“If you’re going to Valdar, I’m going with you.”Brynn spoke the words softly, but matter-of-factly.“When do we leave?”
“Valdar is hardly the place for—”
“For what?”Brynn’s tone remained soft as she tilted her head to the side, a challenge gleaming in her eyes.
Cenric had been about to say she was a lady but thought better of it.He knew she had fought in the bogs and the killing fields of Hylden, but it didn’t fit with his image of her.
“Is it that I am a sorceress?”Brynn cocked her head.“Or perhaps that I am Aelgar’s niece?”
Cenric grimaced.“Your uncle will not like you going any more than me.”
“No,” Brynn agreed.“He will hate it, I suspect.And he’s right to.”She adjusted her hands in her lap.“He will wonder if you are conspiring against him.”
“Do you think I’m conspiring against him?”
“Are you?”Brynn’s tone still held no judgment, no hint as to how she might feel about her uncle being betrayed.
“I don’t know why Ovrek wants to see me.It could just be to discuss trade routes.”
“It could be.”Brynn did not sound any more convinced than him.
Cenric studied his wife closely.He was in love with her and often told her as much.They were happy together.But they’d known each other for less than a year.This thing between them was precious, but new—a sapling made of gold.He didn’t know how much weight it could bear just yet.“What will you do if Ovrek does not want to discuss trade routes?”
Brynn gripped his hands, tangling her fingers through his.“I’m coming with you.”The words were soft, yet spoken like a pledge.
Cenric held onto her, raising their enmeshed hands so he could kiss her knuckles.“We’re leaving in three days.”
Brynn’s shoulders relaxed.She didn’t complain about the short notice.“I will prepare the household.And I will be ready.”She leaned over and brushed her lips to his.“Thank you.”
Any remaining doubts he had were pushed out by the gratitude shining in her eyes.
Brynn rose and headed back into the longhouse.Guin noticed her departure and bounded after her, woofing.Brynn paused in the doorway to lean down and pet her head, rubbing behind the puppy’s ears.
Cenric couldn’t help smiling as he watched her go.Brynn had known grief, betrayal, abandonment, and pain of every kind, but she had kept her gentleness.She remained soft in defiance of a hard world.
But if it came down to it, if Brynn had to choose between him and Aelgar, would she still choose him?All his life, Cenric had been torn between two countries.It had cost him many things over the years, mostly respect and friendship.He didn’t want it to cost him Brynn, too.
Ovrek might beinvitinghim to Istra, but once he was in Istra, within the king’s center of power, who knew what other invitations he might have to accept?
Perhaps Brynn would be able to help him with that.She was adept as a politician, and if she wouldn’t be able to help him, perhaps she would at least be able to forgive him.
3
Brynn
Brynnwasalittlesurprised Cenric had agreed so easily.She’d anticipated an argument, but she wasn’t about to complain.
Aelgar was not going to like this.He might not learn straightaway, but the visit would not go unnoticed.
Brynn would have to present this story carefully.She wasn’t sure how yet.That would depend greatly on the outcome of their expedition.The Althing was a time of trade, so perhaps that could be her explanation.She spoke to Cenric to learn what would be most desirable to the people of Valdar and packed jars of honey, casks of blackcurrant wine, and a jar of rare peppercorns that was one of three Brynn had accepted from a merchant in exchange for healing his nephew’s broken leg.She also included a basket of old horseshoes.They were useless in their current state, but the iron could be reworked into anything.
They set out at first light, sailing with the emissary’s ships flanking Cenric’s ship,Wolf Star.Daven, Kalen, and several other thanes of the household accompanied them.Brynn had sailed many times before, but never out of sight of land.It was unsettling to have nothing but slate-grey sea in all directions.
The wind whipped off the water, slicing through their layers of clothing like claws of ice.Kashimmered beneath the ship.The sea was alive or at least filled with life.It made Brynn question just what creatures lived beneath the swells and white caps of the waves.
They sailed all day and reached the coast of Valdar near the evening.Their group camped on an abandoned shore, taking shelter in lean-tos pitched on the deck and against the side of the ship.
Cenric spoke easily with Berdun and the other Valdari.It seemed he was friends with many of them.
