Svanna was pleased her voice sounded loud and she had not given into the paralysing fear. She knew tonight her recurring dream would have a new twist—being trapped in a burning building while Turgeis gloated. She silently resolved to keep from sleeping for as long as possible.
‘Are you sure it was him? Astrid claimed he and his brothers had gone east after their father was rightly convicted of treason.’
She crossed her arms over the wet apron, aware that the wind moulded the dress against her bare legs. ‘I’m not bloody likely to forget his face after the torments he inflicted on me.’
Rand raised a brow, but Sigmund nodded. ‘Drengr was ever cruel. I suspect his sons are worse.’
‘I never liked them.’ Svanna wrapped her arms about her middle. ‘I tried to stay well away from them and not give them any opportunity.’
‘Silver-Tongue came to warn me of this attack? Why did you not run immediately to the church?’
‘No one knew it would happen today,’ Rand said. ‘My king simply had concerns and asked me to parley.’
‘When I require your opinion, I will ask for it. If Svanna knew it could be the sons of Drengr, her first duty should have been to alert me, rather than carrying on a conversation with you.’
‘You discounted the swineherd’s fears. Until I saw him, I too would have discounted Turgeis and his brothers as culprits, but I speak the truth.’ She summoned her last ounce of strength and forced her backbone to straighten, refusing to cower even though she wanted to sink to her knees and scream at the unfairness of his words. ‘You do me a grave disservice when you fail to trust my word.’
After what seemed a lifetime, Sigmund pressed his lips together and nodded. ‘I see. Your enemy is indeed my enemy, Silver-Tongue. The battle is joined. You may inform your king of the fact.’
Rand made an ironic bow. ‘May it be the start of a productive friendship, Sigmund Sigmundson. Friendship between Islay and Tara is all I desire.’
‘We will talk after things settle. I will listen to what sort of friendship your king desires.’ Sigmund bestowed Svanna a look which seemed to ask for forgiveness. ‘When I am wrong, I do admit fault, Svanna. You were right to allow the warrior to stay. You averted disaster today.’
Ignoring Rand’s curious gaze at the bubble of laughter which emerged as the relief at being believed surged through her, Svanna swallowed hard and forced her voice to remain even. ‘I’m pleased you think that way.’
* * *
Svanna rested her head against her hand and stared at the embers of the hall as a distinct weariness settled over her bones. She knew she should find some place to curl up and sleep but she couldn’t, not yet, not until she knew the Queen had survived the night. She still had much to do, including finding another clean gown as the one she’d changed into had become covered in soot smudges and ash, but she couldn’t abandon her place, waiting and watching in case she was needed, in case Astrid called for her.
She’d lost track of time long before the last fire had burned down to embers and ash. All she knew was that Astrid was safely being attended to now and resting. The priest had said that her quick thinking had saved her foster-mother’s life. She hung on to that and studiously avoided looking at the smouldering wreck which had been the hall, and which had nearly been her tomb had Rand not pulled her to safety.
She peered at the night-black sky, hoping for the faint streaks of dawn while listening out for the first cockerel crow, anything to tell her that she and Astrid had survived the night.
A cold chill went down her spine and she wrapped her arms around herself. She hated to think how many times she’d waited for the cockerel to crow, telling her that she’d survived another day. She had thought all that had ended after Drengr and his sons were declared wolf heads and exiled, but now, with the return of Turgeis, she knew safety was an illusion. Somehow, she had to figure out a way to ensure Astrid’s safety, and indeed that of all Agthir, from whatever the sons of Drengr had planned. Because of Astrid’s injuries, and the time it would take to reach Agthir to consult with Maer, all the hard decisions had to be hers. Maer would back her, but she needed to find a solution which worked.
‘Drink this.’ Rand settled his bulk next to her and held out a steaming goblet. In the dim light from the embers’ glow, she saw his eyes crinkling reassuringly at the corners. She hated that her breath came easier knowing he was here and had been willing to rush into a burning building on her say-so. He appeared to believe in her when others like Sigmund discounted her worth.
She tilted her head to one side and deliberately wrinkled her nose. ‘What is it?’
‘A calming draught. The priest gave it to me when I asked.’ He waggled the drink, sending a cloud of steam skyward. ‘I thought you might need something to help your throat. Luckily, the priest knew precisely the remedy I sought.’
She touched her neck and was suddenly aware of how it and her face burned. She suspected that she might have even singed her hair. ‘My throat? Nothing wrong with it.’
Her voice sounded more like a frog croaking than her usual tones.
‘Are you so busy looking after the Queen that you forget to look after yourself?’ He tilted his head to one side and watched her under impossibly long lashes. ‘Do that often?’
‘I… It is more complicated than that,’ she mumbled, hating that he’d guessed. Now that she considered it, her throat did ache. ‘I will take whatever the priest gave you. His potions work, unlike the soothsayer’s back in Agthir.’
‘The Queen would want you to ensure your health,’ he said in a gentle tone.
Rather than argue with him, Svanna took the cup from him and carefully took a sip. The bitter liquid mixed with some honey did taste good against her fire-parched throat. She swallowed the remainder in one great gulp and then wiped her hand across her mouth. The soothing balm filled her, warming her.
‘Do I look so unsettled?’ she asked. She hated that she wished she looked fresh and sparkling, instead of smoke-smelling and in need of a good wash.
His fingers caught a strand of her hair, wrapped it and then let it go. ‘You’ve been through much, but you remain outside, awake and alert.’
She hated that his voice made her want to lean into him and draw comfort from him. There must have been something in that potion. ‘Other people have been through more. I’m waiting my turn. My main duty is to ensure the Queen’s safety.’
