Silverwitch

by Tamara Grantham

  “How many kids do you have?” I asked him.

  “Nine,” he answered, “including two that have passed, may Odin bless their souls.”

  “Nine?”

  “Aye. Don’t act so surprised, Miss Olive. That’s an average family in our lands.”

  The baby started to cry, and Brodnik held him over his arm and patted the baby’s back, then quietly sang a lullaby as if he’d done this millions of times before. The baby quieted.

  Kull took my hand, and I glanced up at him. Did he intend to have a large family? If so, these were things I needed to know—there were many things I needed to know before he brought up the subject of his intentions. He’d told me before that there was much about Wult society I didn’t understand, and I believed him.

  The only way for me to learn more about Kull’s world was to be here, interacting and living day-to-day with the Wults. Attending the wedding would accomplish that much, but deep down, I knew I would never really become a Wult. That thought made my heart sink. No matter where I traveled or what planet I lived on, I would never fit in.

  Kull wrapped his arm around my shoulder as Brodnik continued his lullaby and the baby’s eyes closed.

  “Brodnik,” Kull said, “you have a way with children. You should have been a nursemaid.”

  “Aye, I won’t disagree with you on that one. I would have been perfectly happy to look after the children if I’d had my way, if there weren’t always wars to fight and bellies to be fed. Olga would have preferred I stayed home and tended the babies—that is, until the babies grew into young people. Then I would give them back to her. It’s the half-grown ones who cause all the trouble.”

  “I heard that,” said a gangly girl sitting beside him. His daughter, I assumed.

  From the castle’s towers came the sound of the trumpets, and a group of servants hurried outside and bustled around, collecting the empty trays of food and clearing the tables. As they did, Fan’twar entered the clearing and stood with a commanding presence. He held so still he looked like a golden statue.

  “Wedding’s about to start,” Brodnik said.

  After the food was cleared away, we turned our attention to the castle doors. Two men wearing official-looking uniforms propped the doors open, and then they unrolled a long rug decorated with white tree branches and golden unicorns. They carefully maneuvered the rug across the footbridge and over the grass until they stopped under a white wooden trellis.

  “Does the carpet mean something?” I asked Kull.

  “It’s a symbol of the path the couple will take throughout their marriage.”

  “Everything in the ceremony is a symbol,” Brodnik added.

  “It is? I guess I’ve got a lot to learn.”

  “We’ll teach you.” Kull winked.

  The gangly young woman sitting beside Brodnik spoke up. “The branches on the rug are birch wood to symbolize the bride,” she explained. Her voice had a know-it-all tone, and she reminded me of a kid who spent too much time indoors buried in books. “Birch is the symbol for motherhood and fertility,” she continued, “while the unicorn represents the groom—a symbol of unselfishness and unity. The two symbols together are thought to bring good luck to a future marriage. After the ceremony, the couple will be given a similar tapestry to display in their home.”

  “A smaller one, I hope,” I said.

  “Aye,” Brodnik said, “it would be mighty cumbersome to hang that on a wall, now wouldn’t it?”

  From the open gates, a procession of people walked down the carpeted path. They wore simple white robes, though most of them wore golden sashes or bodices with golden brocade over their clothing. The women wore their hair in elaborate braids accented with golden leaves and flowers. As the gathering reached the end of the carpet, they stood aside. A young girl came behind them, holding an odd-shaped wooden cup with two large handles on either side. The cup looked carved, though I couldn’t tell more than that.

  “The cup means something, I guess?” I whispered.

  “Yes,” Kull answered. “The cup is carved with the runic symbols for unity, and the two rams’ heads are carved to form the handles, representing renewal. The bride and groom will both drink mead from the cup. They’ll keep the cup in their home and drink from it again once every year on the day of their wedding anniversary.”

  The girl carefully placed the cup on a small table sitting under the trellis, and then she stood aside as an older woman walked down the path. A tarnished blade lay in her outstretched hands. She walked carefully, holding the sword with reverence until she reached the end of the carpet. Instead of joining the crowd with the others, she turned and faced the castle doors.

