Aratheon Books

Lura Syllana

I barricade myself within my room and attempt to bury myself in my bed. I can’t even go down the halls without being shamed. They call me a whore, a witch for corrupting Orym, and worse. They think I should be banished from the church. That I am some kind of demon and that’s the only reason I was able to pass so easily through the ranks.

I don’t care about any of them. I want nothing to do with this place anymore. I hate it here. It used to be a place I wanted to call home and now it’s become my own personal hell. The Light evades me, and all I find is darkness.

I just want it to all end. I just want to be back with Orym.

I have no more strength left inside me to carry on anymore. When night arrives and the cathedral is all but asleep, I head out to the halls to the place where the names of the fallen are written in stone. I find Orym’s name and trace my fingers over the engraved letters. “I can’t bear it any longer, my love. I don’t want to endure this pain anymore. I realize I don’t really want to die; I just want relief. I just want to be reunited with you, but that cannot happen within this life. Maybe it can happen in the next, whatever that may bring.”

“Lura…” I turn around to see Ralodan walking up to me. “You’re in so much pain…”

He walks up to me, but that smile that always brought so much warmth is nowhere to be found. “It hurts me to see you like this.”

“There’s nothing you can do,” I say, pulling my eyes away.

“Maybe not, but I will not stand by while people hurt. I, too, know what it feels like to find that your heart wants to love. It is wrong to forbid such things,” he says as walks up to the stone monuments and looks at the names engraved upon them. “I am in love with Melyis, and I will not let these laws forbid it of me. Neither can I let you be broken by them. It is not the way of the Light. This I know in my heart. And I can see the hypocrisy within the church. Not many abide by this rule yet only a few are punished for breaking it. It’s unjust and unfair. Neither you nor Orym deserved this fate, and it angers me to see you endure it. Anger isn’t something I’m used to feeling. It is foreign to me and I don’t like it. I don’t like it one bit.”

“I don’t know what you want me to do,” I say.

He turns to look me in the eye. “Stand with me and fight this injustice. Help me change the rules and strike it down. Maybe it is too late for Orym, but that doesn’t mean we can’t honor him by righting this wrong.”

I look away. “There’s nothing we can do about it. We are but mere Accepted. Who are we to say what is the law?”

“Well, you are. I became a Brother not that long ago while you were grieving. But regardless, we are servants of the Light. That means we do what is right in the name of the Light. Don’t give up hope. You may never find love again, but you can still honor the one you gave your heart to.”

“I don’t know… You’re asking a lot of me, and I just don’t have anything left inside of me,” I say.

“I can understand, but promise me this; you must not give up. Don’t give in to the dark. Stay strong and live on. Live for Orym. Live for your family,” he says. His words seem to spark a light of hope inside me. My family… How could I forget about them? My entire purpose was to free them, yet even that seems so far out of reach. I can’t even bring myself to see the flow anymore.

I look up at Ralodan. “I will try, but I can’t make any promises.”

“That is good enough for me. Now go get some rest. It is late,” he says.

I nod, and he gives me that warm smile of his. I head back to my room and find Chalia sitting on my bed. She gets up when I enter and hugs me. “Oh, thank the light. I thought you went and did something drastic. I was worried sick about you.”

She squeezes me tightly, then lets up, but holds onto my shoulders. “Don’t listen to those awful nobles. They’re the ones who are spreading the rumors. But the strays will have your back. We won’t abandon you. You’re still one of us, and besides, none of them can see Terel’s message, but you can. That means you’re more worthy than they are.”

I wipe away the tears and hug her again. “Thanks, Chalia.”

“Of course, and… Lura… I have something I’ve been meaning to tell you,” she says as she pulls back.

I look up and meet her eyes. “You can tell me anything.”

“I kinda feel like a hypocrite. Or as if I betrayed you. I don’t know,” she says as she tears her eyes away from me.

“What are you talking about?” I ask, a little confused.

“I’ve been in an intimate relationship with Damaris for a really long time now,” she says, leaving my jaw hanging.

“But… She’s a Sister and you’re an Accepted. She recruited you and… But… Damaris… She wouldn’t…”

Chalia lets out a sigh and meets my eyes. “It’s not what you think. I’ve known Damaris all my life. My father took her in when she was just a child a long, long time ago. Before I was even born. Of course, I’m just a bastard child, so… yeah. She was an orphan and my father and my step-mother… or should I say my father’s wife. She was never really a mother to me since I was the child of an affair my father had with another woman… But Damaris was the daughter of my father’s friend, and her parents died during the fighting when King Volodar left or before. I don’t know the exact details of what happened since it was long before I was born, but despite that, she practically raised me. We were close growing up, both misfits. She wasn’t exactly accepted by my father’s wife, but she was tolerated, unlike me, and she always looked after me.”

A smile forms on Chalia’s lips as twirls a strand of hair around her finger. “Like an older sister at times. She helped me get my magic permit and taught me nearly everything I know. When my father died and I lost everything, she helped me find my feet again. She helped me find a place to stay. We grew even closer after my father’s death and one thing led to another. We fell in love with each other, not that we didn’t have a love for each other before, it was just different. Of course, she was always reluctant at first because she was with the church and you know the rules about relationships, but she knew just like I knew that this love wasn’t wrong. Of course, she finally convinced me that if we were really going to be together, I also had to join the church, so I did. And here I am.”

Her eyes wander around the room, avoiding my own. I can’t blame her nor Damaris for their feelings for each other. It’s even laughable to think I could. Not in a funny way. Who am I to judge someone else’s heart? “I understand. Your secret is safe with me.”

She hugs me rather hard. “I knew I could trust you.”

I look into her eyes. “So, your father knew my grandfather, then? Didn’t he?”

“I don’t know what my father knew. Even though he was kind to me and always treated me well, he never told me much of anything. In fact, I rarely ever got to spend time with him. His wife never wanted me around. He died before we could ever really get to know one another.”

“That’s so sad,” I say, and this time I pull her into a hug.

She breaks off not long after. “It is in the past and I am over it.”

She meets my gaze once more. “I just wanted to tell you that you are not alone, and that we, all the strays, stand with you.”

“Thank you, Chalia. I couldn’t have asked for a better friend. No, a better sister,” I say and we embrace once more.

—

I don’t walk through the halls alone anymore, but my friends walk with me. My pain still hurts, but it is made bearable with the support of my fellow strays. Even more so, I feel the will to fight return inside me. A glimmer of hope reignites the flames that nearly went out inside me. I find myself coming back to life.

I hold tight to it and go back to my training. Ralodan is right. We must always fight for what is right. I return to practicing my shields. At first, it is hard to find that flow. It is so hard to let go. To let go of the pain and the hurt. To let go of all that has been done to me and those I care about, but somehow, I find it within myself to do just that. I let go of it all and find the flow once more. I weave the Light into a shield and pure, warm yellow light with Arcane Fire, Celestial Life, and the Divine Light. It is made strong not because it is pure, but because it holds within it the strengths of three lights.

I bask in its intensity and breathe in the power of these lights. I take the shield and pull it within me. Feel the energy fill me. A mix of emotions washes over me as I embrace each light. I feel so strong. Stronger than before. But finally, I let go of the flow and the lights. The hollowness returns. I take in a deep breath, letting it out slowly. I wish I could hold the Light always.

In the small chamber, I’ve occupied to practice, I feel I am no longer alone. I turn to meet someone I wasn’t expecting. The High Father. He sends his guards to wait outside, so it is just us. “I knew you looked familiar. I never forget a face.”

My skin crawls as he closes the distance between us like a spider creeping towards its prey. “You were one of the whores at the brothel. I remember you. I had my eye on you then.”

“What do you want?” I ask suspiciously, taking a step back.

“Oh, I think you know what I want,” he says, his grin turning rather sadistic. “I have an appetite for women like you. Little whores.”

“I am not a whore,” I say.

“Oh, don’t deny it. Besides, do me a favor and I can help you rise here. But cross me and I can be your worst nightmare.” His greedy grin turns into an utterly terrifying scowl, but the grin returns. “I am the High Father after all.”

I can smell his taint as he closes the gap between us and his hand goes up to my chest. Without hesitating, I slap him hard enough to send his face sideways. He growls and sneers as he wheels on me. “You dirty whore! You think I can’t ruin you? I’ve done it to so many whores before you. I can have you in chains. Either way, I will take what I want regardless of what it will cost you.”

A surge of burning hot energy burns inside of me as I send him flying back, slamming against the wall. Everything happens so quickly after that. Guards rush into the room. The High Father screams and shouts for them to arrest me. I feel the Light burn within me as I fight them off, but a force of overwhelming red, hot taint storms through the chamber and slams me to the ground. It feels so dirty and unholy, smelling foul. It forces me to my knees as a figure walks into the chamber with eyes burning red. His voice seems to burn through the room. “What is going on here?”

