“You cannot kill everyone,” Brynn snapped, her voice low, but with an edge of desperation. “It does not matter how strong youare, it does not matter how dangerous you are. Sooner or later, you must learn to live in peace with the people around you.”
“I have wanted to be left alone. That is all I have ever wanted.”
“Does Olfirth know that?”
“What?”
Brynn smeared back several loose strands of hair. “According to Olfirth, he has only met you a handful of times. He doesn’t know what to make of you.”
Cenric flung an arm back toward the hall. “That is not my fault.”
Brynn made a brief grimace, as if perhaps she thought it was his fault, but had decided against saying as much. “You wanted a sorceress to bring peace between you and your neighbors. This is me, making peace between you and your neighbors.”
“He does not respect me.” Cenric gripped his sword again.Snapper?He sent a thought toward the dyrehund, ready to signal to Edric and the others and make Olfirth pay.
“No.” Brynn cut him off before he could give the mental command. “Olfirth fears you.”
“That is the same thing!”
“It isnot.”Brynn clenched her hands into her skirt and then let them go, seeming to do it with effort. Her hands shook, but she inhaled a long breath, looking up to him. “All he knows is that you were raised by Valdari. He fears your allegiance lies with them and that you will attack him. Or perhaps that you will strike bargains with Valdari raiders to use your lands as a harbor.”
“The old man told you that?”
“Not in so many words.” Her voice trembled along with her whole body. She appeared more upset arguing with him than when she had been facing down a host of armed men by herself.
That hardly seemed fair. Cenric was the one whose home had been violated.
“So, what am I supposed to do?” Cenric had not been this angry in years, but he managed to lower his voice. “Olfirth insults us, and we let him eat our stores and drink our mead?”
“Yes,” Brynn hissed. “Then, if he wants peace, he will invite us to eat his stores and drink his mead.”
“You’re assuming he’s like the men of Aelgar’s circle. You don’t know these northmen.”
“Men are the same everywhere,” Brynn retorted. “Always looking for a way to save your pride.” She shook her head again. “Don’t you understand? Olfirth is conceding. He realized he made a mistake and he’s taking the risk of eating with us because it’s the only way he can save his lifeandpride.”
Cenric could see what she was saying, even if it was hard to see anything past his own blinding rage.
Brynn glanced back toward the hall. “Olfirth has seen sorceresses in battle, it seems.”
Cenric muttered a string of curses in Valdari. They were the only ones that seemed adequate.
“Please, Cenric.” Brynn’s voice went soft, pleading. “I am trying to do my duty to you.” She looked down. “I want to do my duty to you.”
From the way she didn’t make eye contact, Cenric wondered if she meant something more by that.
She looked back up, meeting his eyes again. Her lips parted slightly, and she took in a shaky breath. “Let me do my duty.”
Cenric folded his arms across his chest. He took several long and slow breaths. “Did he hurt you?” Cenric glared back toward the hall. “Any of his men?”
“No.” Brynn looked startled by the question. “They haven’t touched me. Or any of the other women.”
Cenric forced himself to inhale until he felt his lungs might burst, then exhale slowly until he thought he might suffocate. He looked back at his wife. “Fine.”
Brynn’s voice sounded fearful. “Cenric?”
He paused at the doorway back into the house. “We’ll try it your way.” He marched back into the house, past the hearth, past the wide eyes of the women. No doubt they’d been eavesdropping.
Cenric heard Brynn following but didn’t look back as he marched into his hall—hishall—currently occupied by Gaitha and his unwelcome guests. He smiled, though it probably looked more like a baring of teeth.
