It went without saying what she meant.Brynn wanted to know if Hróarr thought she had killed the concubine.
Hróar’s jaw locked tight.“That’s for my king to decide.”
Brynn already knew the direction that had been going.She was not optimistic about what Ovrek might decide.
A tense moment stretched between them.
Brynn could escape Hróarr, and they both knew it.She could incapacitate or even kill him.The problem was that she couldn’t live forever in this wild land of monsters.
A part of her had hoped that saving his life would at least earn her some credibility, but it seemed that not even that would make him vouch for her.
Had he heard what the child fiend had said about “the father”?If so, Hróarr didn’t acknowledge it.
It was possible Brynn could be pregnant.Cenric had been making frequent and passionate love to her for more than half a year.Brynn had started to fear something was wrong, though Cenric had not yet expressed impatience.
The monster might know in some way, though how it would have known when Brynn couldn’t yet tell was unclear.Brynn hadn’t seen any signs, but it was still possible.She would probably need at least a week before she would be sure and then…
But until she was sure, she wanted to be careful with herself.
Swallowing, Brynn considered her options.“I will…come with you.”She glanced back to where the Wulfwir was now gnawing and tearing her shawl to shreds.
“Let’s go.”Hróarr headed into the trees, seeming to know which way he was going.
Brynn scrambled after him.Cold, wet, tired, and hungry, she wasn’t sure what would come next, but hopefully, they could make King Ovrek see reason.
The walk back to Istra was far shorter than it had been in the dark.Brynn followed Hróarr quietly.Neither of them spoke.Guin padded along at Brynn’s heels, every so often glaring back in the direction of the monsters.
Brynn wondered if she was being led to her death.Would Ovrek kill her?
Back in Hylden, murder called for payment to the victim’s family.The blood price or blodgild was determined by the victim’s age and standing within the family.
Valdari repaid blood with blood.
A rock settled deep in Brynn’s stomach.She wasn’t ready to die.For the first time in a long time, she had been happy.She wanted to live with Cenric for many years yet.
They shambled into Istra as the sun was past its zenith.Voices were raised and people ran to and fro.Something had happened.
“What’s going on?”Brynn demanded, looking to Hróarr.“What are they saying?”
The mercenary didn’t bother to curse or glare at her, which told her how serious it was.“Someone has tried to murder Ovrek.”
Brynn gulped.“Tolvir?”It seemed logical.The atheling had been upset enough to kill her.Perhaps he was grieved enough to attack his own father.
“What?”Hróarr cast her a sharp look.
“Nothing.”Brynn took in the people rushing back and forth.No one seemed to have noticed that they had returned.“Where is Cenric?”
“I’ll find him,” Hróarr assured her.“And my men, too, but first…” He motioned her after him.
Brynn went meekly.She buzzed with worry for Cenric and Esa.Brynn’s chest seemed to be filled with a swarm of bees.
People ran in all directions.It was either fear or excitement, it was hard for her to tell.Perhaps a bit of both.
Hróarr took her along a shortcut to the king’s complex behind the thrall huts.They reached a large pit, deeper than the height of a man and sheer along the sides.The stench of human excrement came from below.
Brynn dared to look down, noticing what appeared to be the remains of scraps and other trash, though not very much of it.Was this a midden heap?
A hard shove sent Brynn toppling over the edge, into the pit.She landed on the dirt below, gasping as the air rushed out of her lungs.
