It was such a simple request and yet, Cenric didn’t believe he’d ever been so completely accepted before.His friends and kin in Valdar had never been able to accept he was part Hyldish.The people in Hylden were always wary of him being part Valdari.
Brynn had her own fraught history with Valdari, but she was trying.She was trying as no one ever had.
“I’d like that.”Cenric fought the sudden urge to sweep her up and kiss her in front of everyone—that might embarrass her too much.“I should have started teaching you sooner.”He leaned in, mouth curling with mischief.“Though I have been busy teaching you other things.”
Brynn’s face flushed even deeper.“Cenric.”
He nuzzled her cheek so he could whisper into her ear.“You’ve been most eager to learn.”
Brynn tried to fight her giggle and failed.“Your cousin is heading this way, and hewillunderstand what you’re saying.”
Sure enough, Hróarr lumbered up to their table, sliding in beside them.Vana displayed her silver torque and had what appeared to be a new fur draped around her shoulders.
“I haven’t seen some of these men in years,” Hróarr sighed.He was a brute most times but spoke in Hyldish so Brynn could understand.“Talk, talk.So much talk.”
Cenric chuckled.“I’ve seen you do your fair share of talking yourself.”
“I have good stories to tell!”Hróarr protested.“Been across the sea and down the coast.Most of them have just been farming and trading in the same place.”
“I thought we agreed there was nothing wrong with staying in the same place?”Vana’s words sounded innocent, but Hróarr tensed.
It was brief, but Cenric knew his kinsman well enough to see it.When neither of the couple elaborated, he changed the subject.
“I’ve heard that Tagel died,” Cenric said.“I was sorry to hear that.”
Hróarr grunted.“Man was too young.Had only daughters, too.”He lowered his head to take another gulp from his cup.“His neighboring jarls will be dividing up his lands.”
“Women can’t inherit in Valdar?”Brynn asked, sounding curious.
Hróarr laughed.“Not these days.Women jarls aren’t much good to a warrior king.”
Brynn blinked at Hróarr, seeming confused.
Vana elbowed Hróarr and muttered something too quiet for Cenric to catch.
Hróarr cleared his throat, though he didn’t sound exactly sorry.“Ovrek gives you land, you owe Ovrek service in times of war.That’s the agreement.”
Cenric almost reminded his cousin that Brynn and her sistren had been the ones to put the king of Hylden on the throne.But something in his cousin’s words nagged at him.“Ovrek gave you land.”
Hróarr didn’t meet Cenric’s eyes.“He did.”
Brynn stiffened at his side, but Cenric focused on his cousin.
Years ago, Ovrek had given Cenric the men to retake Ombra.They had been former thralls and castoffs, but they had been sworn into his service.Brynn might be rubbing off on him, but it occurred to Cenric that Ovrek might feel he’d given Cenric land, too.
“Is Ovrek at war?”
“Not yet.”Hróarr took another gulp from his cup.
Cenric heard the unspoken meaning—there would be war soon.His whole body tensed unconsciously, bracing the way he did for blows when he stood behind a shield.He squeezed Brynn tighter, the impulse to protect her leaping to the fore of his mind.
“Cenric!”As if their words had summoned him, Ovrek swaggered up to them.The king moved alone through the swell of people, not attended by servants or attendants here in his own hall.Ovrek took a place on a stool, dragging it so that he closed off the small half-circle the four of them had made.“Hróarr!Two of my finest boys are now men grown.”Ovrek spoke in Hyldish for Brynn’s benefit.He faced Brynn, the twin braids of his beard wagging as he did.“How are you finding the hospitality of my hall, lady?”
Brynn offered a soft smile.“You are more than generous, lord.”
“You do me great honor by coming on such short notice,” Ovrek said to Cenric, still speaking in Hyldish.“You are favored of Aelgar, I hear?”
Cenric wasn’t sure how to answer.“He is generous enough to tolerate me.”