The High Father is on his knees, pleading with the figure. “It wasn’t my fault, forgive me. I confronted the bastard girl, and she attacked me.”

The burning hot red light seems to fade, and I gasp as I see Father Fylson Greran in the middle of it, standing above the High Father. His face is contorted with anger and disgust, and it looks wrong. “Lies. Once again, Arbelladon, your lust has made a mess for us. This will be the last time I clean up for you. Next time, we will replace you and find someone more suitable for the task.”

“Lord, what should we do with the girl?” a guard asks.

His burning, hateful eyes land upon me. “Put a collar on her and sell her to the humans in Chillshore. They’ll put the whore to good use. They are always in need of whores to keep the spirits up of the men who work the mines, and that will get her out of our hair.”

Before I can protest, a collar is wrapped around my neck, and a wall forms between me and the energies inside me, leaving me weak. I scream out with tears falling from my eyes. “No!”

Father Fylson walks away without another word. The High Father quickly gets up and dusts himself off, trying to reclaim any dignity he has before he walks up to me and backhands me. “Consider yourself lucky, whore. If I had my way, I would do things to you that would make the things those men in Chillshore will do to you feel like a mercy.”

He looks over at the guards. “Search her and find everything she has on her possession.”

The men don’t hesitate, nearly stripping me to find only a letter. Thankfully, they do not even think about searching for invisible objects. But my heart leaps into my throat when I see what letter the High Father snatches into his hands. Orym’s letter. “No!”

A cruel grin lights up the High Father’s face. “What is this… A love letter?”

He laughs as he holds it in front of my face and I watch in tears as it burns to ashes. “Now take her to the Golden High Elf Trading Company and have her placed on the first ship to Chillshore. The humans will have a good time with her, lucky bastards.”

I’m dragged through the halls of the Cathedral in chains as Brothers, Sisters, Accepted and Novice walk out of the rooms and chambers, wide-eyed and slacked-jawed to witness. I just hang my head in shame.

“What’s going on?” that familiar voice echoes. I lift my head to see Chalia walk up with the rest of the strays including Ralodan, Biremeril, and Melyis.

“You can’t do this!” Ralodan says, stepping forward.

“Out of the way,” one of the men who’s dragging me out says, pushing Ralodan out of the way.

“Is this what the Light calls for? Dragging an innocent girl out in chains!” Ralodan responds.

“These are the orders of the High Father,” the man responds. They continue to drag me through the halls and out of the Cathedral.

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Bothvar Beorcolsson

I try to get some sleep, but Thora, Svala, and Thormar make that impossible. I can hardly fall asleep before one of them comes rumbling in. Thormar bursts into my room telling me about some bizarre invention of his that has to do with sea water and how he wants to install it on our ship. I don’t listen. I had to throw a chalice at him to leave me alone.

I barely have enough time to collapse on my bed before Svala comes in.

She came into my room to hide from Thormar because she stole his maps. She’s smiling from ear to ear, pushing me over as she makes enough room to sit down. “Thormar is a total page-turner. He has all these stupid books, and he doesn’t even know how to read. I know it. He just looks at the pictures. I know he does. I know it like I know my ax. And I know my ax really well. I made it. That’s why I’m going to steal every single one of them and hide them all over the house. It may not be as clever as Bodvar’s pranks, but someone’s got to something. Without Bodvar here, it just feels so quiet.”

“Svala, he’s only been gone a day. Not even. I don’t even know. I just want to sleep.”

She sighs and then groans. “Fine. I’ll leave you alone.”

“Thank you. We will talk about it when I get up,” I say. What did she even say again? I don’t know. I just want to get some sleep.

When I finally fall asleep, in comes Thora to inform me it was dawn as if that has any importance to me at all. Then she tried to get me to spar with her. She didn’t even go to sleep, just stayed up the entire night. Crazy kid. I finally get her to go to bed. My head falls to the pillow and my eyelids sink to the bottom of my eyes. Thoughts are heavy. I… I…

“Bothvar? Why aren’t you up yet? You’re my ship’s Skipper, you can’t sleep in,” my father says as he stands at the door.

“Sleep in? I haven’t even got any sleep to begin with.” I try to cover my face with my pillow and fall asleep. Thankfully my father walks off mumbling.

I just need a few more moments. I just want to rest my eyes and sleep…

I plunge face first into the ice-cold sea, breaking right through the ice. The bone-chilling cold freezes deep to the bone as I open my eyes and stumble out of bed. “What the bloody goat shitting, banshee, is going on!”

I let the words out right before my head smacks into the floor. “Bastard, son of a whore!”

“Who the blazes…” I finally look up to see my father standing there with an empty bucket.

“You can’t sleep in when you’re the Skipper. Come on. You’ve got a lot to do today to get ready for your raid tomorrow. Get up.” He walks off. Bloody bastard.

I pull myself up and get dressed. Thankfully, I just had a bath.

I walk out to slaves scrambling everywhere carrying barrels, totes, chests, and setting up food. I push my way through and find my father outside, smelling the air. “What I would give to go out raiding one more time. I might not be forbidden from raiding, but as Earl I have far too many responsibilities and duties here to spend that much time out at sea. Especially with a potential war looming over our heads. Lots of preparations to make. Do me a favor son: come back alive, and bring your younger brother back as well.”

I nod. “Of course, father. I won’t let you down this time.”

He nods. “Well, let’s get to it. Much to do today. You’ll need to double-check the supplies of the ship and get them counted at least three or four times. Double check you have enough water, food, and ammunition. Bolts and now your grease fireballs. That was brilliant, by the way. You fling them burning on an enemy ship and as soon as they try to put it out with water, it blows up in their face. I must give you credit son; you’re reminding me more and more of my younger self every day.”

“I only figured that out after trying to put a grease fire out with water myself. I admit I nearly burnt my beard to cinders.”

My father laughs. “That’s how you learn, my son. And you have learned much, but you still have much to learn. Now, once we finish triple-checking the supply of the ship, we meet with each of the crew and make sure they’re ready. If they have any nervousness, we need to assure them everything will be just fine. On the other hand, if they’re overly excited, we need to calm them down. And under no circumstances do you let them drink. You don’t want anyone with the mug sickness in the morning. And be careful about drinking out at sea. Especially if you ever run out of water. Too much booze makes people dehydrated, and that gets them sick.”

I nod, clinging to the waking world with only a few fingers. “No drink… got it. Is that what you meant with the wine?”

He smirks but continues on. “After we finish talking to the crew, we check on the slaves who’ll join you on your raids. The oarsmen, the ones who do all the grunt work, and a woman or two to relieve tension among the men. Just keep an eye on the men who take their wives with them and the ones who keep them here at home. Some of them will get a little too friendly with a slave girl, and that’s how fights erupt. Some men are too driven by their cocks. They do stupid things like fuck another woman when they think their wife is sleeping. Let me tell ya something, Bothvar. When Audbjorg caught Gudleif on top of that slave, I’m surprised she didn’t cut his cock off. Gizor, Greiland, and Turid had to hold her back. I’m surprised they didn’t all join her. I could tell her siblings wanted to. Turid was on the fence.”

“I’ll make sure no humping whores,” I say as I mindlessly follow. I am going to go to bed earlier tonight and make sure my door is barred, and I’ll even move a couple of chests in front of it. Maybe my glow metal hammer. I need to come up with a better-sounding name for it. It has an identical twin that Shuli wore on her back. It makes me happy to know the hammer is in good hands. Deserving hands. I pray it stays in Longhorn’s line, or I mean, Ukam’s.

I listen as we go over the supplies one more time. I can’t believe Shuli has children. One of them looks just like her. Same blue eyes and white fur. Well, they all have white fur, but few have those blue eyes or that scent. Although, Shuli’s cub smells far different from Shuli herself. Shuli smells like death and shadow stench. They just smell like dirt and a musky cave.

We then meet with each crew member as they work hard to get everything ready. Sigvid and his sons and my friends Solmund and Griotgard along with Skardi all work to double check the ship’s fortitude. “Aye, Bothvar, you missed out on a good time. The Builders had some surprisingly feisty women. Ain’t that right, brother?”

Solmund shrugs.  Skardi laughs. “Feisty is one word to describe them. They also had that herb we had that one time.”

Solmund gets defeated by the smile he can’t hold back. “Griotgard certainly got more than he bargained for.”

“Boys, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to tell Bothvar all about your conquests. Now’s time to focus on preparations,” Sigvid says as he nods at my father.

“How’s the ship looking? She sailed pretty fine to Avala Village and back,” father says.

“Oh, she’s a beauty, my friend. Never seen anything like it. That Osvald certainly knows how to make a ship. This thing is big, that’s for sure, but it ain’t lacking in speed. Especially with all those extra sails added. It puts our old ships to shame. Makes ’em look like rowboats,” Sigvid says.

