She hears the creak of the front door yet doesn’t flinch. Slode and Bertie are holding a small party inside, no longer hiding their evident affection.
“Careful, or you may catch a chill.” Kar leans against the railing.
“The cold hardly bothers me anymore.” She whispers, her gaze settling on the starlight. They will free him tomorrow, and she can rest at night knowing he is safe.
“What you did for Helga was honorable.” Kar’s gruff tone held a hint of reverence, even if he disagreed with nearly everything Avina suggested.
After she instructed Grim to deliver the letter of request for arms to Timber, she commanded them to withdraw Helga’s body at axe point with the guards who now ransack Blackwood. They held a proper funeral for her along one of the cliffs away from the city. She pledged that once they disposed of Thrain, they will have a formal ceremony honoring Helga’s contributions to Salt and Treland.
“After spying on Thrain for years, it feels unjust that she would die at his hands.” She glances up at Kar, whose expression remains impassive.
“Would you die for our Lord Commander?” He asks without glancing her way.
“Of course-”
“Would you die for your people? Those of Timber, Ridge, and Salt?”
“Yes, of course-”
“Helga was no different–prepared to die for the cause she believed in because of the man whose legendary prowess instilled faith within her. Even if she did hold affection for Thrain, was it just or unjust,” he shrugs, “I cannot answer that, nor can you. We are not the gods and lack their vision of our greater purpose.”
“Deep sentiment for you, Kar.”
His gaze falls on her. “Watching you with the people of Salt over the last few weeks has been enlightening. You are a true Queen. And I had my reservations about you considering the war. But you are good for Sigvid. You balance him. But,” he seems begrudging of his praise, “you are also a benevolent and just leader.”
“Thank you, Kar. That means-”
He holds up a hand, stopping her gratitude. “I am still a Salt warrior, through and through. We show in action more in words.”
Kar grips her upper arm and pulls her from her seat. He steers her off the deck, away from the cabin and toward the Guardian Mausoleum.
“What is it?” she asks, worried they will venture too close to the city and be caught. His silence unnerves her more than his tugging her through the forest.
When they crest the final ridge to approach the mausoleum, he redirects them to a gully in the forest. Her upper back tenses at the sight before them. Ahead are no less than two hundred men and women clustering in the orange glow of the lanterns set at their feet.
As they approach, she realizes they are all Drengr, including newly pledged.
“What is this?” She turns to Kar once they stand before them.
“My Queen,” he unsheaths his axe, “you have proven your prowess as a war strategist. Many of us fought against you in the war with Timber, only for you to shock us with your ability to surprise our Lord Commander. The board is set, and the pieces ready for a swift battle for control of Treland.”
Kar slices his palm and takes a knee. His bloodied hand smears across his axe blade and then rests against his heart.
“I, Kar Vigotsson, swear fealty, even in death, to my Lady Commander Avina Bloodstone Redwood.”
Her breath catches in her throat.Oh, my Goddess.
“I accept your pledge, Kar Vigotsson.” Her voice wavers.
He stands, and Grim replaces his spot.
“I, Grim Woods, swear fealty, even in death, to my Lady Commander Avina Bloodstone Redwood.”
“I accept your pledge, Grim Woods.” She feels herself filled with rare pride amidst their pledges.
He stands, and Slode replaces him.He and Grim must have followed us.
“I, Slode Dagsson, swear fealty, even in death, to my Lady Commander Avina Bloodstone Redwood.”
