Page 30 of Oath of the Wolf
Lena blinked at Brynn in shock.It wasn’t until Gistrid demanded a translation that Lena spoke.
As Lena’s explanation poured out, Gistrid’s face hardened.She barked something to one of her handmaidens, then a crisp command to Lena.
“She asks if you were able to spare her child, lady.”
Brynn shook her head sadly.“The child is already gone.She should continue miscarrying over the next few days.”
Lena repeated the words.
Gistrid replied in a firm, insistent tone.
Lena spoke softly.“She asks if there is nothing you can do.”
“I’m sorry.”Brynn ducked her head.“There isn’t.I was lucky to be able to save you.”
Gistrid turned away, her face hidden.
Even if Gistrid had no affection at all for Ovrek, bearing a king a son was one of the surest ways for a concubine to ensure her own status and safety.Brynn’s mother had made it clear Eormenulf had wanted a son and dismissed her when Brynn had been his second disappointment.
Gistrid seemed genuinely upset by the loss, but Brynn needed to make one thing clear.
“Lady, it is possible someone wanted to hurt you or your child or both.You must be careful.”
As the words came to Gistrid through Lena, the consort barked something hard, sounding dismissive.
“Lady Gistrid says all her servants are loyal and none of them would think to harm her.”
“Be that as it may—”
Gistrid gave a sharp order in Valdari, leaning on her nearest servant as she stood.
“The lady thanks you for your service and asks that you leave her.”
Brynn felt she had done something wrong but didn’t know what.
Gistrid made a sharp shooing motion and Brynn didn’t need a translator to understand she was being dismissed.
“The lady says she will inform Queen Sifma, but you are no longer needed,” Lena said.
Brynn bowed.“Please tell the lady to send for me if there is anything more I can do.”She felt defeated, powerless.This girl needed help, protection.Brynn had the strength to offer both, and yet neither.What was she supposed to do?
Lena translated the words as Brynn and Esa bowed to Gistrid one last time.
Leaving Gistrid’s house, Brynn felt her chest tightening with dread.Ovrek’s concubine had been poisoned, either intentionally or not.People ate bad or contaminated food all the time, yet it seemed too great a coincidence.That woman lived surrounded by servants and luxury, why would she be poisoned, but not her servants, unless it was intentional?
Gistrid had been poisoned all at once if the damage to her body was any indication.There had been no fissures in different stages of healing, they had all been about the same.
That meant someone had given her a lethal dose ofsomethingthat was nonetheless taking days to work.If the goal had been to kill, why not use something that killed quickly?There were plenty of plants that would have made short work of taking a life, even in small doses.
“Well?”Tolvir almost ran into Brynn the moment she emerged from the house.
Brynn startled, sidestepping to avoid him.
“Were you able to help?”
Brynn thought a silent prayer before answering.“I think so.She’s still weak, but she should pull through.”She didn’t add that Gistrid had already miscarried or that her illness had not been natural.
“I am grateful, Lady Brynn.”Tolvir offered a lopsided grin, a look that showed his father’s likeness.“I hope there is some way I can repay you.”