“Yes, she’s a good ship. A fine ship. Even has plenty of space for each man to sleep, and there’s a perch up above that will allow me to see much farther out. It’ll make navigating much easier,” Skardi says.

“And a room just for the Skipper. Lucky bastard, you are Bothvar. Get to sleep in luxury,” Griotgard says, earning a thump on his head by Sigvid.

“He’s more than earned it, boy.”

“I was only joking, father. He’s my best friend after all,” Griotgard says, rubbing his head.

“And now he’s the Skipper and you’ll talk to him as such. Save the friend talk for private. I swear to you boy, if I hear ya talking that way in front of the others I’ll use you as bait for the sharks,” Sigvid says in a gruff raspy voice. His beard collects the spit flying out of his mouth.

I give Griotgard a sympathetic look, but Sigvid is right. I need the men to do as I say and show the same respect, they show my father. As he said, disobedience means death on the battlefield.

“Good work. We’ll leave you to finish it up,” father says as we move on.

We find Rognvald snapping at the brothers Thialfi and Skarf. “Will you two get your heads outta your arses and stop fooling around? If we don’t get everything ready, I’ll toss ya in the drink tomorrow when we’re out in the middle of the sea.”

“Skarf started it!” Thialfi grumbles.

“I did not, ya lying skin of tit milk!” Skarf snaps back.

Gunnstein, their older brother, walks up and whacks both of them upside the head. “Will you two quit it? It’s bad enough when we’re not in a rush to get shit packed. We set sail tomorrow. I swear, if this shit continues on the boat, I’ll tie ya both up in front of it.”

“How’re the counts on the supplies? Do you need more water?” my father asks.

“We could always use more water, and we’ve got plenty of room on this new ship. It’s impressive how much we can stuff in the bottom. Those Builders are something else,” Rognvald says, running his hand through his strange beard. He keeps his chin shaved and the sides come out like a mutton chop.

“Good. I’ll send some barrels over then. How’s the crew doing? Anyone needs some talkin to?” Father asks.

“Oh, they’re all rearing to go. But ya might want to talk to Gudleif and Audbjorg. They’ve been fighting all morning. I’m surprised it hasn’t come to a duel,” he says.

My father drags his hand down his face. “Alright then. Let’s get to it.”

I follow him until we come across the happily married couple. “I told ya, woman. I won’t touch another wench. I swear.”

“That’s what you said last time, and then I caught you with your cock halfway up that slave’s twat. You lucky my siblings got in between us or I’d a cut it off.”

“Mother, father, can you stop arguing?” Turid asks, rolling her eyes. “I’ll keep an eye on father and make sure it doesn’t happen. I promise.”

“I know it won’t. I’ll keep an eye on him myself,” she says, grasping at her sword hilt.

“I see you three are working things out. Will we have any problems out at sea?” father asks.

“Oh, I hope not. The gods know if we do, I’ll be feeding someone their own sausage, and my siblings won’t stop me this time,” Audbjorg says, tossing Gudleif a death glare.

“I won’t do it again, I swear,” the man says, running a hand across his bald head. “I thought she was you. It was an honest mistake.”

“Lies and excuses,” she says, walking off.

My father walks up to Gudleif. “I’m begging you, please keep your dick in your pants. I won’t be there to stop her.”

“I won’t. I swear by the gods, if my dick comes out, it’ll just be to piss unless Audbjorg wants a son.”

“Good man,” father says, patting him on the shoulder. Turid rolls her eyes and walks off. Gudleif follows after her. My father turns to me. “You see the kind of shit you have to deal with, son? You’ll want to keep an eye on him or get someone else to.”

“Yes, father,” I say.

“Good, now we just have a few more things to check on and then we’ll grab some food,” he says as I follow him through town. We find Ulf Styrkarsson with his wife, Torhild, and sister, Ingirid, sharpening their blades.

“Ulf, it is good to see you, my friend, as well as you, Torhild, and you too, Ingirid,” my father says as he walks up to them. “How goes it?”

“Oh, it goes well. We’re ready to set sail,” he says as he takes a good look at his sword and tests the edge.

“Good. Mind keeping an eye on Gudleif for me? I don’t want his wife castrating him just before a raid,” he says.

“I’ll try, but I don’t think it’d be wise to promise success with that endeavor,” Ulf says with a grin.

“And that is why I’ve always considered you a wise man,” father says.

“I’ll make sure the man keeps his dick in his pants,” Ingirid says with a smirk. “If I see him drop his pants, I’ll just stick a sword up his arse.”

“That might be effective, but I don’t want ’em to bleed to death every time he takes a shit,” my father says, earning a laugh from the three of them.

 Ingirid only shrugs. “Worth a try.”

“I appreciate your dedication,” father says with a nod. “Anything you three needs?”

“I think we’re all set, just making sure all the blades are sharp,” he says.

Father nods. “Well, we’ve got more to do before we’ll be ready. We’ll leave you to it.”

As we walk off, Thormar comes up. “Father, brother, I would like to show you this device I made.”

“I’m sorry, Thormar, but we’re a tad busy with preparations. Can you show us later?” father asks.

“I suppose, but this will help with the salt water…”

“Not now, son. I promise you, we’ll talk later,” father says as Thormar sighs. He pats him on the shoulder before we move on to the slave quarters. The small house has bunk beds lining the walls, with hardly any room in between. All men. They look up and get into line as father walks in. Some don’t hide their hate for us. A rather tall elf with dull green eyes and long dark hair meets my eyes. He has no love for me.

Father finds one particular slave out of the rest and walks up to him. “Ealhstan, right?”

The man with dark hair nods. “This will be your tenth raid, is it not?”

He nods again. “That means you’ll have earned your freedom. I’ll offer you the same as I offer every slave who becomes a free man. A place on our ships, but not as an oarsman, as a raider. You’ll earn your coin just like every other man. Will you take it?”

The man thinks a bit before nodding. “Yes, lord. I would like the opportunity to earn some coin.”

“Good. Come see me when you get back, and I’ll make sure you get a roof over your head and a ship to work on,” father says before he turns to the rest of them. “That is what you work for. You serve on our ships and you earn your freedom. And then you can earn your gold, or you can leave and go wherever ya like. It just takes a little sacrifice. We’re not cruel or unfair. We just take what we need and give back what is earned.”

With that, he walks out, and I follow. As we leave, he turns to me. “It is important that you give those unfortunate souls something to live for. A little hope goes a long way. Besides, if they can live long enough to earn their freedom, we can easily replace them by that time, and the ones who do become free will also become loyal, as strange as that sounds.”

I nod and follow him back into the hall. It makes sense. As we take a back alley to the hall, we stumble upon some arguing. Somehow, I am not surprised to see one of them is Gorm, but I am surprised to see Koll arguing with him and none other than the Wolf pup amongst them with his cat pet. To be honest, I’d never thought I’d see a Wolf and cat together without fighting. 

“Do you want to know why you always get assigned the shitty locations? Because no one trusts you. Enjoy the tundra. I’m sure your crew will get plenty of snow to divide amongst themselves,” Koll says as he steps up between Gadaric and Gorm.

Gorm clenches his fist, but eyes me and father before turning to walk off. I bear into his back with my glare. “What did Gorm want? Trying to leech off you?”

Koll shrugs. “He was trying to pick a fight with a Wolf.”

I growl. “Figures. Always going after those he thinks are weaker than himself.”

“I am not weaker than him. I can take him in a fight,” the Wolf pup says.

Neither of us acknowledge him. Koll puts a hand on my shoulder. “Of course, he’s never willing to fight a true challenge. He’s nothing like you, and that’s why you have my respect. You never back down from a real challenge, even when it might mean certain death. A true Viking, unlike that coward.”

“I am my father’s son. Besides, I can’t let myself stay in the old man’s shadow, no matter how big it is,” I say, even though it’s a lie. I can’t even force myself to smile.

My father puts his hand on my other shoulder. “You’ll make a shadow of your own. Now, Koll. Just the man I was looking for. Let’s get the Skippers together and go over the preparations over a meal. Bring your eldest son as well. He should start being in on these meetings, and tell the others to bring their second in command. Not all the Skippers, just the ones we talked about earlier.”

“Certainly. I’ll get the others. They’re all eager to get out. None of them like leaving later than the others, but we all understand why.”

My father nods. “It had to be done. No one wants to fall out of favor with Teowulf’s line.”

“Right. Well, I’ll meet you in the hall after I get the others,” Koll says as he walks away. My father takes one look at the Wolf pup and walks away.

I follow behind him as we walk to the hall. On our way, we run into Einar talking to his nephew Tandril. The one who faints at the sight of blood, which is pretty pathetic. “Listen, boy. I’m allowing you to come to do all the grunt work. Just stay out of the way and don’t make me regret it. It’ll be your own fault if you get yourself killed. Understand?”

