“There are several bodies on the docks.” He jumps in before her father’s fury can build. “I was fortunate to intervene.”
Sigvid snaps his fingers, commanding a group of Drengr to explore the docks. “Aura!” His voice bellows, ricocheting off the exterior walls of the surrounding shops.
She stands firm despite the power of his simmering berserker, which causes her legs to quiver.
“After everything we underwent to hunt down your ex-bedfellow, why in the name of the Briny God would you ever place yourself in a questionable situation? You are godsdamned lucky Jarl Calder sought fit enough to follow you and your poor fucking decisions.”
“How was I to know Guy would assault me? Are you blaming me for this?” She spits, her hands balling into fists.
“Of course not! I am questioning why you didn’t have enough sense to ask anyone to accompany you with that guy at an event involving people from all over the continent. Did you ask a Drengr, your siblings, your uncles? We have strangers in our kingdom. You should be utilizing the utmost care in your actions. Instead, you allow him to walk you to the fucking docks!”
Aura cowers, backing into Calder’s chest.
“Lord Commander,” he places a firm hand on her shoulder with a sharp squeeze as if warning her not to speak. “In defense of your daughter, the Farewell Feast has had your desired effect. People from all over the Endless Shore are mingling. There was no reason for her to suspect ill will from one of our Jarls.” He squeezes her slightly. “I recommend she return to Blackwood for the night out of an exercise in caution. I think we would all feel comfortable knowing the heir to Treland is safe.”
She remains deadly silent while Sigvid strokes his russet braid.
“Fuck, you have a point. If one of these fucks thought it was a good idea to try something, others might as well.” He whistles, and the nearest warrior races to his side. “I will be escorting my daughter to Blackwood. Gather the nearest group and double the presence around our home.”
The Drengr shieldmaiden’s Salt braid cascades over her shoulder as she nods before instructing the warriors standing nearby.
“Good work, Advardsson.” Sigvid pats the Iss Drengr on the back. “I shall return shortly to share a horn of mead.”
Aura does not look over her shoulder at Calder. There are too many unspoken questions she cannot bear to confront him with.
Not now.
At least she would be safe with her father.
In utter silence, Sigvid and Aura trudge the remaining distance to the carriage. She rehearses various apologies and conversations that might prevent her from being locked away in her room indefinitely.
“In.” Sigvid opens the carriage door, glowering at her with more frustration than she has ever seen from him.
Her shoulders slump, and she bites her lip to keep the tears at bay. She detests crying, and between nearly being raped, the heartbreak caused by Calder, and the disappointment from her father, she feels in a precarious emotional state.
Once he takes the seat opposite her, the door slams shut, and the carriage rattles toward home.
She leans forward, “Father, I-”
“Stop.” He takes a deep breath. “I am disappointed in you.” His tone is firm. “You are a bright girl. In some ways, you are more clever than your mother. What I have watched of late is recklessness. I do not know what has changed in you, but this ends. Your siblings have never acted in such a way. Both of them use their common sense.” He massages his temples.
“I cannot believe you are my daughter.”
Her anger evaporates, leaving her with nothing but a soul-crushing feeling that tears her heart apart. All her life, she has wanted nothing more than the approval of the man sitting across from her.
Father is right. I have not been careful.
Hot tears trail down her cheeks while she fiddles with her fingers in her lap.
If she is not the daughter of Sigvid Thordsson, she is not quite sure who she is anymore.
Only a fuck up.
Suddenly, the carriage clatters to an abrupt halt, tossing her to the side and slamming Sigvid against his seat.
“What the fuck was that!” He rubs the back of his neck and removes one of his blackwood axes from his belt.
The sharpened ebony blade is a deadly warning to all who dare cross him.
