One can hope.
With Ramsey on the bed, I ball my outer layer of clothes, making it into a pillow, then stretch out on the floor, pulling one of the finished weaves over me.
Without making a sound, Harold scurries next to me, burying himself in my hair.
I give him a small pat before drifting off to sleep, to a warmth I haven’t known in years and a smile that was only meant for me.
4
RAMSEY
Sometimes, the Penticari women surprise me, leaving me to ponder things they have said hours after the words are spoken.
I feel this now, long into the day after my night talk with Asha.
She has shamed me, making me realize I have forgotten what honor is.
At first, I had been insulted and wanted to scoff at her, because it seemed like she was trying to make honor more attainable to a lesser like herself.
Then the impact of what she had said hit me, and as her words tumbled around my mind, I realized it was I who was wrong. There is great honor in duty and none in the pride I had so clung to.
Since my exile, I have craved respect, thinking it would restore my honor. But now I realize that desire only served my vanity.
It is duty that should matter above all.
And my duty is to Tempest.
Walking through the village, I hear laughter where there was once none, and see once proud faces looking dreamily at the fruits from lower branches.
But there is nothing to be done about it, as a deal was struck, and to go back on it without good reason would be dishonorable.
A familiar voice catches my attention, and I look over and see Amber with Gaerth, who is holding a hide out to her. She argues with him, pushing it away, but he is pressing it at her insistently.
I feel bad for anyone who must train her, but less so for him, because he had been so keen on letting them stay.
Ulof emerges from between two houses, a short distance away. When he sees me, he jogs over and looks around to make sure no one else is nearby.
“The council is meeting at the caves to discuss your time away.” He leans forward, lowering his voice. “Amber has not been invited.”
“Good, I do not believe I can suffer another moment of her presence.”
He chuckles and walks off.
I grab strips of jerked meat and spiced fruit to tame my hunger. The Penticari women have their own tables they eat at, their poor construction not of our build.
Will they even last a season?
It matters not.
Eddard brings Meg a bowl of spiced stew, and when she pushes it away, he comments on her round thighs. The look on her face tells me she did not appreciate his comment.
These Penticari women are too temperamental with the truth for my liking.
Before she replies, I head toward the caves.
I mislike that we are to speak so freely with the Penticari around, but there is little that can be done about it now that we have joined.
Jacek nods to me when I enter. Many of the women cringe.
