HISTORICAL FICTION

The Massacre of Innocents

Chapter 10 — Rollo’s wife and children hide in the forest

The destruction of Long Meadows —

Eric Haraldsson had failed to kill the man who had executed his son. Hearing that Rollo had gone south, into Francia, King Haraldsson knew Rollo was out of reach. However, he had heard that Rollo had a son of his own. Not satisfied that he had exacted revenge with killing Kettil and Gurim, the king needed more. Until he had the chance to kill Rollo himself, he would kill all of Rollo’s children and his wife.

While Rollo sailed down the Seine River towards Rouen, King Haraldsson sailed down the Somme River. He stopped at Abbéville to speak with the Abbott.

Abbott LeCurt met with the leader of the Viking horde in main hall. He couldn’t tell one Viking from another, but he did know that this man was more dangerous than any other Viking he had ever met. Not to meet with him was an invitation to having Abbéville wiped off the map.

“I am looking for Rollo, the Dane.”

“He passed by here a week ago, Lord,” the Abbott replied. “He was heading west.”

“Yes, I know. I should have said I am looking for his family. I have business to conclude with the family.”