Forbidden Love by Maura Seger Page B

turned the tide of battle and assured the success of the invasion. Next time they went against Normans, Colin and his men would be prepared to fight just as effectively.
    Curiosity aroused, Roanna wondered if he had been at Hastings. She knew that despite the English defeat and the death of King Harold, some of the force had survived. Finding no acceptable way to raise the question, she thought she would have to be content with speculation. But that did not prove to be the case.
    When the last dishes were cleared away, the hall grew quiet A white-bearded old man who had shared the high table moved a stool to the center of the room. A little boy approached with a lute, which he carried reverently in his small hands.
    Accepting the instrument, the bard sat down. In the flickering glow of the torches, he appeared to throw off the weight of his years. Vitality emanated from him as his fingers lovingly caressed the strings.
    A ripple of liquid light sang through the hall as the last whispered conversations died away.
    Satisfied with the sound, the bard began a traditional ballad extolling the virtues of fallen heroes. The final verses honored those who had perished at Hastings. As was usual, he had tailored the song to his audience. Men of the Algerson forces who had perished in the fray were praised in words which brought tears to the eyes of the women and caused the men to swallow hastily.
    Nor were those who fought and lived forgotten. Roanna learned that at the height of the battle Colin had led his men into the thick of fighting in a last, desperate effort to save their king. Grievously wounded by a Norman ax blow across the chest, he had fallen to the ground unconscious and near death.
    So severe was his injury mat the advancing Normans presumed him killed and left him alone. In the final moments of the battle, as the slaughter of the English reached its peak, several of his retainers managed to carry their lord from the field. Their loyalty and courage were praised, but so was the immense strength and fortitude Colin showed. Against all odds he had managed to regain consciousness and lead his men on a forced march home to secure their lands against the advancing enemy.
    Roanna was no more immune to such painful memories than anyone else in the hall. Her eyes were damp as the song faded away. More than ever, she felt a stranger among those who had suffered so greatly at the hands of her people.

Chapter 4

    B ut by the next day much of the unease she had felt in the hall had passed. Colin invited her to go hunting with him. Moreover, he paid her the compliment of asking her along not on a genteel hunt with falcons or a romp after deer but on a serious search for a wild boar. The animal, an oversized male with razor-sharp tusks, had killed several of the peasants' sheep and injured a child. Even for armed men on horseback, he was a formidable quarry.

    Roanna agreed eagerly. Besides the sheer pleasure of being with Colin, she looked forward to the hunt itself. Several times she had asked her brother to take her along on such an expedition, but he had always refused, citing the dangers. Since he did not often place restrictions on her, she could not resent his concern too much. But she was glad Colin seemed to have greater faith in her strength and ability.
    Still, he did feel constrained to caution her as they left the stronghold. "Stay in the center of the riders and let your horse have her head. She's a good distance runner with sound wind."
    Roanna nodded, patting the mare's neck affectionately. She had expected a good mount, if only so she would not hold the hunt back. But the sleek chestnut was something special She had great spirit, yet was well behaved. Only the slightest touch was needed to guide her.
    It occurred to Roanna that on such a horse she could make a bid for freedom, but she dismissed the thought at once. Besides the sense of reluctance that filled her at the idea of leaving Colin, she knew full well that he