They exchanged stories—all in Hyldish—reminiscing about the years past when Cenric and Hróarr had fought for Ovrek’s kingdom.Ovrek spoke to Brynn kindly, at least from what Cenric could see.
“Your father was King Eormenulf, yes?”Ovrek stroked the tendrils of his beard as if in thought.“The Great Wolf.”
Cenric had almost forgotten that was the meaning of his dead father-in-law’s name.It seemed a rather Valdari name for a Hyldish king.
“Yes, lord,” Brynn said.
“He was a fine warrior.He gave me a fierce battle when I faced him.I wished I could have fought him again.”It was as high a compliment as Ovrek could give an enemy, or even a friend.
“Thank you, lord.”Brynn did not ask just when or where Ovrek had fought against her father’s thanes, and that was likely for the best.
“But a king’s daughter?”Ovrek’s brows rose, looking to Cenric.“Impressive, my son.You must be truly loyal to Aelgar if he wasted his niece on you.”
Cenric heard the jest, but Brynn flinched.
“I asked to marry Cenric.”Brynn fingered the silver cuff with her free hand.“I wanted…” She trailed off, looking to him.
“He’s jesting, love.”Cenric slipped his arm around her, looking to Ovrek.“In Hylden, we only take one wife, so I had to make sure the one I chose was exceptional.”
Ovrek chuckled.“That is good.I recommend only taking one wife.”He nodded across the room to where Sifma was handing out gifts much like her husband was.“Sifma is a wonderful woman.An excellent queen.She helps keep our children in line.And she manages my household well, including the concubines.”
Brynn inhaled at that, though Cenric wasn’t sure why.It was well-known that many aldermen and wealthy men in Hylden often kept concubines.A few generations ago, multiple wives had been normal.
But all of Hylden had started to rethink that practice after the war of King Offa’s sons.Generations ago, King Offa had collected the wives and daughters of his defeated enemies the way Ovrek collected shields.Before his death, King Offa had sired ten sons with six different women.After his death, the in-fighting between the different factions and mothers’ supporters had created a glut of violence.There were old battlefields where scavengers still found bones, iron spearheads, and the occasional coin.Stories claimed that the Cerin River had turned rusty with blood.
It was too expensive for a poor man to have multiple women.It was too dangerous for a rich man.Some men got away with it due to losing most their offspring as children and infants, but many did not.Not without losing their family’s integrity in the process.It wasn’t worth it.
Not to mention that the last time one of Cenric’s relatives had tried keeping multiple women, Morgi had sent him nightmares of having his manhood eaten by rats until he’d stopped.For whatever reason, Morgi did not approve of polygamy.
“Tolvir and Tullia are Sifma’s children, then?”Brynn asked the question politely, curiously.
“Yes.”Ovrek glanced fondly to his wife.“They get their good looks from her, as you can see.”He chuckled.“But I might get another son by winter, should the First of Fathers be so good.”
Brynn made no response to that, though her brows wrinkled slightly.
Ovrek leveled a pointed look to Cenric.“Find me tomorrow.”
Cenric inclined his head as Ovrek took his leave, moving off through the crowd.That left him with Brynn, Hróarr, and Vana once again.
Hróarr cast Cenric a meaningful look.
There would be a reckoning tomorrow, one way or another.Cenric would hear why Ovrek had sent for him.But that was tomorrow.
Tonight, Cenric wanted to drink with his friends and introduce them to his wife.Brynn remained tense at his side, but she continued smiling, bowing, and charming in that quiet, gentle way of hers.These people were strangers, foreigners, and she might have seen them as enemies, but she showed them the same deference she showed everyone.
They stayed at the feast until late into the night.Well after dark, they finally returned to where their people had set up their tents beside Hróarr’s camp.
Brynn and Cenric’s tent was large, as fitted their station.It even had its own brazier filled with hot coals to stave off the evening chill.Inside, Esa and Kalen had finished setting up their own bedrolls and the larger one intended for Brynn and Cenric.The tent was not home, but it was far more luxurious than Cenric was used to when he traveled.
Guin whined at the sight of Brynn, pulling against her collar and scrabbling at the earth.She had been tied by a loose ribbon to one of the center braces.
Brynn knelt to greet the pup, freeing her.Now that Brynn was here, the puppy shouldn’t wander far.
Snapper greeted the puppy, licking her happily and wagging his tail.Guin yipped, her smaller tail thrashing even faster than his.
Cenric unfastened the brooch at his shoulder and removed his mantle.Stepping up behind Brynn, he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into his chest.She clasped his arms, her back melting against him.He inhaled, smelling her hair and that indescribable scent that was somehowher.
“Have you eaten?”Cenric asked, glancing at Kalen and Esa.
