Water Borne by Octavia Randolph

Author:Octavia Randolph [Randolph, Octavia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Pyewacket Press
Published: 2023-01-28T23:00:00+00:00

Ealhswith was not easily consoled. Though Edwin of Kilton had not so much as uttered a single word to the girl, his refusal cut her as if he had broken troth. “Or I am not pretty enough,” she cried to her mother. “If I were, I would overcome his objections.”

Ælfwyn addressed her daughter’s pain with patient loving kindness. Foremost was her hope that Ealhswith be granted a marriage issuing from mutual interest and affection, not just one dictated by the demands, imagined or otherwise, of affairs of state. “I would see you wed as I am now, and not to fulfil some desired end,” her mother stressed, holding both of Ealhswith’s hands in her own.

Burginde, watching this, and having fallen asleep to the fitful weeping of the girl, went to fetch Hrald. She found him in the stable yard, leaning against the paddock rail, staring at his bay, lost in thought.

“Your sister be needing you, Master Hrald. Her little heart is like to break, or so she thinks. `Tis a time only a man can help.”

This spurred Hrald. Burginde, as she hurried by his side to keep up, was prompted by the grimness of his face to append an admonition.

“Only promise me no blood will flow. For the sake of Ashild you must not harm the pup’s uncle.”

Hrald could have laughed. The two sisters could not be more different. If Ashild were alive she would have understood that it was Sidroc being spurned, not Ealhswith. Hrald no more wanted to come to blows with Edwin than he wanted Ealhswith to mourn the loss of a union ill-considered from the start.

When they entered the bower Ealhswith was seated on the edge of a box bed, their mother’s arm about her. The girl leapt up and ran to Hrald and hugged him. As soon as his arms were about her she began to cry. She kept her face pressed against his tunic, but her words tumbled forth. “Did you choose him, as well? Edwin?”

He shook his head, and gently held her away from him so they could see each other. “I knew nothing of it. The letter I received from the King asked only that I come, on the matter of your future.”

“Mother says it is because of Sidroc.” Ealhswith did not use the term father here; indeed she scarcely knew the man.

“Yes.”

“Lord Edwin must have been against Ceric and Ashild, in that case.”

“That I do not know. At any rate, Ceric has the right to wed who he wishes.”

“But Edwin did not want me, for that reason.”

“Yes. None other than that. And I leave tomorrow with Edwin, that I may go to Kilton, and Ceric. But Ælfred asks that you stay, that he may know you more, and that others may see you. This is high honour. Do not forget that.”

The girl brightened at this; she had to, at such a reminder of esteem. It emboldened her to say the next.

“And… If you find someone you think I should wed, of course I will do so.

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