“Tavia has done nothing wrong, and all must see that I stand by my wife,” Bhric said.
Sven gave no response. He stepped aside and followed behind the couple and Fen.
Bhric kept his arm around his wife as they walked to ease any discomfort to her leg.
“The brief rest helped,” she whispered to him so he would not worry and glad the pain was barely felt so she could keep her concentration on what mattered.
She found concentration more difficult than she had expected, seeing the large crowd that had gathered and spread out from the bottom of the keep’s stairs. Several torches flickered throughout the crowd and cast light on the sea of faces, all waiting anxiously to hear their leader speak.
Tavia held tight to her husband’s hand where they remained at the top of the stairs and had to stop herself from reacting to her husband’s booming and authoritative voice as he began to speak.
“Tonight, one of our own, Marta, a beloved member of our tribe and my family, was brutally attacked. Greta presently sees to her care and when Marta wakes she will be able to tell us who did this heinous thing to her. In the meantime, a search will be conducted for the person. Whoever did this will be punished… severely.” Bhric’s voice grew stronger and more powerful. “Listen well for I am aware what many say, and I refuse to hear such lies! MY WIFE is not the culprit! She did not attack Marta.”
“How do you know for sure!” someone yelled out.
Bhric’s voice grew more powerful. “IT IS OBVIOUS. A woman my wife’s size does not have the height to bash Marta’s head with a rock nor does she possess the strength to throw a rock and cause such damage. This evil deed took strength and height to accomplish.”
“A witch has such strength,” another person called out.
“MY WIFE IS NO WITCH!” Bhric’s voice carried with such strength over the crowd that some actually drew back. “She has done nothing but good since arriving here even when I treated her poorly because I judged her wrongly.”
“She mystifies you!” another called out.
“What woman does not do that to a man?” one of Bhric’s warriors yelled and the men in the crowd laughed. Not so the women.
“She cast a spell on you,” a woman shouted.
“THAT IS UTTER NONSENSE!”
A hush settled over the crowd and a path was cleared for Greta to step forward and be heard.
“Lord Bhric is no fool. He would not let himself be snagged by a spell. But like all men he cannot ignore if lucky enough to be struck by love. He can fight it as he tried to do, but love has its own strength and try as you might, it will eventually claim victory over you.” Greta spun slowly in a circle. “What man here will deny it or a woman as well?”
Not a voice spoke up.
Bhric realized then what was happening and spoke with authority. “Someone tries to divide us, tries to weaken us, tries to conquer us.”
Angry shouts filled the air.
“We stand together, or we fall apart. What shall it be?” Bhric commanded with authority.
“TOGETHER,” the crowd shouted without hesitation and cheers rang through the crowd.
“WE FIGHT!” Bhric yelled like a courageous leader, leading his warriors into battle, and the crowd erupted in cheers.
The crowd drifted apart, a sense of unity filling the air and Bhric turned to Tavia. “Stay here while I go speak with Greta.”
“The day has worn me out. I will seek the comfort of our bedchamber,” Tavia said.
“The stairs will be too much for you to climb. Wait in the Great Hall for me,” he ordered.
She smiled and turned and entered the keep.
Bhric shook his head. His wife would not heed his command but if he hurried he would catch her on her way up the stairs to their bedchamber.
He took the steps two at a time down to hurry to Greta. “Tell me the truth about Marta.”
“Time will tell the truth about Marta,” Greta said. “Though I will tell you what Hertha surmises and I tend to agree with the young woman. She has an intuitive sense about her that will make her a fine healer and a good one for your clan when I am gone.”