“I agree.”
I expected him to kiss me. Instead, he carefully placed my feet back on the ground and took a step away from me.
Rolf stared at us, and then he cleared his throat. “Hello, Olive,” he said with a nod.
“Hi, Rolf.”
“How are things in Earth Kingdom?” he asked.
“Fine, although I’m glad I finally made it back to Faythander.”
“Yes, we’re all glad you made it. And by all of us, I really mean Kull, because, you know, not everyone will be glad you’re here. In fact, I’m sure many people will hate that you’ve returned, especially considering—”
“Rolf,” Kull interjected. “That’s enough.”
“Oh, right.” He laughed nervously. “Yes, I should probably keep my mouth shut. I’ve got an awful bad habit of saying things when I shouldn’t. Bad timing and all that. You know, I was just about to head inside.” He gathered a sword and shield off the ground and grinned at us. “I suppose I’ll see you both in the castle.”
I watched as Rolf turned and walked toward the trail leading to the keep. As I turned back to Kull, I felt a hard knot form in my throat, although I wasn’t sure why. Was it just my imagination, or was he distancing himself from me?
“I’m glad you’ve returned,” he said formally, almost forced.
“Yes.”
After Rolf disappeared, he turned to me. “Olive, I need to discuss something with you.”
“Sure, what’s up?”
He took my fingers in his hand. “We’re feasting tonight in the great hall. It’s a tradition we take part in before long quests. And… there’s something I’ve been meaning to announce.”
“Okay. What have you been meaning to announce?”
“Our engagement.”
I eyed him. “You haven’t announced our engagement yet?”
He shook his head.
“Why not?”
“Well, it’s a bit complicated. To be honest, these past four months haven’t been easy. I was worried about you—worried you would never return.”
“I’m here now.”
He squeezed my fingers. “Yes, you’re here now. I suppose I shouldn’t have been so anxious, as I suspected something must’ve happened that prevented you from returning. There have been other strange happenings in Faythander, which may be the fault of the asteroid. Unusual lights in the sky at night, some of the magical creatures falling prey to illnesses, the weather patterns acting erratically…”
“That is odd, and it’s another reason we need to stop the asteroid from getting any closer.”
“I agree.”
An uneasy silence fell between us. “Kull, is something else bothering you?”
“With the engagement, yes. Walk with me to the keep? I’ll explain on the way.”
“Sure,” I said, wondering what he’d meant about our engagement as we gathered the weapons. Kull grabbed his discarded shirt and pulled it over his head. Part of me lamented his decision to wear it, but as he tied the leather ties at the top of the tunic, my stomach gave its usual flutter—the one I felt when I was near him. How had I ever survived without him?
We trudged toward the trail leading to the towers. When we reached the forest, under the trees’ shadows, Kull turned to me.
“It started with Euric,” he said. “As you know, the man began spouting treason a few months ago. After he was arrested by the elves, I’d thought the matter was settled, but since his release, he’s been traveling to Wult villages across the continent, telling half-truths and a few outright lies, but no one seems to care if it’s the truth or not. I’ve spent most of my time traveling to those same villages trying to undo what Euric has started, but with little success.
“I knew being king would be hard. I knew after my father’s sudden death that I wasn’t ready, but now, keeping the kingdom together is all but impossible. Nine villages have signed a petition to withdraw from our kingdom, and I expect several more to follow in the coming days.”
I wasn’t sure how to answer; all I knew was that I really hated Euric now. Well, more than before. What that man was doing was inexcusable. “Is there anything you can do to convince the villagers not to leave?”
“I’ve tried, Olive. I’ve done everything I can think of to keep the Wults united, but all they can do is remind me that I’ve lost the sword of my forefathers, and even if I did have it, I’ve got no lineage to pass the sword down to. Wults are obsessed with tradition and progeny. They say I’m an unworthy king because I’ve got no heirs.”
“That’s ridiculous.”
