Caelin nodded and took her hand and together they walked towards the hall. She knew the others were following them, but she didn’t turn around. She needed to do this as Princess Maithgemm, not as Gemma.
When they reached the door, she hesitated for a moment, turned to look back over the settlement and across the firth to where Caelin’s lands lay. How would it feel to be on the other side, knowing Arne was here, but they could not be together? She shook her head and sighed. She needed to put their time together behind her and do the right thing for her son. As she pushed open the door, Ragna turned and frowned at the sight of her in her Brythonic clothes. Tormod sat on the dais, looking down on the group of six soldiers who sat at two tables in front of him.
“Princess Maithgemm,” Tormod said, standing when he saw her. The soldiers also stood and bowed low, but despite their deferential manner, she kept a close eye on them as she swept through the hall with a confidence she didn’t feel, to stand in front of Tormod. “I see my brothers were successful in their quest to find you.”
“I am very grateful to them for finding us. The weather was worse than I expected when I set out and I am pleased to be back in more civilised accommodations.”
One soldier coughed at that. Gemma glared over at him. He put his head down. Tormod merely raised his eyebrows, otherwise ignoring the insult.
“Your brother, the king, was worried about you and has sent these soldiers to escort you back to the royal residence in Perthawc. Although it concerns me that your brother has only now sent anyone in search of you. Do you know why he has waited so long?”
Gemma smiled. She would miss Tormod. “Perhaps he has been searching the route to Car Luel, which is the road along which I was travelling when I was kidnapped by fellow Britons.”
“Is this true?” Tormod asked the soldiers. The men shifted uneasily, but the captain stared back at him.
“We were told she had not reached Car Luel. But we were sent to search the northern banks of the River Clut. Others—”
“It has taken you six months?”
“Others were sent out. Before.” The captain stared back at her insolently.
“Really?” Tormod leaned back and studied the soldiers. “No one from the royal household came to ask if the princess was in Kirkjaster all through the winter. Why now?”
The captain swallowed. “The king was certain that if she was here you would have informed us. To honour our alliance.”
“Princess Maithgemm arrived here with her son of her own free will, to visit with my wife. Hardly worthy of notifying the king.” Tormod lifted his hands and waited for an answer, but none came. The captain stared sullenly at Tormod but a few of the others shifted uneasily.
“We received word that she had been seen. Here,” the captain stated. “Then you claimed she was not here—”
“At which time she was not.” Tormod leaned forward in his seat. “Princess Maithgemm?”
“Yes, Jarl Tormod?”
“You chose to leave the safety of Kirkjaster a few days ago. Why? Was it because you thought someone might have seen you?”
Gemma kept her eyes on Tormod. “Yes. At that time, I didn’t want to go back, or rather to be returned, to my brother’s household in Perthawc.”
“You are welcome to remain here if that is what you wish.”
“Thank you, Jarl Tormod, but I believe it would be for the best if I returned to the royal household. For now. My other plans came to naught, and I have realised for my son’s sake, I have matters to discuss with my brother.”
“I see. Well, Princess Maithgemm, if this is your wish, I am happy to send you. However, in the circumstances, I would prefer some of my own men to accompany you,” said Tormod. “It would put my mind at ease, given the excessive delay your brother has shown in searching for you, that your presence will indeed be welcome in Perthawc.”
“But—” The captain began, but Tormod didn’t even acknowledge the man had spoken.
“And as these soldiers have no spare horses, I will send you in a longship upriver. It will be far more comfortable for you both.”
“Thank you, Jarl Tormod,” Gemma said, grateful Tormod was not sending her off alone with the soldiers.
“I believe,” said Arne behind her, aiming his words at the captain, “that there is a reward on offer for the safe return of the princess. I am sure you agree we are the ones entitled to that reward.”
Gemma’s shoulders sagged. Was that all he was thinking of now? As they’d ridden into Kirkjaster she’d begun to hope they would part as friends. If she had thought there was any hope for the two of them, that hope was gone now.
“But—” The captain spluttered a little.
“It is we who have found the princess, Captain. All you will be doing is accompanying her, alongside my warriors, to your king,” Tormod added.
“Very well,” the captain said reluctantly.
