Page 4 of Wulver's Flame

“Am mair feart of the Chieftain than yoo. Ya wee, flamehaired scoundrel.”

I shoved against the gate until dust and straw scattered to the ground.

“Let me ootae here.”

“Nae chance. Ah huv’ tae go,” he said, already halfway to the hall.

Then it hit me.

I was already sitting here like a prize pig if they were coming to raid our stores.

I scowled, tucked my legs up, and perched on the wooden chest with my dagger drawn.

Let them come.

???

I sat, silent and waiting, ears straining for the clash of metal or a war cry, anything. But there was only the creak of wood and the snuffing of torches outside.

By the time Brìghd came for me, it was long past dark.

“Aboot time,” I muttered as she bent to the lock.“What did they want?”

“Let’s huv’a wee chat in yer bedchamber,” she said instead, swinging the gate open like I hadn’t just been caged like a rabid dog.

At first, I was relieved to leave my prison, but as I watched Brìghd, I noticed she couldn't look me in the eye.

“Wit? Are yae goin’tae tell me?”

“Yae best brace yersel’ fur some bad news.”

My heart lurched as I ran after her. “Is ma Da—?”

“He’s fine,” she muttered.

“Is it Naillan then?”

Naillan was only a child, but in some raids, boys were targeted to prevent future uprisings. My sisters were married on the mainland. They were safe.

“Yer wee brother is safe.”

We reached my room, and I shot past her and dragged her in, holding her wrist. She wedged the door shut behind her.

“Baith yer sister's were married at fifteen summers. Yae cannae stay wae yer Da all yer life.

I was four summers past that. By my reckoning, I still had one summer left before the handfasting ceremony with Fergus, though he feared my Da more than he liked me.

“What of it?”

“The Norseman asked fur yer hand in exchange for peace—a treaty that will keep us all safe wae the Wulverson name.”

I was speechless as she continued.

“His Da is a Jarl in their homeland. Yer kin would be safe,” she said softly. “Dunraithwould be safe.”

My legs collapsed. My insides twisting like a gutted eel. My knees hit the floor with a dull thud.

“Yer Da said no.”