Cenric squeezed Brynn tighter.The Grandfather Yew was the most sacred place in Valdar, miles from Istra.It was forbidden to go near it except to leave offerings and sacrifices and then only with the proper rites.The Grandfather Yew was to remain untouched, by word of Havnar, the First of Fathers.
It was said that disturbing the tree would unleash terror and evil across the islands.
“What happened?”Ovrek stepped toward Hróarr, also speaking in Hyldish for some reason.“What did she do?”
Cenric bristled.He stood, pulling Brynn up to stand beside him.She squeezed his hand, clinging to his arm.
“Nothing, lord,” Hróarr admitted.“The yew tree was already…”
Ovrek’s eyes widened.“Already what?Speak!”
Hróarr cleared his throat.“It’s dead, lord.It’s been dead for some time, if I had to guess, lord.”
Ovrek faltered.It was just for a moment, but Cenric knew the man well enough to see.“That’s impossible,” Ovrek shot back.“We barely took—” The king cut himself off.
Cenric glanced between his cousin and the king.Hróarr had turned ashen, jaw tight as if preparing to be struck again.
“It has collapsed, and its leaves are gone.”Hróarr continued speaking Hyldish, voice dropping low.“We took too much.”
Cenric shifted his attention to Ovrek.
Something flashed in Ovrek’s eyes, something terribly like fear.The emotion was there barely a moment before the king spun on Brynn.“You trespassed on sacred ground!”
Brynn flinched against Cenric.“Believe me, I never meant to be in that place.”
“What did you do?”Ovrek bore down on Brynn.
Cenric shoved her behind him, ready to fight Ovrek if he had to.If the Valdari king came after Brynn, Cenric would take up where Egill and Dagrún left off.
Surprisingly, Hróarr intervened.“No, lord.She did nothing to the tree, she…” Hróarr hesitated.“There were things inside the standing stones.”
“Things?”Ovrek spun back on Hróarr.
Hróarr broke eye contact, almost as if he was embarrassed.“I barely believe it myself.”
“It’s not like you to waver, son,” Ovrek ordered, the endearment barked like a command.
“The Father’s Foes.”Hróarr’s tall frame crouched as he whispered, “I saw them.”He glanced to Brynn.“The sorceress and my men saw them.”
Ovrek cocked his head, blinking at Hróarr.
The men around them cast each other looks of confusion, but none dared question their king in his current mood.
Hróarr continued.“They had teeth and claws and their wounds healed too quickly.I don’t know.”
Ovrek seemed to consider that for a long moment.He was not a gullible man, but nor had he ever been one to ignore omens, either.“How did you survive?”
“They wouldn’t cross the boundary stones, lord.”Hróarr seemed to brace himself as soon as the words were out.
Ovrek’s eyes widened.“You crossed the boundary stones?Without the rites?”
Hróarr flinched.“Forgive me, lord.”Despite having shoved Brynn in the thrall pit, at least Hróarr was taking the blame for what had happened.
“Your men saw this as well?”Ovrek demanded.
“They saw Wulfwir.They did not see Jormanthar and Hesrid.”
“I would speak with them,” Ovrek commanded.“Send them to me at once.”With the decisiveness that had won him a hundred battles and more, he turned, finally reverting to his native tongue.“You two.”Ovrek singled out two of the younger men nearby.“Go to the Grandfather Yew.Donotcross the stones.Return immediately and tell me what you find.”
