Chapter 6 Cenric #2
That meant the offerings had been accepted. The Grandfather Yew was the most holy place in Valdar, deep in the forest and visited only for sacrifices.
“I struck a new sword against a Hyldish helm, and the helm split in two,” Ovrek continued. “A random sword that had never been tested. Can you believe it?”
Cenric remained silent. That was a strong sign indeed.
“The omens are good.” Ovrek punched a fist into his opposite hand. “The First of Fathers blesses me in this conquest.”
All of these signs combined would mean Ovrek was assured of success. Whether he had interpreted the signs correctly or not, it hardly mattered. Enough wars had been won on confidence.
“You’re quiet, son,” Ovrek chuckled. “The Cenric I knew would have been slavering for the chance at battle-glory.”
“The Cenric you knew did not have lands and their people to consider.” Cenric chose not to mention Brynn again. He would prefer Ovrek stop thinking about her. A part of him wished he hadn’t brought her here at all, though he couldn’t have said why.
“Your lands and people will be fine,” Ovrek assured him. “Ombra is in the perfect place to land an army.” He gestured to his ships. “You have hundreds of abandoned farms in need of farmers. I have hundreds of farmers in need of farms.”
Since the war to establish Aelgar as king of Hylden had emptied many of the shires and farms in the south, the northern lands had slowly lost their people to the warmer, gentler lands. Ombra had the land to support more.
“Troublemakers and criminals, I am sure,” Cenric clipped, trying to sound joking, but failing.
Ovrek chuckled at that, still not matching Cenric’s tone. “I am not satisfied with a kingdom, young wolf. I will create an empire.”
“An empire?” Cenric had rarely ever heard the word. “You mean like the Kelethi?”
Ovrek shrugged. “Why not?”
“They have centuries, hundreds of years of legacy at their backs.” Even Cenric knew the Kelethi Empire had already been old when his ancestors first met the dyrehunds.
“Do you know how empires start?” Ovrek faced Cenric, eyes bright. “Men like me. Men with ambition. Men who see not what is, but what could be.” He gestured across the beach. “You think the first days of Kelethi were grander than this?”
Cenric studied the ships again, wondering if what Ovrek claimed was true. Was it possible the first Valdari king could also become its first emperor?
“I have one hundred men and their households I would send to you,” Ovrek said.
“For what purpose?”
“To serve you,” Ovrek answered, as if it was obvious. “You could settle them where you wish. Your lands are in need of people, and I have more people than I know what to do with.”
“You would make Ombra a colony?” Cenric only knew the word from Hróarr. It was not one he used often. “A vassal region of your realm?”
Ovrek spread his hands in a gesture of goodwill. “You know me, Cenric. Wealth and glory follow me like a cloud. Have I ever failed to reward those who serve me?”
Cenric supposed that was true. He folded his arms across his chest, thinking. But what was there to think about? Ovrek was offering him friendship and Morgi had already shown him the alternative.
“You don’t even have to go to war,” Ovrek added. “Not just yet.”
What Ovrek was describing was no mass raid or even an invasion. He wanted to set up a stronghold in the north, the mainland closest to Valdar. From there, it would be that much easier for his army to march south into Hylden while being supported by their kin in Ombra.
Cenric did have vast swaths of land, empty farms, and abandoned fields.
Ombra could reasonably support thousands more than it currently did.
He imagined one day having a massive hall like Ovrek, a city of several thousand around it unlike the few hundred that currently lived at the foot of his longhouse. Perhaps it was possible.
And Ovrek was old while his son was young and unliked. Ombra might easily break from Valdar after Ovrek’s death to become its own kingdom. If Cenric took this deal, his children might one day be kings in their own right. What was to say otherwise?
“I will have to hear more about this,” Cenric answered, stroking his beard. He realized now that it was a habit he had picked up from Ovrek.
“As soon as you make the decision, I will send the farmers to you,” Ovrek said. “Sooner is better, if you want them to help with the fall harvest and ready their own winter stores.”
“I must confer with my advisors.” Cenric needed to discuss this with Edric and his other men, not to mention the leaders of his various villages across his lands. Not all of them would agree, no matter what, but the appearance of deference went a long way to keep them from fostering resentment.
The king made a noncommittal sound. “And your wife?”
Cenric couldn’t speak for Brynn. He honestly wasn’t sure what she would say. Brynn was his best and most trusted advisor, but that was not what Ovrek would want to hear. “I am the alderman, not her.”
Ovrek chuckled, seeming pleased.