Page 63 of Faeling
“I understand your frustrations,” Vallek said, “that is why this meeting was arranged—” by Eydis “—to hear and address yourconcerns. You have all been exceedingly patient as I deal with other matters, and I extend my thanks.”
Kennum’s representative Rulf nodded, if not pleased then at least understanding, but Hrothgar maintained his squinting scowl.
“You haven’t even met with any of my girls,” the old rascal complained.
“Nor have you met the ladies of Kaldebrak,” Rulf was quick to add. “I would be more than happy to ask Chieftain Kennum to send them. So you may make an informed decision.”
Hrothgar’s scowl turned to Rulf, who chose not to even look the chieftain’s way. He no doubt still felt the menace radiating off the old orc.
“That hardly seems necessary,” Hrothgar grumbled. “Just pick one.”
Vallek held up his hands. “Both of your offers are more than generous. I’m sure any of your daughters would make a fine wife and queen.”
“Yphella especially,” Hrothgar insisted.
“Kennum’s daughters are all fine orcesses,” Rulf countered. “Any orc would be lucky to have any of them for a wife.”
“But they’re not here and my girls are. So how committed is Kennum really?”
“Strange that you should come and make this offer onlyaftermy lord Kennum did?”
Vallek cleared his throat. “There’s no need to argue, my lords. I don’t intend to leave you in suspense.”
If Eydis’s report was anything to go by, Hrothgar and his daughters and niece had found every opportunity to try pinning her down in his absence. She’d taken to actively trying toavoid them, spending long hours in his quarters with Hilde and Ravenna.
“Deal with him,”Eydis had warned on their way to the meeting,“or I’ll tell your new mate all your dislikes rather than letting her find out herself.”
For fear of what his mischievous mate would do with that information, as well as what Eydis and Ravenna might accomplish together, Vallek agreed. He also wanted unification and peace and his citadel back, et cetera et cetera, of course, but he knew very well to heed a threat from Eydis. They weren’t made lightly.
His mind had been many places over the last fortnight, it was true, but it was made at least in this: Ravenna was his mate, and he would have only her.
What that meant, how that looked, he didn’t know. For now, he had to buy himself time—and unification, if he could.
Leaning forward, he laid his palms on the table before him. Those gathered hushed, rocking forward themselves to better hear his decision.
Affecting a grave tone, Vallek said, “I wouldn’t want to sully the bonds between Kaldebrak and Innrinhom. While Balmirra has long been the seat of our kin, that doesn’t make your strongholds and people any less important. To give my favor to one or the other may cause…bad feelings.”
Several gasps met his statement, and more than a few fists banged on the table. Two of them were Hrothgar’s. The orc leapt to his feet, far more spry than his age implied, his scarred face animated with outrage.
Arguments erupted around the table, several others standing with and against Hrothgar. Ulrich jumped to his feet to join the fray, trying to shout everyone down, while Eydis slumped backin her seat and rubbed her temple as she shot him a dark look.
Annoyed, Vallek lifted Hormhím beside him and smacked the blunt head onto the floor. “Enough!”
Hrothgar scowled at him. “What are you getting at, boy? My girls aren’t good enough for you?”
Vallek fixed the old chieftain with a cold stare. “Watch your words, old man. Remember to whom you speak.”
Hrothgar snorted, his lips pursed sourly, but he retook his seat.
Rulf remained quiet, although his look was no less mutinous. It seemed neither side was pleased with this news.
Vallek had hoped that neither losing to the other would perhaps soften neither winning, but alas, it seemed that wasn’t so.
“I don’t expect you to leave with nothing,” Vallek continued, unsurprised when several ears perked. “Instead of one of your daughters, I invite both Kaldebrak and Innrinhom to send emissaries to join my council. Your opinions and concerns will be heard without having to part with your kin. I am also proposing stronger trade agreements between our great cities to bring our people together. Let orc-kin grow rich and fat with their good fortune and our alliance.”
That garnered murmurs—hopefully a better outcome than shouting.
“My hope is that these emissaries will come together to form a council, one that, amongst other things, will ensure mutual aid across the territories.”
