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‘We will have words later, Gudrun.’
The woman dragged Virvir, protesting loudly his innocence.
Kara knelt down and looked directly into Rurik’s eyes. Even though she knew he disliked being touched in public, claiming that he was far too big for such things, she couldn’t help running her hand down his thin shoulders, checking to make sure her son was fine. Rurik made a face and tried to shrug her off.
‘I promised I’d come back,’ she whispered against his hair. ‘Climbing to the gable would not make me come any quicker.’
Rurik struggled. She reluctantly forced her hand to her side. Only six and he was already growing away from her, chafing at the apron strings.
‘You promised me Valdar! Where is my new father?’ Rurik peered around the yard. His little face showed increasing signs of anxiety and dismay. ‘Virvir said I was lying and no warrior like Valdar Nerison would want to be my father. That was why you refused to take me to Sand. You were...you were ashamed to have a boy like me. But I said that was a lie! A lie! But I want Valdar!’
‘Good for you!’ Kara declared. She should have banished Virvir months ago when this friendship first started to develop. ‘You had to stay at home to look after the estate while I was gone. It had nothing to do with my being ashamed of you! How could anyone ever think such a thing!’
‘Listen to your mother, Rurik,’ Ash said, coming up behind Rurik and placing his hand on Rurik’s shoulder. ‘I know how proud of you she is. She rode until she nearly dropped with exhaustion to reach you and explain the news.’
Although he was upright and moving now, his eyes still bore the shadow of pain. Seeing him tower above their son, Kara was struck at how much alike they looked. They had the same nose and chin as well as the same basic body shape. No one could mistake Rurik for being anyone but Ash’s son.
‘Mor won’t understand why I had to climb,’ Rurik protested. ‘Virvir dared me. I’m not a baby Mor’s boy.’
‘I told you she would be far from happy about you being up there. There are good reasons why gable climbing is expressly forbidden. Warriors take their punishments like warriors.’
‘Yes, sir, you did.’ Rurik stuck his little chest out. ‘Mor, I’ll take my punishment like a warrior. Like he says warriors do.’
Kara’s heart sank. Punishment like a warrior. She knew what that meant. She’d fought Hring for years. Now she had to had fight Ash, as well? Just when she thought her son was safe.
‘But why is Valdar not here?’ A tiny tear trickled down Rurik’s face. ‘What did I do wrong? Did he leave like my father did...because...because of me?’
Kara glanced at Ash. He had been true to his word. He had saved her son and had not said who he was. She also had failed to realise about Rurik’s worries and private fears.
‘You’ve done nothing wrong except climb where you know it is forbidden. And how could your father have left because of you when I didn’t even know I was carrying you?’
Rurik’s mouth formed an O.
She took a deep breath. She had to tell him now. Rurik’s little adventure might be unwelcome, but it provided the best possible introduction to Ash. Ash had been right. Rurik needed to know as soon as possible who his true father was. He had to understand that Ash wasn’t ashamed of him.
‘Valdar is not going to be your father, Rurik,’ she said gently, kneeling down and preparing to draw him into her arms again.
Rurik’s face crumpled, but he pulled away from her. He probably would have run, but Ash had hold of his shoulder. ‘Then I won’t have a father like always. Virvir is right. No warrior wants to be my father. Ever.’
‘No, Virvir is utterly wrong. You have a father. Your real father returned. Just as you said he would when you were a tiny boy. He came back and he is very excited to meet you.’ Kara stood up and kept her eyes trained on Ash. Ash did not release his grip of Rurik’s shoulder. ‘Did the man who rescued you tell you his name?’
A frown developed between Rurik’s brows. ‘He...he said he was a friend of yours and Valdar’s. If I did everything he said, I’d see both of you soon. My mother and my father.’
Kara put a hand over her eyes. She had misjudged Ash. He kept his word. The temptation to tell Rurik up there, when he could not have been sure that they would make it down, must have been immense, but he was allowing her to explain. ‘He is certainly a friend, a true friend, but the man who rescued you is your real father.’
