Nena by Ann Boelter (digital book reader txt) 📕

his own admission, he was not thinking clearly because of it. And if he did challenge her father, what would she do? Or the others? Where would they stand? Lothor would be the next chief. All knew and accepted that. But not yet. And not by coup. That could not happen until her father relinquished the position to him.

Nena glanced around the council and saw the unease on some of the other warriors’ faces as they also recognized the potential for disaster in Lothor’s next words. She was disturbed, however, to see eagerness on the faces of some who appeared to relish a changing of the guard. They were those closest to Lothor—Baldor, not surprisingly, was among them.

“I wish only to understand their motive, as you should also,” Meln admonished him, seemingly unaware of the precipice on which they stood. “To know how hard an enemy will fight, you need to understand what they fight for.”

It was basic warrior training, and even the youngest warriors knew it well. A single man protecting his family, or a mother protecting her child might be a dangerous opponent, while an army fighting for another’s cause was often easily defeated.

Nena wrestled with her conscience and guilt. She had the answer they sought. She knew what the Northmen would be fighting for, and she also knew how powerful an incentive it was to them. The same drive for riches and conquest that drove them far from their homes year after year. When combined with their lack of fear—nay, their desire to die in battle, she knew they would be the most formidable adversary her people had ever faced. They would be relentless and merciless once Jarl gave the order. Her gut twisted. She should reveal what she knew. To withhold the information of why the Northmen were here and what they were willing to die for was dangerous for everyone if they did not take the threat seriously. She stood mute. She couldn’t do it—not when she was the cause of it all. She couldn’t stand to see them look at her with shame and disgust, like she was a traitor.

“They are stupid Northmen,” Baldor shouted.

“They have not been stupid in the past,” Meln reminded him.

“We must do something. If they remain camped there, we cannot leave to raid,” Baldor added.

“They have never overwintered in our lands before,” an older warrior said, joining the debate. “I believe Nena’s words before to be true. They won’t be able to stay. They must return to the North before the rivers freeze, or they will be trapped and not be able to make it home. They will have to leave soon.”

“Then that means they will have to attack soon,” Lothor said quietly.

Murmurs filled the tent as the warriors took this in.

Meln waited for the tent to become quiet, then spoke. “We have the tactical advantage and our priorities must remain with protecting our people and this mountain,” he announced, taking control like the Meln of old, his tone brooking no argument. “Vengeance is secondary, and we will not risk all by venturing beyond our protection to have it. Have the elderly, the children, and the pregnant women prepare to move to the safety of the winter caves on short notice. Everyone else needs to prepare to fight. Lothor, triple the guards on the walls and station warriors behind the stones in the canyon. If the Northmen decide to attack, we will be ready. And station our fastest messengers along the trails. If reinforcements are needed, we need to know when and where as soon as possible.”

“I have a suggestion for that,” Nena offered, finally finding her voice, thankful the tribe was preparing for the worst without her having to reveal her own accountability. She briefly explained the Northmen’s use of horns and whistles.

“Yes. I like that,” Meln agreed. “If three men with horns were set up along the trail, they could pass the signal in seconds.” He turned to Lothor. “See that it is done.”

Lothor nodded. “After that, I’m going to the Gates,” he said. It was not a request. “If the Northmen do decide to attack, I will be among the first to greet them.”

Word spread quickly of the growing size of the Northman camp. As preparations were made for emergency evacuation and battle, the strain began to tell on everyone, but none more than Exanthia.

“They are coming for us, aren’t they?” She whispered her fear to Nena one night as they lay in the darkness. “It’s because we escaped, and they’ve come to take us back. This is my fault. Everyone is in danger because of me.”

“Shh, shh,” Nena soothed. She reached for the girl and pulled her under her own furs, wrapping her in a tight embrace. She understood how Exanthia felt. Her own feelings of guilt had plagued her since the moment in the council when she realized why they were really here. “It is not your fault and they are not going to take us,” she reassured her. “You know what to do if the alarm comes?”

“Yes, I will go with Shia to the caves. But what about you and Jalla?” Exanthia fretted.

“If the alarm is sounded, we will be needed to fight.”

“But I can fight, too.”

“Not yet,” Nena disagreed. “I know you are willing, but you must go with the others. Everyone has an important job to do and yours will be to help those at the caves. Belda will be there and she could have her baby any day. She will need someone strong to look after her. And besides, it will not come to that. We are safe here. You remember the tall cliffs we rode through? No enemy has ever passed through those gates—ever, in all of time, and many have tried. The Northmen are not stupid. They will see that it is certain death and they will leave. You’ll see.”

“But Jalla says there have never been so many before,” Exanthia whispered.

“It doesn’t matter how many there