The Crown of blood

II

Though it was barely two hours into High Watch when Ullsaard returned to the house, the sky was darkening quickly. The narrow windows upstairs were slivers of yellow against the black of the building, the setting sun beyond obscured by heavy cloud. Ullsaard tramped through the mud to the gate, where one of his mother's retainers waited with a lantern. Ullsaard recognised him as Illsaard, a man a little older than the general. The two of them had grown up together, and Ullsaard could not help but think how differently their lives had turned out. Perhaps there was something to what his mother had said about the power of the Blood.

"Has Urikh returned yet?" Ullsaard asked as Illsaard opened the wooden gate.

"Not yet, general."

Ullsaard nodded and continued into the house. His mother was waiting for him where he had left her, sitting by the fire. There was no sign of Ullsaard's wives.

Pretaa stood up as he entered. She said nothing, but there was a question in her look.

"It doesn't matter; you were right," Ullsaard said. "You will never speak of this to anyone else."

"You understand why I did not tell you before?"

Ullsaard kicked off his muddy boots and threw his coat over the back of a couch.

"The Blood changes nothing. I was raised without a father and I will die without a father."

Ullsaard left and headed upstairs, seeking Allenya. He found her in the bedroom set aside for her visits, sewing by the light of a lamp. She put the piece down and stood when she saw his taut expression.

"Is something wrong?"

"No," said Ullsaard. "Nothing new, anyway. Don't let me interrupt. What are you making?"

Allenya held up her work; a cushion cover half-embroidered with a forest scene.

"It's nice," said Ullsaard, kissing his wife on the forehead. He slumped on to the bed and laid back, arms behind his head. "Have I been selfish? Greedy?"

"Is it greed for a man to want the most from life?" said Allenya. "If a man has no ambition, he leaves the world with what he had when he entered it: nothing. You know I will always be here for you, no matter what happens. I do not know if what you have done is right or wrong; it is done and cannot be changed. Now is not the time to doubt yourself, my love. You have chosen a path, you have to follow it all of the way to the end."

Ullsaard stared at the white ceiling, stained with smudges of lamp soot.

"You are right, as usual," he said quietly. "What's done is done. It's too late now for regrets."