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‘Why did you need it? What did he think you would do with it?’
‘Your reputation precedes you. Athelstan feels uncomfortable about fostering his son with you.’
‘Does he now?’
The back of her neck prickled and she readied herself for an attack. If he should move towards Athelstan, Edith knew she’d have to physically throw herself in front of him. She could not let him do something in temper that he’d regret later, and knowing Brand the way she did, she had to hope that he would see the sense in what she’d done, even if he couldn’t forgive her for it.
‘Yes, despite my reassurance.’ Edith forced a smile. ‘There is a rumour that you killed Egbert in cold blood. That you were the one to break the truce. All ill-founded rumour. I explained.’
He turned his head sharply to her. ‘Do you believe it? Do you believe I am capable of such a thing?’
‘Why would I? I knew my late husband and what he was capable of. He was a man who would cheat at tafl even when there were no stakes. You never cheat.’ She held out her hands and gave Athelstan a hard look. ‘I believe it makes it easier for your enemies to believe otherwise.’
Athelstan stood impassively in the doorway. ‘I judge a man by his deeds.’
‘I would trust you with my life, Brand,’ Edith said. ‘This is what I told Athelstan. I wanted you to foster Godwin as I know you’d mould him into the sort of honourable warrior both his parents want him to be.’
Silence fell as the two warriors regarded each other. Edith knew if it came to it, Brand would win. He was the fitter, but nothing was ever certain.
‘You know the penalty for helping this man,’ Brand said in a terrible voice. ‘There are no exceptions to this. Man, woman or child. The king has decreed.’
‘I could not live with myself if I didn’t help him.’ Edith put her hands on her hips. He hadn’t listened to her plea. She had thought he might. ‘What would you have done if it had been you?’
‘I would have done the right and proper thing. And I will do it. The king’s decree will be fulfilled.’
Edith’s heart sunk. Athelstan and his family were dead. Everyone who had helped from the kitchen boy who’d supplied the bread to Hilda who had carried the basket. They had all helped on her say so. Any blood split would be on her hands.
‘And what is the proper thing?’ she forced out around the lump in her throat.
‘You should have informed me immediately. Any loyal subject would have done.’
‘Why? Athelstan might yet perish. I had assumed that I could get him away. He was not going to harm you. He’d only gone with Egbert because I begged him to.’
‘You went behind my back.’
‘Because I had to.’ Edith attempted to be reasonable. ‘You were the one who received the order from the king, not me. I wouldn’t be me if I had done otherwise.’
‘That fails to signify. It covered the entire estate. Just as you feel responsibility for these people, I bear responsibility. Halfdan will judge me on what happens here.’
‘What is going to happen now? Are you going to take your sword and mete out the king’s punishment?’
His winter-smile chilled her to the bone. ‘I am going to do what you did to Hrearek. Athelstan will come with us to Jorvik as my prisoner. The king can deal with him.’
Mary fell to her knees and raised her arms in supplication.
‘You won’t take my father!’ Godwin cried and started to race towards Brand.
‘He must, Godwin,’ Edith answered, catching the little boy about the waist. She held him tight as his feet hit her shins. ‘Don’t you see? He has no choice. The king has decreed and you must always obey your overlord.’
As she said the words, she desperately hoped that Brand would contradict her. Surely he had to see that Athelstan’s death would change nothing? And Halfdan was not known for his merciful qualities. She shuddered to remember how Aella had been made into a blood eagle after the failed attack to regain control of Eoferwic.
‘Even if he is wrong?’ Godwin asked.
‘Even then,’ Brand said, eliminating any small remaining hope. ‘I have pledged my obedience to Halfdan. It was wrong of Lady Edith to offer false hope. In this case, I do not believe Halfdan was wrong. People who rebel against their rightful lord must be punished.’
‘I don’t want to be a warrior now.’
Edith knelt down beside Godwin. ‘You must be brave for your mother and baby sister.’
