“I’m so pleased to hear you’ll be staying longer,” Unni said to Nora and Lucia the next morning during breakfast. Watered-down sop was being devoured, and Lucia was just trying not to gag as she swallowed the ghastly concoction down.
She had tried to fit in as best as she could since they arrived at Brandersgaard, but one thing after another had made that near impossible. First, when Ailia had figured out that she was pre-destined to be with Soren, Lucia had, to her surprise, felt jealous. She was fully aware of the fact that Soren and her had never really connected, but she had been told her entire life that she was the one to marry him. At least it had been something she could hold onto. Now Ailia just waltzes in, and suddenly, everything Lucia had counted on—had trusted and believed—vanished into thin air. And what was worse, Ailia did not even seem to care one bit about how she had stolen so much from Lucia. All Ailia wanted to do was talk about herself. She had no compassion for Lucia who had given up so much for so long.
In a way, it was not Ailia’s fault; she was lied to also, and had to be raised in poverty, amongst commoners, but she seemed to not care or understand how horrific these deceits were and still are. How could they even believe what was written in the scrolls were true? Ailia accepted her parents’—their parents’—word as truth, but Lucia had learned better. All Ailia wanted was to visit their parents’ grave and talk about them as if they were beings to be revered.
Lucia should be the one to receive the scrolls, not Ailia. Can she even read, that peasant girl? Lucia knew she was being unfairly harsh toward Ailia, however, someone had to keep the girl in line before her she became too arrogant and self-important.
Sitting here at the long table, no one seemed to realize how difficult this was for Lucia. Everyone spoke constantly of how wonderful it was that the true Great Sentinor had finally been found. She knew the did not mean it, but it made Lucia feel like a fraud. Unni’s, Branders’, even Nora’s eyes beamed with admiration toward Ailia, and Lucia felt she had no place there. Or anywhere. They did not seem to understand that within a few months, Lucia had lost everything: her throne, her parents, her future, her fiancé, and nearly her life. Now she was eating sop at a Christian table, conversing with the godless, playing second fiddle to a sister she never knew existed. Where was the justice in that? Had Odin and Thor truly turned their backs on her because her mother had worshipped a dead god? She must be very careful not to fall into the same thinking these peasants held.
“Thank you for having us. There will be more mouths to feed, but we will happily do our part, right Lucia?” Nora said, eyeing her.
Even she is quickly turning against me, Lucia thought. “Absolutely—that is—if you will be patient with me as I adapt. I am not accustomed to working, but I am excited about learning how to run a household,” Lucia said, picking up a rag, shaking it in her hand. The peasant life was not for her and she was not really interested in learning anything as degrading as chores. She just needed to make do until she had come up with a better plan.
“It will be Ailia’s and my pleasure to teach you about how to become an outstanding homemaker, maybe even the best in Bergendal!” Unni said.
Lucia laughed facetiously, but then stopped when she saw the stern look on Unni’s face. “I am not laughing because I do not believe I could become the best, but because I have such a long way until that point.”
Silya stood up from her chair. “I will be staying for another week or so and then I will have to be on my way back to my family in Alta,” she said.
“You may stay as long as you please. I know Ailia is truly enjoying your company,” Unni said, picking up the bowls off the table.
“Why did she not join us for breakfast?” Silya asked.
“She wanted to visit her parents’ graves, so she and Brander went early this morning. She said she’s searching for clues on the rune stone to where the scrolls might be,” Unni said.
Perhaps I shall look as well? It was not a conscious thought, but somehow Lucia felt it might bring her back into everyone’s favor if she located them before Ailia did. Lucia did not appreciate Ailia’s self-centered attitude, wanting all the glory for herself, but did feel a little sorry for her sister. “At least I had time with my parents and knew them. I feel for Ailia. I wish I could be more of a support for her,” she said. She stood up and watched the others clear the table.
“Trust me. You are already a great support,” Unni said. “Just you being here has changed Ailia’s life and the friendship you two are developing means everything to her. She really enjoys having a sister she can relate to. It makes the loss of her parents so much more endurable.”
I will never be able to relate to a peasant. But Lucia scolded herself for such a harsh thought. Perhaps she needed to give the friendship more time to mature, be more giving, kinder, more merciful. She should not be so rash and throw it away before she had fully given her all to it. Ailia was her twin, after all.
“Yes, we do share many things,” Lucia added. “I hope I am the sister she deserves. I will try to be.”
“Ah, there you are, Brander,” Unni said as her husband entered. “The wall over there needs patching up,” she said, pointing to the back corner where the loom sat. “Cold air is seeping through the wall and Sigrid is complaining about it. You know how she becomes when she whines.”
Brander rolled his eyes. “I know exactly how she gets—martyr wouldn’t even begin to describe her.”
“When you’re done with that, please make sure the firewood is filled,” Unni added.
“Yes, my queen,” he said cheekily, bowing as if he were her servant.
Ailia walked in and stared at the performance. “My, are you declaring your subservience to Unni?” she said.
Unni didn’t reply to him at all, but rather ignored him. “Ailia, today would be a great day to teach Lucia how to milk the cow and make porridge,” she said.
“I am a thrall unto my queen,” Brander said, continuing to bow in circles around her.
Lucia giggled. They are cute. Simpletons, but cute.
“She has captivated my heart,” Brander continued playfully, pulling Unni in for a hug.
Unni smiled. A twinkle lit her emerald eyes. “I love you, too, Brander,” she said and kissed him briefly. “Did you find anything on your parents’ gravestones Ailia?”
“No,” Ailia said, a look of disappointed on her face. “Nothing.”
“Don’t become discouraged. I’m convinced something will surface eventually,” Unni said. “Just be patient.”
Lucia did not think Ailia was looking in the right places, but she was not going to say anything, being after the scrolls herself.
21
Surtorians