“I agree. And to make matters worse, they’ve brought you into it.”
“Me?”
“Yes. Euric must have seen us together at one point. He says if I marry you, I’ll bring shame to the royal line, that our half-elven children should not be eligible to inherit the throne.”
“Technically, they’d only be one-fourth elven.”
“That doesn’t seem to matter. The sad thing is that he has a point. Wults pride themselves on lineage, and bringing elven blood into the royal line would pollute it, according to Euric, and there are plenty who agree with him.
“They’re hypocrites, too. None of them had a problem when I was engaged to the elven princess, but now, they’re suddenly enraged. Some of the nobles have even suggested that if I do marry you, I should be stripped of my title as king.”
I was silent for a moment, listening only to the sounds of our footsteps treading over small twigs and leaves. I didn’t know what to say except that I felt partially responsible for his people’s dislike of him, even though I knew I had no reason to feel that way. It was their problem, not mine.
“Maybe I should have stayed on Earth,” I mumbled.
“No,” he answered firmly. “I hate it when we’re apart. This may be hard to believe, but I’m actually unpleasant to be around when you’re not with me.”
“Really? I’m shocked.”
He gave me his teasing grin. “Yes. You should be. But I shouldn’t be going on about this right now. You’ve just returned, and it’s time to celebrate. Tonight, I’m formally announcing our engagement. Nobles can kiss my Wult’s ass.”
“That’s the spirit.”
“Plus, if anyone decides to give me trouble…” He showed me his sword—a short, stubby thing that looked sharp enough to hack through concrete. “I’ve got Gnat Biter here that will make short work of them.”
“Gnat Biter? That’s an interesting name.”
“That’s because this is a temporary solution. I don’t want to get attached to the stupid thing.”
“Yeah, I’m pretty familiar with temporary solutions myself.” I was too embarrassed to show him my new mirror, so I decided a change of subject was in order. “So, what’s this dinner supposed to be like?”
He shrugged. “Mainly, we’re to be well fed before our quest to retrieve the sword of Dracon begins. My ancestors held a feast before every pilgrimage or quest. It’s an old tradition that no one dares break, and so we’re stuck keeping it up. At least it will be a good place to announce our engagement. All the nobles will be there to hear it.”
I eyed him. “You’re really set on offending them all?”
“Yes, I’ve had enough of bickering and seceding from the kingdom. It’s time they realize I’m their king. What I say goes. I’ve been nice for far too long.”
“I don’t disagree, but I’m not sure disregarding their ideals will make it any better.”
“At this point, I don’t care.”
Kull and I walked out of the woods and into the clearing behind the castle. Heidel waited in the glade with a silver wolf at her side. The animal, Grace, was unusual, a mix of grimwelt and wolf. I’d never seen another creature like her. Heidel patted the wolf’s head as we approached.
“Olive,” she said, nodding. “I see you’ve returned.”
“Yes, and I see you’ve taken up with a new companion.”
Heidel eyed the wolf. “I tak
e care of her. It gives me something to do,” she said quietly, and I heard the pain in her voice. On our last quest, she’d lost someone she’d grown close to, and perhaps had loved, but Maveryck, the professional thief and lost Madralorde brother, had been killed by the elves, leaving his wolf behind.
“Sister,” Kull said, “has the feast begun?”
Heidel shrugged. “I don’t know and I don’t care. I want nothing to do with what’s going on inside that castle. I’m ready to leave on our quest and be done with Danegeld.” She turned away from us. “Come, Grace,” she called as she entered the forest. The wolf trotted after her.
Kull stared after his sister until she disappeared inside the cover of trees. “She’s not been the same since Maveryck’s death.”
“That’s understandable. If I remember correctly, she hadn’t even accepted he was dead when I left last fall. At least she’s gotten past that, right?”
“Yes. When he never returned for her as she’d hoped, she had no choice but to accept he was dead. It’s not been easy for her. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen her take someone’s death so hard, not even Father’s.”
