Four

When I came out of the tent after my bath the next morning as we prepared to leave, when Elison saw my hair, he nudge Orel then he looked at me too and frowned when he saw my hair.

 “The hair of the women in my family has always been silver, I dye the hair to avoid stares and I haven’t washed the hair since before the hunt so the dye was still there.” I explained, Orel nodded at my explanation.

“That explains why the hair on your body are invisible to light, I could feel them but I could not see them” Orel said as my eyes widened at his words then narrowed into slits when he chuckled at the affronted look which was on my face. It must have been comical enough for him because he did not stop laughing at once. His chuckles died down slowly.

“Your eyes widened like that remind me of a doe, wife.” Orel said as he stretched of his hand for me to hold.

I walked into his hold and he pulled me to his side and continued his conversation with Elison and some other warriors who I always see with him, I will learn of their names later because I was more concerned with getting my bearings now. “We will take Stormpacer…” Orel said as I froze.

“I cannot ride on Stormpacer” I whispered to Orel who was fighting a grin, he knew why I was scared of his horse, he made me scared of the darn horse!

“Don’t worry, you will not.” Orel said and when I looked at him in confusion, he let out a whistle and a white horse raced towards him. “This is Tyra, she will answer to me and you only.” 

“Aren’t you scared that I will run away with her?” I asked Orel leaning into his body but Orel eyes sparkled with humor.

“No, I am not scared or worried, you can try if you want to.” Orel said with humor as if he knew something that I didn’t. 

“Hey girl” I said softly as I left Orel embrace and walked softly to her. I never had a horse but my father did, I learnt how to ride on his and he taught me everything I knew about horses, one of the things he taught me was that a bonding between an owner and his horse is the most important moment of their relationship. 

Where the level of trust each display and the length they will go through for each other is determined. I kept my gaze on Tyra steadily without blinking as I extended my hand to her. She bared her teeth and let out a neigh in warning and I stilled my hand in mid air, the rest was her step to make. 

Her eyes left mine for a second to look over my shoulder and whatever she saw was enough for her to bring her head into my outstretched palm and allow me to pet her. 

“Good girl.” I said with pride evident, in my voice as I rubbed her head.  Orel stepped to me as he rubbed her too and gave her a carrot stick to eat, as she munched on it, I asked him “Is she of good breed?”

“The best, she is the daughter of Stormpacer.” Orel said and when I glared at him, he just laughed as he shook his head at my expression.

“Bond with her while I make the last preparations then we are good to go.” Orel said as he moved off while I spent some more time with Tyra.

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OREL POV

We arrived at the capital mid-day which was all my wife fault well… my fault considering that I made her scared of Stormpacer and Stormpacer wanted to be close to his offspring. 

She tried her very best to make Stormpacer leave Tyra alone but eventually she gave up. I think that Stormpacer have the same amount of love for her that she has of him. 

Me and Tyra just allowed them to do whatever they wanted without any interference from us and my men were having the time of their lives, laughing at my wife and my horse who refused to come to any agreement.

 When we arrived in front of the merchant king house, I stared at the house for long and was tempted to reject his offer of staying in his house because I would prefer mine to his.

 Mine was less dangerous for my bride with less barbs flying in the air from the tongue of a woman who was a shrew second to only Estrid, that is why they are both good friends, they both have the same malicious spirit living in them. Most times I could not help but wonder how Cale survives with his wife.

 The only reason why I haven’t made my decision about where to sleep for the night is because I refuse to undermine Themis power, she needs to fight her battles and the sooner she realize those battles and her adversaries, the easier it will be for her in the long run. There are some fights that even the warlord is not allowed to participate in. 

The doors of Cale home swept open as Cale booming voice was heard even from their place at the edge of his gates. “Welcome warlord, my home is open to you and your people.” 

I released a sigh when Themis looked at me with worry, she knew that I didn’t want to enter the house, she wasn’t aware of the reason but she sensed my reluctance. That is more than anybody has ever come to understanding me. “Let us get this over with.” I gruff out as I stirred Stormpacer into a trot that Tyra soon followed to keep up with me.

 As soon as I got close to the front door, I dismounted and helped Themis down from her saddle too as other dismounted around me and without waiting I moved to Cale with a brisk pace that Themis matched staying close to me at all times. Something I noticed she has adopted when we were together in presence of other.

As soon as I got to Cale, I clasp him in a hug pounding his back the way he pounded mine too, although I just made him lose some wealth the day before with my demand, I knew that Cale will not hold it against me. 

He respect ruthless dealings and trading more than he respects his wife to cause harm and damage to his wealth. “It has been long friend.” 

“Too long.” Cale replied. When we finally let each other go. Cale eyes went to my companion besides me, he was never one to hide how much he was curious about an event. “And this is your new wife?” He asked and when I nodded, he smiled at Themis with warmth. “I guess congratulations are in order.” 

Themis licked her lips before offering a tentative smile then she replied in her amazing voice that has the power to turn the necks of everybody who heard it.

 “Thank you my lord.” She said as she curtsey, something that clearly shocked Cale and would have shocked me too, if I didn’t know of the fact that she was the daughter of a chieftain. 

“My wife will like to meet us but she uncertain if you are still angry at the stunt she pulled yesterday.” Cale said with the barest hint of unease in his voice and I caught it. 

He didn’t want to be in non-speaking terms with another ruler just because his wife could not use her insults well. 

“Maybe later.” I said as I pulled Themis closer to me as she rubbed her eyes. “If it is important that she apologize, we would like to hear her apology after we have taken off our travelling fatigues and washed, Themis is not used to being on a horse for long periods and maybe over meal.” I said and I watched Cale grit his teeth before offering a smile I knew that my bride would describe as charming.

“Of course. Follow me to the quarters prepared for your arrival.” Cale said as he led the way through his home and me and Themis followed slowly behind him.

“You should not push his control that way.” Themis quietly admonish me as I smile at her. She is proving to be predictable in her actions regarding two of us, she was acting like a wife, she might flinch anytime she is reminded on purpose but subconsciously, she was already accepting her role.

I told her something she never expected to hear but it did shut her protests and feelings about the way I was egging Cale on. I said. “He would have done worst to me if reverse was the case. He has his pride but mine is bigger. Sometimes he lets his wife annoy me just to get under my skin, but this time he knew that the boundaries were overstepped.”