Page 18 of A Song of Ravens and Wolves
‘No…’ I ran towards him, trying to catch his hand. ‘Father, please… you cannot-.’
He raised a hand to silence me. ‘When did you learn to hunt?’
‘I haven’t–I didn’t–the bird did it–’ I pleaded. ‘Laird King... –’
I felt the Jarl’s hand on my shoulder.
‘King Malcolm, I will have my Lady’s bird readied to leave on my ships tomorrow.’
The Dane was huge in comparison, towering over my father’s fine frame. The snake would strike a bargain, even though his daughter had humiliated him. His precious Alba was worth more, so much more.
‘You can have what’s left of it for quills,’ said the King.
‘I have decided.’ He spoke with deliberation. ‘As part of the Mundr, my wife will receive all of her belongings. That includes her falcon or the wedding is off.’
When he was in this mood, he always reminded me of a wolf staring down its quarry.
My father thought for a moment before raising his hand. Always thinking. Always pondering. That was always his trouble. Too busy trying to be cruel to see what was in front of him.
‘Falconer,’ he shouted, ‘have that goose boxed and ready for the Jarl.’
The Jarl bowed his head before flashing me a smile. ‘Now, Lady Olith. You are in my debt, and I think you shall repay it by teaching me how this falconry is done.’
He always was a terrible student, but this much I could say, he was always eager to learn.
Chapter 7
That Which has a Bad Beginning is Likely to Have a Bad Ending
After the events of the hunt, it had not taken long before my father and the rest of the men were back to their ale and their music.
In the depths of my hooded cloak, I had slipped unnoticed from the great hall beneath the slate-coloured sky. Weaving my way through the long grass, I stayed as near as I could to the river’s edge.
I shivered. The journey had been much longer without my mare and had allowed the spring frost to nip at my skin. I scanned the line of trees. The echoes of the men’s laughter drifted on the breeze. Their light looked like specs of stars against the clear night sky. Cursing at the skirt which hampered my legs, I pressed on.
The forest broke into a narrow path. I kept my eyes on my feet as they followed the muddied, sloping track, even the shards of moonlight were blocked by the wych elm and alders that lined it.
Elpin stood with his back to me.
‘You came,’ I whispered.
I did not hesitate. I opened my arms and threw them around him. Pressing his familiarity to me. I breathed him in. He smelled of forest and soil and home. He still does now, although his bones are weakened, and his skin hangs loose. His heart still beats the same.
‘Of course, I did.’ His words brushed the top of my head. ‘I could not let you leave without saying goodbye.’
Part of me wished he had.
‘Listen,’ he said, pushing me back to face him. ‘You are going to need a weapon. I hate the thought of you being left alone with them.’
I was more terrified than he was, but I said nothing.
He pushed his double-edged hunting knife into my hand. ‘If he hurts you… it is just like bringing down a stag.’ He made a cutting motion across his throat.
I tried not to cry. ‘You do not need to worry.’
‘I know. I know. You are the strongest woman I know.’
I gave a watery laugh. ‘Then you do not know enough women.’
