Rough Warrior Read online

  As she removed her hand from his trousers and placed herself in position, he kneeled behind her and dropped his pants. Looking over her shoulder, she watched him push the tunic she was wearing up to her waist, then grasp his huge member.

  “Tell me what you want,” he grunted, staring back at her as he placed it against her entrance.

  “You, Master,” she bleated. “You inside me.”

  “Beg,” he demanded, sharply slapping her backside. “Speak the lewd words.”

  “Ooh, please, Master, please, will you fuck me with your big cock?”

  “Ha. You learn quickly, servant girl,” he retorted, clasping her hips and pushing his manhood into her slick channel.

  Closing her eyes, she relished the divine feel of his mammoth member, but as he started pumping with swift strong strokes, his urgent, breathless groans told her the coupling would be quick. Throwing her hand against her sex, she rubbed vigorously, desperate to experience the divine explosion yet again.

  His thrusting accelerated.

  She massaged faster.

  His finger touched her forbidden back hole.

  Though she instinctively cringed, her climax was all she cared about.

  Feeling it build, she threw back her head and let out a cry.

  Suddenly his finger left the cleft of her bottom and his palms cupped her breasts.

  His coarse skin brushed against her nipples.

  The sublime scratchy sensation sent sparks tingling down her spine.

  Her climax loomed.

  “Give it to me,” he suddenly commanded. “Give it to me now!”

  His husky command pushed her over the edge.

  Spasm after spasm shuddered through her body, and a thousand suns flashed through her head. His fingers dug into her hip and breast, and as she heard his deep, guttural groans, another wave of convulsions swept her away. As the tingling sparkles began to fade, he slipped out, and she fell on her stomach.

  Cloaked in a dreamlike peace, she let out a long breath and slowly opened her eyes. She didn’t expect him to still be there, but he was, stretched out beside her with his green eyes gazing directly into hers.

  “What am I to do with you, Ailith?”

  “I’m your servant girl,” she replied, confused by his remark. “Surely you’ll do whatever you want.”

  He sighed. “You know everything, yet you know nothing.”

  “I sense you’re not angry with me, but you’re... what, Master?”

  “Never mind what I am,” he said briskly, suddenly sitting up. “The dress you were wearing is too flimsy. Stay in that tunic. I brought you down a rope to tie around your waist. You can pull up the bottom half so it doesn’t drag on the ground. Come up to the deck when you’re ready. We’ll probably be at the beach any minute now.”

  “Yes, Master.”

  She watched him rise to his feet, but as he pushed open the door, she heard wild wind and pounding rain.

  “It sounds bad out there,” she said, worry in her voice.

  “The weather has worsened.”

  “Master, if you follow the shore to the cliff with the lone tree, you’ll find shelter.”

  “What kind of shelter?”

  “Huge caves safe from the ocean. The water doesn’t flow in, and the beach there is sandier for your boats and horses.”

  He paused.

  “The cliff with the lone tree,” he repeated.

  “It’s at the other end from where you were before,” she said, standing up and searching for the rope he’d mentioned. “I’m afraid to come up in the storm, but I will for a minute and show you.”

  “You don’t need to be afraid,” he said, softening his voice. “I’ll keep you from harm.”

  The hint of a smile curled his lips.

  She smiled back.

  Energy flowed between them... invisible... yet so real she thought she could reach out and touch it.

  “The rope is on the floor,” he said quietly, pointing under the table. “It must have slipped off.”

  Reluctantly dropping her eyes, she picked it up, knotted it around her middle, then hoisted up the tunic. It fell in a gentle fold over the cord.

  “That’s better,” he remarked as she looked up at him for approval. “Are you ready?”

  “Yes, Master, I’m ready.”

  Taking her hand, he led her through the door and up the steps.

  Though the wind whooshed around her and the rain teemed, the surf wasn’t as high as she’d feared.

