Far Traveler Read Free

did not.
    On the threshold of my mother’s council chamber we heard the confusion of voices within. I hesitated, but Æthelstan stepped forward boldly.
    â€œThey’re waiting, Wyn,” Gytha said as she slipped the book from under my arm and gave me a gentle push into the room.
    Conversation stopped as Æthelstan and I appeared. I shrank closer to my cousin beneath the scrutiny of so many strangers’ eyes.
    â€œAh, so you’ve come.” My mother strode across the floor in her dark gown as men in dusty leather armor and linked mail parted to let her through. She smiled at me as she gripped Æthelstan’s shoulder and gave it a little shake. “I wasn’t sure if Gytha would find you with Grimbald. Word reached me that a yellow-haired fellow had ridden off with my daughter.”
    I felt my face burning. As usual, Mother had discovered our mischief. But Æthelstan remained unruffled.
    â€œHe’s an irresistible horse, Aunt Æthelflæd,” he said boldly, earning a mock scowl from my mother before she cocked her head (wound round with heavy brown plaits), and called out:
    â€œEdward, what would you have me do with your boy? Twice in a month he has abandoned his Latin tutor, taking Ælfwyn with him. I fear Brother Grimbald won’t continue to teach children who show so little respect.”
    â€œI remember at least one cleric who did when we were young,” muttered my uncle as he joined us. He stood even taller than Æthelstan, and looked as lean as the two shaggy sight hounds that shadowed him. The dogs circled us, touching our hands with their noses.
    â€œIt’s true that Father John bore your disappearances when we were young,” Mother replied thoughtfully.
    â€œAnd yours,” the king shot back. Æthelstan and I stared at the two of them, trying to imagine each of our parents as restless students. “But Æthelflæd,” Edward continued, “they are children no longer, as we have been saying.”
    A shadow crossed Mother’s face before she turned briskly to the king’s men behind us. “You must eat, and rest a little before you leave us. My thane Benwic”—she gestured toward one of her own retainers—“will show you where to go.”
    The room emptied quickly, and soon we were left alone with my mother and King Edward. Mother nodded to her two remaining guards, and they stepped outside, closing the heavy wooden doors behind them.
    â€œYou’ve grown, boy,” King Edward said to Æthelstan. My cousin stood up straighter, and indeed, he and the king met almost eye to eye. “I’ve left him in your care longer than some of my counselors liked, Æthelflæd,” he told my mother gruffly, “beyond his seventeenth winter, long after many noble sons have learned to ride beside their kin and carry their own swords.”
    â€œÃ†thelstan can ride”—Mother’s mouth twisted—“as he proved this morning. And we have given him a sword. ...” Her tone was rueful, and I glanced at her sharply. What was happening? Mother turned to Æthelstan. “I hope you have been happy in Lunden,” she said in a quiet voice, “for we have been glad to have you in our house-band.”
    â€œBut now I need you with me,” King Edward said. “The northern border is more troubled this season. My retainers and I ride to Mameceaster and Thelwæl to secure the fortresses, and to join any new skirmish we find there.” I saw a burst of joyful surprise on Æthelstan’s face, and my own heart sank. I had always known Æthelstan’s fosterling days in our court would end, yet I had not guessed it would be this sudden.
    â€œMy messengers have brought no word of an attack,” Mother put in, but Æthelstan clearly had ears only for the king.
    â€œAnd I’m to go with you? To fight with you?” my cousin exclaimed. His enthusiasm wrung a