“You trust that I want to help you, yes?”

“No.”

“Then can you at least trust that I don’t want to hurt you?”

“No.” My reply shocked us both, stinging like an angry welt beneath the weight of the lash.

Why did I say that? We do trust Ragnar, don’t we? He’s always been someone to depend on: admirable, caring, courageous (to a foolhardy degree at times, even he admits), protective, strong– Ragnar has only ever done what was in the best interest of the people.

That’s just it though, isn’t it?

He would put the danger down– as he’s done for every parlous threat that faces the town– as he did with Brenna.

But it’s not that bad (yet). No need to catastrophize (yet). They don’t see ██ that way (yet).

“Alright, then we are operating from a baseline of zero trust.” Ivor observed the resultant silence, her tone humored. “Off to a good start.”