Elthrinn tossed the remainder of the fodder for the animals into a corner of the pen for them to find later, and retrieved the bag of corn from its place of safety outside the pen. The chickens clucked impatiently, but soon forgot their aggravation when she began scattering the golden seeds into the dirt. Rehan was laughing as she finished sharing her gift between the three gobbling mouths. Elthrinn had no idea how she hadn't managed to lose a finger yet to the greedy, nibbling teeth, but Rehan seemed to enjoy the chaos of nips and rasping tongues.
Elthrinn picked her way carefully out of the pen, and made sure to fasten the gate securely shut behind her. Rehan brushed the muck from her fingers, and said her goodbyes to her devoted four-legged admirers. Greetings between the two women were no longer necessary. Elthrinn led the way into the cottage, and immediately filled the kettle and hooked it over the fire. There was a distinct nip in the air; her fingers were stiff with cold even though she'd only briefly been outside.
"The animals look well," Rehan commented as she settled herself into the chair by the fire, the one that should have been Gorren's seat.
"They wouldn't be half so well fed if you didn't bring your scraps. The leavings from one person are hardly enough to support them."
"Hardly enough to support you, either." Elthrinn looked up to find Rehan looking at her with an arched brow. "You're losing weight."
"I'm fine, I just find I have a smaller appetite. There seems little reason to cook a large meal for one person."
"The reason will be marching home soon enough. You mark my words." Rehan leant forward to accept the brew of peppermint leaves that Elthrinn handed her. "He's been away before, for moons and years at a time, fighting at the border. Each time he went away I knew he'd look a little older when I saw him next. I don't have the same feeling this time."
"That's not necessarily a good omen," Elthrinn said, staring into the fire.
"It is. Don't worry. He'll come back to us."
Elthrinn wished she had Rehan's faith, but nothing lasted...
"Anyway, there'll be a distraction for you in a few nights. We have a visitor at the hall, a foreigner."
In the time she'd spent in Dorvek, Elthrinn had seen that there were many travelling trades people, and merchants, but they all seemed to be natives. She'd grown used to being the odd one out. The arrival of another non-wolf made her feel out of place all over again.
"Really? Who is it? And what is the purpose of their visit?" Elthrinn asked more because she thought curiosity might be expected of her than because she really wanted to know. She didn't think for one moment that a visitor would have anything to do with her; there was no one who would want to travel so far to speak with her. Just because this new arrival did not howl at the moon didn't mean that they would have anything in common, as far as Elthrinn was concerned.
"A woman. Evidently someone that Noridan met when he was travelling. He brought her back with him."
Elthrinn hadn't been told why Noridan had been away from Cranak, and she hadn't asked. Gorren's brother had departed shortly after the wedding, and had only recently returned. She could fully imagine that Noridan's confidence and charm had made an impact on someone, but that the someone should be so fully under his spell that they should travel so far to be with him seemed somewhat beyond the realms of probability. That Noridan would accept the attention of someone not of his native bloodline in the home of his father, that his father would allow such for his prized firstborn, seemed even more unlikely.
"And the king is happy with this?" Elthrinn asked incredulously.
"He thinks it's a passing phase. She's quite attractive, so he's happy to indulge Noridan... up to a point. There's no chance of illegitimate children, so he's happy for him to have his fun."
"I thought the king disliked foreigners intensely."
Rehan's sigh was heavy. "No, not especially."
"Not that I mind," Elthrinn said, and she really didn't, "But he never seemed particularly friendly towards me."
Rehan sighed again, she seemed uncomfortable, and turned her eyes to the fire. Elthrinn wondered whether she would continue the conversation. It didn't matter much to her if Rehan chose to change the subject. She had accepted that Dorll didn't like her, and since she didn't like him all that much either, that didn't cause her any problems. But Elthrinn was curious.
"It's not you that he doesn't like, my dear. It's Gorren. You could have been a pure-blooded wolf of a high-born family, and he still wouldn't have said more than three words to you. In fact, I think that might have been worse."
Elthrinn didn't like the despondency that had fallen over Rehan. She wanted to ask why Dorll hated his youngest son with such a passion, but she didn't want to make Gorren's mother more depressed. She searched for some shred of conversation that might enliven her, but it was Rehan who shook off her dour mood and changed the subject.
"Anyway, my dear. My visit today has a purpose other than to see how you're doing. It's been quite a while since... since you came to me about your moon's blood. I wanted to check that you had all you need."
Elthrinn's mind stuttered to a halt. She tried to recount how long it had been since she'd last bled...certainly not since the wedding, but... but... that couldn't mean anything. Gorren had said..., and she had no reason to disbelieve him...
The lie came more readily to her tongue than she would have thought possible. "Yes, yes, I have all I need."
Rehan nodded, and Elthrinn decided to take advantage of the topic to confirm what Gorren had told her.
"Gorren said that... we... we wouldn't be able to have children. Is that true?" It was fear, of finding out that Gorren was wrong, and of causing Rehan emotional pain that made Elthrinn stutter.
