Shame washed over him.He’d retreated, hadn’t he, in the face of the arguments, leaving her alone.She was convinced that the farmstead was an uncut gem, when all he saw was a run-down, neglected building with birds in the thatch and doors off their hinges.
“Yes,” he called.“Coming.”
Things had happened so fast for them, hadn’t they?It felt like he’d loved her forever, but they’d been forced together so quickly—it had really only been less than a year.So far, they’d managed well, resolving each others fears, facing and solving difficulties in agreement.This was the first time he could remember really doubting her.He owed her more than that, more than just his heart.He also owed her his trust.
Lara started kicking again, demanding his attention.He gathered his girl into his arms.“Do you know, sweetling, that there is a passage in theEpic of Xysonthat I have read over and over, but I don’t think I really understood it until today.‘When the path before you is muddled and neither way is perfect, the need is not for therightchoice.The need is forachoice.Indecision has slain many a warrior, stolen many an opportunity.Decide and commit.’”Orval opened the door and headed down the stairs.“I guess if I want to teach you to deal with whatever challenges you decide to face, I have to go face my own, don’t I?”
Lara clutched the edge of her blanket and gnawed on it.
As he entered the kitchen, Rosalind was speaking.“They need to find us another place, in town.”
Roth was nodding, but Amari was shaking her head.As he caught her eye, Orval saw that the light there was dimming.
“No,” he said firmly.“No, we will take the offer of the farmstead.”
Amari looked surprised, hope rekindling in her eyes.
“Our security is not based on walls,” Orval said.“It’s based on the people around us.The safety of the Keep is no better than at the farmstead.”
Roth shrugged, then nodded.“We could always retreat to the Keep.”
Amari relaxed, the tension leaving her body.
“As to the condition of the place, I trust my Hearth Mother in this.Her knowledge is greater than ours.”Orval tilted his head to Rosalind.“I mean, when was the last time you dealt with a thatched roof?”he asked.
Rosalind opened her mouth, then closed it, looking mulish.
“Most importantly,” Orval said, “this place offers the opportunity for the children to be raised happy and healthy.For now,” he fixed his gaze on Rosalind as he spoke, “our survival is more important than our supposed status.”
Rosalind bit her lip, but finally gave him a nod.
A shout from outside.“Come see,” Yfin called as he opened the door.“Look,” he said, holding up a string of rats.
“Yfin,” Amari exclaimed, “did you hunt those?”
“No, she did,” Yfin said, gesturing to the large cat rubbing against his legs.It was the ugly one Orval had seen outside, its mottled fur looking like a three-day-old bruise.“I think she likes me,” he said proudly.
“She likes the pigeon guts you leave for her,” Roth chuckled.
Yfin shrugged.The cat rolled over by his feet, batting at a dangling rat tail.“Think she will come with us?”
“Of course,” Amari said.“Every barn needs a barn cat.”
“So we’re going?”Yfin grinned, looking at them all.“Wait until I tell the others.”He ran off, the cat following behind, tail in the air.
“Guess this means they’ll follow too,” Roth said, rising to his feet and gathering up the plates.
“Guess this means we need to start packing,” Orval said.“And this time, no pease in the pot, thank you.”
Amari’s bright eyes and laugh was all the reward he needed.
Chapter Eleven
Athelbryght
It was dark when they arrived at the home of the Chosen of Athelbryght.
As she slid from her saddle, Halithe had an impression of sprawling farmlands and a huge manor house and not much else.Mostly because she was so weary she could barely see straight.They’d been on the road for days and their escort had never let the pace slow.
