At that, Eathir’s gaze softened, and she raised him and returned the ritual of an oath-bond to him. She then said, “And I shall await your return. So, too, do I swear. No other man shall I know, for I am Thanesbride. I shall die before swearing fealty or marriage vows to any but my true thane. This shall I carve into bone and wear over my heart, and if I should break it, may I be broken in like manner.”

For a moment, a fierceness filled her, one which but a few years ago had been unknown to her face but which she had learned as she held her own battles against those who opposed her husband. It did not last, however, and her eyes again brimmed with tears as she whispered, “Bring him back, Restag. Please.”

“As you command, my Thanesbride,” said Restag. He took her hands in a firm but gentle grip and then, releasing her, left her without another word, feeling her eyes linger on him before she, too, turned away, and her swift steps continued down the hall in the direction of the thane’s chamber.

With even faster, but no less measured, steps than before, he crossed the Hall and stepped out into the cold, late autumn air, his purpose decided and mind focused.

“Where do you go, Restag Far-Sighted?”

Restag barely stopped at the oily voice, fully intending to simply march around the high elder standing on the steps leading back down into the town. As he did, however, Ecthar grabbed his arm with surprising strength and spoke again. “Don’t be a fool, Restag. You are Thanesman. Our people need you here, to guide and defend them, not chasing mists and seeking dewdrops at midday.”

Restag glared at the high elder, not bothering to conceal the hatred in his eyes and voice as he said, “I will not stand beside cowards and thane-slayers!”

“It is well that you held some murkiness in your words to the Council. Those are grave accusations, Restag,” said Ecthar. “And false ones. I am no thane-slayer.”

“No,” said Restag, breaking free of the older man’s grip. “You are too clever for that. You would have someone else’s hands do the deed so you can flick lies off your adder’s tongue before the troth-seers and have your venom confirmed in the presence of witnesses. But I am not fooled, Ecthar. After I take care of the one who did this–“

“Witheric is alive,” said the elder, catching Restag off-guard. His stomach twisted, and anger flared at the sneer on the other man’s face. Ecthar knew he had him, just as Restag knew he could not give up this lead. Without ceremony or care for the other man’s comfort, Restag gripped his arm and pulled him inside the Hall and back into Witheric’s study, where they were unlikely to be disturbed. Ecthar glared in blatant revulsion at the papers and books piled around him but wisely held his tongue.

“Where is he?” demanded Restag, tightening his grip so that the elder winced.

Dropping all pretense of cordiality, Ecthar hissed, “Unhand me, shield-man. I am High Elder, not some thrall. Yes, you can search my mind, but I know how to make my mind a maze, full of secret paths and false ways, and I do not think you have time to waste traveling them to find your answers.”

Roughly, Restag released the man, who took his time rubbing the area he had held, which rather than goading him to impatience, gave Restag the time to gather himself together again, much to the disappointment of the elder. At last, the thanesman said, his voice sharp and level as a well-made blade, “Where is he, Ecthar? You say he’s alive. If I find you are lying….”

“Do not take me for a fool, Restag Far-Sighted,” snapped the high elder. “I know better than to buy a blood-debt from you. Nor am I foolish enough to call down the gods’ wrath for being a thane or kin-slayer. The boy is alive and, for the moment, safe. Not that he should be. Restag, see sense on this matter. The boy is a fool, one chasing the death of his own house. He cannot lead the Eisensaet. He cannot bring us back to our rightful place among the Asgradi. Though you call him High Thane, he is neither high in his ideals nor a thane capable of leading our people. It is best that he simply disappear. Yes, it is a shame to bestow the Eisenband to one of thinner blood and right, but it is for the best of our people. Surely you, a shield-man of my blood, who entered the battlefield before most boys are considered men, know the threat we face, the swords and spears we have at our throats from all sides. Surely you know–“

“Where is he, Ecthar?” repeated Restag.

Sighing audibly, Ecthar said, “I speak truth when I say I do not know where he is, but I can take you to one who does. But you are a fool should you choose to follow him. No. More than a fool. You would call ruin upon yourself.”

Ecthar paused, giving the other man a meaningful look. Without hesitation, Restag said, “I am Thanesman.”

At once, the placid expression fell over Ecthar’s face again. “If that is your answer,” he said, leaving the room and motioning for Restag to follow.