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“Well, there we are, you see. If I cannot be praised for my skill with a sword, I shall try to attain it for diligence in practice.”

Aisley giggled. “Such a fine character trait must surely be worth something.”

“Most certainly. And that is precisely what I shall tell Brecc when he claims he bested me the last time we sparred.”

“Claims?” At the sound of Brecc’s voice, Aisley’s heart tripped. “Are you still refusing to admit defeat?”

Brecc stepped up beside them, but Rheged ignored him. “Pay him no mind, Aisley. It was an unfair battle. I was weakened by illness and lack of food, and he was a man possessed.”

“Would you like a rematch?” Brecc asked, pointing to Rheged’s sword. “It will take me only a moment to fetch my weapon.”

“I believe I will take my chances with a pell,” Rheged said. “It is far less likely to exploit an inequitable advantage.”

Brecc smiled, but this time, it did not reach his eyes. “Fair enough. But do not destroy the pell completely.”

“I shall make no promises,” Rheged said. He bowed to Aisley. “Good day to you, Aisley.”

“Good day, Rheged.”

He offered Brecc a jaunty nod and set off toward the stables and the barn beyond. Brecc watched him go in silence.

“Were you at the river?” Aisley asked.

“Aye.” He turned and offered her an apologetic smile. “Forgive me; I was lost in thought.”

“Is it what you have seen or what have not seen there that worries you the most?”

His brow furrowed. “I did not speak of worries.”

“No, but you clearly have them.”

He shook his head slightly. “I am beginning to wonder if I might rue the day that I promised to always speak the truth to you.”

“Of all the worries you may have, that one should never enter your mind again. If it would help to talk, I am a good listener. If you need time for quiet contemplation, we can walk in silence.” She waited, barely daring to breathe. And then he smiled.

“I should like that very much,” he said.

“To which ‘that’ do you refer?”

“Walking with you. And talking. And thinking. I believe I should like to try a little of them all.”

Aisley’s heart lifted. “Then we shall.”

Offering Aisley his arm, Brecc led her away from the cluster of buildings and toward the path that ran along the inside of the royal estate walls. She said nothing, clearly waiting for him to initiate a conversation. And yet he felt no undue pressure to speak. She truly seemed content to simply walk, and he found her presence at his side remarkably assuasive.

“Rheged thinks me a fool for concerning myself so much over a Viking invasion that has yet to materialize.” He sighed. “Mayhap he is right.”

“There was no sign of anything at the river this morning?” she asked.

He shook his head. “It is likely a far-flung hope that word of Viking movements would reach Chippenham that way. But it is a hope I have been willing to keep alive, if only to bring a measure of peace to my own mind.” He frowned. “It has helped, but I have been unable to fully assuage my unease since our arrival here.”

“There may yet be a reason.” Her grip on his arm tightened. “May I share a personal experience?”

“Of course.”

She nodded, taking a moment to compose her thoughts. “When I was very young, I fell into a creek that ran along the outskirts of my father’s property.” A smile crossed her lips. “I think it likely that I was attempting to pick flowers beyond my reach.

“Thankfully, my father arrived in time to witness the accident and to pull me from the water. Afterward, he told me that he received a distinct impression that he should remove himself from the stables, where he was seeing to one of his horses, and go to the creek. The feeling did not make any sense to him, but he chose to act upon it and, by so doing, undoubtedly saved my life.” She looked up at him. “He believed that God willingly offers us warnings and instruction but that few of us listen.”