Chapter 25: Chapter Four

ADA

Cayden had directed the men to travel at a normal pace toward the hall, while we trailed behind. Remembering Freja’s instructions for his wife, Egil had reminded us that riding horseback roughly might harm the baby.

I held onto Cayden, slightly worried that our child was being squished between the two of us. We arrived at the hall and walked in together.

I turned to join our friends’ table, usually where I sat, when Cayden steered me to the table with his father. Sayer saw this and looked at us curiously.

“Ada will be sitting with us tonight.”

Sayer nodded and moved over to make room for the both of us. I was placed between the two brothers, feeling rather small between such large men.

While we waited for Barra to join us, the other men at our table murmured as they looked at me.

I recognized Rankin sitting across from me and felt sick to my stomach at the thought of spending the evening with him and Weylin. Barra finally came into the hall and motioned for everyone to sit down.

He looked at me and then at Cayden, who kept his gaze forward on his uncle. I watched Sayer smile at his father and shrug his shoulders.

“I see we have a guest at our table tonight,” Barra said, amused. Cayden did not feel that it was a statement that needed answering, so he merely nodded his head in agreement.

Sayer attempted to change the subject when a voice spoke from the opposite end of the table.

“And why is ~this~ slave allowed to sit at the head table? Shouldn’t only warriors be allowed to dine here?” Weylin had said it loud enough for the neighboring tables to hear.

I could feel Cayden’s muscles grow tense next to me, but he kept silent. My face must have been telling because I looked over to see Padriac gesturing for me to stay quiet.

As much as I tried to, it was not in my nature, especially when it came to this pig of a man. “I think we all have wondered the same thing for some time now,” I said in reply.

There was confusion on Weylin’s face until I finished speaking. “I figured if ~you~ are allowed to sit here, then why should I not be?”

My insulting words were followed by laughter around us. Even the men closest to Weylin tried to hide their smirks. I looked over at Barra, who seemed to be laughing the hardest.

“She is quick-witted, is she not?” Barra poked at Sayer. Sayer looked at his brother, trying to hide his worry. He must’ve sensed something was bothering Cayden, who was staring intensely in Weylin’s direction.

“Yes, I agree, a good match for my younger brother.”

“Ah, a match? So, is she just for bedding or are you together then?” said Rankin, who had remained straight-faced the entire time.

“That is to be discussed between me and my father,” Cayden coldly responded. I could see Rankin was getting to him. Rankin continued to push his nephew’s temper a little further.

“Well, if it is the first, then I hope to have my turn next.”

“Let us finish our meal in peace and then I shall speak with my son,” Barra said, putting an end to the conversation. For the rest of the meal, the men spoke of insignificant matters.

I followed Padriac’s instructions from before, saying very little as the evening carried on. I had been forgiven once for my bold words—I did not wish to push my luck.

“If you men would excuse us, my son wishes to speak with me,” Barra said when the tables had been cleared. Rankin lingered at first, but Barra waved him off.

I watched him walk to the end of the hall where Weylin sat. As I looked over in their direction, my eyes were met with a sadistic look from Weylin.

It was obvious this expression was reserved for me and me alone. I feared what the two of them spoke about and immediately turned my gaze to Cayden, feeling rather uneasy.

He noticed me jump and looked around the room, but Weylin had left.

“It will be okay,” he whispered. He believed I was nervous about the conversation with his father, but something else alarmed me about Weylin. Cayden was right, he could not be trusted.

“My son, you have my undivided attention. I gather you wish to discuss something regarding this woman here, the beautiful Ada.”

“Yes. I will be forthright in my speech. With your blessing, of course, Ada and I wish to be married as soon as possible,” Cayden said.

Sayer, who had moved across the table now that it was empty, looked at the two of us with complete surprise. I was coming to understand that Cayden had never been serious about another woman before.

Chief Barra began to speak in Danish. “Why would my son marry this farm girl when he has his choice of any Danish woman back home?”

“She is not just any woman. ~This~ is the woman I have chosen to be with!” Cayden forcefully stood up, knocking his chair to the ground.

His father shook his hand as if to dismiss Cayden. “You would do right to control your temper around me. I am still your father and your lord.”

“Chief Barra, I ~am~ part Danish… I would do anything to be with Cayden,” I said as well as I could remember in my mother’s native tongue.

All three men looked at me in astonishment. I guessed Cayden never told them that I spoke their language. This seemed to win Barra’s approval, he switched back to Gaelic.

“I am happy to hear it. And how does her training go?”

“Father, she is strong-willed and clever.”

“That is good to hear. I should like to see her skill tomorrow,” he said.

Cayden adjusted himself, a nervous habit of his that I had come to know. “That will not be possible anymore, Father.” He paused nervously for a moment. “Ada carries my child.”

His father looked at us. Sayer sensed that it was his time to intervene for his brother. “Well, of course she does. She is with the son of Barra. That is happy news indeed.

“Barra’s legacy lives on,” he said, patting his father on the back. He came over and placed his hands on both of our shoulders.

“A boy, I am certain,” Barra added. He stood up and walked over to embrace his younger son. “He shall be a great warrior like his father...and mother.”

“Father, there is more I wish to speak with you about,” Cayden continued. He winked at me and led his father up the stairs of the hall. Sayer and I sat in awkward silence for a moment.

“He wishes to bring me to your home for the winter, to meet with the midwife,” I finally blurted out. Sayer nodded.

“It will be difficult for my father to agree to that. I can be more persuasive with him. I am sorry to leave you alone, but I believe my brother needs me.”

“No, by all means. The smell of ale is beginning to make the baby ill anyways. I am going to get some fresh air.”

We parted ways, and I made my way toward the exit, feeling self-conscious as I walked alone through the crowd of men. I stood near the door of the hall, careful not to wander too far.

The cold air was refreshing, and I took several deep breaths, rubbing my stomach. It was unnerving to think my fate was being discussed right now without me present.

But I trusted Cayden. He would fight for what was best for the three of us. I turned to go back in when I was startled by a voice.

“Do not make a sound, or I will stab you in the back right here,” the man said. He held my arms behind me as hard as he could and led me to the stables.

Frightened that he would really stab me if I resisted, I followed his orders. I was unable to free my hands, and I feared for the two hearts that beat inside of me.