  The air grew still, with only the sound of the wind as it brushed the tree branches overhead. Rolf walked out of the castle doors. He walked with a straight back, and his usual boyish grin was replaced with a solemn face and neatly trimmed beard. Instead of wearing questing gear as I’d always seen him in, he now wore a long, midnight blue robe, a silver-embroidered doublet, and polished boots. He was almost unrecognizable. I blinked to make sure it was him.

  He stopped as he reached the lady with the sword, and then he also turned to face the castle doors.

  The bride came last. There was no music to announce her arrival—unless one counted the sound of birdsong. As she walked down the carpeted path, several people in the crowd opened cages filled with maywelters—magical dragonfly-type creatures that lived near water. As the fae creatures flitted out, their bodies glittered in shades of aquamarine and seafoam green, reflecting in the long brown hair that spilled down the bride’s back. The bride wore a golden-colored gown, and she carried a bouquet of dark purple flowers with yellow centers. I remembered Terminus calling them molfüsbane flowers.

  The bride wore a contagious smile that reflected in her eyes. When she reached Rolf’s side, she stopped, took his hand, and turned to the woman with the sword.

  “Rolf’s grandmother,” Kull said. “Either she or the patron is called upon at the wedding to be the sacred sword-bearer. She will pass the sword to the wife of her grandson, who will hold it in trust for her own sons until they come of age.”

  I glanced up at Kull. “Is that how you received Bloodbane?”

  “Yes, it was given to my mother by my grandamere, and I am—was—to pass it down to my sons.”

  “Oh.” I shrank in my seat, feeling guilty for having destroyed the sword, despite knowing I hadn’t had much of a choice.

  The ceremony proceeded with the mead drinking, vow and ring exchange, and then laughter and clapping as the bride and groom were whisked back into the castle, where the party continued. As nightfall approached, with a growing headache and after a sleepless night, I wanted nothing more than a little solitude, so I escaped the feasting and dancing and made my way up the staircases into the less-crowded halls of the castle.

  When I found Kull’s library, I hefted open the solid, oaken doors, hoping to find some quiet inside. I immediately heard the sounds of shouting, so I turned away, but not fast enough.

  “Olive, come in,” came a woman’s voice.

  At first, I hesitated. What could I possibly do to get a moment’s rest? I turned and entered the room. When I reached the other side of a large shelf, I came face to face with Kull, Heidel, and a woman whom I’d never met, although with her dark hair and sharp gray eyes, it was easy to tell that she and Heidel were unmistakably related.

  “Olive,” Kull said with a forced smile, “I’d like you to meet my mother.”

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  Kull’s mother gave me a curt nod as I entered the library’s open area at the center of the room. The cold marble tiles echoed under my booted feet, and though we were surrounded by towering bookcases, I felt isolated as I stood under the woman’s gaze.

  “Olive,” she said, “I’m glad you’ve come. We were just discussing you.”

  “You were?”

  I glanced at Kull, but he offe
red no explanation. Heidel also kept her mouth shut.

  “Yes, we were,” she answered. “My name is Halla, by the way, although I feel like we already know one another. I’ve heard so much about you.”

  “Oh. That’s good, I guess.”

  “Yes, it is. It means we can avoid awkward small talk and get to the actual conversation.” She had a musical voice, although I couldn’t mistake her tone of warning. “Now,” she said, “Kull has just informed me that the sword of his ancestors is lost to us forever, and that you are the one responsible.”

  I cringed. This so isn’t good.

  Kull spoke up. “She had a good reason.”

  “I don’t care,” Halla answered. “There is no greater act of betrayal than destroying a sacred sword. She would have known this if she were Wult.”

  She turned to me. “I want to hear how it happened. Maybe it will give me some sort of comfort to know how the deed was done.”

  My thoughts turned frantic. What should I say? I suddenly lost the ability to make coherent words come out of my mouth.

