Klara's Journey by Khaliela Serenity Wright

Author:Khaliela Serenity Wright [Wright, K. S.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Hart and Hind Publishing Company
Published: 2023-05-08T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 16

A Debt is Paid

As she rode though the countryside, Klara spotted Karn mucking out stables. Her thoughts turned to the farmers who sought her out, claiming their wives had refused them. Karn would smell of sweat and manure when he returned this evening. She was not looking forward to bedding beside him and wrinkled her nose in sympathy with farmwives everywhere.

As Karn slipped between the blankets beside her that night, she was pleasantly surprised to find him bare, damp, and smelling fresh. He had washed before coming to bed. Running her fingers through his chest hair, Klara nuzzled into him, eager to explore his flesh.

Taking her hands in his, Karn pulled them to his mouth, kissed them, and whispered. “My uncle is standing watch and we’d best not anger him further.” Then he rolled her over and pulled her to him, so he could spoon her as they slept.

When Thorn woke Klara for her turn at the watch, he stayed at their bedroll, talking with Karn briefly before retiring. At dawn, Klara roused Karn to send him on his way and asked, “What did Thorn want?”

“Uncle Thorn isn’t mad anymore,” Karn said, tentatively sniffing his manure-stained tunic. “Though, he said I should have spoken to him directly rather than pass information through Waywyrd. I’m glad Thorn’s not angry with me anymore, but I wish Ffearn would talk to me. I know I’ve hurt him, but I can’t apologize if he won’t listen.”

Thorn was the only other person awake so Klara joined him at the fire while Karn dressed and attached his gear to his saddle. It was her turn to cook. As she worked, Klara sensed Thorn watching her, though they did not speak. She noted with some sadness that the elder Keltoi had not caught her any fish to fry for breakfast, so she made oatcakes again. Pouring the batter in the oven, Klara looked across the fire at Thorn. His dark eyes smoldered with anger, sadness, and concern.

“You see why I am not King,” he said, grabbing a piece of bark laying between his feet and tossing it into the fire. “I can’t even manage these five Keltoi without them splitting into factions.”

“But I hear the horses hold you in high esteem,” Klara said and smiled as she wiped batter from the lip of the bowl. It did little to lighten his mood.

Thorn rose and gently laid a hand on her shoulder. “I do not think I am worthy of even the horses’ good opinion.” Then he wandered off to be alone.

That day as they rode, Klara spotted Karn sweeping grit out the door of a lonely roadside inn. She marveled at this Kelto who took any work that came his way. Clearly, he did not feel superior to anyone, despite his noble birth. It seemed that he worked eagerly at each task and she admired that quality in him.

Not far from the inn, Klara saw the silver fir rune carved into a tree near the road.

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