Astrid found herself being woken up by Serra. Why was everyone incapable of leaving her alone to sleep for just half an hour? Serra plunked herself down on the opposite bed and started muttering to herself. Astrid could hear the echo of Kenward’s laughter.
“Kenward again?” Astrid asked, with one raised eyebrow, her eyes cracking open slightly. Serra gave her a dark look.
“He just does it to wind you up. You do know that?”
Serra gave her another dark look.
“He likes you.”
Serra’s look spoke of impending violence.“What’s wrong with him?”
Everyone climbed into their saddles and began to ride for the southern most gate of the capital of the Kaltharian continent, the intersection of the great North-South, and East-West roads, the throne of Kalash power, and the ancestral home of the Katrall’s. Kothmar did not know that her true heir was about to return home. Kothmar also did not know that her true heir was far from impressed. Astrid stared at the soaring Palace as they rode through the great southern gate, supported by thick, looming walls that stood three stories high. Astrid frequently gave little gasps of disgust.“Disgraceful,” she said at one point, unable to suppress her opinions any longer.
Hrodgar and Lakon pushed past people as they talked.“After that, I heard that Sigwulf knocked Berry senseless. I’ve asked him and he refuses to admit to anything, but he doesn’t deny anything either.”“Berry?” Hrodgar asked.“Yes. Apparently, Astrid nearly cracked three of his ribs. But then I heard that it could have been Sigwulf or even Draynon.”“Astrid did? Our little Astrid tried to crack a man’s ribs?”Lakon nodded. “I don’t know the truth if it, but it certainly looks that way. She punches above her weight.”Hrodgar la
“I said, no touching,” Sharlett cried loudly at one persistent suitor. “Let go of my arm.” Hrodgar strode up to the man who was accosting Sharlett. “Miss Sharlett, is this, er,” he looked at the slender man with greasy hair and pale features. His clothes were gaudy and the violet tunic clashed horribly with his green hose. “Butterfly,” Hrodgar continued. “At least I think that’s what it is. Is this butterfly pestering you Miss?”Sharlett tried again to shake the hand loose. “Yes.”“Let the Lady g
Astrid watched Sigwulf pace up and down the room a few times. He finally stopped in front of her.“Kemp told me,” she said quietly. “He told me that she was your wife.” Sigwulf’s eyes were downcast as he sat on the bed next to her.“Will you tell me about her?” Astrid asked with concern.Sigwulf looked at her without truly seeing her as there were tears standing in his eyes but not overflowing. “She was a lot like you in some ways,” he smiled as he remembered, his eyes distant and misted. “Funny. Smart.
Their world suddenly exploded as a knocking sounded on the door.“Sigwulf? Are you in there? Astrid? Open up.”“Damn Kemp,” Sigwulf muttered. Kemp knocked again. “Hurry up. The others are grabbing one last drink downstairs. The girls want up, now. I asked Lakon to stall them when I found you not in our room.”Sigwulf cursed as he climbed off the panting girl and stood next to the bed, quickly pulling his hose back up over his hips. He handed Astrid her night shirt and tied his hose.
The next morning they all had breakfast together again. Annabelle and Mary spent most of their time telling Kemp and Lakon to be careful, and to please hurry back soon. Sharlett talked with Hrodgar, asking him questions about Ulfwyn and the Skytoucher mountains that were the highest in the known world. Serra, however, was happily watching the byplay between Astrid and Sigwulf. They seemed to be ignoring each other. Serra nudged Astrid’s leg under the table. Astrid looked at her. Serra’s reply was to roll her eyes then nod her head at Sigwulf and back at Astrid, then to Sigwulf again, f
“But there was one woman. Once. I thought that at the time maybe I could have a family of my own. A wife, children, the lot. It was about ten years ago when I was 17 and I fell in love with an older woman at the stronghold. I was completely infatuated with her. She filled my every waking thought and every sleeping dream I had was filled with memories of her hot breath against my skin when we were together. Nothing else mattered. Then after about two years of that, one glorious evening at sunset, I went down on one knee and presented her with a ring, then I asked her to be my wife.
It was still early morning when they reached the outskirts of Favorn Forest that appeared dark and foreboding. The thick canopy allowed for little light to penetrate the gloom of the ancient forest. Stories spoke of the tree canopy so old and thick that light shining through turned the visibility into a perpetual dusk. It was said that in the deepest parts of the primordial forest light was never seen, and the forest floor appeared to be forever shrouded by night. Strange insects and animals that were either sightless or cast an eerie glow were said to stalk within that place of forever night.Astrid watched a multicoloured butterfly flitter in and out of shards of light, dancing in the sun until it passed too close to a tree and the