Page 21 of Highlander’s Viking Snakes

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I followed the tracks because they led us here. I wanted to fight because I wanted to stop what was happening,” he said.

Caoimhe’s gaze flashed between the two men, unsure which of them to believe.

“You’ve been back and forth to the village, and who knows where you’ve gone? You’ve planned this all along. I think it was too convenient that you turned up just as we were deciding to go and search for Caoimhe’s father. You were quick to insert yourself into proceedings. I knew we shouldn’t have let you come.”

“You’re speaking lies!” Egon growled.

But nothing could stop Sven and this train of thought. He drew his sword and pointed the tip directly at Egon’s heart. Caoimhe gasped when she saw the blade flash before her. “Tell us where you’re holding him,” Sven demanded.

Egon growled again. His entire body bristled with anger. “I had nothing to do with the raid! I have only tried to help the people of the village! All I have done is for the best, and time and time again, I am cast as the villain. I can do nothing right!” he thundered, pacing back and forth with a grizzled expression on his face. His hands were clenched into fists and long strands of hair had broken free of his ponytail. They swayed around his head. He cut a fearsome figure. Caoimhe’s mind flashed back to the attack where she had seen the faces of Vikings. In her mind, the images twisted. Egon’s face seemed to fit one she had seen. He was red with fury, and there was the hammer that dangled against his chest. Her traumatized mind whirled, and her fear made everything irrational make sense.

“I saw ye,” she said in a terse voice.

Egon looked at her, dumbfounded. Even Sven looked surprised.

“What?” Egon asked, tilting his head towards her, squinting in disbelief.

“I saw ye,” she mumbled, “that night. Ye were there. Sven is right.”

Before Egon could say anything, Sven stepped forward in a threatening manner. Egon held his hands up, his eyes flicking between the blade and Caoimhe.

“I think you should go. You’ve caused enough pain here,” Sven said darkly. Egon looked at Caoimhe, but she turned away from him. Tears blurred her vision, but she knew what she said to be true…didn’t she?

Egon walked away without saying anything else and mounted his horse. The sound of thunderous hooves faded into the distance as he galloped away, leaving Caoimhe with Sven. At least she could trust Sven, even more than she could trust her own judgment at the moment.