I followed Kull across a wooden footbridge and under an alcove leading inside the keep. To still be grieving, Heidel must have cared for Maveryck more than she’d let on.
When we made it inside, we crossed through an empty hallway and toward a set of open doors. Kull took my hand and held it tight as we approached the large dining hall. Inside the room, servants bustled around tables as they prepared the feast.
“Looks like they’ll be starting soon,” he said. Several servants approached him and took his weapons.
Kull glanced at me. “I’ll have to get cleaned up. Would you like to meet me here in a bit?”
“Fine.” I sighed. “I suppose I’ll wash up as well.”
“Very well. The servants can show you where to go.”
Half an hour later, after changing into more appropriate attire, I stood by the doors. Booted footsteps rang out down the hallway, and I turned to find Kull walking toward me.
He was an imposing sight—with his metal studded, leather doublet, sword sheathed at his hip, and his customary dragon-hide boots. He gave me a small smile as he reached my side.
“You look beautiful,” he said.
“Thanks,” I answered sheepishly, never knowing how to respond to his compliments. I picked at the lace on my quarter-length sleeves. I’d decided to wear a peasant’s shirt under a soft leather dress. I’d never been a fan of long dresses; they always tripped me up. But it seemed like a good attempt at blending in with the Wults. Although I had trouble comprehending it, I would soon be their queen. That thought almost kept me from entering the dining hall.
As we stood facing the doors, I wasn’t sure I could go through with this. But I didn’t have much of a choice as the servants pulled the doors open and ushered us inside.
Here goes nothing.
Chapter Three
Kull took my hand as we entered the dining hall. Thankfully, the room wasn’t too crowded yet, with only a few Wults mingling inside. But as we entered, they turned and immediately bowed.
“No need for that nonsense,” Kull called to them.
They stayed on one knee until Kull and I located our spots at the head of one of the tables. Food filled the long rows of tables, from boiled potato-type plants to mounds of thinly sliced meat and mugs filled with ale. My stomach growled as I inhaled the scents of the food.
More people entered the room, one in particular I immediately recognized—Halla, Kull’s mom.
Her eyes widened as she spotted me sitting beside her son. She approached us cautiously. Halla wore a blue dress with artfully placed silver earrings and a silver pendant around her neck. She was a neat, precise woman, in her dress and in her speech, and I had to admit I felt completely awkward in her presence.
“Kull,” she said as she sat beside him. “I see Olive has returned.” She glanced past him to focus on me. “Olive, I hope you are well.”
“Thank you. Yes.” I cleared my throat. “I’m great.”
“I admit I’m surprised to see you here. We all wondered if we’d ever see you again. Earth Kingdom takes up much of your time, doesn’t it?”
“Yes, unfortunately. Sometimes I feel like I’m two different people.”
Her eyes narrowed. “You know, when I married Kull’s father, I left my home and family behind completely and never looked back. I had to make a choice between where I wanted to be and where I belonged.”
I couldn’t mistake the warning in her voice. If I became Kull’s queen, I would be expected to be here at all times. Being the queen of the Wults was a full-time job, one that I felt completely unqualified for.
More people wandered inside and filled the empty seats at the table. When they saw me, I got the usual suspicious glares. Nothing new. By now, I should have been used to it. Kull noticed the looks, too, so he grabbed my hand and held it tightly atop the table for everyone to see. He was going forward with this marriage whether they wanted it or not.
But did I want it?
Of course I wanted to marry him; that was a no-brainer. But did I really want to become the queen of the Wults? Wult traditions and ceremonies confused me. I had no idea what my duties were or what was expected of me. I could learn, I suppose, but if it meant giving up my life on Earth, would I be able to? Did I even want to?
Sighing, I leaned back against the chair’s wooden slats, having wild ideas of eloping with Kull to some faraway deserted island. Or maybe back to Earth. I could get him a memory charm, and he could pick someone else to be king. Assuming he’d ever agree to it, which he wouldn’t. But still, it was a thought. Probably not the best solution, though.