Trandil, a weak and skinny boy about Thormar’s age, nods, wiping his long hair out of his face. Einar’s expression contorts in disgust. He really hates the boy. Even though I think he’s weak and pathetic, I can’t imagine hating a relative. Einar blames the boy for his sister’s death since she died giving birth to him. Even so, I still couldn’t hate one who shares my blood. As much as some of them get on my nerves.

“Einar, my friend. Will you join us in the hall? Koll is getting Throst. I’d like to go over last-minute preparations and go over plans,” father says, getting a nod from Einar. “Bring your son as well. He should be here too. It’s time the sons learn to lead.”

Einar nods. “I’ll go get Vog. Although, I have half a mind to bring Eystein instead. He might not be much of a fighter, but he’s got more brains than Vog. Although Vog is better with a sword. Neither have both. And yet my daughters seem to have what the other two lack.”

“Bring all of them then,” father says, and Einar nods and turns to leave with Trandil heading over to the hall. Most likely to go to Thormar. The two seem to be close friends. Can’t imagine why Thormar would want a friend like Trandil who wouldn’t last in a fight. I can’t imagine him in a battle with blood washing the ground. Wouldn’t last the first charge. Even if he does somehow manage to kill a man, he’d pass out and be trampled on.

We enter the hall, and I can finally sit down. Semet, the green-eyed elven slave Arngunn favored, brings me a plate of food. She’s a beautiful girl with chocolate brown skin the color of bronze. A slender thing, but has a nice rump. I can see why many would want to hump her, but as long as I am here, no one will touch her. That is what Arngunn wanted, and that is what shall be.

The weasel Guthhere brings my father a plate. He was one of the slaves we brought back from the raid Thorkel had died on. He’s a short, stubby man-child slave and I do not trust him. I don’t know why mother picked him to be one of our house slaves, but he is the type to compliment you to your face and spite you when your back is turned. Thankfully, she took those priests as well and keeps them as her and Sigvor’s personal slaves. Something tells me it’s because they can do magic.

“Thormar! You should be here to hear this,” my father shouts. Thormar nearly trips coming out of his room with Trandil behind him. 

He puts his shoulder on the other boy. “We’ll talk about this later, my friend.”

I bet they’re talking about Thormar’s plans to sail west. I hope to the gods he doesn’t plan on giving any important role to Tandril, or I’ll have to rethink my investment. Trandil nods and walks off as Thormar joins us. Guthhere is quick to bring him a plate of food with that fake smile. He’s got a face you just want to punch. Thorkel would surely agree.

Guthhere is still not as bad as that other snake, Morcar. He’s another weasel who shoves his nose up other people’s asses, only to stab them in the back. I’ve seen him do it with other slaves, and it took everything in me not to toss the gutless bastard into the drink. If only Bodvar were here. He loved to make the weasel’s life miserable. I, admittedly, enjoyed watching how creative my little brother got at the pranks he’d pull on him.

The others join us. Einar brings Vog, who gives me a curt nod, and Eystein, along with his two daughters, Thorgunna and Gudfrid.

Semet brings a plate of food out to Einar as Guthhere rushes to try to outdo her. My hand clenches into a fist as Vog cops a feel with Semet. Her face shows her horror. “Semet, will you go and make sure I have everything packed? Double check my bags. I don’t want to go out to sea and realize I’m missing something.”

Her face shows a hint of relief. “As you wish, lord.”

She hurries off to my room. Vog looks very disappointed. My father doesn’t look pleased either. I don’t really care. Koll walks in with Aunt Ingithora, Veleif, Svafar, and Saxi. Guthhere rushes to get them all drinks and food. His fake smile is now replaced with visible worry.

I can’t hold my laugh as Vog sticks out a foot and trips him. My father growls his frustration. “For the love of the gods, slave. Don’t be so damn clumsy, and fetch one of the others to help since you’re taking forever.”

“Yes, lord,” Guthhere says as he scurries off.

Throst walks in with his wife and sea navigator, Armod, and his two eldest daughters, Asvor, and Alfdis. Both golden-haired beauties who know how to handle a sword just as well as any man.

Guthhere comes back with none other than Morcar, the other weasel, and the two of them scramble to get everyone drinks and food. “Now that we can talk without the other Skippers, I have to tell you all something. I didn’t just delay you because of the meeting, but for another reason. I have word from Kadal who intercepted a messenger to Chillshore about a ship that is to leave from the south any day and will be carrying the Lord of Chillshore’s son along with his new bride-to-be. You can count on it. They’ll have a treasure trove of gold. I can also imagine it will be a ship well-guarded. I’d like to take the Lordling alive. We can ransom him back to Chillshore or use him to draw them out. Either way, make sure no one from the ship escapes. We can’t have word getting back to Chillshore.”

Koll grins. “Now this will be a much welcome raid. I have been longing for a good score.”

“And you will get it. I do have reason to believe they will have wizards with them. From what I know, they are the type that uses this Arcane Magic. My wife learned a lot from our wizard-warrior visitor Thon and has been making amulets to protect against this Arcane Magic,” father says.

“Yes, I worked with her to help make these wards against the magic. It is strong magic. Able to move things in the air and summon and configure things. There are lots of uses for this magic from what I have learned when we spoke with Thon. He taught us enough. Sigvor, Thorkatla, and I have been hard at work using the knowledge to make amulets to protect as many as we can, but we didn’t have time to make enough. So, we’ll have to use them sparingly. We still don’t know the extent that these will work. And apparently, it’ll only protect against Arcane Magic and nothing else,” Ingithora says.

“What do you mean… Arcane Magic? Is there more than one kind of magic? I thought magic was just magic,” Einar says.

“From what we learned, there are several different kinds of magic. Arcane is the most prevalent among us and the High Elves that reside in the desert to the far south. Their wood elven cousins who live north of them use a different kind of magic. It’s a magic that allows them to talk to the animals and trees. They can grow a tree as fast as you can set a sail. All plants and animals bend to their will, and some can even become animals themselves,” Ingithora says.

“I would not mind having this magic,” Einar says, scratching his beard as he stares off into the distance. Probably imagining all he could do with such power. I can’t help but think of it, too. You’d think since my mother can use magic, then I’d be able to as well.

“So, these things you made will protect us from the High Elven magic then, but not the Wood Elven magic?” Throst asks.

“That is correct. There are more than those two as well. This religion of the Light uses another magic called Divine. It is mostly used for healing.”

“I have seen it at work,” I say out loud as they all stare at me. “On our way back from the raid, one of the priests we captured was injured with a deep gash on his head. So, I allowed one of the others to heal him. It’s a bright warm light, and after the woman was done there was not a scratch left.”

All of them take time to consider what I said. My father scratches his beard. “It would be nice to have some of these healers on our ships.”

Einar laughs. “Good luck with convincing them.”

My father shrugs and nods for Aunt Ingithora to continue. “And there is forbidden magic that even the elves will not practice and forbade it. None speak of it, but Thon mentioned Demonic Magic along with Dark Magic.”

“Very well. Thankfully, most of the Wood Elves we ever come across are collared with the High Elven magic prohibiting collars. Where is this ship coming from?”

“It is actually a Golden Elven trading company ship. He is riding aboard their ships from the river by Riverhall to Chillshore. The lord there has some kind of agreement with the High Elves. They are supplied slaves and shipping for the ore they steal from our mountains,” father says.

“Then we must separate them from our ore and the gold,” Koll says, with my father’s agreement.

“And the slaves,” Einar says.

“Of course, the slaves,” Father agrees.

“How many ships will accompany them?” Koll asks.

“I can assume three or four. They will want to put enough ships on it to dissuade the small pirate raiding parties, but not put too many on it to draw attention,” father says.

“What’s the plan, then?” Einar asks, taking a swig before he rips into a slice of ham. “The plan is simple,” father says with a grin.

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Lura Syllana

I’ve reached level nine quite easily. By now, I’ve learned how to cleanse poisons, which isn’t all that different from curing diseases, along with how to place blessings, cleanse water of taint, deal with severe injuries, and remove curses of forbidden magic. Now I must learn how to make a shield and use the Light to smite. Of course, all of what we are taught during our time as Accepted are the pure basics of using the Divine Light. Once we become Sisters, that’s when the real learning begins.

Now that I’ve advanced far enough, I’ve decided to take a step back and focus on Terel’s books. Most of the others have read through them, and I’ve now got a stack of them that I’m sure Melyis is just waiting to get a chance to read, along with anyone else who’s received the notes from Terel.

