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From what she had said earlier, he doubted Kara liked Rurik to do much of anything, particularly anything that held a hint of danger.
He had constantly rebelled against the strictures Gudrun had put on him. Kara knew that. She and her mother had bound up his wounds after his mishaps enough times.
Why would Rurik be any different?
The boy needed to be taught how to do things properly. When his father had returned, Ash had finally been allowed to learn things, but Ash intended to be a different sort of father. For Hring, it had all been about being the best warrior and ensuring his son excelled. Ash wanted his son to have the skills to survive should the worst happen.
What Rurik did when he was grown up was up to Rurik, but he would have the skills necessary to make an informed choice. Kara would have to give way on this matter. A boy’s training was a father’s responsibility.
‘I’m sure your mother means you need to learn the proper time and place to climb. A warrior needs to learn to obey those he serves. And at the moment you serve your mother.’
Rurik’s mouth became an O as he digested the piece of information. ‘But she says I’m too young. Always when I ask, she says this. And Gudrun, too. Nobody lets me do anything.’
Ash struggled to keep a straight face. Gudrun he could have predicted, but Kara had always seemed eager for an adventure, or agreeing that he should take a risk. It pained him that she had changed so much. ‘Things will change now that I have returned.’
Rurik’s eyes shone. ‘Truly?’
‘You’re only six,’ Kara said with a no-nonsense tone in her voice. When had Kara developed that tone? ‘How many times do I have to tell you, Rurik—wait until you get older. The time will come.’
‘I want the time now.’
‘Now that I have returned,’ Ash said, giving Kara a significant look, ‘I will make sure you learn how to do all the things a warrior needs to know. Like my father taught me.’
He ignored Kara’s swift intake of breath. He was willing to give her time to decide about their marriage, but he absolutely refused to compromise on their son.
‘You knew Far-far? We scattered his ashes at the base of the tuntreet. I was very big and brave then.’
Ash did not trust his voice for several heartbeats. Big and brave, because he hadn’t been there. He had missed out on so many things. Some from necessity, but some from his stubbornness. He could not replace the sands of time, but he could try to be there in the future, for the important events. He swallowed hard and waited until the lump in his throat cleared. ‘He was my father. It is good to know you stood in so well for me. I will visit the tuntreet later and you can show me precisely where you poured the ash, if you remember.’
‘I remember.’
He ruffled Rurik’s blond hair. ‘Good boy.’
He swore the boy grew several inches in front of him.
‘Ash Hringson, you have returned,’ Gudrun said, coming forward, destroying the moment. She’d always had that knack of butting in.
Ash gave a curt nod to Gudrun. ‘Good day to you, Gudrun. It is good to know you were looking after my son with the same zeal you used to look after me.’
Gudrun flushed, but she dropped to a low curtsy, hiding her features. ‘Your lordship...are you real?’
Silently he swore the woman and this Virvir, whom Rurik appeared to idolise, would be gone before nightfall. Changes would have to be made. ‘I had better be or otherwise a ghost rescued my child.’
Two bright spots appeared on Gudrun’s cheeks. ‘Of course. My great-nephew had just come to fetch help before you arrived. The young lord had climbed when he shouldn’t have and my great-nephew realised the danger. He would have been rescued, but it was good that you arrived when you did.’
Ash schooled his features. Trust Gudrun to tell the tale her way. She always did.
‘Your great-nephew’s name wouldn’t happen to be Virvir?’
‘That is right, your lordship. He is a strong boy. My sister’s son’s child. You remember my sister? She used to give you cake.’ Gudrun motioned to a sturdy-looking boy with pig-like eyes. Ash knew the type—a bully and a coward, always willing to lead others astray. He had encountered enough of them on his travels. ‘A bright strapping lad he is, too. Not an ounce of trouble in his body. A real credit to your old aunt. He came straight away when he saw Rurik was in trouble.’
Virvir beamed. Ash ground his teeth and retained a narrow lead on his temper.
‘Indeed.’
