The grounds had fallen into disrepair since I had last visited my childhood home. My mother cared only for cards and drink in her last years. Her negligence of Ignit Covert, the estate of my father's family, was evident everywhere.copyright protection212ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2pfKO0GRIz
After leaving our horses with bent old Tubor, who had been a servant since my father was a boy, we made our way up the cracked cobblestones to the house. My father's rose garden was a tangle of weeds and ivy, the last few blossoms black from a recent frost. Dry vines bit into the ancient stones, the windows were caked with a layer of dust and a scattering of chicken droppings decorated the front steps.copyright protection212ＰＥＮＡＮＡD7HsARfpwL
The birds themselves were nearly wild. One cawed out a war cry and lunged after Brisam with it's razor beak. He booted it with a snarl. The chicken tumbled away in a mess of feathers and screechy protest. I would have laughed if the ragged sight of the house didn't distress me so.copyright protection212ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Q2RmVToUU
“This-” my voice cracked as we waited at the door, “this is not how it always was here.” My face burned with shame, anger welling up from my gut.copyright protection212ＰＥＮＡＮＡvXjKH8KoZt
“I know, my lady. You don't need to explain.” Brisam brushed away my excuses with an understanding smile, eyes tinged with sympathy. He knocked again.copyright protection212ＰＥＮＡＮＡXDAF5awkz3
The door opened. It had been years since I had seen my younger brother, Haneric. He had only been a boy when I had left home. Now at seventeen, his figure had nothing to recommend him. Like every one in our family, including me, he was plain as stale bread.copyright protection212ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5FT8wg4qFY
Haneric bowed his head, mousy strands of hair falling into his cool gaze. “Sister, I am glad to see you here so soon.”copyright protection212ＰＥＮＡＮＡkaWEVDMG2M
“I came as soon as you sent word. I fear I have lost my husband as well.”copyright protection212ＰＥＮＡＮＡ90pKFuVbPu
“Pity. We all knew how attached you were to the man.” Haneric droned, his gaze trailing over Brisam.copyright protection212ＰＥＮＡＮＡeVa83Hp874
“This is my husband's squire, Brisam Teim.”copyright protection212ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6sf37aHUQJ
Brisam bowed at the waist. Haneric blinked slow as a snake. “Yes, I recall you bringing word from the mountains on several occasions.”copyright protection212ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0J5KpAGAq
A stilted silence followed. Only the cluck of the chickens and off tune singing from Tubor in the stables broke the stillness.copyright protection212ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPllYp3nxa
“We are very tired, brother. Will you not invite us in?” I barked, desperate for food. My pride had kept me from eating in front of Brisam. It was ridiculous how resolute I was to prove something to a man well below my station.copyright protection212ＰＥＮＡＮＡsEDHHLSoFJ
Haneric nodded mutely and walked back into the house. The walls were bare of their tapestries. When we entered the Hall, the decorations of arms and shields were missing. I could only assume they had been sold to pay for my mother's gambling debts. After several years of my mother spending money like water, Sidimund had stopped paying for her habits. For all his faults, my husband was responsible with his wealth. He had no time for childish women using him for his purse, even if it was his own mother-in-law.copyright protection212ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8lJRrug2aR
The only thing that remained was the large black bear fur in front of the massive fireplace. Haneric sat in one of the high backed chairs next to the hearth and motioned for me to sit across from him. Brisam stood at attention behind me. A servant I didn't recognize brought out a plate of bread and butter. I helped myself before Haneric, ignoring his look of censure. I didn't care if he was master of Ignit Covert now, I was still a highborn lady in my own standing.copyright protection212ＰＥＮＡＮＡslHOHFdK3L
He did not offer any to Brisam. Haneric gazed up at him with a wrinkled nose, contempt coating his voice. “I believe your man would be more comfortable eating in the kitchens. Do you agree, sister?”copyright protection212ＰＥＮＡＮＡVwpze7k6vZ
I glared up at the youth. He was just like our mother. Even in reduced circumstances, he was too high and mighty for his own good. Father never would have acted in such a disgraceful way. I hoped the gods would give Haneric a bent back like Tubor to bring him down to earth.copyright protection212ＰＥＮＡＮＡPDlzvN4MPf
