The Last Warrior Queen

Chapter 16

As the late afternoon sun began to fade we came upon a town with a large inn. I was never more thankful to see civilization. I headed up to the room while Halvor stayed behind to take care of the horses and supplies with the other warriors.

I began to pace nervously in the room, unsure of how to broach the subject with Halvor. I had no idea what he would think. I nervously fiddled with my necklace as I walked back and forth in front of the fireplace.

Eventually Halvor walked in and saw me pacing.

“What’s wrong? Are you unwell?”

“No, I’m quite alright.”

“You look upset. Is it your monthly courses?”

“What? No.” I blushed in disbelief that he even asked me that out loud.

“Well what is it? I can’t have you pacing like an angry hen all night, so out with it.”

I sighed. “Did you know that Eric fell in love with a young woman that he took to a nunnery?”

Halvor furrowed his brow, clearly not expecting that to come out of my mouth. He sat down on the bed, and it creaked under his weight. “Yes, I remember that. Once he finished his training as an elite warrior he asked me if he could go and find her, to see if he could bring her back as his bride. I knew it would probably be a fools errand since nuns don’t marry, but he couldn’t be convinced. But then the poor man had already forgotten the name of the nunnery and how to get there, so that ended things for him.”

“Halvor, I know the nunnery and how to get there. It’s the Nunnery of Saint Patricia, where I just came from. And his love is my best friend Ann. We have to go and get her.”

Halvor stood up off the bed abruptly. “What do you mean go and get her? She’s a nun isn’t she? And if she isn’t she’ll be betrothed to another. I won’t start a war over Eric’s foolish heart.”

I shook my head. “I thought she was a bride candidate like me. But after talking with Eric today, I realized that it was a lie for her protection. Now she will have to start preparing to become a nun since she has no prospects for a husband. And it’s my fault for leaving her there all alone. Please, we have to get her out of there.” I was begging and I didn’t care. I would run away to get to her if needed. I can’t believe I so callously turned my back on her.

I looked Halvor in the eye and refused to lower my gaze until he agreed. He sighed and rose from the bed and walked over to me.

“If she is unattached as you say, and the nunnery is willing to give her up we will take her with us.”

I gave Halvor a big smile. “Thank you Halvor.”

He furrowed his brow and stepped away from me. I frowned too, unsure of what I had done to make him change his expression so suddenly. He turned and began undressing.

“Come to bed, it’s been a long day.”

I nodded and undressed as well, crawling into the small bed beside him. Tonight he did not wrap me in his arms, and it made me sad for some reason. I felt colder than I should have. When I woke, Halvor was already up and getting dressed.

“Hurry and change, we must make an early start if we’re going on this detour of yours” Halvor said in a flat tone.

I jumped out of bed and quickly began changing. I hurried to meet everyone downstairs and found Eric immediately.

I walked up to him with a big smile on my face.

“Really?” He asked in disbelief.

I nodded and said “We’re going to the nunnery to get Ann. Halvor says as long as she isn’t betrothed to anyone else and the nunnery is willing to give her up, then we can bring her with us.”

Eric’s face lit up with the news. He bowed and grasped my hand, kissing it as he murmured his gratitude. I was happy to see that he was so elated at the news. Suddenly Halvor appeared and grabbed my hand away from Eric, leading me away.

For a brief moment I thought that I would ride with Halvor today. But my hopes were quickly dashed as he said “You’ll ride with Gunnar today.”

I was brought to Gunnar and Halvor quickly walked away from me. I glanced up at Gunnar and smiled. He helped me onto the horse and we prepared to leave.

“Why does Eric look so happy this morning?” Gunnar mused.

“Because we’re going to get the woman he loves.”

“What?” Gunnar exclaimed. “You mean the red head he won’t shut up about? She exists?”

I laughed and nodded. “She just so happens to be my best friend.”