Duty: a novel of Rhynan Read Free Page A

women?” I asked,
hoping for more information.
    “It is by order of the new king. He needs a resident
force here at the border. There have been reports of activity among
the robber barons on the other side of the river.”
    The Varvail River marked the easternmost border of
Rhynan. Only three days ago a hunting party stumbled through an
abandoned campsite as close as the first ridge beyond the river.
Soon winter would come. The snows and wind should keep any raiding
ruffians at home. This far north the weather was a curse and a
blessing. But come spring, the situation changed.
    “Back to the matter at hand. I am honor bound to
fulfill my duty, Lady Solarius, but you are not.”
    Pulling myself from my thoughts, I focused on him.
His dark eyes met mine as though he had never looked away, his
expression unreadable. Intense and probing, his gaze left me no
room to shy away.
    “Are you suggesting I am without honor?” I pulled
back my shoulders.
    “Nay, lady, I suspect your measure exceeds most. I
only wish to say I will not hold you to a promise made by another.
If your father, or brother perhaps, granted your hand, I would feel
more…at ease. But your cousin makes this whole scheme smell of
deceit.”
    His scrutiny made me want to squirm.
    “I am nothing like my cousin, my lord. I do not
scheme or plot. I have lived the simple life of a peasant. My hands
bear callouses from laboring alongside the humblest in our village.
I am not a delicate woman to be cosseted.”
    “I can see that.”
    I lifted my chin. Men frequently took exception to my
height and direct manner. Bracing for a biting summation of my lack
of virtues, I met his regard.
    Instead he smiled. Well, not really. It was more of a
lift to the left side of his mouth, as close to a smile as I had
seen so far. The slight change warmed his eyes. Looking away, I
grasped at my train of thought.
    “I am not the kind of woman a rising noble should
have by his side.”
    He stepped closer. The smell of leather and dirt
filled my nostrils. He was two handsbreadths from me.
    “I am not a noble.”
    I opened my mouth to protest the obvious, but he
stalled me by raising his hand.
    “I am a soldier, a man accustomed to grueling
marches, meager fare, and long, cold nights sleeping in the dirt.
Alive by the strength of my sword arm and the speed of my feet, I
need a wife who can stand at my side, not cower behind me. The more
I know of you, the better suited you appear, my lady. Should you
have me, I would willingly take you to wife.”
    “You are giving me a choice?”
    “Aye.”
    “And should I choose nay, what will happen to
me?”
    “You can marry your sweetheart.”
    “I have none.”
    “You nurse a secret yearning for one of the youths of
the village? Or perhaps your beloved died?”
    I peered at him. Was he jesting? “I have no romantic
attachments.”
    “Do you object to men?”
    “No. What are you driving at?”
    He flashed a balance-skewing grin. “I didn’t think I
was that ugly.”
    “You aren’t.”
    I spoke truth. He wasn’t handsome, but I had never
been inclined toward men proud of their face. He was tall, gaining
on me by at least a handsbreadth. He possessed all of his hair and
teeth, remarkable considering his line of work and his age. Judging
by the creases in his face, he was at least thirty. I eyed the
traces of silver highlighted by the sunlight. Perhaps he was closer
to forty-years-old.
    “Then I suggest a solution. We marry. I will give you
protection, children, and companionship. I believe we can hope for
at least friendship, but…” He studied my face. “…I haven’t
completely given up on the possibility of more. What do you
say?”
    In light of the sacrifice of the other women in my
village, I had a duty. It was the obligation of every noblewoman to
set an example. Mother lived the lessons she taught me until her
death. Always gracious and supportive, she even accepted the
introduction of Orwin into their household, never