Chapter Eighteen

Ketil was amazed yet again by Miriam’s selflessness. He hadn’t even spared a thought for the jester and yet, here she was, wondering if he had survived the attack. Though she didn’t spell it out, her fear for him was very real. It was one more indication of why she would make a good queen, yet she needed someone to temper that kind heart.

Unpalatable decisions were sometimes required of a leader. He knew that at first hand and, having been groomed to become Jarl from birth, it was something intrinsic to his nature, even now, when there was scant chance of that in his homeland.

Resolving to make it his personal mission to find out about the jester, Alaric, when he was in a position to do so, he rose early while Miriam was still sleeping and went to wash in a nearby pool.

Sigurd joined him without a word, which was unusual for him. He had to find a way to break through that wall of ice.

“Say something,” he urged, before submerging himself once more.

“She is changed.”

“No more than you.