Page 98 of Oath of the Wolf
The surviving men gathered around Ovrek, following him in the direction of the corpses Brynn and Cenric had killed.By unspoken agreement, Brynn and Cenric trailed after them.
They gathered before the burning hall that had been intended as their pyre.Cenric and Hróarr drew up beside the other men, carrying shields and whatever other weapons they were able to salvage.Brynn hovered at their backs.
Some twenty or thirty of them faced the much better armed and better prepared hundred or so marching up the hill.This group seemed to be in no hurry.They marched in as much of a formation as the uneven slope of the hill allowed, coming to finish off the work of their fellows.
“Egill!”Ovrek bellowed, stepping forward.“Where is that coward?”The king wielded an axe with a long handle, resting it at the ground by his side.“Egill!”
“He’s dealing with your men in the town,” shouted a familiar voice.A figure stepped forward, a shining helm glinting by the light of the burning hall.
Cenric was sure he had seen this war gear before.The twisting shapes of entwined beasts decorated the helm and cheek pieces.Small overlapping metal plates, each no bigger than two fingers, covered the wearer’s torso and formed a skirt around the upper thighs.It was lamellar armor, like the style Ovrek and some of his veterans had brought back from across the sea.
“Tullia?”Ovrek stood face to face with the truth Brynn and Cenric had tried to tell him.“Tullia?”He blinked as if this might be a mirage or some sort of trick.
“These are my men.”Tullia gestured to the warriors around her.“As are Egill and Dagrún.”
“You?”Ovrek still didn’t seem to believe it.
“Sweyn was my man as well,” Tullia said.“And the others you killed for siding with him.”
Sweyn—Cenric had seen that armor on Sweyn.Tullia had come to kill her father wearing her dead husband’s war gear.
“You tried to kill me!”Ovrek bellowed.“You killed your own mother!”
“She sided with you,” Tullia shot back without a hint of remorse.“We have tolerated your insults, your demands, your cruelty, and your greed for long enough,” she cried.“Not even the Grandfather Yew was safe from your avarice.”
At that accusation, Tullia’s men let off a clamor of agreement.Jeers rose, cast toward Ovrek.
“And so you chose kin-slaying?”Ovrek roared.“What manner of vile creature are you?”
Father and daughter continued casting accusations back and forth.
Brynn edged closer behind Cenric.She rested her hands on his arms.He didn’t feel anything happening, but her touch was featherlight, delicate.She was weaving magic, he was sure of it, trying to protect him.
“I can’t create mail,” Brynn whispered.“And I can’t stop the force of blows, but that should keep most things from cutting through your clothes.”
Cenric cast a glance over his shoulder to Brynn in the dark.“You can do that?”
Brynn squeezed him gently.“It’s not very strong, especially against direct hits, so try not to get hit.”
Cenric would take what he could get in this situation.“Can you do the same for everyone else?”
“If we have time.I’m not sure we do.”
Cenric had to agree.Ovrek and Tullia talked in circles, speaking of broken oaths, honor impugned, and past crimes.
Hróarr lumbered close to Cenric’s side.He spoke to Brynn.“When the killing starts, go to the boats with Vana.You might be able to get out of here.”
Brynn ignored him, giving no sign that she had heard.
Cenric nudged her.“Go, love.Find Esa, Kalen, and the rest of our men.”He gestured to the dog at his feet.“Take Snapper with you.”
The dyrehund whined, hearing his name.His attention remained on the dark forest.Bad things, Cenric.
Brynn answered softly, yet firmly.“I stay with you.”
“Brynn.”Cenric wanted to touch her, but one hand held his spear and the other the shield.“Go.It’s alright.I’ll join you when this is over.”
Hurt flashed across Brynn’s face.“I thought we agreed not to lie to each other.”
