The family you never knew you wanted.
The figure’s gruff voice whispers in his mind before offering a crooked smile and fading away into the night with the blood-stained sheet.
46
SIGVID
Year 97, 9th Era
Toftlund City, Salt Province
King Thord reclines in his study's desk chair. Uneven stacks of parchment and leather-bound tomes conceal even the hint of surface on his desk.
A warm goblet of mead goes untouched on one of his many bookshelves.
Has it sat there a day?
Three days?
He couldn't say.
He earmarked most books for Sigvid’s pursuit and protection of the Sacred Stones. His eldest son has become the apple of his eye in his quest to fulfill the calling of the gods.
If only he could learn to control his damn temper!
Dusk settles outside the window overlooking Frida’s luscious garden, expanding to the southern wall of Toftlund.
Consuming his mind is the longstanding match between Sigvid and Princess Avina Bloodstone. Whose nameday should havebeen the day they announced the union. Instead, his old friend, Ceowald, had gone two weeks without a peep.
“Can I bring you something to eat?” Frida appears framed at the door. Her perceptive gaze lands on the mead and then the empty desk before settling on his leather-bound journal propped in his lap. “Has he not responded to your letter?”
“My carriage is on standby should he continue spurning our agreement.”
Thord fists his knuckles at his side. Ceowald should have been his partner. Together, their children would unite Treland. Would Ceowald deny his daughter the most powerful alliance in the history of Treland?
“Father?” Thrain loiters in the doorway, clutching a square of parchment. “From King Ceowald.”
Thord rips the letter from his grasp, tearing off the wax seal of the Ridge Province and discarding it onto the floor.
“Out!” Frida shoos their youngest son away and follows him into the hall, leaving Thord once more alone.
He reads over the note repeatedly, crumbling the page in his fist each time he reads through.
Dearest Friend,
Please know my delay has not been out of disrespect for you or our lengthy friendship. I am writing to you with a clearer head regarding our children’s impending nuptials.
A better way forward may exist in the form of King Urien’s only child, who is seeking his third wife. Considering Avina’s bloodline as a Redwood from my late wife, it seems prudent that she should begin her Queenship in Timber. With the utmost respect to you, Thord, I hold strong reservations about the current arrangement.
Please, dear friend, join me for drinks in the Ridge within a week to discuss this further.
Yours in Friendship,
King Ceowald
December 21st, Year 100, 9th Era
Toftlund City, Salt Province
