed the Moors had made it.
No one at Talisand had ever seen such a magnificent wonder before he brought it home to the manor.
Tears came to her eyes as she remembered the look on his face, the warm smile reflecting his love.
Her father had been her protector and teacher, a man of great wisdom and a thegn dearly loved by his people.
Deprived of his guiding presence, and with her brother in Scotland, Serena was all too aware she alone of her family was left at Talisand.
Fear crept over her like a winter chill as she remembered the messenger who had come with a writ from the Bastard King.
She was to become the bride of the new Norman lord of Talisand.
Nay, I will not!
But how could she deny so fearsome a warrior as the knight they called the Red Wolf?
Serena’s brow puckered in consternation. And what would become of the other women at Talisand? Would not the Norman conquerors claim them as spoils? Peasants fleeing the advancing horde the year before had spoken of the knights’ villainy. Women were merely vessels to satisfy their lust.
Anger flared in her eyes staring back from the silvered glass. She would not have it! The young women of Talisand would not fall victim to the rampaging knights if she could help it.
But what choices were left? Some English women had taken the veil, but she was not suited to the cloistered life and that would not be a choice for the maidens at Talisand. But mayhap she could save the most vulnerable.
The door opened and Cassie, her handmaiden, entered with her mother, Maggie.
“’Tis ready, m’lady,” said Maggie, handing Serena a leather flask. “I have made ye the dye from walnuts.”
Serena accepted the flask and poured the dark liquid into a bowl.
“’Tis a shame to dye such beautiful hair,” remarked Maggie.
“She must, Mother, if she is to look the part of a servant,” Cassie insisted. “’Tis nay just her speech and her clothes that make her stand out. ’Tis her hair that tells all who she is—like a pale flame on a dark night.”
Maggie nodded, resigned. “Then oil yer hands and the skin around yer face, m’lady, before ye apply the dye. It will make yer hair brown like mine, but ye will have to add more as yer hair grows. And remember to keep yer hood up should it rain for water can make the dye run.”
“I will, Maggie, and thank you,” said Serena as she spread the oil on her face and hands.
Cassie oiled her own hands and began to work the dye into Serena’s hair. “I know the messenger said ye were to be the new lord’s wife, but it might be well ye are leaving. The tales of the Normans’ brutality are frightening. Ye must be safe.”
“To be sure,” echoed Maggie, “the Norman who comes isna a man yer father would have chosen for ye. Mayhap it will be easier for us to accept his yoke, knowing ye and yer brother are beyond his grasp and safe in me own homeland.”
“I could not bear to take a Norman as husband,” Serena said with firm conviction.
Cassie poured the last of the dye onto Serena’s head and she let the dark liquid drip from the wet strands into the bowl.
She was glad she would not have to color her brows.
Like her lashes, they were already dark.
“It is not enough the Bastard from Normandy has taken my father and my country. Now he would give my family’s lands to one of his knights. ”
“If the traveling cottars’ words be true,” offered Cassie, “the one who now claims Talisand is one who fought with the Bastard at Hastings. He might even be the knight who slayed yer father, the thegn!”
“Yea, ’tis a hard time that has come upon the land,” said Maggie, regret showing in her eyes, the same vivid green as her daughter’s. Then shooting a glance at Cassie, she added, “When I think of the men the Norman lord brings with him, I fear for me own daughter as well.”
“I want to go with Lady Serena,” the flame haired Cassie blurted out while she squeezed the excess dye from Serena’s hair. “She will be saving me and the others from certain rape.”
Maggie smiled sadly. “Aye, but will ye be safe?” She handed the drying cloth to her daughter. “’Tis a long road ye travel. I worry for ye both. The woods are full of thieves.”
“Nay, Maggie,” insisted Serena. “The woods are full of fleeing Saxons.”
Cassie wrapped the drying cloth around Serena’s head. “Would it not be better for us to flee than to stay and fall prey to the Bastard’s men? Have we not heard the tales of their terrible deeds as they ravaged Wessex?”
Maggie nodded, her countenance fallen. “Aye, I have heard of the killing and the burnings. They even robbed churches. ’Tis a gift from God we have escaped such, and only because Talisand lies so far north.
I pray the new Norman lord will not harm the villagers.
They will now be his villeins, caring for fields that are his. ”
“I will worry for you,” said Serena fighting the urge to stay even as she knew she must go.
“Ye must not worry about me and Angus,” said the cook. “The Red Wolf will need me to feed his men and Angus to keep his horses shod.”
Cassie nodded to her mother. “Aye, ye both will be needed.”
“At least the young women I take with me will not be here to face the Red Wolf and his men,” encouraged Serena.
“We will search for my brother and accept the sanctuary offered by Scotland’s king.
” Serena finished blotting the moisture from her dyed hair and unwrapped the drying cloth.
“I wish I could take all of the women, but not all want to go. Like you, Maggie, some have husbands.”
“Do ye know where yer brother, the young master is, m’lady?” asked Maggie.
“Steinar’s last message said he was at King Malcolm’s court in Dunfermline, north of Edinburgh, where many Englishmen gather, hoping for an opportunity to return to fight for Edgar AEtheling, the true heir to the throne.”
