Chapter 16

The wagons came to a halt as the road began to climb up the mountainside. From here on, they would need to walk. Aislin glanced at Sami sitting next to her. She hadn’t said a word on their way up here, and Aislin wondered if there was something more than simply shock. She wanted to ask her, but she didn’t think Sami would tell her even if she did, so she only took Eru’s hand and climbed out, and Sami quietly followed them.

Breck waited for them as they stepped outside, holding the reins of a horse.

“I will escort you to the fortress.”

Aislin nodded, and he helped Sami up on the beast, and they followed him as he began to climb the steep mountain road. She glanced at Sami as they walked. She was staring at the ground. Wasn’t she happy that they could stay? They had never spoken about her past and why she had chosen to come with them. There hadn’t been time on the road.

“The Lady will hold a feast tonight.”, Breck said, breaking her thoughts. “It’s tradition as winter starts and the trading season begins. You’ll be welcome too.”

Aislin nodded. She had preferred to stay in their room, but she knew it would be considered a great offence to say no, and she didn’t want the Lady to find a reason to throw them out. They kept walking in silence until they arrived at the gates of the fortress. A guard stood waiting for them, and Breck exchanged a few words before turning to them.

“I’ll leave you here. We will see each other tonight.”

He handed the reins to the soldier and gave them a nod before turning and walking back down the road. The guard gestured for them, and they followed him inside. Aislin stared around as they followed him down the street. Everywhere were buildings, undamaged by the war, and people were passing to and fro, chatting and calling out the latest bargains. They were safe…

They halted as they approached the inner walls of the fortress, and the soldier opened the gate, gesturing for them to enter. He tied the horse to the wall and helped Sami dismount. The followed him over the courtyard and up the stairs and to a simple room with a wide bed stuffed into it. Eru ran inside, and he bowed and left without a word, closing the door behind him.

Eru glanced around for a moment before clambering up into the bed. So this was it… This would be their life from now on, in safety… Aislin sat down on the bed when there was a knock on the door, and she stood up as it opened. An older woman stepped inside, smiling.

“So you’ve found your room”

She ushered over and halted before them.

“I am Martha. This will be your home. You are not allowed to leave the fortress if the Lady or Freja haven’t given you explicit permission.”

Aislin glanced at Sami, but she was only staring in front of her, listening.

“You will be provided with food and have kitchen duty starting tomorrow”, Martha concluded.

She smiled at Eru, huddled into the corner of the bed.

“I hope you’ll soon feel at home here.”

She left, and Aislin sank down on the bed again.