Legacy of the Valiant: A Tale from Norvegr (Tales from Norvegr) by Edale Lane

Author:Edale Lane [Lane, Edale]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Past and Prologue Press
Published: 2023-04-24T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 23

The satisfaction of facing the danger and retrieving the little boy, of accomplishing a feat the bigger, stronger men could not, was a feeling like none Kai had ever experienced. The rush soared through her veins as she watched the mother clutch the child to her breast and kiss him all over. A tear of joy rolled down his brawny father’s cheek as he hugged them both. I did that—me! I’ve always wanted to really help people, to truly make a difference. Sure, she felt proud, but beyond it rose a more intense emotion she couldn’t quite identify.

“Now we should take you to a bathhouse and find a healer to tend your cuts,” Gavril stated in pseudo-complaint. “I’m glad we’ll arrive in Bilhyryn with a day to spare.”

“Bilhyryn is where we live,” the boy’s mother announced. “You shall stay with us tonight and I’ll take care of you, brave little woman.”

Kai sat on the rock and beamed up at her; Gavril dropped her clothes on her, and they all laughed.

Kai quickly dressed so they could get back to town before the pitch of darkness. Bojko’s parents introduced themselves as Vladislav and Jana, and said they had another son named Stanko. On the way to their house, Zlatan recounted his sundry adventures, and Kai described the temple of Uppsala. Before she knew it, they were at a dwelling much like Gavril’s.

“I’ll heat some fish soup to go with this morning’s bread,” Jana offered. “Then I’ll put salve on Kai and Bojko’s scrapes and cuts.”

“Most kind,” Gavril answered, and they took seats on the benches along the wall.

“So, Gavril, you are a merchant? I noticed your cart,” Vladislav inquired. “And haven’t I seen you in town before?”

“Indeed,” he replied. “I come to Bilhyryn several times a year. And if I am not mistaken…” Gavril tilted his head to the side and waved a finger in his direction. “You are a highly acclaimed weaponsmith; am I right?”

Vladislav beamed at him and puffed out his broad chest. “I run a forge and have been known to craft weapons.”

Gavril nudged Kai and winked at her. “This little one is seeking a rare ore, Damascus steel. She is required to bring a blank shard to Yeats with her when she goes home, but we have been unable to find a single scrap of the metal. You wouldn’t happen to know where she could get some, would you?”

Vladislav gave them a bashful grin and leaned forward on his elbows, casting a wary glance around the room. When he opened his mouth to speak, Kai cut him off.

“No. I did not crawl into the rock for a costly reward,” she stated emphatically. “I did it to help Bojko. Anyone else would have done the same, except I was the only one small enough to fit. I cannot ask anything of you.”

Kai caught his gaze and recognized the look of astonished bewilderment. His brows furrowed, and he sat back, assessing her with a critical eye. “Merchant, does she tell the truth?”

Gavril nodded.

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