Bee Among the Clover (235 page)

A
S THEY rode into the yard, Aron’s eyes scanned for Roman, though he knew he wouldn’t be outside. He’d be in Wulfgar’s room, waiting for
them to come back. All was a whirlwind as the hunting party dismounted and the villagers and others left behind gathered around to wonder why they were back so soon. Voices rose in a cacophony, and although Aron
tried to stay out of the way and be inconspicuous, Wulfgar kept dragging him forward.
Finally, the thane announced that all would hear the tale at the evening’s celebration, and the throng dispersed. Servants and slaves
scurried off to make ready for a feast, carting away the slain boar with them. The warriors and battle-lords filtered away themselves, for it’d be a
good while before anything was ready, and there were always war games
to be practiced.
Gaeric gave Aron and Wulfgar a rather petulant look before
disappearing as well. Aron disliked the youth’s attitude, but he said
nothing. Wulfgar sighed and shook his head before leading Aron to the hall. Aron’s heart lifted, and a smile curved his lips as they headed for Wulfgar’s room. Seeing Roman was always worth a smile or more,
especially with an exciting tale to bear.

R
OMAN gathered his medical supplies together, his heart pounding. There
was only one reason that the hunting party would be coming back so early, and he prayed it wasn’t Aron or Wulfgar who was injured. The door
opened, and relief flooded through him as both of them stood in the
doorway, their faces wreathed with smiles.