Page 123 of Tears of the Wolf
He would worry about his pride later.
“My people were attacked this morning.” Cenric managed to keep his tone level.
Olfirth grunted. “Raiders?”
“Sorceresses.”
Something flickered in Olfirth’s face for just a moment. Something like surprise.
“They stampeded the young aurochs through the village. My four thanes guarding them were found with their throats cut.”
“And you suspect your new wife did it?”
“No,” Cenric snapped, perhaps a little too sharply. “She was with me when they were murdered.”
Olfirth glanced to one of his men, a fellow with an axe by the door. The man gave no visible reaction, but Olfirth looked back to Cenric. “It’s a shame. My sympathies. But it wasn’t us.”
“I know.” Cenric nearly yelled the words, then took a deep breath, steadying himself. This wasn’t going well, but what had Brynn said? Most people were reasonable.
“Then why are you here, young wolf?” Olfirth exhaled a long breath, cocking his head to the side. “In full battle-gear, no less?”
“They took Brynn.” Cenric didn’t know what else to say.
Olfirth gave no visible reaction, though several of his men looked to him for guidance.
Snapper, realizing he would not be getting any pats from the men, trotted back over to Cenric and plopped down.
“I have heard much of this new wife of yours.” Olfirth drew out each word slowly. “She’s a king’s daughter, isn’t she? Hardlythe usual wife of a northern alderman. One who isn’t even invited to meetings of the Witan.”
Cenric fought to keep his calm. He could trade insults with Olfirth another time. “The sorceress Selene has been trying to persuade her to leave for days. They fought. My wife told Selene to leave.”
He couldn’t explain Morgi had warned him of this. There wasn’t time and he wasn’t sure Olfirth even believed stories of his family’s gift.
Olfirth glanced to the man with the axe again. “The sorceress Selene asked permission to pass through my lands. She has a ship meeting her at an inlet near the coast.”
Cenric’s heart leapt, even as it sank. Selene was here somewhere, but time was running out. They needed to stop her before she made it to the open water.
“You think she took Lady Brynn against her will?”
“I know it.” Cenric braced himself. “But I don’t have the men to hunt them down.”
Everything in Cenric screamed against the admission of weakness. He hated to tell his rival he lacked warriors right now, that they were vulnerable. It felt almost like he was betraying his people by confessing their weakness.
Olfirth’s thanes eyed him suspiciously, but Cenric kept his attention on Olfirth. This would be the old man’s decision. Cenric waited, hating everything about this.
“I don’t like you, young wolf,” Olfirth grunted. “You’re arrogant, impetuous, and far too prideful for someone so inexperienced.”
Cenric clenched his jaw until his teeth ached. If the old man wanted to trade insults, Cenric had a long list on the tip of his tongue.
Olfirth stroked his beard, like he was thinking. “You remind me of myself when I was your age.”
Cenric frowned at the same time several of Olfirth’s thanes looked to the old man. They were like hounds readying for their master’s call.
“I don’t like you,” Olfirth repeated. He heaved a great sigh and uncrossed his arms. “But I am a sentimental old man. And I’m quite fond of your wife.”
Cenric didn’t dare hope. He kept his eyes locked on the old man until Olfirth stepped back into the hall.
“Battle gear and spears,” Olfirth ordered his thanes. “We’re going hunting.”
