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He glanced down at Rurik. ‘If you know you might make your mother unhappy, why do you do it?’
‘Otherwise I’d never get to do anything. I’m not a baby. I want to do things and Virvir knows everything.’
‘There is more to being a warrior than thirsting after glory or recounting stories. A warrior uses his head as well as his strength. Lift that sword and no complaining. I promised I’d make you into a warrior, but you have to trust me.’
Rurik nodded and lifted the sword again. His small arms trembled with the exertion and he dropped the sword almost immediately. ‘I...I...’
‘Again, Rurik,’ Ash said.
The session would be shorter than usual so that Rurik wasn’t completely exhausted, but it would have to be carefully done as the last thing he wanted to imply was that Rurik was too weak. Rurik bristled when anyone suggested that he was sickly or somehow not up to the task. His son was a fighter, which Ash thanked the gods for, but that fight had to be channelled correctly. He had seen far too many men make mistakes in anger.
‘Rurik is tired,’ Kara called out from where she sat when Rurik failed to lift the sword for the third time. ‘Ash, he must come inside and have a rest.’
Rurik shook his head. ‘I’m not the baby Mor thinks I am.’
‘Rurik needs to lift the sword first,’ Ash called back. ‘Go on, lift the sword over your head. Show your mother you can do it.’
Rurik redoubled his efforts, planted his feet firmly and lifted the sword. For a heartbeat, it hung in the air as Rurik staggered.
‘You did it, Rurik,’ Ash called out immediately and Rurik released the sword with a huge sigh. ‘The session is over for today. I have other things to do this morning. I have to train, as well. And a good warrior listens to his commander. Think of your mother as your commander. Respect her.’
‘Is it done?’ Kara called out, coming over to where they stood.
‘Why don’t you sit here and watch my men train for a treat?’ Ash said before Kara had a chance to drag him off. ‘You can see that real warriors do use wooden swords.’
Rurik’s eyes shone. ‘Can I, Mor? Please!’
Kara nodded that he could, but her face was like thunder. Ash gritted his teeth. She had agreed that he could train Rurik, but she was very quick to give Rurik permission to quit. He had to learn that just because a thing was hard, it didn’t mean he should give up. Ash had been in control of the situation.
‘Please, Kara. It is your choice now that Rurik’s training has finished for today.’
Ash looked down at the perfect sculpted brows. Every time he saw her, it amazed him that he had been blind to her promise seven years ago. Or maybe he hadn’t wanted to see. She instantly straightened her apron dress. She wore the brooches he had given her as a morning gift after they had married. He remembered how her eyes had sparkled and shone and how he always wanted to have her look at him like that—like he was worth something. He wanted to throttle his younger self for hurting her.
Whatever happened with his uncle, he vowed that Kara and Rurik would be kept safe.
‘He can stay,’ she said with a sigh. ‘When he looks that eager, how can I deny him anything?’
Ash bent down and looked his son squarely in the eyes. ‘Your mother allows things when asked. Go on. Talk to Saxi. See if you can pick up any tips from that old warrior. He never tires of talking about the battles he has fought.’
He ruffled Rurik’s hair and then pushed him towards his men. Rurik ran off and started chatting with various warriors, including Saxi. Ash gave a satisfied nod. Saxi would give him sound advice combined with an embellished story or two. Virvir and his bloodthirsty tales would soon be a thing of the past. And he could concentrate on Kara.
‘Will he be safe with them? You said they were desperate men.’
‘Men become much less desperate with a good meal in their bellies and a solid roof over their head.’
‘They are no farmers. They are warriors. There is a difference.’
Ash tilted his head to one side, trying to assess her mood. ‘Warriors have their place.’
‘But I want someone who understands the land.’
‘Like you do.’
Her mouth became a disapproving line. ‘I only learnt because I had to.’
‘It will do him good to observe warriors in action and to talk to them. He can pick up a number of tips.’ Ash paused and knew he had to tell her about Rurik’s confidences. ‘He saw Virvir last night. He was the cause of the earlier trouble. I thought you should know.’
