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‘I suspected my uncle might make this move. I thought the ship would arrive three days ago, yesterday at the worst. Far better to know my men are safe rather than suffering in a shipwreck.’ Ash inclined his head. ‘I thank you for being swift, Valdar Nerison. It has eased my mind no end.’
‘I felt it my duty to let you and the Lady Kara know as soon as possible.’ Valdar straightened his back, giving her a significant look. ‘There are other people to think of besides yourself, Hringson or Ash the Untrusted.’
‘I am well aware of that name. My father unfairly gave it to me after I fell asleep guarding some sheep when I was ten and had been awake all night. It has not been used for many years.’ Ash gestured towards the door. ‘You appear dusty and travel-worn. You should have a bath and relax before we discuss all the news. The morning is soon enough to depart.’
‘You will go willingly?’
‘When my king makes an order, who am I to refuse? I am a loyal subject of our king, regardless of what Harald Haraldson might say.’ Ash gave a crooked smile, but his eyes were deadly serious. ‘The hour is late. We leave at first light.’
He rapidly gave orders for Valdar’s things to be placed in his bed cabinet and for his men to be treated with respect.
‘You should have said something when you suspected that something had gone awry,’ Kara said when Rurik had led Valdar off and they were alone in the hall. Her mind whirled. Ash had deliberately kept things from her. ‘You should have confided in me about this.’
‘Why worry you about something which might not come to pass?’
‘We’re far from ready if Harald Haraldson should decide to attack Jaarlshiem. The grain and wool will need to be moved.’ Kara pressed her hands together to keep them from trembling. ‘It was wrong of you.’
‘And have you fret and use it as an excuse?’
Kara bit her lip. ‘You should have told me.’
‘Harald Haraldson will not attack here. He wouldn’t dare. Not with my sell-swords guarding it. And he covets this estate. He doesn’t want to lay waste to it.’
‘How do you know?’ Kara glanced at the door. Suddenly Ash’s insistence of a guard and men seemed less extravagant. ‘He could be on his way right now. Things need to be properly stored. We could be facing a long siege.’
‘Think with your head, Kara, instead of giving way to blind panic.’ Ash slammed his hand down on the table. ‘My uncle wants this hall above all things and believes he will get it through the king. It makes no sense for him to attack if he has taken my ship. He needs to remain in Sand if he wishes to influence the king.’
Kara put her hand over her mouth. Ash was correct. If Harald Haraldson wanted to influence the king, he needed to be in Sand. Ash did know what he was doing, but it didn’t make her any happier or feel any less used.
‘You weren’t sure which way your uncle would move. It is why you brought your men, rather than fearing any threat from Valdar. It is why you have been training them so hard. You expect war. You have been using me like a counter in a game of tafl.’
‘War happens whether you expect it or not. It is best to be prepared.’ Ash shrugged and began to rearrange the pieces on the tafl board, concentrating on them, rather than looking Kara in the face. He could sense Kara slipping away from him. This afternoon she had been his, but... It hurt that she refused to understand that he was acting to protect her. ‘Sometimes you have to wait for the other person in the game to make his move.’
‘Who do you think you are playing this game against? The king?’
‘My uncle,’ Ash said, putting the tafl piece down. Kara deserved to know the truth now that his uncle had acted. Once she knew, she would see that he had done the right thing. ‘My uncle seeks me banished or dead. He wants this estate. He is using the king as his instrument of destruction.’
Her face showed her dismay. ‘You told me it was all resolved. The king gave you permission to depart. I believed you. It was why I went with you. You used me, Ash. That is unforgivable. You should have trusted me. What is a marriage without trust? Was your promise to become a farmer simply mouthing words?’
He winced. In seeking to protect her, he had lost her trust.
‘I want to be with you and our son. I am willing to try, but I have to do this first. I am used to operating on my own.’
‘The last time you asked for permission to do something first, you were gone for seven years.’
