A Warrior's Promise by Donna Fletcher Page A

the village. “Elsa had come here to help a woman with a newborn babe.” She thought a moment, then smiled. “Joslyn. If we find her and mention Elsa, she will trust us.”
    â€œWe’ll need to approach with cau—”
    Charlotte turned and hurried over to a woman, one chubby babe in her arm and another clinging to her worn brown tunic. She spoke with haste to the woman and returned to Bryce’s side before he could decide whether to follow or not.
    â€œI found her. Follow me.” And again she took off, without waiting for a response.
    Bryce caught her by the arm, forcing her to walk at a less hectic pace beside him. “You need to be more cautious in approaching people.”
    â€œIt stands to reason that if Elsa knows Joslyn due to a birth, then other women in the village know of her as well. Mentioning Elsa’s name directly would alleviate any fear and result in an immediate answer. I know I take chances approaching strangers with questions, but what choice do I have if I want to find my da?”
    Bryce shook his head. “One minute you sound like a foolish lad and the next like a wise one.”
    Charlotte almost bit her tongue for failing to keep to the lad’s sardonic nature, but she quickly recovered. “Jealous of my wisdom are you?”
    Bryce nodded. “There’s the foolish one.”
    There was no more time to spar, the cottage just in front of them.
    â€œI’ll see to this,” Bryce said, and gently shoved her behind him.
    The door opened slowly, and a pretty young woman’s head appeared from around it. Joslyn’s cautious expression changed as soon as Bryce mentioned Elsa, and they were invited inside. The cottage was sparse though neat and surprisingly clean. A babe slept contentedly in a cradle a safe distance from the hearth. They accepted the hot brew the young woman offered them though graciously declined slices of fresh bread since it appeared it might be the woman’s only food.
    It didn’t take long to learn the general whereabouts of Old John though it came with a warning.
    â€œHe talks crazy sometimes and doesn’t trust many, so do be careful.”
    Charlotte wondered what Bryce whispered to the young woman as he pressed something into her hand. She supposed he cautioned her on letting anyone know whatever it was he had given her, but Joslyn appeared far too happy for a warning.
    They left the village, following the directions Joslyn had provided, a chore for sure since there were no exact instructions to follow to Old John’s secluded lodgings. It was more of a general area she had described.
    â€œYou’ll do as I say when we find Old John’s place,” Bryce said.
    â€œDon’t I always?” Charlotte asked with a grin.
    â€œYou do keep me entertained,” Bryce said with a laugh.
    They found Old John’s place after carefully scrutinizing the area. It was nothing more than a dilapidated shack with far too much debris surrounding it. Then it dawned on her.
    â€œHe’s built a moat of sorts, a barrier to keep people out,” she said.
    â€œHe’s done a good job. There doesn’t even appear to be an entrance.”
    â€œShall we call out and see if he answers?”
    â€œSomeone who goes to this extreme to keep people out would already know we’re here,” Bryce said.
    â€œWhat do you want from me?” the rough voice asked.
    Charlotte jumped and cast anxious glances around her but saw no one.
    Bryce remained as he was, not the least bit disturbed by the sudden, phantom voice, and answered, “A bit of your time in exchange for a trinket or two?”
    â€œI need no trinkets.”
    Charlotte couldn’t determine Old John’s location. It sounded as if he were beside her and at the same time at a distance.
    â€œYour help then,” Bryce asked, “in exchange for mine?”
    â€œHow can you help me?” Old John inquired, strangely