by Megan McCoy
Illayda played the part of a wounded lady well. She overexaggerated a bit, but that was a white lie to tip the scales in her favor. “I’m hurt that you would think so lowly of me, Jai. Do you really think I’d risk having you do something for me that would make Iver angry? I assure you it isn’t that at all. I already spoke to him, and he has given his blessing for me to seek you out.”
Jai was still highly suspicious but played along. “Forgive me, I would never do anything to hurt your opinion of me Queen Illayda. Perhaps, I spoke too soon. What is it you’re asking of us?”
Illayda smiled coyly then. “I need to get my hands on some Red Cedar, and I am certain Lutta has some. It is the last thing I need to finish Iver’s present. He believes we are just going to see my mother, so I’m pleading with you to keep the true reason a secret.”
It seemed too innocent of a request.
“Iver and Zyon are busy, but Iver suggested that you both might be kind enough to accompany me up to my parents’ camp; I’m sorry to bother you. I can perhaps ask others if you have other plans today.” She went to turn and leave, hoping they’d stop her.
Jai relaxed a bit, digesting her reasonable appeal. Her request seemed harmless, and the confession made him less suspicious of her actions. As she slowly retreated, he questioned, “Red Cedar? Why Cedar?”
“Well, I am making some fragrant oil for him. The same scent of that of his father. It is masculine and strong like the warrior he is. I thought I had a lot of it and turns out my supply is not as vast as I had hoped.”
Jai and Odin looked at one another, hesitant to agree.
“I have asked the king if I might go visit my mother and Lutta, but I’m afraid he is busy today. Instead, he said to ask you both to escort me. Armed, of course, and with his blessing.”
Iver was still far enough away not to overhear the request, but still in sight.
Illayda smiled brightly and waved, making a show for them that he was consenting to her asking his men to accompany her beyond the gate. Illayda could see the two gullible men had taken the bait, when Iver nodded and waved back.
Quinn galloped in through the gate catching her attention, and seemed to be looking for his brothers. Illayda, Jai and Odin watched as Quinn, upon locating Iver, made haste approaching him.
Good, Illayda thought with a smirk. Quinn would divert Iver long enough for them to leave.
“I’ll go and ask him to wave to you both, as proof that he knows what we are discussing. Then, could we leave?” Illayda asked pleading.
Odin and Jai looked at her, trying to find the catch in her plan. A signal from Iver would satisfy Jai, and he told her so. “If he agrees, it will be my pleasure.”
“Mine too.” Odin quickly added.
Starting a direct path toward the small group Illayda tried to look inconspicuous. Her plan was almost there, all she had to do was get Iver to wave.
Chapter 3
Quinn arrived back to Bear Claw a little earlier than expected. Barreling in through the open gates, he stopped to speak with the two guards on duty. He noticed Illayda was outside and standing with Jai and Odin. That meant Iver was nearby, since his overprotective big brother wasn’t allowing his expecting wife out of his sight these days.
Ignoring her, he quickly addressed his men. “There has been a large pack of Pythrow Wolves wandering south of the mountain. I think they’ve been chasing the deer, but it has been hard to tell for certain what motivates their migration so far west. I’m going to speak with my brothers and arrange a hunt to combat the issue. Iver will most likely demand the gates permanently closed and more guards to monitor the wall,” he said hastily.
Pythrow Wolves were known to be more territorial for their hunting grounds. A pack migrating this time of year, would need encouraged purpose. Best guess was that they were following the food source. With few rabbits this year, most likely that meant that the wolf population was increased. A good hunt or two could reset the balance of nature.
Deterring them from the village was necessary, since many Wood Lord villagers weren’t expecting the predatory animals nearby and the snow inhibited visibility.
The guards dutifully closed their gates, alerted to their senior commander’s visible dismay. Curious why the beasts were changing their habitual routines, they grew nervous. Pythrow Wolves were sneaky.
