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to this land many years ago, though not under the same circumstances. I was betrothed to Anselm and we married. I am a Christian, as I assume you are.”
    “Yea, of course!”
    Heloise smiled. “But I also worship my husband’s gods, to please him. I will help you all I can, but understand that my loyalty is here.”
    Linnet braced herself to ask the question that was uppermost in all their minds. “What is to become of us?”
    “At present, you are my husband’s prisoners. ’Tis up to him to decide what to do with you.”
    “Are we slaves, then?” Cordella asked in a haughty tone, although she had little to be arrogant about.
    Heloise raised a brow in Cordella’s direction. “You lost your rights when you were captured. I am surprised you need to ask the question. Did you think you would be brought here and set free, given homes and property of your own? Nay, you are the property. You will belong to my husband, or whoever he chooses to give you to. I do not particularly like the term slave. I prefer “servant,” no different than what you must have had in your own land.”
    “Our servants were free!” Cordella snapped.
    “You may have called them free, but in truth, they were not. And you, my girl, had best learn your place quickly, or ’twill not go well for you.”
    “She is right, Cordella,” Linnet said quietly. “Hold your tongue for once.”

    Cordella turned in a huff and ignored them. Heloise laughed softly. “I think you and I can become friends, Linnet.”
    “I would like that,” she replied sincerely. At this moment she needed a friend more than anything.
    “’Tis unfortunate that you are here,” Heloise continued sympathetically. “But I hope you will all adjust quickly. I do not condone my husband’s raiding and returning with prisoners, but I have little say about this part of his life. I realize that you and your family were deceived into thinking there would be an alliance, and I am sorry for this.”
    “Your husband gave his word!” Cordella interrupted again. “Does a Viking have no honor?”
    “Della!”
    “I do not blame her for feeling wronged. Yea, my husband has honor, but not for those he considers his enemies. He gave his word falsely to your arranger, the man you sent here. You see, my youngest son, Garrick, was taken prisoner by your people once, and treated inhumanly. My husband has hated you Celts ever since. He had no intention of keeping his word when he gave it. He would never allow our son to marry a Celt.”
    “Was that man Garrick?” Linnet asked curiously, nodding to the tall Viking. “The one who looked my niece over?”
    “Nay, that was my first born, Hugh. Garrick is not here, though ’twould make no difference if he were. There can be no wedding, you understand.”
    “Yea.”
    “Garrick knows naught of this. He sailed in the spring, before you sent your man here. I am truly sorry for what has happened, and especially for the deception. If I could change your lot, I would.”
    “Should you let them hear you say this?”
    Heloise laughed. “They cannot understand us. I did not teach my husband my language; I learned his. My husband knows how I feel about taking captives, that I disapprove. As you can see by the servants here, all of whom were taken at one time or another, I cannot stop him. This is just another part of Viking life.”
    “What will become of my niece?” Linnet asked with deep concern.
    “She will be made to serve, like the rest of you,” Heloise answered and turned to Brenna. “Do you understand, child?”
    Brenna said nothing and Linnet sighed. “She is stubborn and resentful. She will not accept what has happened.”
    “She will have to,” Heloise said gravely. “I will not lie to you. If she proves troublesome, she could be sold at one of the markets far from here, or she could be put to death.”
    “Nay!” Linnet gasped.
    Brenna showed her contempt by glaring hostilely at Heloise before she turned stiffly and walked