Blind Redemption by Violetta Rand

Then he strapped his shield across his back. “You eight will accompany me from here.” Trouble between Christians and pagans was enough to keep him busy for the next year. He’d flush every criminal from this place if it was the last thing he did.
    They advanced soundlessly, the acrid smell of smoke guiding them deeper into the woods. Buri gestured ahead as Aaron slipped past the boy. The camp perimeter came into view. Stunned by the lack of defenses, he trudged across a small clearing, kicking trenchers of food on the ground aside.
    “Attacked?” Tension racked his body. “Who abandons full plates of food so carelessly unless—”
    Shouts revealed the location of the inhabitants. Aaron turned, holding his finger to his lips to silence his men. Next, they heard a chorus of cheers. The midday meal overlooked for sport? The gods couldn’t have been more generous. Striding toward the noise, Aaron took cover behind a thick tree trunk. The throng was so engrossed in watching a fight, they didn’t hear his approach.
    He stared at the competitors in the ring. The slighter of the two looked oddly familiar and the crest on that blasted silver helmet she wore infuriated him so deeply his hands shook. Her opponent clipped her in the legs with the edge of his shield. She staggered backward. “Kara Dalgaard,” Aaron screamed, rushing in.
    “Aaron?” She swung around.
    Rage consumed him as he slammed into the back of the dark-haired bastard that hit her. His opponent groaned as he crashed to the ground, his head smacking a large rock. Aaron raised his axe, ready to deliver a death blow. He wanted to carve a path straight through this blackguard’s heart.
    “Tis my fight.” Kara touched his arm from behind.
    “Your fight?” Aaron repeated, unbelieving, his gaze fixed on his target. He sucked in a breath, trying to clear his mind. “Men aren’t permitted to fight women in the real world. I will kill him.”
    “Please,” she pleaded. “I must win my freedom from Erling.”
    Her freedom? How long had she been here? Hatred swelled inside him. He shook his head. Odin, grant me understanding. Shouts rang out. Aaron looked left, then right. His men had joined the fight. It mattered little. He couldn’t focus on anything but the man on the ground. “Get up.” Aaron kicked him in the ribs.
    “What can I do?” Kara asked.
    “I suspect this man is an enemy of the king. Step aside.” Erling didn’t move. Perhaps the blow to his head had killed him? “Are you alone?”
    “No, Amelia is here.”
    “Listen carefully,” he instructed. “Follow the footpath near the fire out of camp. My soldiers are posted nearby. “After I’m done, I’ll find your maid. Go. Now.”
    The mule-headed girl didn’t budge. Aaron motioned with his head which way she should run. Finally, the lass fled. Once she disappeared, he sheathed his weapon, then knelt beside Erling. Breathing, but barely conscious. “Prepare to die.”
    Something heavy slammed into his back. A sharp pain ripped through his body as he fell over Erling. Aaron twisted in time to block a second strike from his attacker. He recovered, then climbed to his feet, delivering a debilitating blow with his axe. It left a deep gash down the center of his assailant’s chest. Erling moaned. Aaron whipped around. His need for blood increasing at an alarming rate.
    Although he suspected Erling was guilty of many crimes, kidnapping and murder to start with, he’d rather arrest him and deliver him to Oslo. His men had cleared the area. Justice must be done. As he weighed his options, out of the corner of his eye, he caught a flash of a knife. Bless the gods for making the choice for him. Aaron sunk his axe into Erling’s shoulder, then yanked it out.
    Erling sank to his knees, covering the injury with his right hand. “Will you leave me to die?” His wound bled profusely.
    “Odin will decide.” Aaron grinned. Erling deserved to be carved into little pieces and fed to a pack of