Another day, another woman Brynjar brutalized. It seemed that his duties as king did not distract the man from the finer things in life he thought sarcastically with not a little anger. She had come to his quarters asking help and advice and he had given it to her in a manner that was becoming all too routine. He had given her a concoction of herbs already to ease the pain if nothing else. She had responded stiffly to his questions, though her sense of propriety made things slow going.
"Before this... Did you have your moon time recently?" He asked gently. She looked away.
"I stopped bleeding a few days before," she murmured. He sighed. Thank Artemesia for small miracles.
"I should examine you. I promise you, by Artemesia, it is only to ensure you are without tears or other injuries."
"No... Thank you Brother Beorn, but I am fine... I just... I know I am defiled already, but I am not injured there. I... Oh Brother Beorn, he will do this to so many others," she sniffled. Beorn sat beside her, offering her a hand to take as she sobbed in his shoulder. He made comforting sounds like one he thought a father or older brother might make. This situation called on him to play one role or the the other.
"God does not stand for such lawlessness. I promise you that he won't get away with this."
She looked away. He could tell she did not believe him.
"Get some rest. I will tell the servants you have taken ill. I must speak to the Patriarch."
Julius at least had the decency to help provide for the maids Brynjar harmed. A new life in a new place could save her from the stigma that Brynjar's rape of her would bring down upon her. But this could not go on. Surely the king did not mean for Brynjar to inherit. If he could prove Lelinus was meant to inherit... He sighed. He was supposed to be searching for the king's murderer, but what if it was all connected? No, that was his dislike, no, hate of Brynjar talking.