Dawn of Wolves (The Kingdom of Mercia) Read Online Free PDF Page B

had worn a thin ankle-length tunic to bed, but the morning air had a bite to it. She shivered as she fumbled for the clothes she had lain aside for her journey: a long-sleeved undertunic and a thick woolen dress to go over the top.
    Eorcengota watched her sister dress in silence for a few moments before she spoke once more.
    “I can’t believe you’re leaving. It doesn’t seem real.”
    Ermenilda turned from where she was buckling a belt around her waist and forced a brave smile. “It seems like a terrible dream to me.”
    Eorcengota’s eyes filled with tears. “What will I do without you? I will miss you.”
    Ermenilda reached out and put her arms around her sister. “And I you,” she murmured. “More than you will know.”
    When Ermenilda ended the hug, she saw that Eorcengota was scowling.
    “Why is Fæder doing this?”
    Ermenilda took a deep breath, choking back all the angry words she longed to unleash. Telling Eorcengota how she really felt would only upset her. Her younger sister was a fragile, gentle soul. Even at sixteen winters, she still wept over puppies and believed in fairies. Although she was only two years older, Ermenilda felt the need to protect her.
    “He is doing this for our kingdom,” she replied finally, “to strengthen our alliances with our neighbors. Mercia is powerful, and Fæder wishes to keep their favor.”
    “But will I ever see you again?”
    Tears were running down Eorcengota’s face now, and the sight made Ermenilda’s breast ache with misery.
    “I hope so,” she replied, giving her sister a tremulous smile. “Perhaps, in the summer, I can visit.”
    Her sister wiped away her tears. “Really?”
    Ermenilda nodded, not trusting herself to say anything else. She had just told her sister a white lie, to soften the blow of her departure.
    In truth, she did not believe she would return to Cantwareburh soon—if ever.
    Ermenilda emerged from her bower to find her father waiting for her. There was no sign of her mother, but a young woman Ermenilda did not recognize stood next to him.
    Dressed in a plain woolen traveling tunic and cloak of the same material, the girl had curly auburn hair, forest-green eyes, and a pretty, if strong-featured, face. Something about her drew one’s eye—an aura of warmth and vitality.
    “Ermenilda,” her father rumbled. “I have found a handmaid for you. Your mother is unhappy about you traveling unescorted, so Wynflaed will accompany you to Tamworth and see to your needs once you are there. She is the daughter of one of my thegns and will serve you well.”
    Ermenilda’s gaze met Wynflaed’s. The girl curtsied neatly and smiled.
    “Milady.”
    Ermenilda nodded stiffly, too traumatized by the events of the past day to pay much attention to her new handmaid.
    “Shall I help bring your things outside, milady?” Wynflaed asked brightly.
    “Aye, thank you,” Ermenilda replied, forcing a tremulous smile.
    When the girl had disappeared behind the arras, Ermenilda turned back to her father.
    “Where is Mōder?”
    Eorcenberht frowned. “She is in our quarters but will come outside to see you off.”
    The pain in Ermenilda’s breast, which had just started to subside after saying good-bye to her sister, returned. It felt as if a great fist were squeezing her heart.
    “Please, Fæder, can I not say good-bye to her alone?”
    Eorcenberht shook his head, his scowl deepening.
    “You mother dishonored me in front of the King of Mercia, and she must pay for her insolence. She will not speak to you before your departure.”
    Ermenilda stared at her father, distraught. How could he be so cruel as to deny the queen a moment alone with her daughter?
    “But, Fæder, I might never see her again,” Ermenilda finally managed.
    Her father’s hard expression did not yield.
    “She should have thought of that before she lost her temper yesterday,” he replied, the tone of his voice making it clear that the subject was closed.
     
    Frost crunched