"I, Wulf Ironfist, son of Orm, take you, Cailin Drusus, for my wife. I will provide for you, and protect you. This I swear by the great god Woden, and by the god Thor, my patron."
"I will be a good wife to you," Cailin promised him.
"I know," he told her. Then he chuckled. "I wonder what your grandfather, and that witch Brigit, will think of this turn of events?"
"He will ask payment of you for me, I am certain. Give him nothing!" Cailin said. "He deserves nothing."
"That for which we pay nothing is worth nothing, lambkin," Wulf told her. "I value you above all women. I will give him a fair price of which you need not be ashamed."
"You are too good," she said. "How can I repay you for your kindness to me? You might have had a night's sport, and then sent me away. If you had, however, I know I ought not have been shamed, for it is the Dobunni way, but I would have been shamed in my heart nevertheless."
A slow, mischievous grin lit his strong, handsome features. "I know just how you may begin your repayment, lambkin," he said, and he brought her hand to his manroot, which was again in a state of eager readiness. "I intend to exact full payment, lambkin, not just this night, but in the nights to come."
Her young face took on a seductive look he had not seen before. "It is fair, my husband," she agreed. "You will hear no complaint from me in this matter. My family always taught me to repay my debts." Then she pulled his face back to hers, her lips ready and eager for his kisses.
Chapter 6
Berikos looked at his guest. "You slept well?" he asked. "You have reconsidered our conversation of yesterday?"
"Your granddaughter is a charming companion," Wulf Ironfist replied, and gulped down a draught of brown ale. "I am honored to have had her first-night rights, Berikos. You have made it plain how much you desire my aid, but I, in turn, still believe your idea is doomed to failure. You cannot turn back time. No one ever has, my friend."
"I will meet your price," Berikos said desperately.
"Land?" The Saxon raised an eyebrow questioningly.
Berikos nodded bleakly.
"You would make a bad neighbor, feeling as you do," Wulf told the old man. "I would never really be able to trust you… unless…"
"Unless what?" Berikos pounced upon the small thread of hope.
"Assign me a portion of land for security now. When I have trained your men, I will exchange it with another Celt living on the Saxon shore," Wulf Ironfist said. "I will have my land, and the land you give me will belong to another of your race. Perhaps not of your own tribe, but you Celts can work that out amongst you."
Berikos nodded. "Aye, we can, and when the day comes when we drive your people back to the Rhineland, you cannot complain to me, can you? I will have kept my part of our bargain. Good! I agree!"
"Not quite so quickly, my friend," Wulf Ironfist said. "I want one other thing of you. I think you are most apt to keep your bargain with me if we are related by blood. Your granddaughter pleases me. I need a wife. Her mixed blood disturbs you, but it does not disturb me. I will pay you a fair bride price for her if you will give me your consent."
"Under our laws, she must give her consent, too, Wulf Ironfist. If she does, I will be glad to accept a bride price for her," Berikos answered, "although I should not. You will be doing me a favor by taking Cailin off my hands. My wife Ceara has been nagging me to find her a husband. What will you give me for her?"
The Saxon tossed his companion a coin. It flashed and glittered as it flew through the air. Berikos's fist closed about it. His eyes widened. He bit the coin as hard as he could, his look one of surprise.
"Gold? This is a gold coin, Wulf Ironfist. One girl is hardly worth an entire gold coin," Berikos said slowly. He wanted the Saxon's gold, but his conscience would never leave him in peace if he weren't honest. "Besides, the wench has not yet given her consent to the match."
"She has given her consent," the younger man told him. "It is a fair price, for it will ensure that you will not take my life when my use to you is over and done with, Berikos of the Dobunni."
The old man chuckled. "You do not trust anyone, Wulf Ironfist, do you? Well, you are wise not to, for no one can be completely trusted in this world. Very well, I accept your terms, and the girl is now your wife. You may think it a poor bargain when she shows you the rough side of her tongue, but I will not take her back." He spit in his right hand and held it out to the Saxon, who, spitting in his own right hand, clasped Berikos's outstretched palm in a firm grip.
"Agreed, Berikos, but I will not regret the bargain, I assure you. Cailin will make me a good wife. Her mother taught her well the duties a woman has to her husband and house."
"Aye," the old man responded softly, "Kyna was a good girl."
"Good morning, and was your night filled with many pleasures?" Brigit tittered, entering the hall. Her sky-blue tunic dress with its silver embroidery floated about her gracefully as she came, smiling falsely.
"Indeed, lady, my night was a very good one," Wulf Ironfist answered.
"Wulf has agreed to aid us," Berikos said, pleased. He explained to his young wife the land transaction involved. "And," he concluded, "I have given him Cailin as a wife."
"You have done what?" Brigit's eyes widened with shock. This was not at all the way she planned it. She had intended only for the Saxon to roughly violate Cailin and break her spirit. She wanted the girl shamed, and hurt.
"Wulf asked me for Cailin's hand," Berikos repeated. "Her tainted blood does not bother him. My granddaughter has agreed." He held up the coin, saying, "Wulf has given me this for the wench's bride price. It is gold. Your father was content to accept a silver piece and a breeding pair of hunting dogs for you, Brigit."
Brigit's eyes glittered at the sight of the gold, and Wulf thought that Berikos would not have his granddaughter's bride price for very long if Brigit had her way. The woman's mouth was sullen, however, and she finally said, "Is there no food in this hall that we might break our fast? Cailin is derelict in her duties, or has her marriage gone to her head? A good wife should have the morning meal ready at a respectable hour. I hope Ceara returns soon."
"Perhaps if you did not sleep half the morning away, Brigit," Cailin said as she entered the hall, "you would find the meal ready. Berikos and my husband ate hours ago. If you go to the cook house, however, they may give you something if you tell them I said to do so." She smiled brightly at the woman. "I must be about my duties. A runner arrived this morning from Carvilius's hill fort. Ceara and Maeve are expected before sunset. We will eat as soon as they arrive. Do try to be on time, lady." She turned to her grandfather. "Is the bargain made between my husband and you, Berikos?"
"It is," he said, the corners of his mouth twitching just slightly. The girl was tough, and refused to be beaten. He'd give her that. "Speak more gently to my lady wife in future, mongrel," he warned her. "She is deserving of respect."
"Only if she earns it, Berikos," Cailin shot back, and turning on her heel, left them.
"There!" Berikos crowed. "You have seen the rough edge of her tongue now, Wulf Ironfist, but it is too late! She is your wife."
"The barb was not directed at me, Berikos. I like a woman who speaks her mind. I will only beat her if she defies me," he answered.
Ceara, Maeve, and Nuala arrived even as the mid-afternoon winter sunset was turning the sky glorious shades of red, orange, gold, and dark purple. One cold bright star hung over Berikos's hill fort, as if guiding them to the warm safety within. Nuala was excited to be home, and hugged her cousin tightly while her elders removed the cloaks.