Chapter 6 #2
Between bites, she looked across the fire at Jarl Runar. “During negotiations yesterday, you mentioned an upcoming gathering. What is it exactly?”
“Once a year, in spring, the clan leaders gather to share how they’ve fared through the winter. We prepare together for the season ahead and celebrate the return of warmth and plenty.”
“So all of them will be there?”
“Yes. The jarls, their families, and some warriors.”
That explained his urgency to return. Such a gathering in Kenwich took weeks to prepare. “That sounds like quite an event.”
“It is a good time. Feasting. Competitions. For many, it’s the only time we see each other all year.”
She could see how families looked forward to the Gathering, and it surely carried great political importance, especially now. “Will the other jarls support the alliance?”
Eadlyn watched for any uncertainty, but Runar seemed confident when he said, “Most will. That is all that matters.”
Hopefully, he was right. She had placed her entire future and the future of Essix on that hope. She knew what a delicate job it was keeping the lords happy in Essix. Pleasing everyone was no simple task.
“How many jarls are there?”
“Ten clans and ten jarls across Nordra, including myself. Long ago, we fought each other for land and power. Then the Kalgorans invaded from the north. One jarl was chosen to unite the clans and drive them out. Since then, we have fought to remain united.”
“Unity is never easy,” Eadlyn murmured. “I hope this alliance helps us both grow stronger.”
“Indeed.”
After eating her fill, she accepted a waterskin from Aevar.
The water was frigid but refreshing. She passed it back as a deep, haunting howl pierced the darkness.
Another followed, then another, until the forest echoed with their chorus.
Goosebumps rose on her arms. She peered into the black beyond the firelight.
The howls faded, leaving only the crackle of flames and a silence that hung thick.
“Are those wolves?”
Aevar nodded without alarm.
“Don’t worry,” Kian said from his place on the other side of Aevar. He leaned forward to see her. “As long as we keep the fires burning, they’ll not come near.”
Good to know. She edged closer to the flames and drew her cloak tighter. She’d only been with these men for half a day, but already she saw how little she knew of life and survival outside the palace and city where she’d grown up.
“Do you not have wolves near Kenwich?”
She looked back at Kian. “Not that I’ve heard. We don’t have many true forests in Essix, except in the far south near the border of Camria. Our wildlife is not as plentiful as in Nordra. Leastwise with large predators.”
This led to a brief conversation about the creatures she might encounter in Nordra. When Braan mentioned the great brown bears roaming the forest, she very much hoped she would never run into one. At least not without several armed men with her.
After a time, she grew uncomfortable with the need for privacy.
She’d gone all afternoon without the opportunity to relieve herself.
She’d noticed the men stepping away from camp, presumably to tend to similar business, but the thought of making her needs known was a bit embarrassing.
It was unavoidable by this point, however, and they still had two days of travel ahead of them.
Trying to swallow down the discomfort that brought a little heat to her face, she leaned toward her new husband and spoke so only he would hear her. “I need to…step away for a moment.”
He stood and gestured for her to follow. She gathered her skirts and trailed him into the trees, the firelight fading behind them. The thought of wolves sent a chill slithering down her back. No doubt that was why Aevar hadn’t let her wander off on her own, but how much privacy would he give her?
Once far enough from the fire that the men’s voices grew muted, Aevar gestured to a fallen log tipped into a small hollow that allowed for some privacy depending on where he planned to stand.
Eadlyn hesitated for a moment, but Aevar turned his back to her and walked several more yards away, keeping her safely between him and camp.
It showed consideration, though whether it came from any genuine care or was simply to protect their new alliance was impossible to guess.
Either way, Eadlyn didn’t waste time. So far, Aevar didn’t seem to be given to impatience, but she wouldn’t test him.
A couple of minutes later, she made sure her skirts were righted and stepped up out of the hollow.
Aevar was a solid dark shape standing guard against the black forest, his back still to her.
“I’m finished.”
He shifted and walked back to her, his face hidden in darkness until he was standing right in front of her.
That’s when it occurred to her they hadn’t been alone together since meeting yesterday.
If he was thinking of taking any liberties as her husband, now was the time.
Her heart thumped and caught in her throat.
She should have gone straight back when she finished instead of waiting for him to catch up.
Now, however, her feet froze to the ground.
She caught the glimmer of his eyes but couldn’t read what expression rested on his shadowed face.
When he moved, she tensed, but he only gestured toward the camp, inviting her to make her retreat.
She tried not to let her breath all rush out at once as she turned to walk back toward the comforting light, though her legs wobbled.
Glancing at the ink-black sky through the branches overhead, she reached out to her Savior.
Oh, Lord, help me. I said “I do” knowing what that meant.
But I don’t feel ready. Give me strength. Give me peace.
Back by the fire, she sat again, working to calm the way her pulse raced.
Aevar didn’t join her right away. Instead, he moved around the group toward the supplies.
A short time later, he returned with an armful of furs.
He dropped them beside her, spread a bearskin on the ground, and layered it with blankets.
“You should rest,” he said. “It’ll be another long day tomorrow.”
The mention of sleep had her fighting a yawn.
Her eyelids had grown very heavy while staring at the fire, and her shoulders ached with a plea to lie down.
However, she eyed the makeshift bed with trepidation, trying to comfort herself with the fact that it was only big enough for one person. What else could she do?
Without meeting his gaze, she moved from the fire and crawled into the nest of warmth he’d made.
The fur cushioned her from the frozen earth, and the blankets offered a welcome escape from the chill air.
Lying there, she listened to the rustle of Aevar making a second bed behind her and tried not to wonder how close he would settle.
Around them, the others prepared to sleep as well.
Eventually, her body overpowered her nerves, and her eyelids closed as sleep took her.
After passing by the horses to make sure they were calm and settled, Aevar worked his way back around camp to Erik, his watch companion.
Braan had offered to take his turn on watch, but as tired as Aevar was after the long day, he wasn’t ready to sleep yet.
Besides, Eadlyn might fall asleep better without him next to her.
She and everyone else lay under their furs around the fire and had been quiet for an hour now.
When Aevar reached Erik’s side, they both stared out at the night-cloaked forest. Neither had said much since their watch began, but then Erik looked over at him.
“How do you feel about your new bride?”
Aevar shrugged. Could he even answer that question after less than a full day? “How am I supposed to feel?”
“Your guess is as good as mine.”
Aevar still didn’t know who she was or even how to talk to her.
He rarely found conversation difficult, but he suspected they both struggled to figure out how to interact now that they were joined for life.
Kian was doing a much better job of it than he was, and he hoped that the more comfortable she became with his family, the more comfortable she would become with him.
His mind flashed back to standing with her in the trees. “She’s terrified of me.”
“Can you blame her? She’s a woman surrounded by strange men. No one would feel safe in this situation.”
“I don’t like being the one to cause her such fear.”
“She just needs to get to know you. Once she does, things will change.”
“I hope you’re right.”
Aevar looked over his shoulder at the lump of furs where Eadlyn slept, or at least seemed to be sleeping.
He had to admit it surprised him she hadn’t broken down at least once during the journey, but she hadn’t shed a single tear since trading goodbyes in Essix.
That alone took strength he had to admire.