“Your cousin will be there,” Berdun added.“He extends his invitation as well.”
Edric folded his arms across his chest but remained silent.
“Ovrek hopes you are on good terms,” Berdun pressed.“And he hopes that his gifts prove he is still your friend.”
Just as Brynn had predicted, there had been an ulterior motive.Cenric glanced up the hill to the longhouse.Brynn wouldn’t like this, but could he really refuse?
Even if Ovrek was a foreign king to him these days, he lived nearer to his lands than Aelgar did.It would be unwise to insult such a powerful man who lived so close.
Cenric’s first impulse was to accept.Since his goddess Morgi had not sent him any warnings since the arrival of Ovrek’s gifts, he supposed that was likely right.
“I will accept, but I will have to return before midsummer.”That was next month, and the sheep would be ready to shed their fleeces.The Althing could last for weeks.“I will also need time to prepare for the journey.”
“Excellent.”Berdun’s answering smile was broad, genuine.He had not wanted to return to Valdar with news of failure.“We leave in a day’s time?”
Edric cast Cenric a hard look.
“Three.”Cenric would need that time to prepare his people after he told his wife.
Berdun glanced over his shoulder.“What if we settled on two?”
Cenric wasn’t expecting that.Habit urged him to leap to obey, to do as his former lord commanded, but a voice in his head that sounded like Brynn told him to be firm.“Not enough time.”Cenric tempered the words with an apologetic smile.“I must ready my people.”
“Three days, then.”Berdun exhaled, lip curled in disappointment, but he did not press the matter.“It will be good to have you back in Istra.We have missed you.”
A large part of Cenric was already looking forward to the visit.“I will send servants to see that you are fed and refreshed.”
Berdun inclined his head.“We thank you, lord.”
Lord?Cenric had been called that for years now, but it felt strange from Berdun’s lips.This man had once cursed him to the heart of the Dread Mother for not holding his shield high enough.
“I need to speak to Brynn.”Cenric turned.“Edric.”
Edric waited until they were out of earshot before questioning him.“What are you doing?”
“It seems I’m going to see Ovrek.”Cenric exhaled.
“Why do you think he wants to see you?”Edric asked.
“I don’t know.”
“Perhaps it’s simply a whim,” Edric muttered.“Perhaps he wants to take you hunting for giant bears.”
“You’ll run the shire in my absence,” Cenric decided.“Unless you’d rather come with me to Valdar?”
“I’m not going back there,” Edric clipped.“I’ll have your ship readied, lord.Ten men?”
“That should be fine.”
Edric veered off into the village.
Cenric headed back up to the longhouse.People rushed him, asking questions, bringing their fears and concerns.He waved most of them away with wooden assurances.Yes, the Valdari were friends.Yes, they would be leaving soon.
He reached the longhouse and found Brynn in the garden, surrounded by sprouting plants.She sat on a stone by the wall, watching as Guin played with several of the larger dogs.
Brynn had a shawl wrapped around her shoulders, but strands of hair hung free, worked loose from her veil.The tendrils danced in the wind, brushing her cheeks like a caress.A soft smile shaped her face as the puppy hopped and jumped, wrestling with Thorn and the others.
Brynn was beautiful.He could stare at her forever, that slight smile on her face, finally looking at peace.Maybe even happy.