I pick up the first book I have yet to finish and read on. Within it, he mentions that the world is not at all what we believe it to be. It’s actually a sphere, a ball, and it spins which gives us night and day. Not only that, but it revolves around our own sun instead of the common belief of our sun orbiting around our world. We’re not the only world that revolves around our sun and those stars in the sky are other suns that have their own worlds revolving around them. And this is all done because of this thing called gravity. We feel the force that holds us to the ground. It’s what makes our world revolve around the sun and the moons revolve around our world. It’s mind-boggling to think about. We’re just small specks in such a large universe. What other false beliefs do we hold on to?

I take a break for lunch and quietly talk to the others who have read. “Can you guys believe the things Terel said about our world? It is a giant ball.”

“I refuse to believe that,” Biremeril says. “I can accept the things about other gods and what not, but I will not believe that our world is like some ball. And this concept of gravity. That doesn’t make any sense. How would people at the bottom of the world stick to the ground? And how does the water not fall off the world? I can’t believe it.”

“I don’t know. It makes sense to me. Have you ever whirled a bucket of water over your head?” Charinva asks, with her nose buried in a book. She doesn’t wait for a response. “The water doesn’t fall when it’s upside down over your head. What keeps the water in the bucket? It’s kinda like gravity, right? But It’s different. It all makes sense to me. The thing I have a hard time wrapping my head around is that we’re just pawns in a game of war with these gods. They move us around and sacrifice us like it’s all just a game, yet they die and rise again, but what happens to us? We’re just ants beneath their feet. Do you care about the ants that you hardly even notice?”

Biremeril shakes his head. I only shrug and sigh. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Chalia rush over. She looks disturbed. Her eyes meet mine and she stops. She bites her lip and then rushes over to me. “Lura, you have to come with me.”

“What is it?” I ask.

She searches my eyes. “Some of the Paladins have returned from the north.”

My eyes go wide as words go unspoken. I get up from the table and take care of my trash before going with Chalia as the others rush behind us. We make our way out to the main entrance where people gather as Sisters and Brothers from the north make their way through. Behind them are the Paladins. Both men and women in armor. They look weathered. None of them are Orym. Behind them are the esquires, Paladins in training. They hold up the fallen upon planks. And there, lying on a plank lies Orym. His flesh is a cold icy blue with his eyes covered with pendants.

It feels like the light inside of me has gone out as I watch his lifeless body being carried through the hall. I drop to my knees as tears rain down from my eyes like a storm of sorrow. My heart just died and shattered into pieces. The warmth I felt has gone cold and the joy I found here has withered into sorrow like a flower in the desert that goes without water. This feels like it is all my fault. Orym was punished because we fell in love with each other. He’s now dead and gone because he gave me his heart, and the worst part is, for the longest time, I thought he was a liar. I thought he took my virginity and left with my heart. And now that I know the truth, that it wasn’t his choice, the pain of losing him like this hurts even worse. Knowing that he only left because he was being punished. When I found that out, my heart beat again, but there is nothing left of it anymore. I feel so hollow inside. That light I found here has been snuffed out and all that is left is darkness.

I feel arms wrap around me, but I can’t bring myself to care. I hear Chalia whisper in my ear. “Come, Lura. Let’s go back to your room. You don’t want people to see you like this.”

I don’t care how people see me. I don’t care about anything anymore, but I let her guide me away. Others ask why I’m so upset. No one but Chalia knows the truth. Back in my room, I lay down and bury myself in my pillow. Chalia stays for a while, but eventually leaves. I don’t know how much time passes, but I can’t bring myself to get out of bed.

So many what-ifs are running through my mind right now. What if I never took Orym as a customer? What if I just kept serving drinks instead of serving men? What if I never snuck into Low Town? What if I listened to my father and never started thieving? What would things be like if I just listened?

My parents and my uncle, along with his crew, wouldn’t be slaves right now. Orym might still be alive. I’d still be with my family, even though we’d still be stuck in Tent City scrounging for food, but at least no one would have been hurt by my actions. Why do people suffer like this? Why must we endure such hardships? Will the Light ever give us salvation? What is the reason for such suffering? Does any of it matter?

A knock at the door pulls me out of my swirling thoughts. Light breaks in as Chalia enters. “I brought you some food. You need to eat.”

She brings the tray in as I sit up from my bed. She sits down next to me and puts the tray in her lap. Then she snaps her fingers, lighting the lamp. “I don’t feel like eating right now.”

“It’s been nearly two full days since you’ve been hidden away in here. You have to eat,” she says as she picks up a bread roll and hands it to me.

I give in and force myself to eat it, only to appease her so she’ll leave me alone. “They’re allowing people to go pay their respects to Orym and the others. I thought you should know.”

My head perks up as my eyes go wide. “Really? I must go see him.”

“Not until you eat all of this food,” she says.

I sigh but relent and try to stuff everything down. It’s hard, I feel so weak. She tries to get me to slow down, but I need to see him. When I finally finish, she takes me to him. Apparently, this happens all too often because they have a chamber just for this. Orym rests upon a slab of marble in a small side room. Fortunately, no one else is here. We walk into the small room. Chalia puts her hand on my shoulder. “I’ll let you be alone with him. Just don’t lose yourself in grief.”

I nod. “Thank you, Chalia. For everything.”

She nods and then walks away. I look down at his body, dressed in a pure white robe. His skin is that cold, icy blue. It’s as if the light of his soul was taken from his body. It looks like him, but I know he is not here. This is the shell he left behind upon his death. I take in a deep breath and let it go. “I don’t even know what to say. For the longest time, I thought you were only lying to me. I thought you used me and left me. Then I learned the truth. You were forced to leave. Punished for loving me. I don’t know what is worse. A world without you in it is a dark and cold place, and I don’t know if I can bear it.”

I place my hand on top of his, only to feel cold. I remember his touch and this isn’t it. It was warm and holy. It felt as Divine as the Light he filled me with the night I gave him my virginity. I wish I could give him my light. Tears fall from my eyes, but it does nothing to lessen the pain inside of me. “I just wish I knew why you couldn’t come back. I wish I had a chance to say goodbye. If I knew that night was going to be the last night we had together, I would’ve broken my heart in two and given the other half to you. If I knew the trouble our love was going to cause, I would’ve kept us apart to save you.”

“I thought you were the one.” I look up to see Damaris standing there. She looks as sad as I feel. “I knew Orym fell in love with someone at that Brothel and I had a suspicion it was you, but I didn’t know for sure.”

“It’s all my fault. He’s dead because he loved me,” I say, pulling my eyes away.

“Oh, no child, this… This is not your fault,” she says as she closes the distance between us. She pulls me into her arms. “Orym had a big heart, and he was incapable of keeping it from falling in love. He decided to love you, and he knew what could happen. And aside from that, this is one thing I believe the church is wrong on. The love you shared with him was pure and it never deserved to be punished. This… This is the fault of the church. Not you or Orym.”

I look up at her and she smiles at me. It’s a sad smile. “Come, I need to give you something, and I think it’s best we go somewhere to sit.”

I go with her, and she leads me out to the courtyard as we find a bench somewhere secluded. She pulls out an envelope and looks down at it. “Before Orym was sent to the North, he mentioned you. He didn’t mention your name, but he said a girl might come looking for him. He also told me how he fell in love with her and that he couldn’t help himself. He said she saved him from his own pain. That you saved him. He said you were this sweet, wonderful, and truly good person. You made him find the Light once more. Orym had a hard life, not that different from your own. I found the poor boy after his mother and father were killed. They were merchants doing business in Chillshore, and I was there for the church. We were on our way to Barefrost when we were attacked by a tribe of particularly cruel Northmen called Bone Eaters. They killed his parents right in front of him. I managed to pull him away as men from Barefrost who were traveling to Chillshore arrived. We survived, but Orym was now all alone. The poor boy had no one else. I took him in and brought him to the church. But he wanted to avenge his family, so he left to become a warrior. It took a lot of time for him to find the Light after losing his parents, but he eventually came back. Even then, he still was lost in the dark for a long while. I thought for a moment he found peace, but then they sent him to the north after he was caught at the brothel. Maybe it was you who helped him find it.”

Her words only make me want to cry even more. She hands me the letter. “He wrote this for you. He told me when a girl comes asking for me, give her this.”

I look down at the letter and trace my fingers down the ruffled parchment. I open the fold of the envelope and pull out the parchment inside. Unfolding it, I find that his handwriting feels as warm as his voice.

Lura,

To the woman who found my heart within the darkness of my soul, know I didn’t leave you by choice. It seems our love has come at a cost. The night you gave me your first, I was caught with my heart in your hand. For that, I have been sent to the land that took my family. Perhaps this was meant to be. Life always seems to come full circle. But know this: I will not forget you, and I will fight for our love until the day we can be together again. My heart belongs to you, even if my body fights for the Light. I will not give up on us. I just hope you find it in your heart to forgive me for my sudden disappearance.

