Read Online The Beast of Caer Baddan by Rebecca Vaughn - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Rebecca Vaughn
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you should sell the land and live with us in Anlofton.”
Leola frowned on his words, knowing that glimmer in his eyes was for a stack of coins, the payment for her parents’ property.
“Uncle-” she said, and she did not hide the annoyance in her voice.
“You have not seen the boys since I brought them over a year ago and you have never met the girls, your own cousins,” he said, defensively. “Think about it.”
“Yea, I shall,” Leola said, knowing her words to be a lie.
“It is not as though it is a vast property, Leola,” he continued. “But after we win this battle, the price you can get for it shall be much lower.”
Leola grit her teeth to contain her anger, she did not want to make a spectacle of herself here for all of Gewisland to see, yet she was irate hearing his false attention. He did not care about her or any of his relatives. The only thing he wanted was money to buy more mead, and she was determined to keep his greedy hands away from her parents’ land.
“I am working, Uncle,” she said.
“I’ll see you when we return from the battle. We’ll speak of it then.”
Leola nodded, with the resolve that she would avoid him more carefully.
Her parents had worked hard on their land, only to be sued in court over a goat. Leola was determined not to throw aside whatever small amount dignity their memory possessed by selling their fields. She knew that if she did that, she would have to go to Anlofton to live with Redburga and her family, handing over her money from the sale to Fensalir, the head of the household, who was likely to spend it all in a month. Leola refused to see what belonged to her go towards buying her uncle's mead. She was certain that he would promise to save it for her marriage but was too open-eyed to believe him.
No. I shall stay here, and pay off the debt with my work. If I should get through this year, I shall be free to do what I wish and marry whomever I choose .
With that thought, she went around another table until the platter was empty.
Leola noticed the seething eyes of the ridend Raynar, who had spoken to her just a few days before. She followed his vile glare to the other side of the hall where the men from Tiwton sat.
You are angry at the aetheling!
Leola realized at once that Ardith's attentions would cause a war amongst the Gewissae warriors.
Who knows what a jealous person would do when provoked?
Her eyes told her that Raynar was dangerous, but he was also one of the mightiest warriors in Holton. This next war against the Britisc might change that. There were many young men who had not yet had the opportunity to distinguish themselves in battle. Deep in her heart, Leola prayed that the young Aluca Aetheling would prove the champion. But even that would be in vain if he should be struck down by a fellow Saex warrior.
Should I warn the men of Tiwton to be wary of Raynar?
Another servant took the empty bread platter from her and pushed dirty bowls and platters on her with orders to take them out to wash. Leola, glad for the distraction, went as she was bid and washed until they were clean.
Leola was still cleaning in the kitchen after the warriors had gone to sleep. Her weary hands were raw from the scrubbing and the harsh soap.
“I suppose you can go, Leola,” said the head servant.
Leola did not wait to be told again, but threw out the dirty water and left for the creek. In spite of her exhaustion, she felt too dirty from the day’s toil to sleep. A good rinse was required before resting and the cold night air did not stop her.
The creek was merely a short walk down the slope from where the town sat. Leola sat down the mossy bank, pulled off her tattered shoes, and ran her toes into the frigid water. Slowly, all the weariness melted from her aching feet and was carried away by the stream.
God is good .
Then her thoughts traveled to her parents.
Sometimes, we do not know the purpose of things. That doesn’t mean there is no purpose .
A
Leola frowned on his words, knowing that glimmer in his eyes was for a stack of coins, the payment for her parents’ property.
“Uncle-” she said, and she did not hide the annoyance in her voice.
“You have not seen the boys since I brought them over a year ago and you have never met the girls, your own cousins,” he said, defensively. “Think about it.”
“Yea, I shall,” Leola said, knowing her words to be a lie.
“It is not as though it is a vast property, Leola,” he continued. “But after we win this battle, the price you can get for it shall be much lower.”
Leola grit her teeth to contain her anger, she did not want to make a spectacle of herself here for all of Gewisland to see, yet she was irate hearing his false attention. He did not care about her or any of his relatives. The only thing he wanted was money to buy more mead, and she was determined to keep his greedy hands away from her parents’ land.
“I am working, Uncle,” she said.
“I’ll see you when we return from the battle. We’ll speak of it then.”
Leola nodded, with the resolve that she would avoid him more carefully.
Her parents had worked hard on their land, only to be sued in court over a goat. Leola was determined not to throw aside whatever small amount dignity their memory possessed by selling their fields. She knew that if she did that, she would have to go to Anlofton to live with Redburga and her family, handing over her money from the sale to Fensalir, the head of the household, who was likely to spend it all in a month. Leola refused to see what belonged to her go towards buying her uncle's mead. She was certain that he would promise to save it for her marriage but was too open-eyed to believe him.
No. I shall stay here, and pay off the debt with my work. If I should get through this year, I shall be free to do what I wish and marry whomever I choose .
With that thought, she went around another table until the platter was empty.
Leola noticed the seething eyes of the ridend Raynar, who had spoken to her just a few days before. She followed his vile glare to the other side of the hall where the men from Tiwton sat.
You are angry at the aetheling!
Leola realized at once that Ardith's attentions would cause a war amongst the Gewissae warriors.
Who knows what a jealous person would do when provoked?
Her eyes told her that Raynar was dangerous, but he was also one of the mightiest warriors in Holton. This next war against the Britisc might change that. There were many young men who had not yet had the opportunity to distinguish themselves in battle. Deep in her heart, Leola prayed that the young Aluca Aetheling would prove the champion. But even that would be in vain if he should be struck down by a fellow Saex warrior.
Should I warn the men of Tiwton to be wary of Raynar?
Another servant took the empty bread platter from her and pushed dirty bowls and platters on her with orders to take them out to wash. Leola, glad for the distraction, went as she was bid and washed until they were clean.
Leola was still cleaning in the kitchen after the warriors had gone to sleep. Her weary hands were raw from the scrubbing and the harsh soap.
“I suppose you can go, Leola,” said the head servant.
Leola did not wait to be told again, but threw out the dirty water and left for the creek. In spite of her exhaustion, she felt too dirty from the day’s toil to sleep. A good rinse was required before resting and the cold night air did not stop her.
The creek was merely a short walk down the slope from where the town sat. Leola sat down the mossy bank, pulled off her tattered shoes, and ran her toes into the frigid water. Slowly, all the weariness melted from her aching feet and was carried away by the stream.
God is good .
Then her thoughts traveled to her parents.
Sometimes, we do not know the purpose of things. That doesn’t mean there is no purpose .
A
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