Page 119 of Tears of the Wolf
He didn’t know how to fix this. What could he do?
If his village had been attacked, he would have known what to do. If Brynn had been taken, he would have known what to do. Faced with both, he was torn.
“Go! I will either join you or send word soon. Kalen, help Edric.” Cenric ran back toward the longhouse. He crossed the field not sure what he would find or even what he hoped to find.
There was still time to change the foretelling. Cenric refused to believe otherwise.
He reached the longhouse to find a number of the Valdari being tended by the household girls. Water had been brought to clean away blood, bones were being set, and wounds bandaged.
Cenric skirted the outside of the longhouse, marching along the outer wall.Snapper?he called out, searching the tall grass.Have you found Guin?Cenric wasn’t even sure what it would prove if he found the pup, he just knew Brynn would have worried about her and it was something todo.
Pup.
A low whine drew Cenric’s attention.
Snapper crouched beside the corner of the longhouse, lying with his tail thumping softly. He pawed at the edge of the wall, letting off a snort.
Cenric jogged over to the dog and dropped to his knees. The puppy had crawled partially under the corner of the house, making a small burrow for herself.
She growled as Cenric reached in, grabbing her by the scruff of her neck to haul her out. She whimpered in his grasp, tail wagging meekly as soon as she was in the daylight.
“Where’s your mother?” Cenric asked, feeling like a fool.
The puppy whined, pawing at the air. She was young, but Guin should be communicating by now.
Brynn wouldn’t have left her behind. Even if she had taken Esa, she wouldn’t have left Guin.
Cenric tucked Guin into one arm. She squirmed for a few moments, then went still against him.
Snapper woofed, curious.
Cenric petted the puppy, trying to think. There was so much to be done.
He needed to see to the damaged houses. He needed to help round up the lost cattle. He needed to see that his people were safe. But most of all he needed to rescue his wife.
How?
He didn’t have enough men. He didn’t know where to start looking. If Selene and her people were strong enough to overpower Brynn, what chance did he have?
In the foretelling, he had found her on the beach, which must mean she was being taken out by sea. But it would take him time to comb every beach alone, time he didn’t have.
Cenric marched into the longhouse, the puppy still tucked under one arm. Inside was abuzz with the work of people helping the injured and the wounded.
Brynn would have been able to help.
Brynn.
Cenric returned to their bedroom and dumped Guin back in her basket. She howled in protest, then settled down.
Puppy!Snapper leaned over the basket, licking the puppy comfortingly.
Cenric could chase after Brynn alone to find her dead or he could abandon her. How to change his vision? What could he possibly do differently?
He grabbed his tunic and pulled it on. He finished dressing, hands moving out of habit.
Choices usually seemed easy to him. One option or the other. But right now, he hated both.
Would taking Snapper or more of the dogs with him be enough? They were Morgi’s animals, but somehow, he doubted it.