When Rehan's expression turned to sadness, Elthrinn was sorry that she'd asked, but she couldn't deny a measure of relief from the answer she received.
"Yes, that's true I'm afraid, my dear. It's never been known, Certainly not in the time since my grandmother was alive."
"I'm sorry," was all Elthrinn could think to say.
Rehan placed her cup on the hearth stone, and stood. She went to Elthrinn, and placed a hand on her shoulder and squeezed gently.
"It's not your fault, my dear. Do not think on it. In three nights there will be a feast at the hall. I'd like you to come, if only to eat a decent meal." There was an archness to Rehan's tone at which made Elthrinn smile. "Don't worry about being on your own. You'll sit with me, and we'll keep each other company."
"I wouldn't think of saying no."
"Of course you wouldn't." Rehan squeezed again, a little harder this time."And, don't worry, my dear, he'll be home soon."
Elthrinn rose, and walked Rehan to the door, where they said their goodbyes. She watched Gorren's mother until she was out of sight over the rise of the slope, and then went back inside and took her seat by the fire, rocking gently. She didn't realise at first that she had placed her palm on her stomach. Elthrinn stared into the fire and wondered if it was possible that everyone could be wrong, if her worst fears might be realised, and if she might be left to face them alone.
~o0o~
On the fourth evening following her terrifying conversation with Rehan, Elthrinn was still wondering, but she kept her concerns to herself. She hadn't spoken of them with Rehan in the days that had passed since. If she didn't speak the thoughts, then they were nothing but fantastical imaginings that bore no weight, and besides, it seemed cruel to raise impossible hopes.
Rehan, as always, had anticipated Elthrinn's nervousness about large gatherings, and was present in the room when Elthrinn entered the great hall. It appeared that it was to be a casual affair since both the king and queen were wandering freely, although separately, through the crowds. As soon as Rehan caught sight of Elthrinn, she ended the conversation that she'd been in the middle of and made her way to Elthrinn's side.
"Thank you for coming, my dear. " Rehan kissed Elthrinn's cheek. It was an obvious demonstration of affection, more so than Reha
n usually made. Elthrinn wondered who was meant to benefit from it.
"I promised I would. I hope the kitchen staff are primed to keep the leavings. Bedvl, Enryl and Dern have been starving themselves all day in anticipation."
"Starving you say? Are they sickening?" Rehan looked genuinely concerned for the four-legged members of Elthrinn's little menagerie.
Elthrinn laughed. "No, not at all. I jest. They'd eat the fence if they could. In fact, Bedvl and Enryl have tried gnawing at it."
"Good, good. Come, let me introduce you to the guest of honour."
Elthrinn gave Rehan a cautious look as the queen took her arm, and began to guide her through the people who thronged throughout the room. "It sounds as though you don't approve of her?"
"I'll leave you to draw your own conclusions."
Noridan had his back to them, but it was obvious who his guest was; his hand was resting proprietarily on the lower back of the woman standing next to him. The woman was tall, almost as tall as Noridan, which meant Elthrinn was going to get neck ache looking up at her if they stood too close for too long. The woman was slim, and dressed in the Dorvern manner. Other than the fall of dark hair over her shoulders, Elthrinn couldn't tell much about her, until she turned, along with Noridan, at his mother's call. Elthrinn was struck first by the statuesque beauty of the woman, by her large doe eyes, but those dark orbs held none of the natural reticence of a deer. There was something sharp, and Elthrinn thought perhaps a little cruel, in them. Immediately she knew why Rehan had taken a dislike to Noridan's companion. There was an edge, a sense of unease and distrust that seemed to surround her
"Athine, I'd like to introduce you to Elthrinn, Noridan's sister, to all intents and purposes."
"Yes." Noridan smiled a smile that made Elthrinn yearn to be at home by her fire with only her turbulent thoughts for company. "Elthrinn is my little brother's wife."
From the way Noridan spoke, one might suppose that Gorren was a toddler, rather than a fully grown man who was headed to fight a vicious war. Rather than let Noridan continue speaking, Elthrinn offered her hand. "I'm pleased to meet you."
"Likewise." The voice was musical, but the sentiment was insincere, and the grip was more firm than it really needed to be as Athine returned Elthrinn's handshake.
Elthrinn began to wonder if she couldn't claim some sort of sickness, and return directly to the cottage when Dorll walked over with his face split wide in a smile, and his arms thrown wide. "Ah, I see you're here, Elthrinn, and you've met Athine." Elthrinn thought Dorll must be drunk. Gorren's father had never smiled so broadly, or been so expansively friendly when his youngest son was around. "Good. Let us sit, it's past time to eat."
The awkward party took their seats at the top table in the room, which encouraged everyone else to find their own places. Elthrinn found that there were a few people that she knew well enough now to smile and nod at, some even returned the gesture. Once the serving had begun, the folk that Elthrinn and Gorren had purchased their animals from came over to enquire after the welfare of their former charges. Elthrinn found herself swapping stories of Bedvl's mischievous nature, and laughing more than she was eating, until Rehan gently intervened and reminded her that her food was growing cold.
