Read Online Avelynn by Marissa Campbell - Free Book Online

myself, and my temper, by gazing around the room. Placated with liberal amounts of alcohol, everyone else seemed to be having a good time. Even Bishop Ealhferth’s smile was jubilant. His paunch bulged under his long white alb, the fringed edges of his stole lying almost flat on the convex of his stomach. Ealhswith would occasionally catch my eye and gesture to Demas, but I shook my head, earning a reproving glower in response.
    When the procession of foodstuffs was completed, the stage was set for our entertainment. Jesters and actors caroused and cajoled with great comedy, enacting skits of romantic mishaps and calamity, or juggling and dropping balls, sticks, and rings. Musicians proffered bagpipes, trumpets, flutes, and drums, and entertainers jumped and tumbled through the open space. Finally, the gleeman appeared with his lyre, while the scop settled himself on his stool, ready to enthrall the crowd with his esteemed storytelling.
    It was always the same. Each story portrayed a brave and virtuous man who vanquished his enemies with skill and valor. He was able to do all this because he possessed the highest caliber of virtues and values of any man in the land, earning God’s favor in all actions. The names, places, and dates were different, of course, customized to each wealthy benefactor, but the plotline was generally the same. In this instance, the stories praised our mighty king, Aethelred.
    After the unapologetic adulation, the scop broke into well-known songs and poems of love, loss, and daring. By the time he finished, the entire hall sang along with him. A great cheer erupted when he finally bowed in closing.
    With the celebrations winding down, we all headed back into the Minster for mass. Fortunately, the amount of wine Ealhferth had consumed softened his disposition. So, rather than dispense his usual threatening rhetoric, he was instead disposed to describe the beneficence of the Lord, recounting His loving, helpful ways and the manner in which we all could show Him our eternal love and gratitude. It was a much gentler mass and—thank the loving, kind, beneficent God—a much briefer one too.
    The mass ended, and the men returned to the hall to continue the celebrations where they’d left off. Only this time, the plentiful drink was to be augmented with games of strategy, dice, and heavy gambling. The women were to bypass these baser aspects of the feast and, without much ado, were ushered to the guest building to pass the remainder of the evening in innocent slumber. I, however, was not willing to lay things to bed for the night.
    I marched up to Demas, whose lips were miraculously not attached to my father’s ass, and pulled hard on his shoulder. “A word, sir.”
    He looked at me and frowned. “Walk with me a moment.”
    I matched his pace, walking in silence until we were out of earshot of any other soul. Torches flickered around the manor, and he stopped just within the reach of their pale light.
    â€œI had hoped to spare you this discomfort, but your insistence has made that impossible.” He pulled his cloak tightly around his shoulders. “I sought marriage with you because it is what my uncle wanted. He felt our marriage would make a strong and powerful alliance. With the land bequeathed to you after your father’s death, and the land I now hold, you would be one of the most powerful women in Wessex. You would oversee all responsibilities of the manor, its servants and its function. But,” he said, glaring down at me, “you would be wise to remember your place. Your father has done you a great disservice by allowing you such a long lead. I will not tolerate your disrespect or your willfulness. You are to speak only when spoken to and do as you are bid.”
    Metallic heat burned in my cheeks, and I drew in a slow, steady breath. “I will not be treated like a slave. There are men here tonight who would give me their very heart and soul if