Brede is only surprised
“Hmm,” the King grunted, staring up at the roof. “They’ve done something, but I suppose we shall have to wait until next it rains to learn whether or not it leaks.”
Brede nodded absently and looked around the bare room, failing to find anything of interest on which to rest his eyes.
Sigefrith had wanted to stop at this old house on the way to the mill, claiming a desire to inspect the repairs to the roof. Though he found it an odd preoccupation for a king, Brede knew better than to question it. Sigefrith was not one to let his kingdom run itself, and his attention to detail occasionally latched itself onto the most trivial matters, to the Earl’s dismay. On the other hand, his strange preoccupations often turned out to be quite meaningful once one learned what he had in mind.
“Ever been in here?” Sigefrith asked him.
“No. Why would I? It’s not the eating of venison that interests me, but the hunting of it.”
“You must arrange that with Leofric or with the Baron.”
“I know. I don’t mind.”
“You like the falcons better anyway.”
“That’s true,” Brede said, smiling to himself. The Baron had presented him with three small, speckled eggs that were even now being brooded by a ruddy hen who reckoned not how greatly she was honored.
“Well,” Sigefrith said, scratching his head and looking over the room, “it’s not quite as gloomy as I remembered it. What do you think of it, runt?”
“As a house or as a barn?” Brede laughed.
“I see! But it’s a bit fine for a barn, don’t you think? There are two handsome fires, anyway.”
“Oh, it’s a very fine barn. I’m certain the cows would be delighted.”
“What about a herd of young Danes?”
“What? Danish cows?” he grinned. “I don’t suppose they’re particular.”
“No, Danish cousins.”
“Pardon?” Brede asked, suddenly serious.
“I suppose your brother and sisters will be along before too many more weeks have passed.”
“Do you mean to put them in this barn?”
“No. I mean to put you in this barn, and if you believe they deserve something better, you are welcome to make a home of it before they arrive.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Ah, Brede, Brede, dearest, beloved Brede,” Sigefrith sighed, laying a hand on his shoulder. “What a delight you are, never understanding what I am thinking until I explain it to you, unlike that diabolical Malcolm who already knows what I intend to do before I think of it myself.”
Brede smiled in confusion.
“Bless you, you have no idea why I brought you here, do you?”
“I thought you wanted to look at the roof…”
“So I did, but only because I love you too much to want to see you sleep in a damp bed.”
“Do you seriously mean for me to live here?” Brede squeaked.
“That is only the start of it. You know that I mean to knight Aengus on Low Sunday, don’t you?”
“Of course.”
“I had thought to do the same to you.”
Brede was stunned. Indeed he had no idea that Sigefrith meant to do anything of the sort. “I have done nothing to make myself worthy of that honor.”
“In itself, a worthy reply.”
“But I am not even seventeen.”
“Mine is, as I recently said to Malcolm, a young kingdom. You are more worthy of it than Sigefrith was, and perhaps more than Aengus as well.”
“But they can fight!”
“Ah! That. You’re not too old to learn. Besides, you fight better than you realize. You compare yourself to great knights, if I may still presume to so call myself and my aging companions in arms.”
“Eirik is younger than I.”
“Eirik has seven years more experience than you. Do you have any other objections, runt? If you don’t want this, I shan’t force it on you.”
“Of course I do, but I… I am only surprised. I didn’t expect it so soon…”
“Good! That’s settled. It’s excellent land,” Sigefrith said briskly. “A south face; the river at the edge of it, where you might build another mill; a view up the lake valley to Thorhold and another east to Raegiming—from this high on the hill, it’s the best view east we have. You could easily coax the brook into a moat, and you have a fine craig of dark stone above the orchard with which to build quite an imposing manor, if you can find men patient enough to cut it. The only problem is the tenants—some of them are—”
“Wait, wait, wait…” Brede interrupted, feeling suddenly dizzy. “I don’t know anything about… anything.”
“What of that? Better to begin now! You’re not yet too old to learn.”
