Seeing no way around it, Cenric sat, accepting that he would have a damp spot on his ass when he stood.
Kalen stood off to the side at a respectful distance with his head inclined slightly. He looked subservient, but the boy was good at watching for threats while looking harmless.
“Have you read anything by the philosopher, Jossel?” Aelgar asked it as if it was entirely possible Cenric had.
Cenric almost laughed. “Can’t say I have.” He glanced up at the sapling, wondering what Winfric had done with the old tree they had chopped down. A ship’s mast, perhaps?
Aelgar lowered his book, studying Cenric thoughtfully. “I shall have to gift a copy to you to take home.”
“You are truly too kind in your gifts, my liege.” Cenric had sworn an oath to serve Aelgar in order to reclaim Ombra. It had not been an oath given gladly or lightly, but it was what it was. “I wish to return home. I came to ask your leave.” Cenric held eye contact with Aelgar, keeping his face impassive.
Aelgar took just a few heartbeats too long to respond. “Is this the wish of your lady wife?”
“I have not yet spoken to her.”
“Perhaps you should.” Aelgar looked to his book again.
“Why me?”
“What do you mean?”
Cenric grew weary of the king’s games. “You wrote me a letter mere weeks ago saying you had a wife for me. For all you knew, I’d already taken a wife.”
Morgi might have seemingly sent her reassurances, but Cenric had learned by now not to make large decisions based on a single foretelling or lack of one.
“But you hadn’t,” Aelgar replied.
Cenric knew he had Aelgar’s spies in his own home. Several of his people had confessed that Aelgar’s agents had approached them for information. Cenric had told them to accept. They might as well receive a little extra coin in exchange for telling the spies what they would learn anyway. “Why me, my liege?”
“I was hesitant about you, Cenric.” Aelgar must mean he was hesitant about Cenric’s Valdari heritage, and that he had spent most of his youth across the sea. “But you have proven yourself so far.” Aelgar took a deep breath and exhaled. “You deserve a reward for your loyalty.”
“And Lady Brynn is your idea of a reward?” As soon as he said it, Cenric wondered if he had gone too far.
Aelgar blinked at Cenric long enough to make him fear the king was offended. He might think very highly of his niece, after all. “Brynn was an excellent wife to her last husband.”
“Yet she left him.” Cenric knew there was more to that story, and he already disliked Paega from what he had heard, but it was worth pointing out.
“Brynn and Paega were an unfortunate match,” Aelgar said through a tight jaw, as if he was reluctant to say the words. “Her mother married her to him without my approval.”
Cenric cocked his head at that.
“The sorceresses pressured Paega into marrying her because he is the grandson of King Offa.”
Cenric frowned, trying to remember his country’s history. “King Offa? The king before your father?”
“The same. Through his mother’s line.”
That meant Paega was king-worthy, an atheling or viable candidate for kingship if he’d ever chosen to press the matter.
From what Cenric remembered, Offa had been the first great king of Hylden. He had extended their borders into the far north, conquering Cenric’s forefathers. He’d reigned long and, if the stories could be believed, he’d reigned well. But Offa had produced nine too many sons and after his death, they had been too busy slaughtering each other to stop King Aelmar and his thanes from taking the kingship.
Cenric considered that. That would mean Brynn’s heirs with Paega would have had the blood of three kings in their veins, not to mention the likely support of the sorceresses. It made sense why Aelgar would be eager to end that union.
“But I objected for other reasons,” Aelgar said. “Brynn is my brother’s only surviving child. Her sister died fighting for me.” Aelgar fell silent for a long moment. Cenric hadn’t thought it was possible, but his expression grew even more solemn. “I wouldsee her married to a man who appreciates what he has been given.”
Cenric wasn’t sure if that was a request to treat Brynn well, or a warning that he should be grateful.
Aelgar exhaled out his nose. “This union strengthens our northern defenses against the Valdari while ensuring my niece is wedded to a loyal man. I see this as a complete victory.”
