Hild was still trying to work out quite what her husband was up to at breakfast the following morning. She was talkative at the meal, hoping to find out a little more from him, and tucked into the porridge she had made. Paega was a little quieter, and ate less. He made appropriate replies to her, in a slightly distracted manner. He asked about how her idea for a written menu, for those few who could read, was coming along. He asked if she had found anyone yet to actually write in for her? Then he left, saying he would be taking a walk to the brewery to see how their stock of Bancross Bold was lasting. He would be back before midday to help with the chores.
Giving her a peck on the cheek, that to her felt a mere ritual rather than anything with meaning, he went through to the Inn first, had a few words with Brona who was coming downstairs, then left.
And Hild sat a moment wondering why she had ever believed he had changed. Why had she let him back into her life when he just wanted her gone? She moved herself, to tidy the kitchen area for later cooking. The firepit needed attention, and she wanted to get on with making bread for the day.
“Would you like porridge, Brona dear?” she called out to her daughter as she headed to the cauldron.
Brona was still a little sleepy eyed, but was properly dressed and trying to pull back her hair into a loose knot. “Yes please, mama. What do you think of papa's suggestion? It would be so much fun to go to the coast. I cannot even imagine what the sea is like.”
Hild halted in serving up the food. ‘The crafty swine’ she thought. ‘He has planted the seed of going away in my Brona’s mind.’ She was very annoyed, but certainly not with her daughter.
“Your papa has good intentions dear, but he does not think things through. This is our home. The fields of grass are as beautiful as any sea. And we are needed here to brighten folks day, and care for those we can.”
Sitting down at the table, Brona picked up her wooden spoon and began tucking in. Hild gestured to the small bowl of berries also on the table, and Brona nodded. “Yes please. But I would like to go somewhere else mama. Even if it is just once. We may never have another chance to travel outside the Mark.”
“You want to travel outside the Mark?” Hild’s heart was beginning to quicken. Just what had Paega told their daughter?
“I would like to see the sea. Papa has told me a lot about it.”
“Papa has never seen it himself!”
Brona looked up, spoonful of porridge poised in mid air.
“He said he had? And that the memory will forever stay with him.”
Hild almost threw up her hands in exasperation. Maybe Paegea was telling the truth. She did not know everywhere he had been these recent years. She did know it wasn’t with his cousin in Belfalas, who he didn’t care for much.
She sat down. “Brona, your papa cares about us greatly, but I think he actually wants us away. At another time I would be less against the idea, but something is worrying me. Something isn’t right.”
Brona paused to think, then she grinned. “I mustn’t tell you.”
“Tell me what?”
“He plans a surprise, but if I tell you it won’t be a surprise.”
“Brona, I do not wish to leave the Dragon.” Hild began to feel that for once, she may have been outmaneuvered. It wasn’t pleasant.
“But mama, I want us to go to the sea this summer. After that, well I will almost be grown up and looking for a husband, and we won’t have as much time together.”
With a sigh, Hild played another card. “If we go, you will not see Ethel, or that Brinin you talk about.”
“They could come with us?” Brona replied hopefully.