  “See, up there,” she exclaimed, pointing into the distance as he stood with his muscled arm around her shoulders. “The tree is set back from the edge of the cliff. Directly below it, that’s where the caves are. They’re really big, and they’re too far for the sea to enter.”

  “Yes, I see. Thank you, Ailith,” he said gratefully. “Don’t worry when you feel the boat roll on the way. We’ll be sideways to the waves so it will rock a bit.”

  “As long as I’m in the room I’ll be—”

  But as she glanced out at the white-capped ocean, she was suddenly seized by terror.

  “I can’t be up here,” she cried. “Take me back down, please, take me back down.”

  As he hastily walked with her to the stairs, she hurried ahead of him into the room and sank on top of the pelts.

  “Ailith, what happened?” he asked, leaning over her. “Why are you shaking?”

  “I don’t know. Honestly, I don’t, but the panic is going away now.”

  “I’ll send the boats toward the cliff, then I’ll come back.”

  “Thank you, Master,” she murmured, seeing the concern in his eyes. “I really am all right.”

  “Good, but I’ll still come back to check,” he said firmly, then moved through the door and closed it behind him.

  “What am I reacting to?” she muttered. “What is it that scares me so badly...?”

  Chapter Six

  Though Ailith insisted she was fine as long as she was below deck, when Ulrick returned, he stayed with her for the short journey to the far side of the bay. His demeanor was as gruff as always, but his eyes held a kindness that belied his rough exterior.

  She understood.

  She was in conflict too.

  “Ailith, I must ask you something,” he said, leaning his back against the wall as the boat rolled with the waves. “When you first came out on deck you were very happy. Do you remember?”

  “I do. It was thrilling.”

  “What changed? Why did you become afraid?”

  A sudden shiver pricked her skin.

  “I don’t know,” she murmured, a frown crossing her forehead. “Out of nowhere I had this very strong feeling to leave, and now, when I’m up there, it comes back. Down here, I’m not scared at all.”

  “Perhaps when the seas are calm again and the wind isn’t blowing you’ll feel more comfortable.”

  “Perhaps,” she said, considering his words, wondering if it was nothing more than the ocean’s very real danger that had sent her scurrying back to the room.

  “Are you familiar with the trek to the cove?” he asked. “Our horses are sure-footed, but I’m not even sure if we need them. We’ll be taking minimal provisions.”

  “I can show you a place above the beach where there’s a grass field. They’ll be happy grazing there, and yes, I know the way to the cove. I can lead you there, and—”

  “Why didn’t you say so?” he asked tersely, cutting her off.

  “I just did.”

  “Earlier. Why didn’t you say so earlier?”

  “I was going to, then, uh, other things happened.”

  He nodded, as if satisfied by her answer.

  “Tell me about it.”

  “The way up the cliff is easy, then there’s a forest, but after that there’s an area of thick bush. Sometimes animals leave a trail. If there isn’t one you’ll need your swords. When we come out the other side it’s not far to a place where you’ll be able to watch the beach unseen.”


  He tilted his head to the side.

  “When you started exploring there, how did you know the brush would end and you’d be overlooking the cove?”

  She paused.

  “I’m not sure how to answer that,” she replied slowly. “I felt as if I was being guided, and sometimes I just know things.”

  She studied him, searching for any signs of fear or suspicion.

  “How lucky you are,” he murmured, nodding his head. “There have been times I’ve felt an invisible force guiding me too. Magnus says it’s something we have inside ourselves, but I believe it comes from the heavens.”

  Overcome with joy, she impulsively threw her arms around his neck and hugged him. “Thank you.” She felt his surprise, but she didn’t let go. “You don’t mind that I’m different.”

  “We are all different,” he said, pulling back and staring down at her, “but your way of being different is a blessing from the gods.” Then pausing, he asked, “Were the people in your village wary of you?”