After everyone settled into the dining hall, the queen rose and held up her goblet. She gave a speech about their ancestors and how they always held such a feast before every great quest, how the gods would protect them, and how the swords of their forefathers would guard them, though she glossed over the part about Kull’s sword being destroyed by me.
Destroying Kull’s ancestral sword wasn’t something I was proud of, but it had to be done. If I had to choose between his life and the sword all over again, my decision would be the same. Still, Silvestra, the silverwitch of Dragon Spine Mountain, had felt sure I could have saved Kull using black magic. I still had no clue why she’d thought such a thing.
When Kull’s mom finished her speech, everyone toasted and applauded accordingly, though everyone seemed a bit bored. This gathering wasn’t at all like the other Wult parties I’d been to where there was too much laughter, shouting, and drinking.
Kull stood next. He held up his goblet and continued where his mom left off. It all sounded rote and memorized, like the Wults had heard this speech too many times to count, but at the end of his spiel, Kull paused.
“One final announcement. I’m getting married.” He took my hand and helped me stand.
The room went silent. I swore I heard crickets chirping. Or maybe that was just my thudding heart.
“I hope you’ll all be able to attend the wedding.” We sat, and Kull didn’t say another word. After several seconds of tense silence, someone starting clapping, and then a few more joined in. Some, however, didn’t clap at all. They only sat staring daggers at their king.
After the feast ended, Kull and I finally made it out of the room. A few people stopped and congratulated him. Brodnik appeared in the crowd. He was a large, boisterous man with a protruding middle and rust-colored beard, and he was also one of Kull’s best fighters.
He clasped Kull’s hand. “It’s about time you two made it official. Congratulations to the both of you.”
“Thank you, Brodnik,” Kull said.
“I couldn’t be happier. But Olive,” he said, turning toward me, “what in Odin’s name drove you to agree to marry him? You know he’s nothing but trouble.”
“Trouble?” Kull said. “Says who?”
“Everyone.” Brodnik laug
hed. “Well, at least you’ll never have any dull moments, will you? You know I’m only jesting. I couldn’t be happier for the two of you. I realize I’m not in the majority when I say this, but you two were meant to be together. I see it sometimes in people. That’s how it was with me and my wife, and that’s how it is with the two of you. Don’t let anyone talk you out of this. That goes for the both of you.” He gave us a stern look.
“We won’t,” I said truthfully. Kull and I had been through way too much to ever let anything come between us again. By this point, we knew we’d never survive without one another. Not long ago, we’d split up, and those had been the worst months of my life. It would never happen again.
Brodnik gave Kull a clap on his shoulder before walking away from us. Another man appeared from the crowd. I’d never seen him before. He wasn’t much taller than me. His long, grizzly beard and clothing made from animal hides and leather made him look like a typical Wult. He wore a golden medallion with the shape of Thor’s hammer etched on its surface. The look of hostility in his eyes made me take a step away from the man as he stopped in front of Kull and me.
“Your Highness.” He gave a quick nod of his head.
“Vott,” Kull said. “I am pleased to see you made it to our gathering.”
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world. You know I believe in keeping our traditions. All of them.” He cast a sidelong glance at me.
Kull took my hand. “Vott, I’d like you to meet my future bride. This is Olive.”
The man grunted in my direction, and then he crossed his arms. “I was not pleased when you made the announcement, but I’m sure you know that already. You’re upsetting the balance in our kingdom with this.”
“It was already upset,” Kull said.
“I won’t disagree with you on that.”
“Then at least we agree on something,” Kull said.
“Don’t push it,” Vott said. “You know my feelings on this subject. You’re paying your father a great disrespect by bringing elven blood into the noble line.”
“Yet, Father helped to arrange my marriage with the elven princess, and no one cared one whit about bloodlines then.”
Deathbringer Page 3