Boy. Males always assumed she was of their sex, simply because she wore trews and carried a sword.
Aidan turned, his gaze falling on Regin. "Who are you?" he asked, his deep voice booming. Throughout the hall, the enthusiastic skirmishes and fornicating slowed.
She answered honestly, "I am a weary traveler in need of assistance."
At her words, his brows drew together. "You sound ... familiar." He removed his hand from the woman's bodice and sat up straighter, his demeanor now tense. As if her very voice had set him on edge. "Though your accent is strange."
"Yours is not my first tongue." She spoke the ancient language of the immortals first, his Norse mortal language second.
"Come forward."
Though it nettled to take orders from a mere human, Regin stepped forth.
His gaze grew alert, assessing. She knew he was scrutinizing everything about her-her walk, the uncommonly fine material of her cloak, the gold brooch that clasped the hood in place.
The wench tried to reclaim his attention by cupping his face, but Aidan brushed her hand away. When she wriggled suggestively in his lap, he scowled at her and said something in her ear that sent her flouncing away with a huff.
But the woman couldn't prevent a longing glance over her shoulder.
For some reason, his dismissal of the buxom brunette gladdened Regin. She supposed she was merely relieved to have his full attention. "I saw you on the battlefield today, warlord. You fought well." As ever, her thoughts left her lips without any mediation. Lucia's words repeated in her mind: You have to learn to hold your tongue. You could try even a glacier's patience.
He leaned forward. "Boy, we are berserkers-we all fight well."
'Twas not true. She jerked her thumb at a young black-haired man to Aidan's right. "Not him. His guard's too low." Hold your tongue, Regin!
After a stunned silence, a few awkward chuckles sounded. Even Aidan grinned, then seemed startled by his reaction.
The man she'd insulted shot to his feet and stalked closer, his green eyes narrowed. "I'll show you a low guard."
At once, Regin dragged her long sword from its sheath, raising it between them.
He gave her a look of disgust. "That sword's bigger than you are, cur."
"The better to teach you to raise your guard, mongrel."
As more chuckles sounded, the man's fists clenched, his muscles tensing, growing. ... Already on the verge of berserkrage.
"Stay your hand, Brandr," Aidan ordered.
Perhaps coming here was a mistake. These men were too violent and quick-tempered to aid her. And that was something for a Valkyrie to suppose!
Even Aidan, who had appeared to possess more control of himself than the others, now seemed to seethe with ... something.
And though the berserkers were Woden's guards, perhaps they would hurt her if they found out she was female. What would Lucia do? She'd leave this place anon without revealing herself as a woman.
"Boy, you are either very brave or very stupid to goad one of my strongest warriors," Aidan remarked.
"Now, tell me why you've come to my hall." He tilted his head at her. "And why you've covered your skin like an aged druid."
Brandr grated, "The whelp probably had the pox."
Pox? She'd just stifled a hiss at him when Aidan said, "Enough." He rubbed the blond stubble on his chin. "Were you ill, then? Mayhap you haven't the strength needed to wield that long blade-or to taunt men bigger than you."
Regin's eyes went wide. "Haven't the strength?" She might only be twelve, and still vulnerable to harm, and 'twas true her blasted sword was far too big for her, but she could massacre all these mortals with tooth and claw if need be-
Brandr struck without warning, lunging for her. Before she could defend herself, he'd delivered two punishing blows to her wrist, knocking the sword from her grip.
When he straightened with a smirk, she gladly dismissed the weapon as her instincts took over. She leapt atop a table to her right, then bounded back to the left in front of him, raking her claws across his chest.