A Spring for Spears by Derek Alan Siddoway & Derek Alan Siddoway

Author:Derek Alan Siddoway & Derek Alan Siddoway
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Derek Alan Siddoway

The rest of the feast passed in an awkward silence.

Oskar brooded on his throne, lost in skar. Rosamund gave up on faking conversations and the bards reverted to their instruments, with no songs. The two recently-arrived jaegars fell into a solemn silence, their expressions empty and not revealing. When Oskar finished eating, he belched loudly, wiped his greasy hands on a cloth, and threw it on to his plate.

“Leave me.”

Before he could turn away, half the people in the room stood to depart. Astrid blinked, shocked by the unexpected flow that rushed away. Oskar disappeared through the double doors behind him with a slam.

Astrid let out a long breath.

Rosamund rose, looking anything but pleased. The calm, cold young woman who had ordered a man executed reappeared here. This time, however, she had a pinch of helplessness about her. Like a determined child, but a lost one.

Jormund came to her side and whispered something in Rosamund's ear. When he finished, she turned to Astrid.

“Thank you for your presence this evening. My father has requested that a guard escort you back to the stable in order to assure your safety. You . . . they will be available to you through the night as well.”

Astrid almost laughed. Her safety? More like his entertainment. He’d essentially locked them into the stable and slammed the doors on her prison.

With that, two guards stepped closer in a clear indication that it was time to leave. Ewan stepped up next to Astrid, followed by Auley, who walked close to the twins. She couldn’t deny the comfort of a friend at her side as they left the hall.

The guards escorted them back to the stables, then stood on either side of the entrance without a word. Darkness filled the calm air outside. With it came a wet scent. Another spring storm was on its way, no doubt. Astrid hardly had a moment to take stock of the weather, she was too busy trying to figure out how they’d best Oskar at his own game.

Minutes after returning, Auley, Ewan, Lara, Liss, and Astrid had gathered as far from any window as they could, back in the darkest stalls of the half-empty stable. Astrid hadn’t even leaned against the wooden stall before Liss’ words barreled out.

“We’re going home tomorrow.”

Ewan rolled his eyes. “I have a fight in two days and a guard to make sure I’m there, remember?”

“After it. We won’t spend another minute here with these . . . these monsters!”

“And leave Astrid?” Auley asked, his carrot-orange eyebrows lifted high.

“Oh.” Astrid straightened. “Don’t factor me into your decisions. If I—”

“We’re not leaving you to fend for yourself,” Ewan said firmly. “And that’s that.”

“I can take care of myself.”

Ewan’s brow rose almost to his hairline. “We’re the only friends you’ve got here, like it or not. If you think the princess has your best interest in mind, you’re wrong. Oskar has his eyes on you. Any plans he has now are only going to lead to war—somehow. You need friends.

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