If I shall die, forget about me and live your life. And please reconsider joining the church. You have a good heart, and it would flourish within the service of the Light. They may have ridiculous rules, but the Light brings out those with the purest of hearts and surely that is where you belong.

I hope you find your family and free them.

My heart is yours,

Orym

Tears drip down onto the parchment, smudging his words. I try to wipe them away, but I can’t stop the flow. Damaris’s gentle touch rubs up and down on my back. “It’s okay to grieve. Just let it out.”

With utmost care, I fold the parchment and put it back within the envelope, holding it to my chest. “Maybe the church is right about attachments. Surely no pain could be as bad as this.”

“There were times I could agree with you, but wouldn’t you rather have loved and lost than to never have loved at all? Orym gave you something rare that few people ever find. An unconditional and pure love. Even the insurmountable pain of its internal absence is worth a mere moment of its overwhelming presence.”

I look up at her, wiping away tears that forever rain. “Maybe in time I will feel that way.”

I look out at the courtyard, no longer seeing the light of life, but only the gloom of its absence. I look back up at Damaris. “Will I see him again when I too join the Light when I die?”

She looks deep into my eyes, searching. After a deep breath and a long release, she nods. “Yes, I believe so.”

“Then I guess I will just have to hold on and be good until I can earn my place next to his.” I close my eyes, searching for his face. It was only brief moments we had together, and that’s all that I will have with him until I join him in the Light.

We sit there for a while in silence. Finally, Damaris tells me that I should say my final farewell before they send the dead to the Light. She walks with me back to the visiting chambers before she takes her leave.

I look at the man who gave me his heart. “Do not worry, my love, we will meet again soon when I finally join you in the Light. For now, I have to serve faithfully so the Light will find me worthy. I will earn my place next to yours.”

“What are you doing here?” I look up and am surprised to see none other than Olizara Greatgazer entering the chamber.

“I’m just paying my respects and honoring the dead. What about you?” I ask.

“I was close with Orym. Our families were related. You seem awfully grievous for someone who never met him,” she says, as she stares at me suspiciously. I can tell she still holds contempt in her heart because I surpassed her. That seems so petty now.

“I only knew him for a brief moment, but he left a big impression on my life,” I say, which is the honest truth.

Her eyes narrow at me. They shift between Orym’s body and my own eyes. Then they go wide. “It was you! You were the whore that got him in trouble. Weren’t you?”

My eyes go wide. “I… I…”

“I knew there was something wrong about you. You’re nothing but a whore. You don’t deserve to wear these robes,” she says as she sneers at me.

“I…”

“I’m going to tell everyone that you are the reason he is dead,” she says, turning on her heels and rushing out.

“No! I loved him,” I say as I take a step forward, but give up. What if she is right? He wouldn’t be in trouble if it were not for me. He didn’t go to that brothel for sex. That just doesn’t seem like something he would do. He went there to find love, and I gave it to him.

I turn back to where he lies. Where his empty shell lies. I don’t care what she tells people. I know the truth in my broken heart. I loved him with all of it and it died with him. After a long moment, I try to bring the words to say my goodbye, but I can’t. I don’t know how to say goodbye. Instead, I pray that we will see each other once more when I join him in the Light if I am found worthy.

I walk out and return to my room. Chalia is waiting for me. “Hey, Damaris wants to meet with all of us. She said it is urgent.”

I follow her into a classroom where all the other strays are. Damaris is waiting for us. “Is everyone here?”

Everyone nods. “Good, this will not take long. I have just been given urgent news and I must leave. I hope I won’t be gone long, but there is something important I must take care of. I’m sorry that I cannot say more than what I’ve just spoken. I promise you all that one day all will come to light, but for now, be patient. Look out for each other, and hold firm within the Light. Now I must be off.”

I rush out behind her as she walks off. “Sister Damaris!”

She turns to meet my eyes. “I’m sorry, Lura. I don’t have time to talk. I must go now. When I return, I will be with you. I promise.”

“Sister Damaris!” Chalia says as she rushes up beside me.

Damaris meets Chalia’s eyes and gives her a brief smile. “Don’t worry Chalia. I’ll be back before you know it. Now I must go.”

And she does. Leaving us all. We head out a window to watch her leave the Cathedral as she meets up with High Mother Mathienne, Mother Vedana, and Mother Nostra along with several other Sisters.

“What do you think is so important?” I ask.

“I don’t know… Whatever it is, it must be worth the urgency,” she says. I nod. The rest of the strays also watch with us.

Ralodan among us looks suspicious as he rubs his chin. Regardless, I just don’t have the energy to care anymore. I head back to my room and bury myself in my sheets.

I don’t know how long before Chalia walks in. “They’re going to perform the ascension of the dead. I thought you should be there to see Orym one last time.”

I pull myself out of bed and nod. Chalia helps me clean up, and I follow her to join the others as we walk into a sacred chamber of ascension. As soon as I walk in, whispers flurry through the crowd as everyone stops what they’re doing to stare at me. Some point and others glare. I already know what they are talking about. Olizara must have been spreading the word about my relationship with Orym. Or her version of it.

I don’t care. Let them talk. Nothing they say could make me feel any worse than I already do. I follow Chalia as we join the other strays.

When the ritual begins, they bring in the bodies of the deceased, starting with one I do not know. The elf is put on the marble altar at the center of the chamber. Several priests and priestesses gather around and lock hands. Father Anfather stands within the circle with a book opened. “Light be praised, for today we send one of our Brothers and Sisters to join our fallen family within the Light. May the Light look after your soul, my fallen Brother.”

They sing as a beam of white-hot light falls down upon the body and it is lifted up, disintegrating within the Light as if it becomes one with the Divine flame.

Next, Orym is brought out and laid upon the altar. I can barely see through my tears as Father Anfather repeats the words for Orym. They are lost on me as I watch the Light lift my love up to the heavens, taking my heart with him. His body becomes one with the Divine.

Several others ascend after Orym, but the rest of the ritual fades away as I look up to the Light and pray for the keeper of my broken heart. May the Light keep him safe. I pray that I am worthy of finding the path to him so we can be together once more. He was the man who showed me what love was. He was kind and gentle to me when I needed it most. Even though there was a time when I was lost when he was sent north, our love never died.

After the ceremony, I follow Chalia out and over to get supper with the others. I sit with my friends as I pick at my food, lost in the few blissful memories of the only nights we shared. Our moments were few, but they were filled with more passion and love than I have ever felt. Now he is gone and I am here, left with an empty chest and a missing heart. I take a deep breath and let it out.

“Are the rumors true?” Ochilysse asks as I look up to meet her eyes. “Did you work at a brothel before you came here and sleep with Orym?”

“Ochilysse! That’s none of your business,” Chalia says.

“I was only wondering. Rumors are spreading all throughout the halls. I just wanted to know the truth,” she says.

“Whore!” a noble Accepted says as she walks by.

I look all around to see people whispering and pointing at me. Words like whore, prostitute, slut, and even worse are being thrown around with my name attached. They’re saying I’m the whore who got Orym killed. I got him sent to the north. I seduced him and corrupted his pure heart. Tears burn down my cheeks as I get up and run out. “Lura!” I don’t care anymore. About anything. I just want to die.

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Bothvar Beorcolsson

“Father,” Thormar says, drawing his attention. “May I ask why we do not sail west? Wasn’t that what Thorkel wanted? I’ve seen maps of islands and other lands to the west and southwest past the long forest of the elves. I’ve heard they’re rich with resources.”

“They are also rich with danger. I would love to journey west, but now is not the time to throw men into the sea. Besides, in order to get there, we either have to risk sailing too close to the elven lands or risk sailing too far into the Dead Sea where monsters swim, the Kraken among them along with the Merrow. I’d rather face the elves than those monsters.”

“Aren’t the elves of the forest the enemies of the elves that hunt us in their ships? Why don’t we make peace with the Forest Elves so we can sail safely across their shores?” Thormar asks.

“That is a good suggestion, but I doubt the elves will hear us out when we have many of their people enslaved. Like the blue-eyed High Elves who hunt us, the green-eyed Forest Elves have no love for us either,” father says.

“Scyra, daughter of King Teowulf, mentioned she trained with them,” I say without even thinking.

“Maybe she can speak to them on behalf of all of us?” Thormar asks.

“Perhaps when we meet them during our next All Clan meeting, we can talk about it then and look into the possibility of sailing west. However, if we ever do want to make peace with them, I’m sure they will request that we free their people we hold as slaves. That will not go over well with those who hold them as thralls,” he says.

“Surely, we can compensate for them. There can’t be many enslaved,” Thormar says.

“Enough to severely dent our coffers,” father says.

“What if we outlawed slavery entirely?” Thormar asks.

