Halithe laughed.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Waerington
“They should not have been invited.”Jerrold grumbled under his breath.
“Hush,” his mother said as she stepped forward to welcome the Lord and Lady to the Summer Solstice Festival.
Waerington had already begun celebrating, although it was only early afternoon.Jerrold had been keeping an eye open, watching forthem.Yes, the community had so far given them a grudging welcome, but there were still some hard hearts and unwelcome glances.Jerrold didn’t want to spend the entire night worried about their safety.
But to their credit, the Lord and Lady just walked into the square, no fanfare, no fuss, babes in hand.Rosalind was with them, as were Roth and Yfin.Rye, Aramal, and Leeda followed close, with Old Petro stumping behind.To his satisfaction, the group paused and looked around in clear admiration.
The square was covered in bright banners and flags, all flapping in the breeze.The windowboxes of every window that overlooked the square were full of flowers blooming in all colors.Later, when the sun went down, the lanterns would be brough out, and the town and its people would glow.
Jerrold took pride in his people, his town.He tried to relax, tried to enjoy the moment, but dread haunted him.It could all be taken away in an instant.
“Come join us,” Bercie said, guiding Orval and Amari to a set of benches that formed a square for families with young ones, with blankets spread on the ground between them.“Wethe has a new salve for diaper rash.”
Orval and Amari’s faces lit up as they started over, carrying their children, Rosalind and Roth behind.Leeda and Yfin’s faces reflected their horror as they made to follow.
Jerrold chuckled in sympathy.“Cirda,” he called to his son, “Leeda and Yfin are here.”
“Yay,” Cirda popped out of the dancing, running toward them.“Come watch the grappling.Dayva and the others are already there.”
The youngsters made their escape, running past Rye and Aramal.“Is there ale?”Rye asked.
Jerrold gestured to the far side of the square.
Rye started that way, muttering something about “rash,” and Aramal went with him.“It’s important to them,” Aramal pointed out.
Jerrold didn’t hear Rye’s response but Aramal’s laugh rang out clear.
He turned his attention back to the larger group and coughed to get their attention.“Lord High Baron, Lady High Baroness,” he said with a respectful nod.“There’s folk that have come in from the surrounding areas that want to meet you.”
“They can wait for a bit,” Old Petro grumped.“Let ‘em get settled.”
Orval and Amari exchanged a glance, then Orval set the child he held down on a blanket.“Stay, Amari,” he said.“Best not keep them waiting.”He rose, straightened his tunic, and limped forward.“Lead on,” he said.
Old Petro went stomping over to where the elders held court.Roth placed himself at Orval’s shoulder.He exchanged a look with Jerrold and shrugged.
Jerrold nodded, accepting the watchful eye, and lead the way to the group of elders.The men and women seated there wore a mixture of closed, suspicious, and guarded expressions.They’d set a bench aside, clearly intending a confrontation.
Jerrold made Orval known to them and stepped back.
Orval limped forward, greeted them, took his seat.Old Petro sat on the same bench and glared at the others, daring them to make a comment.
No one was that dumb.
Roth moved to stand to the side with Jerrold.“You’ve set watches?”he asked quietly, glancing around.
Good to know that the weaponsmaster shared his fears.Jerrold nodded, still watching Orval.“Yes,” he said.“On the walls, the roads, and where that portal opens.We rotate regularly, give everyone a chance to enjoy the day.”
“Hmm,” Roth acknowledged with an approving nod, still looking around.
“We might as well sit,” Jerrold said.“This might take a while.”
Jerrold watched the faces of the people he’d known for many a year, hard as the rocks they mined, hard as the soil they farmed.Watched as they listened…no, as Orval listened and they talked, answering his questions.It quickly became clear that the Lord High Baron knew more than just what Jerrold had told him…how…ah, the kids.He listened to the kids.