Some had the ability to jump as high as the gates when a dire situation occurred. They were massive canines, who sent decoys to ensnare their victims and showed no mercy to prey. Their large fang-like ripping teeth were lethal. Their jaws so powerful, they could snap the back of a bear. It rarely happened these days, but when they caught a human in the right way, he didn’t stand a chance.
Quinn gave his horse to one of the stable lads, as he spotted his brothers ahead.
Illayda was captivating Iver’s attention with something, and as Quinn drew closer, Iver waved to Odin and Jai. Illayda went up on her tiptoes to kiss her husband, turning just as Quinn appeared.
Iver was quick to devote his complete attention to his youngest brother. He knew Quinn had left to visit the other camps earlier that morning. That meant he had run into something that made returning to Bear Claw necessary. Taking a moment to brace for the impact of his baby brother’s words, he couldn’t help but feel dread clutch his heart. His first year as king, was filled with continuous spur-of-the-moment difficulties that left him in a constant state of anxiousness. Nothing could stay calm and boring it seemed, and he really longed for that to be his reality.
“Quinn, your furrowed expression makes me nervous,” Iver said, focusing his sole attention on the not so small, baby of the family.
“Bah... that ugly mug always looks like something might be wrong,” Zyon added jokingly.
“A serious word if I may, brothers,” Quinn said, shouldering off the teasing greetings. His eyes conveyed that it was important, and he was in no mood for their snide remarks. “In private.”
Illayda looked at her brother-in-law, knowing she was dismissed. It fit into her plan perfectly and she planned to use it to excuse herself, so she could inconspicuously retreat back to Odin and Jai. “Well, pardon little old me. I know when I’m not wanted,” she huffed, continuing her act as if she were upset by not being included in their private discussions. “I’ll busy myself.”
Iver bent to kiss his hormonal wife with a grin. He was aware how temperamental she became when she was left out of the loop. “Easy love, I’m certain this will be quick.”
She took the kiss and cast Quinn a glare as the men all began to walk away. Playfully, Illayda scooped up a ball of the white snow and dashed it impishly at Iver. It hit him like a bullseye in the back, making him turn and wag a cautionary finger in her direction. “You do not want to start a snowball war with me, little wife.” His white perfectly straight teeth beamed behind his sexy grin. “I always hit the spot, I intend.”
The innuendo wasn’t missed on Illayda, she knew all too well there was truth in his words from their bed play earlier. Her own smile broke out beneath a light blush, as she giggled and countered with one of her own. “I may need another demonstration, Your Majesty. I’m rather good at handling balls, myself.”
A few people around who heard their honeymooner banter, chuckled.
Quinn smacked his lovesick brother in the chest to bring him back to reality, as they headed for the training hut that would offer more privacy. With an Oomph! Iver refocused his attention, belting Quinn back similarly, inciting an argument that continued for a few moments after the door was closed to witnesses.
Illayda watched as the brothers disappeared and hoped whatever news Quinn had would keep them occupied for the better part of the day.
Trotting off to Odin and Jai, she watched them harness their bow and arrows for protection and excitedly clapped her hands. “Shall we?”
“Hit me again, little brother and I’ll blacken your eyes,” Iver griped, as the door closed, and they were finally alone. He crossed his arms over his broad ch
est, and narrowed his eyes as he braced for the information he was blissfully unaware of, to flood his mind and incite an emotional reaction. Excitement of this kind was the last thing he was hoping for when he stepped outside of the hut this morning. Yet, these days this kind of irritation seemed to be more normal than not.
“Spit it out, I’ve had nearly three hours of contentment since I’ve awoken. My body seems to be going into shock from the boredom.” Iver was being sarcastic of course, and Zyon chuckled at his dry wit.
All three were confident that no one could overhear, which was good. The last thing they needed was the wrong person overhearing bits and pieces and spreading incorrect tidbits of information.
“I agree, Quinn. What glorious news have you brought us? Has a plague begun or have the border guards on post become so bored in our peace time, they’ve begun to fuck themselves?” Zyon added crudely.