  “Yes, but they weren’t mean to me, at least, not all of them. Why did you have to hurt them?” she suddenly blurted out, her brow crinkling. “That was horrible.”

  A dark frown crossed his brow.

  “You will not speak to me like that,” he scolded. “Our way is the same as the rest of the world. When we approached, the men in your village immediately attacked us. We fought back.”

  “But you took me.”

  “Because I wanted you,” he exclaimed, “and from what you just told me it’s just as well. You were an outcast.”

  “It was still my home!”

  “Ailith, battles are the way of the world, but when they’re carried out with armies led by kings and princes with fierce weapons, that’s accepted, even praised. When we do it, we’re called barbarians.”

  At a loss for words, she dropped her eyes and sat back.

  “I’ll fetch you when the boat has been pulled on the beach,” he declared, rising to his feet, “but you must think about what I said.”

  As he strode through the door, she let out a sigh and leaned against the wall. She didn’t like his displeasure, or the feelings she couldn’t comprehend, so she turned her thoughts to the caves.

  A frown crossed her brow.

  She could reveal a great deal more than just a place of shelter and the comfort of sleeping around warm fires... but should she?

  A loud crunching sound caught her attention.

  The boat lurched, then stopped.

  The door opened.

  “We’ve arrived,” Ulrick declared hastily. “It’s windy and raining. I’m leaving the horses in the boat for the night. Take one of those skins. You will feel the cold out here.”

  Wrapping a thick fur pelt around her shoulders and tying the ends in a knot around her neck, she hurried through the door. But the moment she stepped on deck, her fear returned.

  “Quickly, the ladder is over here,” he said, guiding her forward through the blustery wind.

  With Ulrick’s help, she carefully climbed down into the shallow whitewash, then waded ashore. Unlike the other side of the beach, the polished pebbles were buried in soft sand, making it more comfortable against her bare feet.

  “Will the horses be all right?” she shouted, worried about the animals being left in the hulls.

  “They’re not alone. They have men who care for them,” he assured her. “Where are the caves?”

  “Through those rocks,” she replied, pointing to a group of huge, round boulders.

  He shot her a skeptical glance, but fell in step beside her and signaled his men to follow. They hurried through the storm, and as she entered a narrow space between three massive boulders, the warriors had to drop into single file. Leading them through a wide hole in the side of the cliff, they found themselves in an enormous cavern.

  “What is this place?” Ulrick murmured as the men entered, muttering their astonishment. “How did you find it?”

  “I used to watch boats come to the shore, and men camp on the beach, but one day they disappeared into big rocks. After they left I went exploring. Look, you can see they were here,” she said, pointing to partially burned logs and sticks scattered across the dry ground. “Is there enough wood left for us?”

  “More than enough,” Ulrick replied. “Gather the kindling,” he called out, his voice echoing through the chamber. “Start up several fires.”

  As the warriors set to work, Magnus appeared from the crowd.

  “Ailith, I have been in great caverns,” he declared, striding toward her, “but this is the largest I’ve ever seen. I suspect there will be other caves off this one.”

  “There are. I’ve found three more, almost as big, but I also know a couple of smaller caves,” she said, moving past the busy men. “One day I was in here and I didn’t know a ship had come ashore. Suddenly I heard voices coming through the boulders and I had to find a place to hide. That’s how I found them.”

  “That must have been frightening,” Magnus remarked.

  “It was, but they didn’t stay very long, thank goodness.”

  Approaching what appeared to be a solid wall, she slipped behind it and into a small, round chamber, but away from the large cavern, there was very little light.

  “I’ll fetch a torch,” Magnus suggested. “This is fascinating. I wonder how many more there are.”

  “Ailith, I need to address the men,” Ulrick said as Magnus left, “but when I’ve finished I’ll start a fire in here for you.”

  Ailith had wrapped the pelt around her body, and wordlessly slipping it off her shoulders, she set it on the ground.

  “Thank you, Master. I suddenly feel very tired. I’d be very grateful to sleep in here.”