Elthrinn and Rehan continued their general conversation, but she found it difficult to talk to Athine, as there were several people seated between them, not that she had any idea on what subject they would have conversed. Once the eating was done with, though, the music started. The chatter rose, and people pushed their chairs back from the tables to relax, which allowed more opportunity for conversation.
Elthrinn was enjoying a particularly lively song, with bawdily humorous lyrics, that was being sung by the trader who'd sold her Dern, her sow, when the sound of Noridan's voice caught her attention.
"Athine is from Litt originally. I believe your brother has recently spent some time there, Elthrinn? With the Felthissian army?"
Elthrinn was startled that Noridan should know the connection, and that he should speak so freely of it. Gorren had explained his intent to not broadcast her relationship to one of the Felthissian Generals.
Elthrinn caught sight of the expression on Athine's face. If she had thought Athine's expression haughty before, it was downright cold now, colder than the ice-laden wind swirling outside the hall doors.
"He might have been. People tell me he has, but I haven't seen or heard from my brother in almost twelve years, so I can hardly confirm, or deny, that. I only have other people's word to say that he's alive at all."
"Who is your brother?" Athine asked in a stiff voice.
"His name is Jorrell. Gorren told me that he's a General now."
Athine's eyes narrowed. "Yes, I see it now. The resemblance is uncanny when you know what to look for, a certain line to the chin, and the nose, but the eyes are different. Your brother's are blue."
Elthrinn nodded, but she did not like to feel so examined.
"You know my brother, then?"
Athine didn't exactly nod, she gave a small lift of her chin. "Yes, after a fashion. He was in Litt for quite a number of years. I've seen him often enough. You know that he's returned to Felthiss?"
"So I'm told, but I believe he marches straight for Vuthron."
Athine's smile was tight and thin. "A fool's errand, I think, on Erkas' part, but one has to admire his ambition."
"Not really," muttered Elthrinn, which earned her a raised eyebrow, and a smile from Rehan.
The music that filled the room changed from a song to be listened to, to one to be danced to. Dorll invited Athine to take a turn, at which Noridan turned to Elthrinn.
"Sister, would you grant me the pleasure?"
Elthrinn didn't want to dance with Noridan at all, but she couldn't refuse without appearing rude. She turned to Rehan. "Excuse me?" Rehan nodded sympathetically.
As she walked around the table with her hand on Noridan's offered arm, Elthrinn couldn't help remembering dancing with Gorren on their wedding night. She was almost swept away by the wave of longing and missing him. She stumbled, caught up in the memory and the wash of emotion. Noridan seemed to take that as a reason to hold her more tightly than was strictly necessary. Elthrinn tried to extricate herself politely, but Noridan held fast. She wasn't about to make a great show of twisting out of his hands, she would have to endure, but she was definitely going to plead a sickness rather than stay a moment longer than she absolutely had to.
The music continued, unfortunately at a pace that did not discourage conversation.
"You're quite a good dancer, Elthrinn." Noridan complimented her after a handful of steps.
"Thank you."
"You have a superb... mastery over your own body."
Elthrinn was sure that she must be misinterpreting Noridan's tone, and his smirk. He couldn't possibly be insinuating what she thought he was. She was being paranoid.
"Well, I've had ownership of it my whole life."
That caused Noridan to laugh louder, and longer than was necessary. Her forced joke hadn't been that funny. As soon as the song ended, Elthrinn excused herself, almost to the point of rudeness. She was blessed with fortune that Athine began to approach, which made it impossible for Noridan to keep hold of her.
Elthrinn was definitely at her limits of sociability. When she reached the table she immediately made a case for her tiredness with Rehan. Rehan seemed equally relieved to have an excuse to leave, herself.
"I'll walk you to your home," Rehan offered, in a tone that brooked no refusal.
Rehan signalled to Dechard that they wished to leave. The steward retrieved their cloaks, but when he brought them over, Elthrinn saw that he had also fetched his own. "I'll accompany you, m'lady."
"Thank you, Dechard, but that's not necessary."
"There will be no arguments," Dechard stated. "The young master wouldn't like it if I let you both walk by yourselves."
Rehan acquiesced immediately with a nod of her head, but Elthrinn was thinki
ng on the steward's turn of phrase. The young master would be Gorren? He'd had a friend in the hall other than his mother? The thought made Elthrinn feel a tiny bit better, but not by much.
The trio did not speak much as they walked through the first swirling flakes of snow. Elthrinn wasn't sure whether she was expected to pass comment on Athine, not that she felt at all qualified to do so, but any opinion she might voice would be for Rehan's ears only. Her head was swimming with all the things that she needed to speak to someone about, but Elthrinn wasn't sure that Rehan should be that someone. She certainly didn't trust Dechard well enough yet for him to hear anything that she might have to say, regardless of the high esteem that Rehan obviously held the steward in.
Searching the Darkness (Erythleh Chronicles Book 2) Page 19
