Page 9 of Tears of the Wolf
Sad?Confusion filtered through the dog’s thoughts. Snapper sometimes struggled to understand human emotions.
Cenric tried to think of how to explain it in terms the dog would understand.Her pup.
No pups,came Snapper’s challenge. The dog sent the impression of Brynn’s scent that must somehow prove she had no pups.
Lost pup,Cenric replied in his mind.She lost her pup.
Understanding came from Snapper at that. He approached Brynn, whining as his tail wagged.Friend?
Brynn watched the dog as he came closer, ears pinned as he pawed at her skirt. Instead of pushing him away, Brynn reached down and scratched behind Snapper’s ears.
That was enough for the dog.Friend!his thoughts screamed as he leapt on his hind legs, tail lashing wildly as he tried to lick Brynn’s face.Friend!
Brynn jumped back, startled.
“Down!” Cenric ordered, giving the command out loud.
Snapper dropped back down onto all fours, looking between them in confusion.Friend?
“Apologies.” Cenric straightened. “He meant no offense.”
Brynn seemed genuinely confused at that. Who could blame her? Most people had that reaction. “None taken,” she said, more out of habit than understanding, if he had to guess.
Cenric could explain his connection to the dog later. He tried to go back to being serious, but it was difficult with Snapper standing between them, tongue happily lolling out one side.
“So we are doing this?” Cenric asked, trying not to sound too harsh, but also trying not to sound embarrassed. Even if he was a little embarrassed.
Brynn’s expression had gone blank again, painfully blank. “I think so.”
Brynn
Brynn’s first wedding had been a gaudy affair, a blend of Istovari and Hyldish traditions cobbled together like estranged relatives at an autumn feast. There had been floral garlands and the binding of the bride and groom with ivy. She and Paega had been wrapped together head to foot in the vines.
After, she had danced with her mother and the other women while Paega sulked with the men of his family. Gifts had been exchanged between relatives then toast after toast. A massive boar had made up the main course of the wedding meal, though Brynn had been too nervous to eat.
She had been wracked with anxiety for her wedding night, but she needn’t have worried. Paega never turned up, leaving her to wait alone in the dark for hours.
She found out later than Paega had left their wedding to sit by the cairns of his family. Brynn had been Paega’s second wife, and he never allowed her to forget it.
As far as she knew, she was Cenric’s first wife. Perhaps that would count for something.
Her wedding to Cenric was an abridged affair. Everyone seemed to want it over with as fast as possible. The traditional negotiation began, led by Aelgar.
Twelve witnesses gathered for Brynn’s side, including Esa, the king’s wife Eadburh, his attending sorceress Wassa, and several of Aelgar’s retainers.
Cenric had brought his own twelve witnesses—all thanes, as far as Brynn could tell. His men remained silent through the negotiations.
Aelgar explained Brynn would be entitled to living standards equal to Cenric’s, her widow’s rights in the event of his death, and Cenric’s various obligations as her husband.
Brynn had made sure to require that Esa would be cared for. Cenric would be obligated to house, clothe, and feed Esa and any family she might have. He couldn’t send Esa away and he couldn’t punish her without Brynn’s approval.
King Aelgar not only promised Cenric Brynn’s original dowry, but presented a document listing gifts including grain, furs, and jars of imported spices. Cenric seemed surprised as he read the list. Hopefully, he was pleased.
Brynn would prefer it if at least one of them could benefit from this arrangement.
As the men reviewed the document, Brynn called for wine.
Was marrying a stranger really a wise decision? Then again, what other choice did she have? She was too important to be ignored, yet too insignificant to be feared. She needed the protection of a husband for political reasons if nothing else.
