“I've seen these men,” Astrid said. “They are from somewhere else, somewhere outside our world.”
“When did they appear?” Bradan asked.
“About a year ago,” Astrid said.
“The same time as the other evils,” Melcorka said. “They are connected – kill the head, and the rest will die, or go back from where they came.”
“Where is the head?” Astrid asked.
“We do not know,” Bradan said. “All we know that a man who lives in a house built on human bones may have the secret. Halfdan's last words were Dun Dreggan, which may be the place.”
“Dun Dreggan?” Astrid looked up. “The dun of the dragon? I know where that is.”
“Tell us,” Melcorka sat on the ground, leaning on a handy rock.
“It is in Caithness, the land of the cat people,” Astrid said. “Dun Dreggan is a stone-built castle, probably one of the most inaccessible castles in Alba or the Jarldom.”
All the time Astrid spoke, her eyes were on Bradan. She hardly looked in Melcorka's direction.
“I think we know these cat people,” Melcorka said grimly.
“Is this dragon castle built on human bones?” Bradan asked.
“In more ways than one,” Astrid said. “The site is ancient, so old it is beyond the memory of man. I have heard it was built on human sacrifice, although I have no proof.”
“Human sacrifice seems to be very common this season,” Bradan said. “We are returning to the bad old days.”
“Evil is in charge,” Melcorka murmured.
“You said Dun Dreggan was built on bones in more ways than one,” Bradan reminded Astrid.
“The present castle was built on the old foundations,” Astrid said. “It is on the site of a massacre where the Norse cleared the local Picts. There was a Pictish monastery there, a colony of monks, and Harald the Tall had them killed. The Pictish priests returned when Maelona was the queen, but only last year the Norsemen, my people, raided again and massacred the entire population.”
“Built on human bones indeed. Tell us where we will find this castle,” Melcorka ordered.
Astrid's smile was mocking. “You will never get there alone. You'll need a guide.”
“Bradan and I have been to places in this world that are beyond your comprehension,” Melcorka said. “We have seen lands of perpetual ice and snow, rivers so vast you cannot see the far bank and lakes as big as seas. We have seen empires so extensive you cannot comprehend the scale, and armies of tens of thousands of men. We have travelled over lands and seas…” Melcorka stopped as she realised that Astrid was not paying any attention.
“You will need a guide,” Astrid repeated. “However far you claim to have travelled before, you are not doing very well so far, are you? Falling under the influence of the evil eye, defeated by the Butcher on the Bass Rock, seeking help from the People of Peace and the Druids.” She looked at Melcorka for the first time. “I know of your failures, Melcorka the Swordswoman. You have needed help since you set out on your quest, and you need help now.”
Bradan watched the interplay between the two women. “Do you know of anybody that can guide us to Dun Dreggan?”
“Me,” Astrid said.
Melcorka felt a surge of emotion she never thought to experience. “You? You would be better tending the pigs rather than venturing with us.”
“How are your scars, Melcorka?” Astrid asked sweetly. “I hope they are healing now.” She stood up, smiling. “We are of the same age, Swordswoman; I have lived all my life with warriors, and yet my body is unblemished. Shall I show you?”
“There is no need,” Bradan wondered how he could keep the peace between these two women. “We believe you.” Taking a deep breath, he faced Melcorka. “We may need Astrid's help, Mel. If she knows where Dun Dreggan is, then we may finish this quest quickly and rid Alba of the evil.”
“Not only Alba,” Astrid said. “The evil extends all over Thorfinn's jarldom of Orkney as well and may well have spread further.”
Drawing Defender, Melcorka began to polish the blade in what was an unmistakeable warning to Astrid. She glanced at Bradan, wondering if she could trust him with this attractive blonde Norsewoman. In all the years they had travelled together, Melcorka had never felt so uncomfortable with their relationship. Knowing the decision rested with her, she forced a smile.
“You are welcome to come, Astrid,” Melcorka said. “I must warn you that it will be dangerous. Bradan and I never know what sort of enemies we will come across.”
“I am Norse,” Astrid said. “Adventure and danger are in my blood.”
“Good.” Melcorka slid Defender back into her scabbard. “Bradan and I always come through,” she paused for a significant second, “together. I kill anybody or anything that tries to stop us.” Melcorka's smile would have chilled the stone blood of a gargoyle. “Or who tries to come between us.”
Astrid gave a little nod of her head. “Then that is settled.” She stood up and stepped toward the pass that rose behind them, with her hip nearly brushing against Bradan's head. “Before we go further, you'd both best be secured against the evil eye in case our little grey friends return.”
“That seems sensible,” Bradan glanced at Melcorka who gave a reluctant nod.
“Come with me.” In seconds, Astrid had regained the initiative. Walking in front, with her back straight and her hips swinging enticingly, she led them to a small burn that chuckled beside the ruins of an old stone building.
“That was once a Pictish church,” Astrid said, “and this stream formed the boundary between the Christian Picts and the Norse until we killed the holy man and took control of the entire area.”
“Is that significant?” Bradan asked.
Astrid favoured him with a smile. “Yes. To protect you from the evil eye, I
