Legendary Warrior (20 page)

“You have told me nothing that makes me think differently of you. You did what was necessary to survive. There is nothing wrong with that. You learned skills that proved beneficial to you and others. You are a warrior.”

“I am the Legend.” He sounded as if he admitted to a heinous crime. “And the legend began far from here and followed me over sea and land and grew after my return.”

“Are you telling me there is more to the Legend than I have heard?”

He simply stared at her with pain-filled eyes.

“Tell me.” She fought down the nervous lump that tried to rush up in her throat. “Tell me how the Legend was given birth.”

His somber laugh sent a chill through Reena.

“I know you have heard many tales of me. Now you hear the truth.”

She nodded, as if reaffirming she was ready to hear whatever it was he had to tell her. And she wanted to hear every word, she wanted to know all she could about the Legend and understand all she could about him. The Legend was, after all, Magnus.

He hesitated a moment as if weighing the wisdom of his choice.

She smiled and reached out to rest her hand on his arm, the gesture one of comfort and support, letting him know she cared for him no matter his words.

He glanced down at her hand on his arm and raised troubled eyes to hers. “The legend began when I killed one of my teachers and his entire family.”

Chapter 23

H
er hand fell away and she was stunned silent. One of his men called to him, letting him know they approached an area he had designated for mapping.

The Legend turned to Reena. “I expect your duties as my mapmaker to be carried out no matter the circumstances. This episode will then put your abilities to the test.”

“I will map,” Reena said firmly. She was actually grateful for the interruption, for she needed time to think on what he had just told her. He had been blunt, offering no excuse for his actions, and his words seemed to defy her to understand. Or did they beg her to understand?

The horses were brought to a halt and Reena dismounted before the Legend could assist her. At the moment she wanted no one’s assistance; she preferred relying on herself and she preferred solitude. Solitude to draw and to think.

She walked around her horse to the Legend. He stood where he was, a glint of anger in his dark eyes. She assumed he was annoyed with her for dismounting on her own. Her actions did give the impression she did not wish him to touch her, but she would deal with that later. Now she needed time to herself. “What do you wish mapped?”

He pointed. “The area seen from the crest of that hill.”

She nodded, took her charcoal and paper from the satchel strapped across the back of her horse, and walked to the crest of the hill. She stood silent, staring at the land spread out before her. It looked as empty as she felt, and she forced herself to take a closer look. Her mind rebelled, noticing none of the new spring growth about ready to blossom or the way the land rolled like a gentle green wave cresting over each hill, nor did she see the birds busy foraging for material to build suitable nests in which to lay their eggs. She heard only the Legend’s words repeated over and over in her head.

What would cause a man to kill an entire family?

And not any man but his teacher, who had willingly shared his wisdom with his student.

She feared that he could provide no justifiable answer. If not, what then would she do?

Her mind needed settling. She could do nothing now, but later she would question him, and she would expect an answer. She began to draw, and in no time her hands flew fast and furiously and her mind numbed; she was lost in her mapping.

They rode on to another area, little conversation passing between them, and stopped for a light midday fare. They rested near a stream, spreading out a cloth that held meat and bread. The Legend had walked off, leaving Reena with his men. She did not share in their conversation but listened to humorous tales of their adventures.

An elderly man and woman looking worn from traveling on foot approached them cautiously. The woman appeared ready to collapse, and Reena was quick to stand and offer them rest and sustenance.

The man repeatedly thanked Reena for her generosity, and the woman looked ready to weep as they eagerly walked over to Reena. But a sudden abruptness halted their steps and fear filled their eyes, and Reena knew that the Legend had walked up behind her.

The man slipped his arm around the trembling woman, and with a courteous bow of his head he whispered, “My lord.”

A strong command left no doubt as to what they should do. “Join us.”

Reena thought about making conversation with the pair to help alleviate their fear, but the two ate as if they had not eaten in weeks and kept their eyes lowered, though they did remain huddled close to each other.

