Chapter Twelve #2
“I dinnae know with any certainty,” he murmured. “We departed straight after, and she had no chance to respond.”
“’Tis good you told her what was in your heart,” I said. “’Twill give her something to think about whilst you are away. A chance to understand her own heart, aye?”
“Aye, I suppose,” Stewart agreed, yet I knew he had hoped for more to carry him through the long, cold months ahead.
Clearly not wanting to dwell on unknowns, he arched an eyebrow at me and spoke vaguely.
“And what of you, my friend? Were you able to cross bridges with the lass you fancied back home? For ‘tis a long journey ahead.”
“Aye,” I replied readily enough. “’Twas a warm reception I received our last night together. Warm indeed, and I verra much look forward to being in her arms once more.”
He met my small smile. “’Tis good to hear.”
Though I hadn’t told Stewart we had married in secret, something told me he suspected it. Either that, or Father told him. Nonetheless, it was not something we needed to discuss lest anyone overhear us.
“’Twill be interesting to see how things go today,” he said. “Though I’ve heard nothing of Norse uprisings in these parts.” He shook his head. “Of uprisings anywhere, for that matter, yet ‘tis still wise for the king to do this.”
“I agree,” I said, especially after hearing how Astrid intended to go about things.
The confidence and conviction in her voice when she spoke of it to Alexander made me feel she could handle it better than most. “For as long as King Alexander can travel like this before he’s likely called back to the Sassenach border. Any of us, for that matter.”
“Aye,” Stewart concurred.
Things had settled down somewhat as of late, but it was only a matter of time before the English caused more problems for us.
Stewart and I chatted about it for a time before Astrid eventually joined us.
She looked more lovely than ever with her white fur cloak and her hair braided back once more, appearing every inch the shield-maiden Alexander had requested.
Yet there was a new sparkle in her pale blue eyes now and I knew I had put that there.
“I hope you didn’t sit out here all night, Stewart,” she exclaimed softly, frowning as we stood. “Oksana would have alerted me to any danger.”
“I dinnae doubt it,” he replied, glancing at me, without doubt wondering if he should mention his concerns about the husky. “She is clearly loyal.”
“Aye,” I agreed. While I would rather Astrid not be upset, given what she had to do today on the king's behalf, she should know of Stewart’s concerns, considering she was a healer and might know how to help. So I shared his thoughts with her.
I didn’t miss the worry that flashed on her face as she crouched before Oksana, who sat at attention now, seeming all right to me.
“I couldnae say what it is, lass.” Stewart crouched beside her. “She just doesnae seem like her usual self. Granted, I have only been around her for a few months, and sporadically at that, but still. ‘Twas long enough to get a good sense of her.”
“No doubt,” Astrid murmured, running her hands over the husky, likely feeling for any lumps or abnormalities.
“What is it, girl?” she said softly, her touch as gentle and caring with a dog as it was with the people she tended.
Her brow furrowed with worry, and her gaze grew a little different as if she were tapping into the same magic I had seen over the wounded Norse. “Have I missed something, my friend?”
Oksana merely watched her mistress patiently as Astrid examined her. Almost, to my fanciful way of thinking, as if she were waiting for her to finally figure something out.
Astrid had just reached beneath her and felt Oksana’s underside when her eyebrows shot up in surprise. “Oksana!” she exclaimed, her gaze rounding at the husky. “What did you do?”
Stewart and I glanced at each other in confusion, and Oksana cocked her head, releasing a soft howling sound as if trying to respond.
“What is it, Astrid?” Stewart wondered, frowning.
“She’s not ill,” Astrid divulged, sighing, before a small smile ghosted her face. “She’s pregnant.”
“Och, is she really?” Stewart exclaimed, smiling as well. “’Tis good news, aye? More huskies?”
“’Tis,” Astrid granted, patting Oksana affectionately.
“Though I’ll admit to wishing we were back at Mackay Castle when the time came.
Whilst she will be fine up until giving birth, if not a touch more tired, the wee ones will be difficult to travel with, and will likely need to be left behind in whatever village we might be frequenting. ”
“How far along is she?” I wondered, troubled to hear we might not be able to keep her pups with us. Not just for our sake but hers.
“I would say just over two weeks,” she said.
“You can tell that soon just by looking at her?” Stewart wondered, knowing enough about dogs to realize she shouldn’t be able to at this point. “Because she hasnae gained any weight yet.”
“No,” Astrid said, standing again. She looked from me to Stewart, remaining vague lest she be overheard, yet I knew she spoke of her seer abilities. “I have other ways. Norwegian ways, if you will.”
Though Stewart said nothing in response, I gathered he understood this was yet another conversation we best save for later.
“We will find a way to keep the pups with us,” I said firmly, determined to give Astrid and Oksana that. “We just need to think about it. Three fortnights is plenty of time to come up with something.”
Seeming to appreciate that, Oksana gave my hand a little nuzzle.
Astrid looked at me with just as much appreciation, and we left it at that for now as we headed to the tavern to eat.
It was milder out than the day before, and the wind was less gusty.
Now the rising sun splashed crimson hues across the freshly fallen snow, shadowed in blue.
Despite the early hour, many were already up, going about their business.
As expected, Astrid drew many eyes, given that she was clearly a Norse warrior, and she took advantage of their attention, stopping to speak with many in her native tongue before encouraging them to switch to English.
She explained how she traveled with the good King Alexander, spinning her words to favor him and her new homeland, leaving no doubt that she would excel at this endeavor.
I could tell Stewart was just as impressed by her, and I expected the king would be too, as my wee wife seemed gifted in many ways.
It was hard to believe she could weave such uplifting, peaceable words and by the same token, battle so well, yet here she was very much proving herself a boon to Scotland.
“Good morn, my liege,” I said in greeting when we entered the tavern a little while later. The king sat breaking his fast with Gustav and several other important townsfolk.
After exchanging pleasantries, he encouraged us to eat with him, seeming in such good spirits I suspected he’d enjoyed a lass the night before, to be sure.
God knows I certainly had, but had to hide that when all I wanted to do was tuck Astrid by my side and put our love for each other out in the open for all to see.
Yet, for now, that couldn’t happen. I could, however, be proud of her, sharing with King Alexander the strides she had already made in the brief time we’d been here.
Strides that soon showed Alexander exactly what Astrid could do for him.
Better still, what she could do for her fellow Norse.
Or, as we soon learned, much to our surprise, what she had already done.