Maggie sighed. “At least ye and the young women will have protectors traveling with ye. And I will pray ye stay safe.”
“We welcome your prayers,” said Serena. Looking into the faces of the two women who were so dear to her, she added, “I am glad for all you have done for me. Your friendship has meant more than your service. And your company, Cassie, will be most welcome.” She thought of those women who would travel with them, and the face of another rose in her mind.
“Do you think Aethel would want to go with us? Her knowledge of herbs would be welcome.”
“Aethel? Nay lass.” Maggie gave Serena a wry look. “That one would lift her skirts for any Norman who would have her. She’ll nay be running from them.”
“I suppose you speak the truth,” Serena admitted. “Since she went to my father’s bed, she has not been the same.”
“Or ye just didna see what she really was all along,” chided Maggie.
The words saddened Serena. It was true that after being rejected by Theodric, the captain of Talisand’s guard, Aethel had changed. The dark-haired beauty attracted many men, including Serena’s father, the lonely thegn, but Aethel did not seem to be happy even with him.
“That leaves only Cassie and me and the three other women,” said Serena.
“Leppe and Alec will go with us, disguised as village cottars. Of the Talisand fighting men that still remain after the slaughter at Hastings, they are among the best and will be faithful to protect us.” Wanting to assure Maggie they would have protection, she added, “Theodric and the other guards will stay to defend Talisand, if need be. I have asked steward Hunstan to visit the other manors to warn them of the Normans’ coming. ”
“How soon do they arrive?” Maggie asked, glancing anxiously in the direction of the main gate.
“I know not the day,” said Serena, “but I expect it will be soon, so we must be away this hour. I fear I have waited too long as it is.”
Maggie nodded and looked at her daughter. “Send word as soon as ye’re able.”
Cassie’s eyes filled with tears as she embraced her mother. “I will.”
Blinking back her own tears, Serena sought to keep her voice steady. “Do not worry for us, Maggie. I have my bow and my seax. We will be well. And we will see you again, for I intend to return with Steinar to chase the Normans from Talisand.”
Serena glanced once again at her reflection. Her hair now bore the color of the brown stain and was nearly dry. She felt changed inside as well as out.
“Ye look so different!” exclaimed Cassie as she formed the newly dyed tresses into a long plait.
“Aye, she does,” said Maggie. “But the color does not hide her beauty. Mayhap a plain tunic will help.” Maggie handed Serena a dark green tunic, and she slipped it over her shift.
As the folds of the rough wool settled around her, she felt her new life settle around her as well.
The servant’s garment was a stark contrast to the soft wool of the fine gowns she had worn as the Lady of Talisand.
She looked down at her ankles that showed beneath the hem.
The borrowed tunic did not fit well, either.
Seeing her shrug, Maggie said, “It will do ’til ye reach Scotland.”
Serena sat on the chest at the end of her bed and pulled on the woolen hose and soft leather half boots the female servants wore.
Cassie handed her a leather belt, which Serena wrapped around her waist. She secured to it her seax, the single edged blade her brother had given her last Christmastide.
Grasping the polished wooden handle, she silently vowed to use it if threatened.
“Let me help ye with yer cloak,” Cassie said, draping the dark wool mantle around Serena’s shoulders and fastening it with a plain metal brooch.
“’Twill serve to keep ye warm against the night air.
” Smiling, Cassie took a step back and examined Serena’s disguise.
“Ye make a convincing servant, m’lady, dressed as ye are.
Except ye’re too fine of feature. So remember to keep yer head bowed and yer eyes down should we encounter any men.
And since yer speech is a wee bit proper, say nothing, lest they wonder if ye are truly one of us. ”
“I will try and do as you say, Cassie. In time, I might be able to disguise my speech as well.” She would do whatever she must to escape the plans the Normans had for her. “You will have to be my guide in this new life.”
“It is time,” Maggie said, turning toward the door. “I will have a word with Leppe and Alec afore ye go, though I know those two will protect ye with their lives.”
* * *
An hour later, Serena left the manor to begin the journey north.
Seven walked along in silence: Serena and Cassie, three other women and the two men.
The morning mist still clung to the wild grasses under Serena’s feet, dampening her leather boots.
She was glad her borrowed tunic was as short as it was, else her hem would also be wet.
When they reached the edge of the woods, Serena paused and looked back.
The sun cast its rays on Talisand, making the manor, hall and thatch and wattle cottages appear to glow.
To Serena, it was like something out of a dream, like a village descended from heaven.
The place of her home and her heart and the memories of all she held dear.
Tears brimmed in her eyes and escaped down her cheeks. Would she ever see her beloved Talisand again?
Garbed in a belted tunic and short brown cloak a shade darker than his long hair and beard, Leppe gently touched her arm. “My lady, we must hurry.”
She nodded and let him lead her away. Away from her past and the dreams she had once for her future.
Soon the fierce knight called the Red Wolf would descend like a devastating storm to claim his spoils.
Nothing she could do would prevent it. Concern for her people weighed heavy on Serena’s shoulders.
The Red Wolf’s reputation was that of an undefeated warrior, as vicious in battle as the animal whose fur he wore.
She prayed he would not harm the people he would need to work the land.