Chapter 28

When winter almost turned into spring, the Lady prepared a great feast. Breck and Terwen returned from the far North, and once again, Aislin had a chance to meet them. Sami had spent the last months with the Lady, learning how their Nation was run and helping Freja rule like a High Lady. Her knowledge brought a new set of defences, and even Holger began to ask for her advice.

Aislin had been appointed steward of the refugees, helping the people from her land settle for as long as the war continued to rage. When spring came, she would travel, meeting them at the province that had been appointed for them in their time of need.

She didn’t know for how long she would be needed, and she hoped that one day, she would instead help them return to their homeland. But for now, she had a place to call home.

Eru ran to her from the hallway, signing wildly, and it was only as she halted to catch her breath, that she said,

“Martha… Needs help”

She took Aislin’s hand and began pulling her along. The girl had been learning a few words of the Northmen, and most of the time, she spoke now, rather than signed, as long as she wasn’t too excited.

Aislin followed her. Eru spent her time between the stables and helping Martha, lending her small hands wherever they were needed.

“Wait, you’re going too fast…”, Aislin protested.

“No time. Hurry!”

Eru pulled her down the stairs and into the kitchen, where there was a large cooking pot standing on the floor. The girl pointed to the stove.

“Up!”

It was almost as large as the girl herself, and Aislin struggled to pick it up and place it on the stove as Martha came down the stairs.

“Oh, so she found someone”

She smiled at Eru.

“She told me she would get help”

The girl beamed at Martha’s word, ran over and threw her arms around her before rushing out of the kitchen. Martha chuckled.

“She’s making herself useful…”

“Is everything prepared?”, Aislin asked.

“It will be”, Martha smiled.

She shooed her.

“Now, go and prepare. I have all the help I need.”

Aislin walked back to their chamber. They’d been giving a real one, with a large bed and a desk, and Sami sat on the chair in front of it, writing a letter. She looked up as Aislin stepped in.

“Are you already done?”

Aislin nodded and sat down on the bed.

“Everything is set”

Sami put the pen down and turned to her.

“I… will miss you when you leave”

Aislin reached out and took her hand.

“I’ll be back,” she said, smiling.