Page 70 of The Thornwyck Rose

Seren stood behind them, off to the side, with her handmaids. Her face was grim. The tension hummed across the room.

Erik scanned the great hall.

Father Osbert sat in the corner, near the corridor. The tutor, Bertrand, sat in Seren’s seat on the dais, with a proud nose. Geoffrey and Jovin were across the way, seated at the command table. Tomas and a few other guards lined the hall. Henry’s two guards were on the dais flanking him, with an additional two knights flanking Henry’s seat of honor.

Overall, Lord Henry had a small audience, but Erik didn’t let that soothe the knots in his belly.

Astrid was killed in front of a small audience.

“The Norsemen could join us,” Henry said with a soft chuckle.

The room reverberated with polite chuckles.

“You are likely wondering why I have called you here,” Henry said, glaring at Ragnar.

Erik’s hand never left Ragnar’s shoulder as he peered at Geoffrey and Jovin. They had taken up his command while Erik healed from his wound. He wondered if both he and Ragnar were going to meet their end in the next few moments.

“Commander de Montfort, stand aside and let your boy stand in front of David,” Henry ordered.

Erik’s hand slid off Ragnar’s shoulder, and he stood aside.

"Kneel," Henry ordered Ragnar.

The muscles tensed in Ragnar's jaw and his shoulders. He was nearing the end of his childhood, but he was already learning that kneeling before cruelty is a kind of death no one wants. Still, Ragnar kneeled.

Henry grabbed David’s wrist, lifted the child’s arm, and with it, slapped Ragnar across the face.

David yanked his hand back, crossed his arms, and said, "No."

Henry slapped David hard as if he were a disobedient pet.

Ragnar’s jaw clenched.

“Now, my son,” Henry said through gritted teeth. “You are going to learn a very important lesson today.” Henry squeezed David’s shoulder. “Repeat what I tell you.”

Henry stooped and whispered in David’s ear.

David turned and yelled “No” in his father’s face.

Henry grabbed David’s jaw and squeezed. “You will do what I say.”

Ragnar’s hands clenched. Erik hoped he stayed still. So far, Ragnar did as he was told and nothing more.

“Say it, or I’ll make you hit him again,” Henry said to David.

David’s voice came thin as he spat the words quickly. "You’re my dog, Ragnar. You do not strike unless I tell you. I am above you. You are . . .”

Henry leaned close to the boy. “Say the last part."

David shook his head.

Henry took his hand and slapped Ragnar again, harder. Ragnar faltered on his knee.

"You’re hurting him!" David shouted and, in a futile attempt, tried to yank his hand away.

Henry squeezed David’s cheeks until the boy yelped. “Say it, you disobedient child.”

Ragnar growled and stood.