Page 56 of Oath of the Wolf
Cenric wondered if they actually would.Brynn’s story wouldn’t change, he was sure of that.He believed her even if the rest of them didn’t.
He didn’t know who had killed the girl, but it had not been Brynn.He didn’t understand why Ovrek kept thinking she had when she’d turned down the opportunity to kill so many times already.It made no sense.
But there was nothing he could do to make Ovrek see reason.
Cenric hated that.Brynn had been willing to humble herself.She had been willing to bow before this foreign ruler for Cenric’s sake, for his people’s sake.And how did this king reward her?By accusing her of sedition and placing her under guard.Not to mention Ovrek’s own son had attacked her.That boy was a menace, unworthy of his father and unfit for his position.
Cenric followed Ovrek back into the main hall, to the feasting lords and their warriors.The king returned, immediately transforming into the gregarious, magnanimous man they all knew best.
“My friends!”Ovrek went to a circle of men with flashing rings on their arms and carefully braided beards.Some of them he recognized as having fought for Ovrek in the war, though their names escaped Cenric at the moment.
Cenric glanced toward the door.If he could slip out, he might be able to get lost in the confusion of the festivities and sink into the shadows.If he could find his men, they might be able to ready theWolf Star.If he could find Brynn while they still had cover of night…
Ovrek seemed to read his mind.He placed a hand on Cenric’s shoulder, steering him around.“You remember Cenric?”
“Young wolf!”cried a round of voices, men covered in arm rings and massive braided beards, shield brothers from another lifetime.
Ovrek thrust Cenric into the middle of the celebrations, introducing him to everyone, treating him as an honored guest, but Cenric knew better.He was a prisoner, just as Brynn had been.Their chances of an amicable alliance with Ovrek were looking worse by the moment.
11
Brynn
Brynnfoundashelterin a leaning tree and hunkered down for the night.She shivered, not daring to make a fire.Even in summer, the nights were cold.
Guin curled against her, making a comfortable nest under Brynn’s arms.At least Brynn had been wearing her shawl when Tolvir had attacked.Perhaps she should have grabbed her cloak, but she’d had other things on her mind.
The forest chirped and popped around her.Brynn stared into the darkness, her heart racing.
She reached out withka,trying to sense every living thing within any reasonable distance.There were shapes she took for squirrels and perhaps a few deer.
There could be wolves in this forest for all she knew.Though she doubted they would be this close to Istra.
Brynn sensed nothing that might be a farm or settlement, so that was a good sign.She would rather not deal with the Valdari locals just now.
Guin slept soundly in her lap.The puppy probably thought they were out for an adventure.
Brynn drew inka,but while that worked to stave off frostbite, it could do nothing for this seeping, clawing cold.She had nothing to hand that could safely hold heat without burning her.Brynn wrapped her shawl tighter around herself as she shivered.She needed to rest to have the strength come daylight, but she was too cold and uneasy to fall asleep.
During the war, she had sometimes slept on tree roots and in the shelter of wagon wheels, but Aelfwynn had always been there to watch over her.Brynn had been able to sleep knowing her elder sister was protecting her.
Now Brynn was alone.Cenric was back in Istra, though he had probably learned of what happened by now.Overhead, the gibbous moon shone through the branches of the trees, Eponine’s face watching from afar.
Brynn exhaled prayers through her chattering teeth with nothing better to do.“Mother Eponine, watch over Cenric.Keep him from being a fool.”Brynn squeezed her eyes shut, not sure how else to say it.“I love him and if he loves me like he says he does…” Brynn hesitated.Cenric might truly love her, but he was an alderman, and aldermen had to do what they had to do for the sake of their shires.
Loving a powerful man was to accept that his power would always come first—that was what Brynn’s mother had said about her father.
Brynn sat leaning against the damp earth, shivering, and she wondered if Cenric might realize he was better off without her.
They had been married less than a year.She had brought no lands that he would lose by putting her aside.She hadn’t given him children yet.It would be easy to put her aside.So easy.
Guin stirred in Brynn’s lap, shifting as she settled down again.
If anyone hurts you, I kill them.
The words of an infatuated boy or a man in love?
Speaking of infatuated boys…Tolvir.
