Prologue
The clydesdale barreled through the forest of Dunbroch, his heavy hooves striking the ground with frantic force. The rider urged him on, steering the young horse through the rough terrain of the highlands with familiarity and determination. She knew the way like the back of her hand.
She raced through the trees until she reached the highest cliff overlooking the vast ocean. She pulled back hard on the reigns, bringing the majestic horse to a sudden halt. Quickly she dismounted and ran to the cliff's edge. She stood silently gazing out to sea, as she scanned the horizon. Her sky blue eyes came to rest on the five Viking ships that were moving further away from the stony shore.
The wind blew back the hood of her cloak revealing her long unruly red curls. She gazed intently upon the longships, recognizing the ornate dragon emblem upon their red canvas sails. As she watched the ships descent she reached up to the iron pendent that hung around her delicate neck and held it close to her heart as she looked on, searching the boats for the face she longed for.
"Tha mo Chris's a dol leat," she whispered into the wind, "my heart goes with you."
Aboard the largest of the longships, a young man stood silently at the stern, looking back at the green land as it slowly shrank behind them. His deep green eyes were set firmly upon the cliffs. His heart froze the moment he saw her. She stood on the highest cliff gazing in the ship's direction, her unmistakable red curls blowing in the wind behind her. His breath caught in his throat as he reached for the pendent that hung around his own neck and held it firmly against his heart.
"Jeg forlater hjertet mitt med def," he whispered in his native tongue, "I leave my heart with you."