Page 18 of Hungry Like a Wolf
“Speak to me,” Ravn said, studying the small cross that hung from her earring. “What is your name?”
“Princess Carmel, daughter of King Athol of the Westlands and daughter of Queen Elspeth the Pious.”
“Princess Carmel,” he repeated, leaning forward. “And where is this Westland?”
“West of here.” She held his gaze for a second and a twitch caught her nostril.
She thought him foolish.
He laughed. “I suppose that makes sense.”
She didn’t answer and set to her task washing his brother’s feet.
Ravn turned his head away, not wanting to see her small, dainty fingers on Orm’s big, hairy toes.
The door flung open again, a draft coming with it. “I bid you good morn. May the Lord be with us all on this fine day.”
A village woman with long, brown hair stood there, cheeks nipped pink by the cold. Her gown was clean and dark blue and she had a cross hanging from her neck. When she spotted Ravn, she stilled.
“Anna!” Orm held up his hands as if in greeting. “You have come to see me. I am so pleased.”
“You are?” She tore her attention from Ravn and set a freshly baked loaf on the table.
“Ja, because I have a question.”
She walked up to Carmel and gently touched her shoulder as if in greeting, then sat beside Orm. Her attention went to him. “Ask away.”
“I have seen a bird, a small one with a red chest.” He rubbed his chest and frowned. “I have never seen it before, and I wonder, was it injured and bleeding or are its feathers that color always?”
“Ah, it is a robin. A cheerful, little bird, always singing, quite brave.”
“Ja,ja, he was singing right next to me.” Orm beamed. “I am pleased he is not injured.”
“You do not get robins in the northlands?” Anna asked.
“No.” Orm looked at Ravn. “Have you ever seen such a thing?”
“No.” Ravn shook his head and watched as Carmel moved the water aside and then struggled to reach a towel with her legs bound. He shifted to help her.
She took the towel without comment and set to drying his brother’s feet.
“You need to take her ankle chains off.” Ravn gestured to them.
“What? Why?”
“How can she serve you with them on?” He gritted his teeth, wanting to say more.
“So far, so good.” Orm shrugged and reached for the scarf Anna had around her neck. He studied the pattern.
“You need to take them off,” Ravn said, a bit firmer.
Orm scowled at him.
“The fort walls are high, the entrance is secure, and even if she did get out, the cold would kill her or the wolves would.” He nodded at Carmel. “You know that, right?”
She nodded, just a little.
“I want to know she is with me,” Orm said with a scowl.
