Free Viking Warrior by Connie Mason Page B

cupboard that should suit your purpose.”
    “I will fetch the basket and meet you outside,” Wulf said as he strode off.
    Thora left and returned momentarily with a fur-lined cloak. “Take this,” she said, draping the cloak over Reyna’s shoulders.
    “ ’tis far too grand for a walk in the woods, Lady Thora,” Reyna protested. “Something older will suffice.”
    “The cloak is yours to keep, Reyna. Wear it in good health.”
    Reyna nodded her thanks and left immediately to join Wulf. As she strode away, she heard Olga make a strangled sound low in her throat. Pretending not to hear, Reyna walked out the door and joined Wulf in the yard. He handed her the basket and strode toward the woods that grew beyond the farmstead. Reyna lengthened her steps to keep up with him.
    “Must you accompany me?” Reyna asked. “I am perfectly capable of finding what I need without you.”
    “Can you defend yourself against wild animals?”
    She looked pointedly at the sword he carried in a sheath at his waist and the spear he held in his hand. “I could if I had a weapon.”
    Wulf snorted. “Knowing how you feel about me, I might find a blade in my back if I arm you. Besides, I have a mind to do a little hunting.”
    Since Reyna had no answer for Wulf, she followed him in silence, keeping her eyes on the ground in search of plants known for their curative powers. Occasionally Reyna would stop, point to a plant and watch as Wulf dug it up and placed it in her basket. By the time they entered the forest, Reyna’s basket was half-filled with mallow, dill, mint, borage and comfrey.
    Reyna felt a definite chill as she entered the forest. She should have realized it would be dark and cold with the sun blotted out by tall trees. Shivering, she pulled her cloak tighter about her shoulders and continued her search. Luck was with her. She harvested leaves from raspberry bushes, ripped off pieces of bark and leaves from willow trees and pulled up valerian plants, roots and all.
    “Your basket is full,” Wulf observed. “ ’tis time to leave.”
    “There is still more to gather, but I can return another time now that I know where to find what I need. I should gather as much as I can before the first frost.”
    Wulf started to take the heavy basket from her, then froze, his face a study of intense concentration. “Be quiet!”
    “What is it?” Reyna whispered.
    “Do you hear that?”
    “No, I hear nothing…” And then she did. Something was rooting about in the tall underbrush to their left. She had opened her mouth to ask Wulf what it waswhen a wild boar charged out of its hiding place, heading straight at her.
    A scream erupted from her throat. Wulf drew back his powerful arm, preparing to throw his spear at the rampaging beast before it reached Reyna. Unfortunately, the boar swerved away from Reyna and toward Wulf at the same time Wulf released his spear, missing the animal by mere inches. Feet spread wide, his body braced against the impact, Wulf drew his knife blade. Reyna screamed as boar and man prepared to meet in a fierce battle of life and death.

Chapter Five
    “Move out of the way, Reyna!” Wulf shouted.
    Reyna obeyed immediately, seeking out the sturdiest tree to hide behind. She knew that getting in the way would hinder Wulf’s movement and place him in greater danger. Peeking from behind the tree trunk, Reyna spied Wulf’s spear and decided it was too far away for her to recover easily. But if Wulf seemed to be losing the battle, she would make a mad dash for the spear and try to save Wulf.
    Reyna suppressed a scream when she saw the boar lower its head and aim the sharp points of its tusks at Wulf. Terror stricken, she watched as Wulf stood his ground, still as a pillar, his body tense and waiting. What was wrong with Wulf? Was he just going to stand there and let the boar gore him?
    The quiet of the forest was rent with snorts, grunts and squeals as the beast bore down on Wulf. Reyna did scream then, for