Iver smirked at the lewd comment, although he was confident not much could amaze him anymore. “I know which one will surprise me the least.” Iver joked, making Zyon snicker too.
It was common knowledge some of the guards preferred the company of men to women, and remained on duty to avoid the fairer sex at all. After growing up in the camps, all the brothers had knowledge that same sex partnerships existed. It was just too taboo to speak of in the open.
Since his ascent to the throne, he had been dealing with issues no other king of Insula had to deal with. The state of chaos was becoming the odd new way of living and keeping Iver in a constant state of nervous uncertainty. He longed for carefree days and nights alone with his wife, without the endless turmoil that seemed to rain down on him.
They say heavy is the head that wears the crown, and his father had used the saying repeatedly throughout his life, but sometimes he wished someone else’s head bore the endless weight of the continuous pandemonium.
“I jest. I jest,” Iver said, sobering. “Out with it Quinn. What is so troubling?”
“We need to saddle the horses and ready a few of our best trackers. There are Pythrow Wolves prowling closer to the village,” Quinn answered, making Zyon’s brows concave.
“Odd,” Zyon said, folding his arms across his chest. “With the weather we’ve been having, that seems unlikely.”
“I know a Pythrow’s track, Zy. Unlikely or not, it is what is happening,” Quinn reassured, hoping neither brother would play their older, wiser, narcissistic cards. He was in no mood for their often wrong assumption of his qualifications to think for himself. The time for jokes had passed.
“Any clue on the size of the pack?” Iver asked, crossing his arms and devoting his attention to the details Quinn was there to explain. This matter wasn’t as bad as the others he had been dealing with, although he was taking it just as seriously. After what he had been though, he felt confident in a quick and profitable solution.
“No, but I’d guess over two dozen,” Quinn replied. “A few burly males for sure and pups. No identifying female prints unfortunately, but the pups are enough to indicate that they are there. It’s hard to say what food source they are following, although with little small game this year, it could be forcing them to expand their hunting areas.”
Iver nodded, digesting the information. Quinn’s assessment of the issue made sense. His summary impressed him, although he didn’t say so. Busting his brother’s balls was his way of showing him loving affection. If he complimented him, Iver was sure Quinn would think one of them were dying.
Looking to Zyon, Iver knew he concurred with the appraisal as well. “We will take a small team of our best hunters into the forest. Some can go on horseback and take some bait to lure them to an area where they can be easily killed. We’ll need some skins for shelter, lots of arrows and some tipped with dragons’ water,” Iver stated, listing the rare arrows soaked in the poison of dragon water. It was a fiery liquid made from boiling Dragon Weed, and extracting it’s burning acid. Hunters soaked their arrows in it before tipping the point. When the arrow shot through the body, it felt like the wound was on fire. The poison was lethal enough to kill, even if the hunter missed a crucial target. Dragon water infected the blood and made the animal die more quickly than if just shot with a normal arrow.
“We’ll need some dry wood and other supplies as well. Tell the men to help themselves to the sheds to gather what you need. Zy, are you able to go?” Iver asked.
“I will if I must, but I’d rather stay with Irae. With the sickness leaving her so weak, without me forcing her to try and keep some food or water down, she refuses. Owna has come to me a few times, frustrated by her willful defiance,” Zy said honestly.
“All right, well it isn’t truly necessary. I can assist with helping Quinn assemble the men and even accompany them to Preet’s Point. I think with the cliffs there, that might be a good area to bait a trap. I’m just nervous of what the snow drifts are like,” Iver said, trying to plan the best strategy. “You go up with Irae and tell her the king has ordered her to eat a double serving of eggs. I’m sure you can come up with fitting incentive to make her comply.”
Zyon smirked. “Indeed. Although, I haven’t the heart to carry out the threatened punishments lately. She’s in so much discomfort already, I’d sooner cut off my knee than drag her over it.”