“If you will pardon me, Lady Hania.” Brisam bowed and strode away before I could say anything. I couldn't blame him. I would have loved an excuse to leave my spoiled little brother's company.copyright protection212ＰＥＮＡＮＡEhBl5j1j35
The bread was almost stale and I could taste the barley and oats in it. Clapbread. When my father was alive, all our loaves were baked with pure wheat. I labored through the slice, thankful to have something on my stomach just the same.copyright protection212ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ZBuyPCTW7
“We will bury her after you have rested. Then we will speak of the future. Yours in particular.” My brother waved over a servant who brought out two tankards of warm beer.copyright protection212ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMLemh1q4Q
I narrowed my eyes and swallowed a dry bite. “My future?”copyright protection212ＰＥＮＡＮＡGI8i3eB5yF
“You say your husband is dead. You must marry again.” Haneric leaned back in his seat and crossed his legs, honing his gray eyes on me. He even looked like mother where I had taken after father. Clearly, he was just as conniving.copyright protection212ＰＥＮＡＮＡaDEM8dBK6y
“If I do marry, I will find myself a suitor in time.”copyright protection212ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZkEeGVf70
“Who? Your squire? The man clearly has puppy eyes for you,” Haneric snickered. “Hania, I have already made inquiries after the news of Sidimund's death. I have found several men of high birth willing to make you a wife for the second time.”copyright protection212ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6NIf5MuHR2
“With large purses, no doubt.” I gripped my tankard, breathing evenly to slow my heart rate.copyright protection212ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2G0OOeqyk
The brat had no hold over me. The only ones that ever did were mother and Sidimund and they were both dead. Never again would I subjugate myself, especially to my younger brother. But I had to remain calm, speak softly to stay in control of the situation.copyright protection212ＰＥＮＡＮＡZrkj5yZ1N7
Haneric sighed. “Seeing as you have neglected your family all these years, mother and I were forced to let Ignit Covert fall into disrepair. I will restore it to it's former glory.”copyright protection212ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1UVJ91wEIo
“Why don't you marry, brother? It would be simpler for the money to come straight to you as opposed to running to a brother-in-law for help.”copyright protection212ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4qm5fbjGJ
“Oh I shall. But mother left quite a few bills to be paid. I will need all the coin I can gather.”copyright protection212ＰＥＮＡＮＡDFaXYgwYhj
I pursed my lips and winced. “Oh but who will marry you, dear brother? I almost forgot. What about your accident?”copyright protection212ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ie12o2z2K
Haneric shifted in his seat, his mouth snapping into a hard line. “What does that have to do with anything?”copyright protection212ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJPo5UEgdk
“Do any of your potential brides and their families know about what happened? The wild horse in the stables when you were twelve? I received word from mother that you recovered from your wounds...but not all of you did.”copyright protection212ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0RZbPYrlXJ
Jumping to his feet, he huffed and crossed his arms over his chest. “She told you about that?”copyright protection212ＰＥＮＡＮＡF41T54h7Ek
“Of course, I am your sister. Mother was distraught that she would only ever receive grandchildren from me. I'm sure she would have loved to see your issue, if she had lived to do so and if you still had your balls. If you were to marry me off, I would make sure any family looking to marry their daughter to you would know you are as fertile as a eunuch.”copyright protection212ＰＥＮＡＮＡSB3H09BEqP
Haneric gnashed his teeth and lunged forward. He had always had a snap temper. I held up an arm to fend him off but the chair crashed backwards with the force of his attack. He had his scrawny hands around my neck. Even if Brisam hadn't stepped in, he would not have been able to cause much hurt. He had always been a weakling.copyright protection212ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqGYCwX3RV
Dragging him up by the collar, Brisam threw my brother across the bear skin rug. Haneric rolled to a stop in front of the hearth, his cheeks flushed and wet with tears. Brisam helped me to my feet. Rubbing my throat, I spit blood on the flagstones by Haneric.copyright protection212ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwZOq4TIcx
