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Trust and mutual regard were the necessary ingredients for a happy marriage. She had made a list after Hring died. Nothing had happened to change her determination to have that contentment. The joining of bodies was simply passion and passion faded.
‘Perfection depends on your point of view.’ His eyes deepened to a midnight blue. ‘I’d hoped for later, but we can play now. Test our skill against each other and see how well matched we are.’
‘The skald can sing as we play.’ Kara opted for a bright smile as warmth flickered throughout her body. She could remember how well matched they were in bed. It was outside of the bedroom which bothered her. ‘Who knows, maybe we can create a tournament and get others involved? We had one three winters ago with your father. He found it very enjoyable.’
A faint smile played on Ash’s lips. ‘And who was the overall champion? My father again? He always enjoyed being the champion and sulked if anyone else won.’
‘I was, much to your uncle’s disgust and your father’s amusement.’
‘My uncle and father were alike in many ways. Both of them hated losing.’
Kara stared at the tafl board, remembering the tournament. ‘Your uncle, though, knows when he is beaten. Your father never liked to admit it.’
‘My uncle tends to be pragmatic. You have nothing to fear from him.’ He put his hand over hers. ‘I enjoy playing more when there is a challenge.’
She withdrew her hand. If she wanted to show Ash her skill, she would need all her wits about her. ‘Then you agree, we shall play here. In front of everyone.’
His look became one of mock innocence. ‘Where else is there to play? You must enlighten me some day, Wife.’
‘You are teasing me now because you want to put me off my game.’ She glanced up and tumbled into his dark blue gaze. ‘I know all of your tricks, Ash.’
‘I hope not all of them,’ he murmured. ‘Shall we begin and see if I can match your winning form?’
The game started well. Kara rapidly saw that Ash was a skilful tafl player, perhaps even better than his father. But she wasn’t worried. She had spent hours in the last few winters pitting her wits against Hring and everyone else. There was something therapeutic about playing, rather than wasting energy worrying about whether they had enough grain or if the trees would be felled at the proper time. And she had missed the challenge since Hring’s death. The two times she had played Valdar, she had easily won. Ash was right—there was little challenge in always winning.
She glanced down at the board. His basic strategy was one she had encountered before several times with Hring. His father’s son. She made the correct countermove and captured a piece. ‘Did you play much tafl when you were away?’
‘Once I managed to save a man’s life with a tafl game.’
‘Was he a good man?’ Kara leant forward, eager to know more about his life.
‘Better than me.’
‘Why? Why was he better?’ she asked.
‘He had simply been unlucky. He bore no shame of causing other men’s deaths.’
‘What was he to you?’
‘My lord. He had plucked me up from obscurity.’
‘Why did you play instead of him?’
‘He had a head injury. My shield had connected with his head. But then he was a hopeless tafl player and I knew if I won, I could bargain for our freedom. But if he lost, we were all dead.’
‘And you won.’ She saw from his face he had. ‘Did he forgive you? You saved his life.’
‘His wife and two children forgave me when I brought him home. But I had to find another master.’ He shrugged as if it was nothing. ‘Gudrun appears to be missing from the festivities.’
‘Gudrun departed this afternoon. I offered her a cottage.’ Kara noted the change of subject. Some day, he would trust her enough to tell her. ‘She is grateful for the cottage and has taken Virvir with her to fetch and carry.’
‘You sent Virvir with her? Interesting.’
‘On reflection, it seemed better than banishing him. He couldn’t stay at the hall. He has caused so much mischief since he arrived after his parents’ death ten months ago. The roof incident was the final straw.’
‘Banishment rarely works,’ Ash said, moving his king piece and neatly capturing one of her pieces. ‘He will have less time on his hands. Allow Rurik to see Virvir, Kara.’
‘Are you giving advice beyond the training ground now?’ Kara dropped her piece and hurriedly moved another one. ‘You must be joking. You know where his mischief led. They have to be kept separate. I won’t have that boy ruining my son.’
