Two Dragons by Octavia Randolph

Author:Octavia Randolph [Randolph, Octavia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Pyewacket Press
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Ealhswith had made the circuit of the work and cooking yards with her mother, Burginde, Pega, and Mealla, and had left Pega and her companion to rest in the treasure room. Ealhswith walked with her mother to the bower house. She could not help but wish well to Pega, who had greeted her so warmly, and in fact she still held the silver horse pin in her hand. Yet she was attempting to grasp the new union. She had liked Dagmar, who had been kind to her, spent time in her company, and whom she admired. Then Dagmar was gone. Not only gone, but forgotten, it seemed to Ealhswith. Dagmar’s name was never spoken; all acted as if she had never lived with them.

It was an unexplored hurt, and to Ealhswith, largely unexplained as well. She had seen Ashild’s anger towards Dagmar on the day of her dismissal, but her sister had said little other than the application of a few muttered epithets. Her mother had only told her that Dagmar had loved another man before she wed Hrald, and that it was best for all she be with that man.

Now Ealhswith felt moved to mention Hrald’s discarded wife.

“Dagmar,” she began, and then having named her hardly knew how to go on. She and her mother were nearing the bower house door. Ealhswith felt she must not bring this inside with her, and stopped. Indeed, her mother had slowed at the mention of the name.

Ælfwyn searched her daughter’s face, and read the uncertainty there.

“Pega will not end as she did,” she assured her youngest, taking her hand. Her son had chosen his first wife, selected her for the deep attraction she held for him, and had his heart broken for it. This was different, a measured choice, and Pega seemed more than worthy of it. She must try to convey her own confidence in her.

“Raedwulf is our friend, Ealhswith, he has proven so again and again.” She need not say more than this, that the depth of their friendship was beyond the girl’s ken. “He would not have proposed a wife for Hrald unless he believed she would be truly fitting in every way. I know you will welcome her in your heart, as she does, you.”

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