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have come close to inciting some of the young men of this town to violence. Just today, I understand, there was trouble. You’re disrupting too many lives, Fianna , Eislinn’s daughter. This cannot continue.”
    The man paused and looked around the room as though waiting for someone to contradict him.
    “I agree,” Fianna answered. “Three men nearly forced me this afternoon. They need to be warned that such behavior is not tolerated.”
    Alfred looked surprised but recovered. “I’ll be speaking to them about it,” he promised. “But there is an argument that your refusal to take any of them continues to injure and wound them, inciting them to uncharacteristic acts. This cannot go on. You, Fianna , must do your part to stop it.”
    “And that part is?” she asked.
    “You must marry. And soon. I’ll not tell you who to choose, but I declare this. You have until the eve of May Day, the night the Norsemen celebrate Walpurgis, to make your choice. Have you not agreed to wed with some man, you’ll have to leave the village that night and not return, on pain of death.”
    For the first time his expression showed some distress. “I do not like having to pronounce this doom or force you to this,” he said. “ but the need for peace in the town compels me to it. You must decide whose suit to accept and cease tormenting the young men of this town.”
    Alfred looked at her. “Do you understand what you must do?”
    She stared back at him. “Aye,” she answered on a sighing breath. “Because they cannot control themselves as reasonable men are normally expected to do, I must sacrifice my freedom to live my life as I would. This is a strange justice.”
    He had the grace to look abashed. “It is perhaps not entirely fair to you,” he admitted. He drew a breath and his face hardened. “It is nonetheless necessary. You are a woman and so must be subject to a man. That is how it must be.”
    “I see,” she agreed, wanting to argue further yet recognizing the futility of it.
    “Very well. We’ll await your decision.” The man nodded to her and to Marla then turned to leave, signaling that the others should go with him.
    Marla’s face showed compassion when she turned to Fianna . “I’m sorry it has come to this for you. I know there are few good choices.”
    Fianna shrugged and resumed packing her bag of medicines. “I suppose I could agree to marry Jerrod or Artur or Keovan . Not a one of them thrills me, but I could reach accommodation with one, I suppose. I know not how to choose among them, though.”
    “There are other possibilities, no?”
    Fianna shrugged. “Walter, the blacksmith’s apprentice. He’s slow, but strong enough.”
    “My cow’s smarter than Walter. And he’s too young anyway.”
    “I’m sure I could get a proposal from Densley , the old Cooper.”
    Marla shook her head. “Too old. He’s doddering. He’d fall over dead from the shock did you make a move toward him.”
    Fianna sighed, closed up the bag and hung it on her shoulder. “I’ll think on it.” She glanced outside and saw the Norsemen still waited there. “I know not what exactly the Norsemen want of me so I cannot say how long ’twill take.”
    “Take care of yourself ,” Marla said.
    Fianna nodded to her and went back outside. Two Norsemen approached the door but stopped when they saw her emerge. Again they accompanied her to their leader’s horse and helped her mount behind him.
    She strained to get a better look at Henrik’s face in the brief moments before she was raised up to the horse, searching for the warm, caring lover she’d known. His strong features were set in a stern expression that didn’t soften as he watched her. His blue gray eyes were cool, the arched brows drawn into a scowl. No hint of warmth or sympathy showed in that handsome face.
    Fianna shivered when she settled into place behind him. The blond hair that hung to his shoulders rippled with gold highlights in the sunshine, clean and