Page 67 of Tears of the Wolf
Cenric turned his attention back to the stalks in front of him.
“Lord Cenric! Lord!” The girl was out of breath and bright red from the effort, but she kept shrieking for him.
Friend afraid?Snapper barked, rushing over to meet the girl.
Cenric looked back up, recognizing the girl as she drew closer. That was his wife’s servant. A pit of dread opened in his chest. “What’s happened?”
“Lady Brynn said…” The girl’s voice broke off as she gasped for breath.
At his wife’s name, Cenric dropped his scythe. He heard Edric swear as he sprinted over to where the girl leaned panting with her hands on her knees. “What is it, girl?”
“Lady Brynn said to tell you…” Another gasp of air. “Twenty men.”
“What?” Cenric paused, wondering if he had heard wrong. “Esa, was it? What did you say?”
Esa shook her head. “Twenty armed men on horses. From Olfirth. Lady Brynn…said to tell you.”
Cenric leaned down. “Olfirth attacked?”
“I don’t know,” Esa whimpered. “Lady Brynn sent me as soon as she saw them.”
“Cenric!” Edric came running after him, but Cenric was already sprinting back up the road.
Snapper raced after him, barking in confusion.
By the time the longhouse came into view, Cenric had already exhausted every curse and insult he knew. He would rip out Olfirth’s guts and stuff them down the old man’s throat. If that whoreson had laid a hand on Brynn…
Smoke rose from the longhouse, but only from the roof opening meant for that purpose. The village appeared intact, nothing unusual.
Everything was peaceful, as far as Cenric could tell. He slowed, his breath coming in sharp heaves. What was this? Had the girl lied?
No, she had seemed sincere. Had she been mistaken somehow?
Or was this some manner of trap?
Cenric slowed to a walk, trying to hear the sounds of the longhouse over the thundering of his own heart. He always carried his sword in the fields, and it thumped reassuringly against his back.
“Everything looks fine,” Edric muttered, coming up behind him.
Cenric held a finger to his lips, motioning the other men to be quiet. Half of them had come with him, also carrying their scythes, swords, and spears. They’d taken their weapons into the field. It was best to be prepared.
As they came closer, several of the dogs came out to greet them, led by Ash. Their tails wagged as they met their master, licking his hands and pawing at his legs. He shushed them carefully.
Brynn?he asked the dogs.
House,answered several of them at once.
He looked around at their smiling canine faces, missing one.Where is Thorn?
With Brynn,Ash answered.
Thorn?Cenric tried reaching out for the old patriarch.
Strangers,came Thorn’s distant reply.Strangers in the house.His thoughts were edged with aggression.
Cenric’s heart jolted at that.Brynn?
Brynn,came Thorn’s affirmative answer.Thorn was with Brynn. Dare Cenric hope that meant she was safe?