“Your destination?” Magnus more demanded than asked.

Reena admired the way the man met Magnus eye to eye, though his voice trembled some.

“My wife Beth and I search for a home. Being older and my hands—” He stopped and looked at his wrinkled and gnarled hands as if he did not recognize them. He shook his head. “I cannot create the fine bows and arrows I once did, so I am useless.”

“A skill is never useless,” Magnus said.

“A skill is only good if you can make use of it,” the man said with disgust.

“Then use your skill the one way you can.”

“How?” the elderly man asked, sounding hopeful that perhaps he was of some use after all.

“Teach what you know.” Magnus sent a signal to one of his men, who walked off into the woods without a word.

The man shook his head. “To who? Most villagers and lords have a bowman.”

“Skilled or not, there is always something to learn. I would be honored to have you share your knowledge with my bowman and do whatever you can to assist him. A cottage and food is included in the offer if you are interested.”

His wife cried softly, and the elderly man stood a little prouder. “I am John, and I accept your generous offer. I will do my share and serve you well, my lord.”

“I have no doubt you will. We must be on our way, but you are to wait here. Two of my men will return shortly and escort you to my keep. Once there, Thomas will see to your needs.”

“Bless you, Legend,” the woman said, her tears falling hard.

Magnus acknowledged her gratitude with a brief nod, then walked to his horse, ordering his men to mount.

Reena went to her horse realizing he’d left the food for the elderly couple to take with them. He lifted her to her horse, and as two of the Legend’s men walked out of the woods, the Legend, Reena and his men rode off.

She smiled, thinking of what a good man he was. Then she recalled his confession of murder, and she shivered.

“You are cold?” he asked. “A chill still clings to the air, spring has yet to fully blossom.”

“A slight chill, nothing more.”

“I have a heavy cloak if you need it,” he offered.

She looked over at him where he rode beside her, so large and terrifying all in black, his face mostly concealed by the helmet. Yet he was concerned for her well-being.

He cared for her and she cared for him. She could not be foolish and allow her doubts to cloud her emotions. She needed to seek her answers and understand. So her question was asked not out of curiosity but from a loving heart.

“Tell me about your teacher and his family.”

He stared at her for a silent moment, an indication he was deep in thought. Part of him wished he could remain there, in his mind.

Few knew the true story behind the tale that had earned him the title of the Legend. It was not something he wished to discuss or remember, and it certainly was not a tale he wished were true. By the time the story had traveled to his homeland it had grown into a legend—a legend that was far from the truth.

Could he trust Reena with the truth?

She had spoken not a word to anyone of his mother being the woman kept prisoner in the secret room. If she had he would have known, for the news would have run rampant through the keep, gossip being a way of life. But not a word was made mention; she had kept her word, keeping his secret.

Reena waited patiently, knowing he would speak when he was ready. And though he looked as if he warred with his own decision, she felt confident he would choose to share the past with her and free his tormented heart and soul.

He spoke low, his words for their ears alone. “William was a good man and was a master in understanding instinct. He explained that it was an important part of who we are and what we amount to. Instinct allows us to live with less fear and more hope. It allows for understanding and less ignorance. Instinct is an essential part of us all that is rarely acknowledged and barely used.

“He taught me that all creatures except man use their instincts to survive, for man’s arrogance causes him to ignore his instincts. At first his lessons seemed trivial and of no real importance to me until I began to realize the depth of his teachings. I spent a year with him, and it was a year I will never forget or regret.

“His thoughts and ideas were foreign to many, and he had moved his family several times to keep them from being persecuted, since there were many who believed he practiced dark magic. I asked him once why he did not keep his tongue silent so that he did not have to run and hide in fear. He laughed at me and told me that I should think about what I asked of him and when I had my answer I would need him to teach me no more.”

“Did you discover the answer?”

“Not until the very end.”

