The Last Marigold

Estrangement

Su'a gazed blankly at the crowd gathering before the hall. Her entire body felt numb. She replayed the events of the day in her mind's eye over and over, trying to make sense of it all but with little success. The wind moved curls matted in blood softly away from high cheekbones and still she felt nothing. 

There was nothing wrong with her but her skin looked grey, her limbs were weak and frail. Somerhild tried to convince to retire but she would not have it. She intended to stay and bear witness to Orm's death. It promised to be a quick and brutal clash.  Orm was no match for Wolfgard. They'd been through enough because of his emnity. She would see him die with her own eyes. Her smile would be the last thing his eyes would witness before they closed forever.

Gooseflesh rose in a ripple across her skin. A chill shot down her spine, as stormy blue eyes settled on her. She took in his black look and finally understood the many times she'd been told that love is capricious. How quickly the tender regard in Wolfgard's eyes faded. Eyes that were once filled with affection and fondness, replaced with resentment and bitterness. Su'a's gaze followed as his retreating figure turned and disappeared. 

After killing Bodil in the hall, Wolfgard withdrew immediately. The remainder of the day he passed messages through others, refusing to show himself at all.  Somerhild was ordered to ensure that Souad was placed in a holding cell. There, she was treated by their best physicians. Su'a was fain in the knowledge that her mother would survive. But, Wolfgard could not trust Souad not to betray him and kept her in irons, despite Su'a's protestations. He did, however, recognize that she saved Su'a's life and for that she would keep her own. 

The bodies were cleared from the hall and the blood washed away. Wolfgard, nor his cousins, so much as glanced at Ravn's body. The man she knew would never have done such a thing. He was withdrawn and unsympathetic. This was a side to him she'd never seen. He did, however, order a simple preparation for Ravn to be held upon dispatching Orm. He would no longer be Jarl Wolfgard after today, he'd be the king of Daneland. 

"He says you are to leave his rooms in the hall, Marigold," Eirik stated earlier that day, barely able to meet her gaze. "He's asked that you...you be removed to a home of your own. He does not wish to see you again."

Su'a suppressed a sob, "And what of the child? Is he to be renounced as well?"

Eirik sighed, rubbing a rough fingers over his brow, "He ...forced information from Somerhild about your visit with Brunhild. He knows you are carrying his heir. He will accept the child. Just...just not you."

Su'a let out an involuntary whimper. Her hand shot up to cover her lips. She blinked back tears, "Then I will not stay where I am no longer wanted."

The memory felt like a knife to her heart. Stabbing and twisting, rending sharp agnozing pain. Su'a forced back tears. She tucked her hair behind her ear as she flitted down the stairs with brisk steps marching toward the rear of the hall. She planned to enter unseen and confront Wolfgard. He was sorely mistaken if he thought she'd just quietly disappear from his life. 

"I'm telling you it will work," A voice whispered. Two men stood huddled in shadow. Su'a stopped, hiding from sight against the side of the building. 

"It had better work or I won't be the only one dying today," It was Orm. He was speaking to someone. Su'a secreted a look. It was a man they knew as Halfdan. He was an apothecary, well known for his trade in poisons. Su'a clamped a hand over her lips watching in silence as they coated the edge of Orm's blade in a pale green substance. 

"It's a special hemlock that grows in North Africa. All it takes is one small cut. His limbs will move slowly, then grow cold and rigid. Death should come swiftly even if you do not deal a killing blow and claim him within moments," Halfdan's depraved smile stretch across his weathered, pox riddled face.