Father nearly chokes on wine he brought to his lips. “If I tried to outlaw slavery, I’d be parted with my head. Besides, our way of life would come to a halt. You underestimate how much we rely on slave labor for our day-to-day life. Everything from farming to most of the laborious tasks in our ships. Let alone those who help alleviate men’s lust. Lots of men resort to taking slaves for wives since many men have multiple wives.”

“Couldn’t we pay for such services?” Thormar asks.

Father shrugs. “We could… Perhaps. That would probably tarnish our coffers just as much as paying to free the slaves from their masters. And a large part of our wealth comes from selling slaves to the other tribes. Let this be the end of this conversation. Maybe someday in the future we can find a new way to provide for our people, but for now slavery is ingrained in our culture and is the biggest source of resources we have to provide for our people. If it comes to the life of a slave over the lives of our citizens, I will sacrifice every slave in our town.”

After we leave the hall for our own rooms to pack, I walk into Thormar’s room as he fills his packs with what he thinks he needs for our raid. Most of it is junk he could easily do without, but this is not a battle I care to fight.

“I agree with you, little brother.” He looks up at me with a raised eyebrow. “I despise our reliance on thralls. I think it is wrong. As much as I despise the elves, I can see they are not that different from ourselves. Neither are the other races we have enslaved. And I also would like to sail west, as Thorkel wished.”

“Why didn’t you say something, then?” he asks.

“Because father is right. Our society would collapse without the slaves for now. We have no other way to support ourselves, and if war is to come then we will need every man and woman to fight. Sailing west is an unknown risk full of danger. It is better to attack the safer bet and get what we know is possible than to risk everything on something we have no idea of what it could bring.”

He sighs. “You’re right. I just… I want to see what’s out there. I need to know.”

“How about this, little brother? I’ve been saving gold for some time. If you raise enough money, I will help you pay Osvald to build a new ship. Then all you need to do is recruit a crew and next summer, you can sail west. But you will have to do it with only the men you can take on your ship. It is a gamble and a major risk, but if you are sure about this, you can have your chance to sail with your own ship. Which I will partially own, of course, and I’ll get a share in the profits along with the tax you’ll owe to father. But you and your men who join you will get the rest of whatever you earn.”

Thormar doesn’t even hesitate. His eyes light up with excitement. “You’d do that?”

I nod. “Of course. This was important to Thorkel.”

“Will you come with me?” he asks.

I shrug. “Perhaps, I do not know. As the eldest now, my duty is here with the people. I must go where we vote and most likely, that will be south.”

He nods. “I’ll start making plans and recruiting. I’ve already got friends who I’ve been talking to that are very interested in going west. Trandil, Einar’s nephew, and possibly his son Eystein. Our second cousins of Koll’s grandchildren are also interested. At first it was just Gudrik and Starolf, but now Asvor, Bolla, and even Hilde. Same with Hosvir, Solmund and Griotgard’s younger brother. Svala wants to come too and she’ll be old enough next summer. Hosvir even convinced his sister Vigdis. Bodvar wanted to come, but now that he is with the Wolf Clan, I suppose he can no longer come with us. Maybe this Gadaric will come?”

“You’ve been planning this for some time. The only problem with your crew is they are all as young as you are. No experience. You’ll need someone who knows what they are doing and knows the seas. I won’t let you go until you find someone who can help guide you.”

“Fair enough. I’m sure we’ll find someone by next summer,” he says.

“You also do not have a Sea Navigator and you can’t have Skardi,” I say.

“Hopefully whoever has the experience can be the sea navigator,” he says.

“Perhaps… Maybe even Svala might do, but she is still too young and untested. You want someone who has been out on the sea for some time and knows what they are doing or you’ll be sailing in circles. You must have someone who can read the stars, the moons, and the sun. They must be able to know when storms come and how to tell when land is near. Without one, you’ll end up lost to the sea and most likely in the Kraken’s belly,” I say.

He sighs. “I will find one. I am sure of it, brother. I have to sail west. It is a feeling deep inside my gut.”

I walk up and put my hand on his shoulder. “I will do whatever I can to help you. I believe in you. We may disagree on things from time to time, and I’ve given you a hard time here and there, especially when Thorkel was alive, but I do not doubt your conviction. You are smart. Smarter than most of us. You’ll do great things, I know it.”

Thormar barrels into my chest with a bear hug. He’s gotten much stronger, especially with all the training in the mountains. “Thank you, Bothvar. It means a lot to me.”

I nod and mess his hair up. I need to stop doing that.

“Just remember this one thing, if you meet a race of people who do not speak your language, do not teach them bad habits,” I say, which makes him tilt his head. “Or else you’ll have to endure getting your hair messed up every time you see them.” With that, I walk out with a wry smile on my face. Something father always did to us, always getting the last word in, giving strange advice, and leaving you to ponder it. But it is good advice, nonetheless, and I’m sure if he goes west, he’ll need it.

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Lura Syllana

Time seems to pass by so fast as I meditate. It’s still hard to ignore the call of the blue flame. I want to dive back into it, but thankfully the Divine Light I feel when I channel through the crystal is just as fulfilling, if not more so. It takes me a little over twelve days, meditating around eight hours a day to complete my hours. Then I sit with Sister Jereno to pass her test where I show her that I can make the Light with ease. In fact, it’s become almost instinctual. It barely takes a couple of seconds to clear my mind and bring the Light out.

Ralodan, Biremeril, and Melyis have also made it to level one. Unfortunately, our next class is taught by a noble Sister named Eredina Duskforce. She’s not so helpful, but the tasks we need to learn to achieve level two don’t seem too hard. We have to be able to encompass ourselves within the Light, which it seems like I’ve already done that. Then we also have to focus the Light to a point. It doesn’t take long for Ralodan to complete it and pass on to level two, which makes me a little jealous.

Thankfully, I was right, and I have done part of it already. I’m already able to encompass myself within the Light. It feels so natural to do so. It’s as if my body seeks to be blanketed by it.

Now, trying to focus that Light into a single point is a lot harder. That takes a lot of will and effort. I can hardly get it smaller than my palm. I feel like I have to use all my concentration and strength just to contain it within a ball that will fit inside my hand. It’s a struggle. I have to fight it with both hands.

I spend all day in my room trying to squeeze the ball into a coin with no luck. By the time lunch comes around the next day, I’m drenched in sweat and out of breath. I’m exhausted. I pull myself to lunch and grab some food.

“You kinda stink,” Chalia says as she holds her nose as I take a seat next to her.

“I have to agree with her,” Charinva says, yet she doesn’t even bother to cover her nose as she uses one hand to eat and the other to hold a book, sitting across from me.

“What’s got you in a sweat?” Ralodan says as takes the seat on the other side of me.

“Just trying to make a mountain into a molehill.” I stab my fork into the vegetables and jam them in my mouth.

“Come again?” Ralodan asks, raising an eyebrow.

“I’ve been trying to focus the Light into a point. I can’t even get it smaller than a ball the size of my hand.”

“Oh, that was easy,” Chalia says, with a wave of her hand.

“Yeah, I didn’t have much of a problem with it either,” Ralodan says as he points at the end of my fork. A tiny speck of Light rests on the tip of it. Ralodan has a huge grin.

“Woah! How did you get your energy to be so faint? Mine feels like it’s going to explode,” Charinva asks as she stares up from her book, wide-eyed.

Ralodan leans back in his chair with a casual smile. “I just feel the flow. Light is already there. I make it shine the way I want it to. Just feel the flow of Light. You can only do that if you’re in a state of flow yourself. Like when you meditate and enter that trancelike state. It’s the flow.”

“Why do you call it the flow?” Chalia asks, narrowing her eyes.

Ralodan just shrugs. “I like the way it sounds. It sounds the way I think it feels.”

She shrugs. “Fair enough.”

“So, this flow is basically like meditating?” Charinva asks as she pulls out a long stick that looks like the end of a quill.

“Yeah. But it’s not the same as meditation. You’re active and aware of everything. It’s more about letting go of your thoughts and who you are. You essentially become the Light. When you’re like that, you can basically make it do what you want it to,” he says before he stuffs his face with a fork full.

“That’s extraordinary. I’ve never seen that written anywhere. Where did you learn this?” Charinva asks as she writes notes in the margins of her book.

Ralodan shrugs. “I don’t know. It just felt natural. When I look at the Light, I can see the way it flows. It’s like a river, almost. But it never wavers and always flows the straight path. If you can feel each particle within the Light and what it is, you can mold it however you want to. I don’t know if that makes any sense at all. I just know that’s how I feel it.”

“I’ll have to experiment a little until I feel what you’re describing,” Charinva says.

“I think this might work with any other energy, too. At least it does with Arcane,” he adds and she jots that down too.

“Where’s your ink?” Chalia asks Charinva as she looks around the table.