Reena felt her breath catch, and tears gathered in her eyes. This was difficult for him, she could see the way he warred with his memories and the hurt that surfaced and grabbed hold of him.

“Friends of William warned him that officials were on their way to accuse and persecute him and his family. His wife, Bella, believed as he did, as did their daughter Mary, a young lass of barely ten years with a voice sweeter than the heavens. When she raised it in song, all quieted and listened, for it was a sound so lovely it mesmerized.

“The warning came too late. Officials arrived and began to question William and his family. He understood immediately his situation and the danger he and his family were in. There was no longer anyplace for them to hide. He was quickly accused of heresy and imprisoned in a nearby keep’s dungeon, his wife was imprisoned shortly after him, and William feared that his daughter would suffer a horrible fate, left on her own.

“He knew it was only a matter of time before he and his wife would be put to death by fire. He asked that I spare them the suffering. . . .”

Magnus stopped and took a breath.

Reena fought a losing battle with her tears.

“He also asked that I made certain Mary did not suffer. He believed that together, they would all be happy in the afterlife. He asked as a good friend that I do this for him. I had to tend to the matter immediately and then leave and return to my own land. He told me to take the night to think on the matter for there was little time, and he told me to tell Mary how much she was loved and that they would unite with her soon, that she would understand.”

Magnus shook his head. “I could not do what he asked of me, not until I returned to the dungeon the next night, having bribed the same guard with a bag of coins to let me in. William and Bella had been tortured and lay in horrendous pain from their horrible ordeal. William begged me to end their suffering and see to Mary. I did not think twice.”

He paused, shutting his eyes for a moment. “I will spare you the details and tell you their deaths were swift and painless. Bella felt nothing, she simply smiled and whispered her thanks just before the end. Before William died he asked me if I had the answer to why he did not keep his tongue silent so that he did not have to run and hide in fear. I gave him the answer, and he smiled and told me that I needed him no more. I laid them side by side, went and took care of Mary, then left.”

Tears ran down Reena’s cheeks. “When did you discover the answer?”

“That moment before he was to die. I realized that he was not the one who ran and hid in fear. It was those who hunted him that were running and hiding in fear.”

“You tell me the true tale; what is the gossip that preceded you home?”

“It was said I confronted evil and without fear destroyed it and that only a man of strong conviction and honor, a legend, could do what I did. The tale traveled far and wide and I was hired by many monarchs to deal with their battles and wars, and I was substantially rewarded.”

“And all feared you because they thought you capable of turning on a friend and killing him without thought or remorse.”

“Aye. I was the Legend, a warrior without a heart or soul, a formidable commodity to those looking for protection from their enemies.”

“You told no one the truth?”

“No one would believe it, and I would place myself in danger if it were known I did it to save them from suffering. And my teacher would have expected no less from me, for instinctively he realized what would happen after his death, and that would mean his death was not in vain.”

“You would live to help others, while those in power thought you helped them.”

“Helping those in power allowed me to help others who were less fortunate, and it helped me to grow in my own strength and power until I became a force of my own.”

“I will tell no one the true tale, but . . .” She lowered her voice to a whisper. “I wish you to teach me the understanding of instinct.”

He stared at her for a moment. She was so very different than the women he had known. Her interests were more similar to his, wanting to understand all that she could.

“You practice much of it already.”

“Do I?” she asked, surprised.

“Aye, you do. The first part of understanding instinct is awareness. You must be aware of your surroundings and see all. You do that when you sketch.”

“I see everything and keep it clear and strong in my mind,” Reena said with pride.

“That is a good beginning in understanding instinct.”

They remained in discussion until they reached their destination.

Reena immediately understood why the area was important to him. “Guards could be posted here without being noticed, and the rise in the distance would give a clear view to anyone who approached.”

“I thought the same when we first passed through here, but I wanted a more thorough mapping of the area.”

“We should investigate the areas heavy with foliage.” She pointed out one or two. “The information may prove useful.”