“Tonight, husband,” Tavia said with a smile before kissing his cheek.
Bhric set her on her feet and took her hand mumbling all the way to the door and beyond.
* * *
After seeing Bernard off Bhric and Tavia made their way through the village to Lath’s mother’s cottage so she could see how the young man was faring. They had almost reached it when Sven suddenly appeared and rushed at them.
“Looks like more bad news,” Tavia whispered to her husband when she saw Sven’s face puckered with concern.
“Tell me,” Bhric said when Sven reached him.
“Another dead animal in the forest,” Sven said.
“You will return to the keep while I see to this, Tavia,” Bhric ordered.
“Nay,” Tavia said. “I will not run and hide as if I have done something wrong. I will visit with Lath then return to the keep.”
“As a Northman I admire your bravery but as your husband I worry over your foolishness,” Bhric said and kissed her quick then turned to Sven. “Have a warrior keep watch on her.”
“She has Fen,” Sven said as if a warrior was useless. The scowl Bhric set on him had him saying, “I will assign a warrior to watch over her, my lord.”
Whispers started as soon as her husband left her side and Tavia did her best to ignore them. It was foolish to believe that she had anything to do with the dead animals since the only time she had been in the woods and barely a few short steps in, was when she had found Fen. She was beginning to understand how Fia must have felt hearing what people assumed about her and fear began to poke at her as she made her way along the path.
“He sleeps peacefully right now, my lady, and he is doing well, walking a bit each day. He truly is improving,” Lath’s mum said, having stepped outside her cottage to talk with Tavia. “I will wake him if you wish.”
“Nay. Nay, sleep helps heal him. I will visit tomorrow,” Tavia said.
Lath’s mum got teary-eyed. “I am forever grateful to you for saving my son’s life, my lady, and seeing him well-tended. You are a blessing to this clan.”
“Thank you, that means much to me,” Tavia said, the woman’s kind words touching her heart.
With a promise to her husband that she would return to the keep once done with Lath, she turned to go there now.
After walking only a short distance, Marta stepped in Tavia’s path so abruptly that she stumbled and Fen rushed in front of her growling, sending Marta hurrying several steps back from the hound and Tavia.
“The witch brought evil on your clan, and she also sent it here with you,” Marta accused. “You claim to love Lord Bhric. If you truly did, you would leave here so he and all others would be safe.”
“I brought no evil with me, Marta, and you know more well than I do that Lord Bhric is a powerful and fearless warrior who would never run from evil. He would destroy it.” Tavia saw heads bob in agreement of those who stopped to watch her and Marta, the warrior who followed Tavia being one of them.
“You will get what you deserve,” Marta spat.
“Do not threaten me, Marta,” Tavia warned, knowing she had to show strength not only to Marta but to those watching.
“Or what?” Marta challenged.
“Or you will answer to Lord Bhric,” Tavia said.
“He is not blind. He will see you for what you truly are… evil,” Marta accused again.
“Enough, Marta, begone with you,” Tavia said with a dismissive wave of her hand, having seen more people gathering to listen and not wanting the confrontation to get out of hand.
“You cannot get rid of me that easily. I will be proven right,” Marta said.
“You will not be here to see whether you are or not,” Tavia said and hearing several gasps realized many thought her remark a threat and hurried to correct it. “You will be leaving for your homeland soon.”
“We will see who will be leaving here,” Marta said.
“Have you not gotten yourself into enough trouble, Marta?”