“My apologies,” I bit out, eyes narrowing. “I was busy in the fields. My people needed me.”
The lad sniffed and—one hand resting on the hilt of his weapon—flicked his fingers dismissively.
“Well, we willnae be staying long. My grandfather, Callor of Battleborn, sent me.”
Obviously.
“Allow me to offer refreshments?”
“Nay, yer female has already asked. I told ye, we’re no’ staying long.”
My female?—?
Oh, Issa. She acted as hostess on the rare occasions we had a visiting clan. But the phrase reminded me that Rowena was nearby; I couldfeelher. Aye, when I shifted slightly, I could see her in that lovely blue gown, standing beside Maardok among the gathered crowd. Her hands were on her hips, and she was glaring at Dallin.
Just knowing she was beside me made me feel stronger, especially when the lad continued.
“We’re only here to check on the ore tribute ye are obligated to make. My grandfather expected it already. Our smiths are waiting to turn it into weapons, and rumor has it that ye returned almost a fortnight ago.”
From the crowd, my brother stepped forward. “Our chief has been ill.”
Dallin made a show of looking me up and down, while I hid my wince at Maardok’s confession. I hated appearing weak or making excuses.
“Ye dinnaelookill,” the lad finally said.
“I was wounded on the raid.” My left hand rose to touch my right shoulder. “No’ severely.”
Callor’s grandson sneered.
“How unfortunate. I thought ye were supposed to be a fearsome warrior.”
Aye. I just met one who was my equal.
I kept my lips from twitching and instead inclined my head as regally as I could manage.
“Yer sympathies are noted.”
Since the ladhadn’tbeen offering sympathies, my deliberate misunderstanding caused him to scowl and glance at the two bodyguards at his side.
“When are ye sending the ore, Stormseeker? My grandfather is impatient to begin his campaign against the Breakbone clan.”
When?
‘Twas something I’d been putting off thinking about. Callor hadn’t given me a deadline when he’d demanded tribute, and I hadn’t asked. I’d been hoping to put off the journey until after the harvest was stored and sorted, and the animals slaughtered and preserved.
But Dallin didn’t need to hear that. So, I kept my expression impassive.
“Soon, I hope.”
“I want to see it,” he announced, chin high. “I need to ensure ye’re no’ using it yerself, having yer smith forge it into weapons foryeruse.”
I’ll admit that on our raid, my warriors had taken more ore than Callor had demanded, for just that purpose. But I met my obligations.
“I swore an oath to yer grandfather when I became chief,” I told him stiffly. “I continue to meet his demands.”
Even when they became more and more burdensome.
“We shall see,” Dallin sniffed.
