Chapter 38: Chapter Seventeen

ADA

An hour after I had fallen back asleep, I woke up to find Cayden sitting up in bed. He was trying so hard to move without making a sound.

“What time is it?” I asked, rolling toward him.

“I tried not to wake you. If you are still tired, go back to sleep.”

“Even if I wanted to, someone else wishes to get up with their father.”

He helped me out of bed, something that was becoming increasingly more difficult as my pregnancy progressed.

As we got ready for the day together, I wondered what my daily position would be now that we were married. For the past few weeks, I had observed Muireann’s duties.

But her role would be passed down to Sayer’s future wife, not me. Cayden and I had a sizable yard, but we had help that managed it for us.

I would ask Cayden and Muireann within the next few days what was expected of me. For now, I wished to enjoy Cayden’s company, for I knew it was only a matter of time until he would return to ~his~ responsibilities.

We sat together at the table eating and discussing what to do for the day. I wished to know more about the boats—how they were made, where they sailed, how trading routes were established.

I also asked him to tell me about Dundalk’s defenses. Whether it had ever been attacked and what measures his family took to protect it. I still couldn’t seem to shake the memory of our attack in the woods a few nights ago.

“That is not much of a honeymoon,” he said as he laughed at all my questions.

I shrugged. “If Dundalk is to be my home forever, I believe that it is important for me to know these things.”

“It is,” he simply responded. “All right, after we finish eating, we shall pay a visit down at the boatyard.”

“I also think it’s important for Kyra to know these things. If she does not already, then I request she join us.”

He rolled his eyes at me. “Only for you, Ada, would I invite my sister to spend the day following our wedding with us.”

Kyra was excited to be included in our tour of the boatyard. I couldn’t wait to hear if anything more had transpired between her and Padriac last night.

While Cayden stopped to speak with one of the townspeople about an issue between the man and his brother, I asked Kyra quietly about last night.

“It was magical,” she whispered, her eyes bright with excitement. “We danced the entire night together. Gosta even tried to take me away for a dance, and Padriac would not let him.”

“I’m sure that your brother would thank him for that as well,” I said, causing us both to laugh. “Did anything else happen between you two?”

“No, it was a small gathering. If we had stolen away for a few minutes, it would have been obvious to all, especially to my ever-watchful mother.”

She looked down at the ground for a second. I could see there was something else she wished to say. “But…?”

“But he did say he has admired me since we were children and wishes to ask for Barra’s blessing before anything happens between us.”

“He is a smart man. You are precious to your father and brothers. I think even with Barra’s blessing, Padriac will be scared to cross Cayden.”

Kyra smiled. “Do you think they will agree to it?”

“I don’t see why not. He is a strong warrior and a faithful companion to the family. I will do what I can to advocate for him.”

“Advocate for whom?” Cayden placed his arms around both of us.

“Whichever brother you believe is right. We were discussing the problem between the two townsmen,” I quickly said, hoping he would not ask any further questions.

I had no idea what the issue was between the two men Cayden had spoken to.

That evening, the hall returned to the usual scene. Before dinner was served, Muireann had me sit in her wooden throne to receive the gifts many of the townspeople wished to honor us with.

Cayden stood to the side of the chair and nodded to each person as they handed me various trinkets. I was overwhelmed by the town’s generosity.

We received bowls, spoons, fabric, and other things for our home. Some of the women even passed along old baby items and wished me a safe delivery, assuring me Freja was the best midwife in the country.

A mother ushered a little boy forward. He was only about four years of age and seemed very scared to approach us.

“Go on. Give her your gift.”

His eyes avoided Cayden as he handed me a bouquet of flowers.

“Thank you very much,” I said, smiling at him. “These are my favorite types of flowers. How did you know?”

“You are very pretty,” he said quickly, looking at me and then down at his feet again. I looked up at Cayden, who seemed very amused by the boy’s shyness.

“Must I fight you, boy, for my wife’s honor?” Cayden knelt down to his level. The rest of the hall seemed to take notice of what was going on.

“If you wish to lose,” the little boy said. I could not help but laugh at his response, nor could the rest of the hall.

“You believe ~you~ could win against ~me?~” Cayden asked him, poking him in the chest. The boy nodded his head. “Well then, I better keep my eye on you.

“You will surely be a great warrior one day. Half the skill of being a warrior is believing you can defeat anyone,” he said, and playfully pushed him back to his mother.

She was laughing also and whispered, “Well done,” in his ear as they walked away.

After the last gift was received, Cayden and I joined Kyra at our usual seats at the head table. Cayden invited his friends to sit with us, which seemed to be a nightly custom.

I assumed they knew by now that all of them were invited to sit with us. Cayden reviewed our tour of the boats and told the men that Kyra and I wished to learn about the defenses of Dundalk.

Of course, the men had some snide comments to make at first, but ultimately agreed it would be good for both of us to know.

They told Kyra how, in Kilcoran, I was learning sword skills and how to fight like a warrior.

“What?” she asked, eyes wide at the news. “Will you teach me? I want to know how to fight.”

“Absolutely not,” Cayden said. “If you get hurt, Father will surely kill me.”

She frowned and crossed her arms over her chest. “Why will you teach Ada, but not your own sister?”

“Because, ~if you get hurt, father will surely kill me~,” he repeated exaggeratedly, causing the other men to chuckle and snicker.

“I believe it is a brilliant idea,” I said. “Kyra could start with basics. She does not have to get thrown into fights right away, like you did with me.”

Cayden gave me an annoyed look. “And what is it you have in mind, wife? You will teach her these ‘basics’?”

“Yes, I’ll show her what I can, but unfortunately, I am not as mobile as I used to be. I would hope that any of you would be happy to help out the daughter of Barra.”

The men looked to Cayden for an answer as I continued to speak. “You once paired me with Padriac, and he was a very good teacher.”

“Padriac, would you not dedicate a few hours a week to teach Kyra how to defend herself?”

Padriac looked nervously at Kyra and then Cayden. “If Cayden says it’s okay, then I can find some time between our own training to teach her a few moves.”

Cayden nodded and then looked at me. “She will be your responsibility, Ada. If she gets hurt, it will be your doing.”

Kyra immediately lit up. She sat across from Caxton and Padriac and began asking them questions, thrilled by the idea of learning how to fight.

As we walked back to the house that evening, Cayden was silent for most of the walk. I accepted that he was mad at me for pushing him to agree to Kyra’s training.

I understood how protective he was of her. When we were nearing our house, he stopped me before we entered the yard.

I waited for a scolding, but my husband surprised me with his soft smile and gentle tone.

“It has been a long time since I have seen Kyra so happy. You have brought her much joy being here. She carries on as if the attack had never taken place, and I am very grateful for that.”