Valor by R. J. Larson

Author:R. J. Larson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Biblical Fantasy, Old Testament
Publisher: R. J. Larson
Published: 2015-10-26T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

Tasia smiled as she handed Iared his evening meal—steamed grain mixed with tender stewed meat, and gleaming with oil, alongside a generous helping of fried greens seasoned with a pinch of salt and dried herbs. The boy accepted the food, but ate slowly after the first few bites, as if enjoying food betrayed his mother and brother who’d died in Cziybor’s attack.

Chiyra evidently noticed as well. Gentle-voiced, she urged, “Iared, please, eat until you’ve had enough. Your mother would persuade you to, I’m sure.”

He nodded and ate, clearly obeying Chiyra to honor her. Tasia sighed her relief, scooped food into her own bowl, and then sat with Aniya. “I cooked plenty, hoping that Lord Vsevold and Uncle Thraedar would return this evening, but ....”

Aniya nodded and finished Tasia’s sentence, “...it looks like there’ll be extra food for the dogs tonight.”

Iared frowned and ate a large spoonful of the stew as the dogs sat near the hearth with Uncle Zeren, anxiously watching everyone eat, though they’d just been fed.

Would Iared and the hounds ever become friends? He growled at them, and Brute and Scaln growled at him whenever he entered or left the winter lodge to bring firewood or water. Tasia finished her food and studied the hounds and Iared from beneath her eyelashes. How could she establish peace among those three?

A hunting horn sounded outside, reaching Tasia, though the door was closed for the night. She and Aniya set aside their food, trading triumphant looks as Chiyra smiled. Uncle Zeren stood, and the dogs raced to the door, yapping eagerly. Zeren grumbled, “Settle down! You’ll chase off your own master!”

Zeren opened the door, and the dogs raced outside, their shrill chorus of welcome near-wild as high-pitched screams. They all stood as Vsevold stomped inside, followed by Thraedar, both looking irritated, and gloomy. Vsevold grumbled, “I don’t know why those dogs are always so happy to see me.”

Brute and Scaln skittered inside again, their claws clicking upon the smooth wooden floor, their upright-curled tails wagging enthusiastically, their handsome little foxlike faces awry with foolish-pup grins. Chiyra laughed. “I’m always happy to see you!”

She hugged Vsevold, and for an instant he closed his eyes and kissed her braided hair, obviously cherishing her hug. But when he stepped back and looked at them all, his gloom returned, multiplied. Behind him, Thraedar closed the door quietly, shook his head, and then threw Zeren a sharp warning look that sent a jolt of fear through Tasia like a dart. Aniya beckoned the dogs, her eyes wide and quiet as Brute and Scaln circled her, ignoring young Iared, who stepped between Tasia and Aniya. Chiyra clasped Vsevold’s arm, her joy vanquished by alarm. “My love, what’s wrong?”

Vsevold took a deep breath and released it slowly. Dread weighed his words. “Cziybor has won permission from the council to wage war on the Eosyths, for their gold.”

Iared turned away and closed his eyes. Tasia wrapped her arms around the boy, longing to shield him. To kill Cziybor. Beloved Infinite, if she sinned by wishing for Cziybor’s death, then she truly sinned now.

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