  “I never meant to destroy it. It was… because if I’d known, if there had been any other way… because if I’d had any other choice, I…”

  She held up a hand, stopping me. “That’s enough,” she said quietly. “Olive, I know you are not familiar with our ways. You see merely a weapon. In truth, the ancestral swords are sacred family heirlooms. There were seventeen swords forged by Kull’s great-great-great grandfather in the fires of the volcanoes of the outer isles. He gave the swords to his children and grandchildren. Before he died, he left each of his children and grandchildren with a warning. To destroy one of the swords would bring a great curse to our entire family.

  “To this date, only one of our swords has been destroyed. Bloodbane.”

  Well, darn.

  I would never in a million years dig myself out of this one. Any good impression I might have had on her was completely wasted.

  “I’m sorry,” I whispered. It was the only thing I could think to say.

  She gave me a small smile before leaving the room and shutting the doors behind her.

  My hands had grown clammy and my stomach soured. Worse, I had the insane thought that I would never marry Kull—not that he’d even asked—but if he were to ask, now it seemed he would never gain his mother’s permission.

  I slouched against a bookcase as the floor felt unsteady. Kull walked to me and wrapped his arm around my shoulder.

  “This will blow over,” he said.

  “There, you see?” Heidel said as she walked toward us. “Olive, you should have saved the sword and left my brother to die.”

  I couldn’t help but laugh. “Yeah, maybe you’re right.”

  “We should have thought this through better,” Heidel said. “You could have conjured a new sword with magic and Mother never would have known.”

  “She would have known,” Kull answered. “She always finds out.”

  Heidel sighed. “Well, it was a thought at least.”

  “Don’t let my mother worry you,” Kull told me. “This wedding happened all of a sudden, and she’s been doing nothing but making preparations since she found out about it. I’m pretty sure she hasn’t slept for the last three days. She always says things she doesn’t mean when she’s like this. I can ask her for her blessing another time.”

  I glanced up at Kull. “Her blessing for what?”

  He ran his thumb across my cheek. “Her blessing for…” he paused, “for Björn’s one-year consecration.”

  “I see.”

  “All babies of noble blood are required to get the queen mother’s permission before their consecration blessing. Did you think I would say something else?”

  “No, Kull. I didn’t. I never know what will come out of your mouth.”

  He gave me a lopsided grin. “You’re so pretty when you’re upset.”

  “I don’t feel very pretty.” Sighing, I stared at the floor. “I don’t have much luck with your parents, do I?”

  “Don’t worry about it. As I said, give her some time and let her get some sleep. She’ll come to her senses.”

  “Sure. She’ll miraculously forgive me for destroying an irreplaceable family heirloom. Aren’t you the one who told me she holds grudges?”

  Heidel spoke up. “Only for a decade or two.”

  Kull shot her a dark look. “You’re not making this any better.”

  “I’m only being honest.”

  “Stay out of this, Sister, or I may start asking you questions, like what happened between you and that thief in Earth Kingdom.”

  Heidel’s face paled. “Nothing happened.”

  “No?”

  “You know my memories were erased,” Heidel said.

  “Yes, but remembering memories and recalling emotions are two different things, aren’t they?”

  “Nothing happened,” she ground out.

  “Right. If that’s true, then tell me why you two can’t stop looking at one another, or why he’s still hanging around the keep after returning the staff, when he should have left hours ago?”

  “I’ll not be spoken to in such a manner. You know I will never love any man ever again.”

  “Then why are you falling for him?”

  “I’m not. I hate him.”

  “Are you sure about that?”

  Heidel stormed out of the room and then slammed the doors behind her.

  “You sure know how to push her buttons,” I said.

  Kull stared at the doors, working his jaw back and forth, the way he did when something was bothering him.

  “That thief can’t be trusted,” he said. “He’s got too many secrets, and no one seems to know anything about him. I don’t even know where he comes from or who his family is, much less what he’s capable of. I hope she’s not losing her head over him.”