“We will bury mother within the hour and then I will leave this place. If you try to meddle in my life, Haneric, I swear I will tell the whole royal court you are only half a man. Do not test me on this,” I hissed, boring my glare into him till he looked away with a pathetic sniff.copyright protection212ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2596M9foNF
Patting Brisam's hand, I trudged from the room. We walked out into the courtyard, the sun resting on the horizon. We would have to ride through the night but I didn't care. I couldn't stay there any longer. Despite all that had occurred in the past two days, the sad sight of Ignit Covert was the most heartbreaking sight I'd endured.copyright protection212ＰＥＮＡＮＡdM5UKHqILi
I stopped underneath an outcrop by the rose garden, a freezing drizzle misting the air. Brisam stood in front of me, his breath coming out in white plumes.copyright protection212ＰＥＮＡＮＡDyOCmfHgXU
"Are you well?” Brisam asked216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE2SF5MrerB
copyright protection212ＰＥＮＡＮＡN0ZW6L5laT
I gingerly touched my neck where Haneric had done the most damage. “It'll heal.”copyright protection212ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0oF6ipOJ8A
Brisam tipped my chin back with his knuckle to inspect the bruise. Haneric's comment on Brisam's puppy eyes rushed back to me and I turned away from his touch. “Please don't.”copyright protection212ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2L8Rov66L3
He didn't respond. Tightening his jaw, he let his hand drop. “He wanted to marry you off?”copyright protection212ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0y3ZvaLBvW
“To pay for all this. Thankfully, my mother told me about his accident. Haneric was kicked by a crazed horse and lost his ability to father children. No family will give their daughter in marriage without the promise of heirs.” I smirked and coughed into my fist, the throbbing pain in my throat dulling. “He is as infertile as me.”copyright protection212ＰＥＮＡＮＡuwk9DDzsnH
Brisam shifted his weight and peered out into the wet garden, clearly uncomfortable with my confession. I didn't care. I hadn't for six years since the midwife had told me after Emalia's birth that I would never have another child.copyright protection212ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ptbgRGmXr
I glanced over towards the courtyard as the doors creaked open. Tubor and the unknown servant struggled with a coffin, the same kind my husband had been sent home in. I stared after them, numb to any grief or joy. Even my anger had subsided. I only felt hollow.copyright protection212ＰＥＮＡＮＡqY0uYvEK69
I tried to remember my mother as she was when I was Emalia's age. She hadn't always been heartless. At one point, it was her hands that brought most of the children in the area into the world, her skills at midwifery were unmatched. I wasn't sure if I would ever know what made her lose her soul to gambling and spirits, selling off her daughter as a child bride to pay for those pleasures.copyright protection212ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBG1KjEkL1
“We will leave as soon as the prayers are said and the tomb is sealed,” I instructed.copyright protection212ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2OqvZHmG3k
“But my lady, it is late in the day-”copyright protection212ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7tj8XhDC1K
“Brisam, please.” Impulsively, I grasped his hand resting on the sword hilt at his hip. His charcoal eyes widened, studying my face with rapt attention. My gaze cut away and I folded my hands at my back. “I can't stay here any longer.”copyright protection212ＰＥＮＡＮＡLIlrJ6Lorx
I heard him sigh but I didn't dare to look up, my head spinning once more but not from hunger. At least not the kind satiated by bread and beer.copyright protection212ＰＥＮＡＮＡqtmRYlyl2B
“I will have the horses ready, Hania.” He reassured me. I swallowed hard at his unbidden use of my first name.copyright protection212ＰＥＮＡＮＡGa5Zi3hWFj
Our familiarity with one another had grown so much in just a day. I shuddered to think of what it would look like in a month. He was still only a lowborn squire. I was not so different from my mother and brother in some aspects. Even if I was willing to admit I needed Brisam, I would never open my heart to such a fancy. copyright protection212ＰＥＮＡＮＡGr12TL9F9A
But I did need him. Hopelessly.copyright protection212ＰＥＮＡＮＡcz3zq2VYnX
He left for the stables. I watched him, his strides long and full of surety. He had always been the kind of man who knew his place while Sidimund was alive. This new Brisam left me spinning. I sat down hard on the stone bench behind me and prayed the world would stop rocking enough for me to go bury my mother.copyright protection212ＰＥＮＡＮＡA47G3pKllq
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