  “This will help,” Magnus exclaimed, abruptly returning with a flaming log and propping it against the wall.

  “That’s wonderful,” Ailith said, sitting on top of the pelt.

  “Ailith,” Ulrick murmured solemnly, “thank you for bringing us here.”

  She smiled.

  His voice had softened.

  He wasn’t angry anymore.

  Her heart lifted, and she was glad of it.

  * * *

  Returning to the cavern, Ulrick found the men in groups seated around several fires chasing the chill from their bones. Hearing Bjørn call his name, Ulrick turned. The warrior was striding quickly toward him.

  “I’ve told my men we think Gander sailed into the cove on the other side of the cliff,” Bjørn said anxiously. “I didn’t tell them what we suspect, but they’re very concerned.”

  “I’m sure they are, Bjørn. I’ll talk to them now.”

  Stepping forward and calling for attention, Ulrick waited until the buzz of conversation died away, then began to speak.

  “As you may have heard, I don’t believe Gander had any intention of sailing out to sea in a different direction. He was trying to provoke me into giving chase, and at some point he would have turned and led me into the cove on the other side of the cliff.”

  “Why?” someone shouted. “That’s what we don’t understand.”

  “I have no proof,” Ulrick continued, “but I suspect this was designed to lure me to my death. He probably has his own men waiting for my arrival. I don’t know what he may have done with his oarsmen. He knows they’re loyal to me.”

  “Is this because of what happened with that girl?” the same voice called out.

  “If I’m right, that was a ploy. He knew I’d have to punish him, and once that happened, he wanted me to think he was so angry he was leaving. He assumed I’d have no choice but to chase after him.”

  Murmurs rippled through the cavern. Ulrick waited a moment, then lowering his voice, he continued.

  “Come sunrise, the girl will lead us to the cove. If he is there, and I strongly believe he will be, we will watch and wait, then on my signal we will charge forward and catch him. If any of you know something and you’ve been holding back out of fear, this is the time to speak up. I
f you’ve heard any rumors, I want to hear them now.”

  “I know something,” a young man declared, rising to his feet. “I was sitting under the bridge by the creek and I heard two men talking. One of them said you would have to be assassinated, and the other man agreed.”

  “When was this?”

  “In the harvest month. I came to your place to tell you, but your servant wouldn’t let me in. I tried twice. The second time he warned me not to return.”

  Ulrick wanted to slap his own forehead.

  He’d been living with a spy under his roof.

  His servant had come recommended by Gander.

  “Anyone else?” Ulrick asked, still cursing his stupidity for hiring the man.

  “I heard Gander thought he should be the ruler,” a voice called.

  “Me too,” another yelled.

  Similar comments suddenly echoed through the air, then Varig abruptly stood up.

  “But we would never go against you, sir,” he shouted. “We have always defended you, alone and together, and we will fight Gander and his men to the death.”

  The band of warriors spontaneously rose to their feet, their fists pumping the air as their collective roar echoed through the cavern. Taken aback by their fierce show of loyalty, Ulrick wasn’t sure what to say, but when the gathering fell silent, he placed his hand on his heart.

  “As I will always defend you, and lay down my life with yours,” he said solemnly. “Sleep well, my brothers, and give thanks to the gods we were brought into the shelter of this warm, dry cave. Tomorrow we will be victorious, and learn the names of Gander’s supporters.”

  “It’s no wonder they follow you so willingly,” Bjørn murmured. “I can’t imagine why Gander ever thought he had a chance of toppling you.”

  “Thank you, Bjørn. Now we must rest. I don’t know how long the journey will be in the morning, or if the weather will be kind.”

  “I pray to the gods that it is.”

  As Bjørn turned and walked away, Magnus stepped up carrying an armful of logs and kindling.

  “For your fire,” he said as they started back to the small chamber. “I assume you’ll be staying with her.”