Iver remembered it well. When Illayda was in the midst of the horrible early sickness of pregnancy, he’d felt the same. “You’re a creative creature, my brother. I’m certain you will think of other means to make her obey.”
Zyon nodded, his eyes twinkling amusement. “I have my ways.”
Turing to Quinn, Zyon added, “Take a pigeon and send word if you need me. If the pack is too large and you don’t think they can be dealt with without more help, I’ll ride out with additional men.”
Quinn was grateful for Zyon’s offer, although with Iver’s generous leniency of supply, he felt more confident of getting the beasts under control.
“I won’t have time to explain things to Illayda, so if I don’t see her before you, tell her I will return before nightfall. I will honor my pledge to meet you all in our rooms before the night gets too far gone on us. She asked if she could borrow Odin and Jai for some help with preparing for the festival. I’m sure they will be busy around the village doing whatever she has in her mind to make it the biggest Solstice we’ve ever experienced,” Iver said. “Just keep an eye on her for me, for some odd reason I have a suspicion she is up to something. Since it is a gift exchange, I have afforded her more freedom, but she has been warned not to get up to or incite mischief.”
When they got outside, the brothers went their separate ways.
Iver walked to the barns where the horses were kept; Quinn went to round up hunters that were around the communal fire; and Zyon walked to the hut to see Len about breakfast before entering Peetohwah.
“If anyone needs me, you know where I am,” Zyon called, before he was out of earshot. He was in no mood for a hunt today, when Irae was so ill. Iver and Quinn were more than capable of deescalating this situation.
Then, hopefully as Irae slept, he’d finish up the carving he was doing for her as her Solstice present. He had worked on it the last few weeks, so he was anxious to finish and see her reaction. Just like a child himself, he wanted the night of the Winter Solstice to come. Rubbing his hands together, he disappeared behind the door, just as Iver rode off to the gates.
Crash!
“Shoot!” Irae said loudly enough to be heard outside their door.
Zyon had just came down the hall when the loud sound startled him. Running the final distance, he burst in the room to access the situation. His heart was racing, fearing that Irae had been hurt. “What in the name of the gods are you doing, little one?” Zyon said crossly as he looked around for the cause of the noise. Leveling his eyes back on her uneasy face, his eyebrows narrowed. “Aren’t you supposed to be resting?”
Irae looked brighter, standing near the chest housing some of their personal things. She hid the gift she was making him b
ehind her back, blushing that he nearly saw the present she was trying to continue finishing. Backing up to try and hide the gift, she narrowed her own brows and smiled devilishly. “Aren’t you supposed to be leaving me alone to rest, husband?”
Zyon shut the door with his foot as he readjusted the eggs and approached, trying to peek around her to see what she was hiding. His eyes were still declaring his displeasure, as he tried to reassure himself and his heart, there was no need for continued panic.
Irae was clearly hiding something, but he didn’t push the issue. All the women were a bit off the past few days, as they tried to conceal the tokens they were fashioning for their mates. This time of year, they did not push for the secrets to be revealed. It was just assumed their girls were less adept at being discrete and every husband was all right with that.
In truth, Zyon preferred the surprise of gifts. It had been a long time since he’d received anything so heartfelt as to require such secrecy. With deliberate ease, he put the plates of food down for a moment and turned slowly to put his cloak back on a hook behind the door. It was just enough time for Irae to get what she wanted out of sight without calling her out on it.
Smirking, he said, “I see someone’s feeling better.”
Irae took the offered privacy, without acknowledging it and slipped to her knees at the chest to quietly open the cover. She had no indication Zyon knew she was up to something, so she didn’t change her hiding place. Slipping the item quickly down below a fur blanket, she felt nervous he’d be able to read her face when he turned around.
Irae had no game face, and she knew it. Her nervousness under scrutiny released signs of guilt that she was powerless to control. Trying to remain cool and collected, she said, “The ginger tea has helped. Owna fed it to me on a spoon.” She grumbled the last part, emphasizing her suspicion that he might have coerced her to do so.