  “She’s a grown woman. I’m sure she knows what she’s doing.”

  “She is also still recovering from an abusive relationship that took her years to get out of. She can’t afford to fall for someone who will hurt her again.”

  “Even so, it’s her choice.”

  “But I’m her brother. It’s my duty to protect her.”

  “Do you think she wants your protection?”

  “She’s getting my protection whether she wants it or not. I failed to protect her from Geth, and I will never let that happen again.”

  “Fine,” I said, “but before you execute Maveryck, don’t you think maybe you should find out who he is first?”

  “Maybe.”

  “You never know—he could be completely harmless.”

  “A man who makes a living stealing from others is not harmless.”

  “True, but maybe you’re worrying about nothing. She claims to hate him.”

  “Yes, you’re right.” He took my hand. “You’re always right.”

  “I’m not always right.”

  He kissed my knuckles. “You’re also very wise. It’s why I love you.” He sighed as he turned toward the doors. “They’re dancing in the main hall and expecting me to make an appearance. Would you like to join me?”

  “Not really. After attending the balls in the witch’s castle, I’ve had enough of dancing.”

  “It will only take a minute, and then after that, I’ve been meaning to show you something. Would you like to follow me down to the river?”

  “What’s at the river?”

  A twinkle lit his eyes. “It’s a surprise. You’ll see.”

  He led me out of the library and down the hall to a staircase that took us to the main floor where the party engulfed the entire bottom portion of the keep. I stayed close to Kull, noticing when two men appeared from the crowd and followed us. Glancing back, I recognized the man with the tall, thin frame, bad skin, and hawkish nose as one of Kull’s bodyguards.

  “You’ve still got those two trailing you?” I asked.

  “Yes
, unfortunately. Mother insists they follow me everywhere I go. I would argue the point, but she’s impossible to reason with right now.”

  Sounds of lutes and harps mingled with laughter, and I found myself wishing for a Tylenol when Rolf appeared suddenly from the crowd. He clapped Kull on the shoulder and flashed his broad, still-boyish grin. Maybe the kid hadn’t changed as much as I’d thought. That beard couldn’t mask the naïveté in his eyes. While Rolf meant well, he’d always reminded me of a teenager with more testosterone than was good for him.

  “I’ve found you, old man.” He slapped Kull on the shoulder and barked a loud laugh, making my headache pound. “I’d almost started to think you were avoiding me.”

  “Old man? Is that what I am now?”

  “Yes! As you’re still a bachelor and I am not, I guess my status outranks yours, doesn’t it?”

  Rolf’s bride walked from the crowd to stand by her husband’s side. She was an attractive girl with a bright smile and long locks of dark hair, but I couldn’t fathom what would drive her to marry Rolf. I only hoped she had great reserves of patience.

  “Cousin Kull,” Rolf said, “I’d like you to meet Brynhild, my bride.”

  “The pleasure is mine,” Kull said as he took her hand.

  She gave him a warm smile.

  “Well,” Rolf said, speaking with a little too much enthusiasm, “it looks like I’ve finally beaten you at something, eh cousin? You may have slaughtered the largest jagamoor on record, but you’ve yet to capture a wife as I have.”

  “I assure you, I am in no rush to find a wife.”

  “And it is well you aren’t! You certainly have a kingdom to worry over, what with the elves and all. No time for courtship, I’m sure. Have you tried the boarhound?”

  “Yes, it was delicious.”

  “Good, good—and Olive! You’ve come, too. I’m surprised to see you here. What brings you to the capitol?”

  “I—”

  Kull wrapped his arm around my shoulders. “She’s with me.”

  Rolf raised an eyebrow. “Is she? What is she—your advisor or something?”

  “A bit more than that, Rolf.”

  “Ah! Back together again. I’m very relieved to hear it. Let’s just hope it lasts longer than last time, eh? Well, Brynhild and I are off to make more introductions. Married life can be so demanding.”