28 Freyr Montfor

Tyr looked into Macha's eyes. He understood that the shadows of the dead haunted her thoughts and he thought of how to console her. Tyr breathed in deeply. He never talked about his nightmares with anyone. It was a part of him he preferred to keep hidden, but Macha seemed to have a hard time coping with seeing the corpses.

Tyr cleared his throat. "I used to. Sometimes I still do. I didn't grow up fighting, it's something I chose to do. The first time I killed someone was when I fought in the military. Marseille was expanding, and we worked to push back the outer-reaches. Trolls liked to attack the city because we had many goods from trading." He glanced to Macha to determine if he had to go on.

Macha looked at him. She hung onto his every word. Hope seemed to radiate from her and she longed to know that her reaction was normal.

Tyr looked into the distance. He cleared his throat again. "I killed a young teenage troll, he was probably about my age. I... I used to have nightmares about the battlefield and having his warm blood dripping down my lance and onto my hands. It wasn't just taking a life that bothered me. The look in his eyes when his life faded from this world... I saw regret. I saw missed opportunities."

Tyr turned his head and got up. He walked to the stream and washed his face. The boy's appearance flashed in his mind as if it happened yesterday. Everything still appeared vivid in his memory despite happening hundreds of years ago.

Macha noticed he felt uncomfortable talking about it, but his words gave her a little comfort. Guilt ate at her for making Tyr talk about it, but she had to ask, "Does it get easier?"

Tyr thought for a while. Water dripped from his chin back into the stream. "Yeah, sort of. It's one of those things that time heals. I got out of the army because I don't like going to war. I rather pick the fights that I fight." Tyr threw a rock into the stream. The water splashed up and glistened with the sunlight. "I don't have a problem defending against attackers like last night, but I don't like fighting people who are just following orders. Soldiers are people doing a job. They're following orders. That troll I killed, he was following orders like I was. At the end of the day, he just wanted to go home."

****

Macha and Tyr continued to travel. Tyr wanted to reach his parent's estate as soon as possible. Macha could talk with Luna to distract herself and relax in a comfortable room. He also wanted to get her out of the outer-reaches as soon as possible.

The family owned a large portion of land that had a stone wall which encircled the entire estate. The wall had many spells and talismans on it to help keep the wild creatures out.

Macha looked around, amazed at the scenery that lay before her eyes. They passed along a flat field of grass with orchards on either side as they made their way to the mansion. Further ahead she could see two large fountains with statues depicting dragons spraying water from their mouths.

Night had fallen by the time they reached the front door. The servants greeted them and showed them to their rooms. They were told that Lady Valois did not wish to be disturbed and that they would meet her in the morning.

Macha's room was far from Tyr's. Tyr's room was in the family's wing, but Macha's room was located on the other side of the mansion in the guest chambers. White and gold accents decorated her room. The bed's quality was like the one she used in Marseille but larger.

A young servant helped her put her clothes away and Macha thanked the woman. Macha showered and cleaned up. The bathroom had a variety of toiletries for her to choose from. When she came out, she found Luna on her bed with a platter of crackers and cheese.

"I see Tyr brought you along," Luna smiled mischievously. Her eyes twinkled with merriment. Luna found her brother's actions too predictable.

Macha rushed over to give Luna a hug. She was glad that Luna looked cured and in good health. "Yes. He wanted to prove how boring the party will be. He took offense when I said he was overreacting." Macha hopped up onto the bed beside Luna.

Luna picked up a cracker, "Sure, sure. So how are things since I left?" She wanted to know if they had a difficult time while she had been stuck at home.

Macha's eyes widened, "Horrible! We were swamped with work. Oh!" Macha remembered, "I need you to convince Tyr that this," she jumped off the bed and opened her dresser, pointing to the clothes that hung inside, "is not appropriate for the office."

Luna laughed and put her half eaten cracker down. She got up and looked at the new clothes. "He bought you more clothes?" Luna inspected the clothes, beautiful fabrics and quality stitching made the clothes, but they were styled for children. Luna shook her head. She did not understand why her brother forced Macha to wear such childlike clothes.

"Yes," Macha crossed her arms and explained with a sour face, "He said he didn't want me to distract his clients in the office. Sometimes he doesn't make sense." Macha just shook her head.

Luna had an idea. "We have a seamstress here. I can have her make you some clothes that would be appropriate. Tyr wouldn't be able to argue if Mama Ocllo made your clothes." Luna gave an evil smile. The thought of Tyr not being able to refuse Macha's new wardrobe gave her a small thrill.

Luna took a few of Macha's clothes to the seamstress before going to bed. Mama Ocllo was up doing a few repairs to some other guest's clothes. Luna explained the situation, and she hoped Mama Ocllo could make something using the measurements of the old clothes as a guide.

****

The next day Tyr stayed in bed. He wanted to rest from staying up for two days and used his fatigue as an excuse not to socialize. He knew he promised to meet prospective wives and behave, but this was the only day he had an excuse to get away from the social obligation.

Macha woke up and found a beautiful dark green dress hanging on the back of her door. The dress was styled as a wrap around dress with half sleeves that flared out. The rich patterned silk of the fabric reflected the light when she turned it on the hanger.

Macha loved the dress. It was the most beautiful piece of clothing she ever owned. After putting it on, she realized the dress fit perfectly. She was amazed that the seamstress had made something for her overnight. She looked in the mirror and twirled around. Macha felt giddy like a young schoolgirl buying her first lip gloss.

****

When Macha went down for breakfast, it surprised her to see over fifteen people seated at the table. Despite already seating so many guests, the dining table seemed to have at least forty place settings still open. Her mouth parted in surprise at how long this table was since she had never seen a table of this magnitude in her life. She took a seat at the end and was served tea and biscuits.

As she looking around, admiring the many splendid dishes and decorations, she hoped Tyr would be here, but he was absent.

The women were flirting with the men, but no one wanted to talk to her. Macha relaxed and listened to the various conversations going on around her while she ate her breakfast. Everyone at the table dressed in exquisite clothing that appeared to be expensive. She was thankful that Luna arranged for the dress to be made for her.

While she sipped the last of her tea, a man came and quietly sat down beside her. She glanced at him and gave a small nod. He had dark brown hair and light blue eyes that reminded Macha of a summer stream. The stranger's thick wavy shoulder-length hair looked perfect.

He placed an elbow on the table and rested his cheek on his hand. Giving her a dazzling smile, he stared at her. Macha gawked at him for a moment, stunned at his beauty.

Embarrassed at her ogling, she wiped her mouth and rose from her seat. Since she finished her meal, she decided to explore the estate. When she rose, the man grabbed a biscuit and followed her out the door.

"Could I be a bit rude and introduce myself to you?" he asked with a shy look on his face. He gave a slight grin.

Macha looked up at the man. She had no reason to refuse an introduction, so she stopped and faced him. "Go ahead, but I don't think it's rude."

"I am Freyr Montfort and it is my great pleasure to meet you," he then took Macha's hand and kissed the inside of her wrist.