“An Ink bottle is a terrible inconvenience. I created this to eliminate that inconvenience,” she says as she holds up the thing that looks like a featherless quill. “It’s a quill, but I hollowed it out and put a tiny little ball at the tip, and it’s held in there by a little chamber. As you move the ball, it gets wet in the ink.”

“So, the ball rotates the ink out of the quill?” I ask as I inspect the answer is yes.

“Yes! Exactly.” She smiles and looks a bit shocked by my statement.

“My father used to be somewhat of an inventor. Well, more of a fixer-upper. Everyone used to go to him to get their junk fixed.” I smile. Thinking about memories that threaten to bring the tears out. I take a deep breath and try to find that flow Ralodan was speaking about. I seek the calm, breathing in the air and find it.

After lunch, I head back to my room and try again. Instead of focusing on the task, I slip back into meditation, trying to seek that flow Ralodan speaks of. However, it’s so hard to ignore that immense fire that calls to me. It tries to pull me to it. To submerge me into its overwhelming power.

A knock at the door pulls me away. “Hello?”

“Hey, it’s me. Ralodan!”

“Come in!”

He opens the door with his usual casual smile and steps in. “I just wanted to see if you needed help with your task.”

“How do you enter this flow state when the fire of that energy inside us is trying to pull you into it?” I ask.

“That is a tough one. It’s a hard call to ignore. It’s so bright, vibrant, and addictive. The thing is, when you let the flame consume you, you are not flowing with it, but letting it overpower you and getting pushed by its power. You’re not the one in control, or even the channeler; you’re just the conduit. When you find the flow, you become the flame. It works the same with Divine Light as it does with the Arcane flame. You have to understand the flame and know it as you know yourself. Just as with the Divine Light. Let it flow inside you, just as you flow within it. Only then can you find balance in yourself and within the Light. Once you’ve achieved that balance, you can ask the Light to do whatever you want it to, and it will obey.”

I nod, closing my eyes to meditate as he sits down in my chair. I take a deep breath and slowly let it out. Focusing on my heartbeat, my breath, and seeking the flow. I look deep inside me. Find the flames that burn deep within, but ignore the call. I try to see the flame for what it is, a light, an energy. It is made of so many little specks. They swirl like a fire. Breathing in and out, pulsing like a heartbeat. It feels alive within me. This living manifestation of energy, and I can feel its consciousness. A consciousness that is ageless and formless. It is within me and outside of me. It is all around me. I open my eyes and see it flowing like a river. It flows from source to source. From me to Ralodan, from Ralodan to me, connecting us along with everything else that contains the flame. “I see it. It’s beautiful.”

Ralodan smiles. “See? You’re becoming the flow. It’s amazing, isn’t it?”

“It is. It truly is,” I say, biting my lip, unable to contain my joy. “How… how did you discover this?”

Ralodan shrugs. “I don’t know how to explain it. I just knew it inside of me.”

I look at him, searching his eyes. “Can I ask you something personal?”

“Go ahead,” he says.

“What was your life like before you came to the church?”

He shrugs. “I lived in a monastery on an island somewhere north of here. The island was completely made up of the Church. Having beautiful cathedrals, churches, monasteries, and a full city of servants to the Light. I don’t know my true parents. Never met them. I do have these weird dreams of people like me.

He scratches his head as he bites his lip and then meets my eyes. He then sighs. “I think they might be my family or siblings. They call me Reuel. I believe that means friend. And we follow our father, who I can’t see or hear. I don’t know his name, nor can I see his face. I just know his voice and his presence. It feels like I’m a part of him in some strange way. It’s odd, I know, but it’s a dream. I also have weird dreams where I’m another person. Like one dream, I was practicing magic in this academy. I was using my magic to win and lose at gambling. They called me Magnus. I also had a dream that I was somewhere cold. I was always full of anger and I kept getting into fights with people who were up to no good. My mother was a captain, and she called me Thorvir. There’s a ton more like that. All of them are a bit odd. I just don’t know what any of it means.”

Maybe he is not the Angel Akrasiel reborn. If he was, wouldn’t his dreams call him as such? Despite that, maybe this Reuel person is someone important. Maybe he was a god or something? I don’t know what to make of this Magnus or the human. Thinking about this rebirth stuff makes me realize something. If the Angel Akrasiel can be reborn, couldn’t the other gods? The ones who seek to destroy or conquer us… Or even our older gods of the Arcane such as this Nabu? I look up at Ralodan. “Do you think that the gods who sought to conquer or destroy us would also be reborn like the Angel Akrasiel?”

He shrugs. “I suppose that would make sense. I suppose if it works for one, it should work for the others. You are right, for some odd reason. After all, usually, these things are universal and consistent.”

“You’re probably right.” Now I’m left with another question: who is Reuel and what does it all mean?

“Well, I’ll leave you to practice now that you’ve found the flow,” he says with a smile.

“Thank you so much for your help,” I say and he just gives me that smile and nods before leaving.

I close my eyes and find that same feeling. That flow. This time it is not as hard as before. I suppose, once you see it, once you understand it, it just comes naturally. Once I enter the flow state, it feels so right. I see how things work. How they are. I take the flow and direct it through the crystal and I’m astonished when a flow of warm yellow light comes out. It’s so full of joy, but it’s not exactly pure. It’s mostly Divine, but there’s still some Arcane inside it. Not just Arcane, but something else. Something… Green. It mixes with the Arcane and Divine, giving this light a yellow hue, but it’s neither Divine nor is it Arcane. I separate the three and study each of them. The Arcane I know quite well. It is the light that dwells inside me in a near ocean. I can feel it within me, burning. It also swarms around my invisible ring. That is how he was able to see it…

The Divine Light is something different. It is pure white. Not only is it joy, but it is also justice. It lacks the chaos that Arcane has. It’s pure order. A Light that heals and protects. It seeks to still the chaos and bring peace and stability.

My gaze then lands on the green light. It’s not that different from the Divine Light, but it lacks its order. It’s not exactly chaotic, but it is caught somewhere in between order and chaos. Struggling to find both. The green also heals. And it seeks to grow and flourish. It also clings to the other two lights, seeking their warmth. The green light seems to flourish when it is connected with them. Not only that, it makes them grow stronger as well. That is odd… What is this green light? What does it represent? I seek it out and find more of it within me, which is even stranger yet. There’s actually quite a bit of it inside me. I never noticed it before because it is so intertwined with the Arcane Light, and rather silent compared to it, yet it makes the Arcane stronger and brighter. What could it possibly be, and why does it react like this? It’s strange.

I decide to seek out more of it. I head outside of my room and follow the flow of the lights. Arcane and Divine Light seem to struggle with each to fill the room. Not quite like oil and water, because they seem to meld into each other somewhat, but not completely. The chaos within the Arcane Flame seems to propel the Divine Light, and the Divine Light struggles to bring order to the chaos within the Arcane light. yet the two seem to merge with a benevolent joyfulness within both of them.

I follow the flow and stop when I come across another being that swells with both of them, along with that green Light. “Hey, Lura, you okay?”

I pull myself out of the flow to find Chalia looking at me with a worried expression. “You look as if you’re kind of out of it.”

I smile at her. “I did it, Chalia. The flow that Ralodan spoke of. I discovered it and it is incredible.”

She narrows her eyes. “Really? How so?”

“I can see the flow of energies within the air and within us. It’s so beautiful,” I say.

“How did you do it?” she asks.

“You just have to let go of control and open your eyes. See the Light and the flame for what they are. Once you discover what they are, you can see it flow. It’s amazing,” I say, unable to contain my excitement.

She tilts her head, biting her lip. “I guess I will give it a try, then.”

She then heads off to her own room. I return to the flow and follow it, finding the white and blue rivers fighting and melding with each other down the halls. It’s strange how there is no green light in the air. How come? I only seem to find it within people. What is it?

I head out to the courtyard and gasp, quickly becoming overwhelmed. The green light is everywhere outside. Within the green grass and in the little pollen that gets carried by the gentle breeze. It’s in the trees, the flowers, and it even shines down in the sunlight. I suddenly understand what it is. It’s life. The green light is life itself. That’s why it seems to cling to the other two lights. And that’s why it seems to blossom and grow. It flourishes under the light of the others, in turn giving them strength as well. This is truly the most beautiful and majestic thing I’ve ever seen and felt. I remember now what Akrasiel said about life.

The Celestial life seeks to spread and blossom

That is what this energy is called. Celestial life. I breathe in the air and in turn take in the Light. Filling myself with life. It feels so refreshing. So vibrant and alive. I always want to feel it.

—

After finding the flow, forming a point with the Light feels as easy as lifting my finger. I just take the particles of the Light in the air and weave them together, brightening the shine. I realize now what Ralodan had done at lunch and how he was able to control the brightness. It was about the concentration of these tiny little flecks of Light. He concentrated them within a focal point, enough to give a faint glow without becoming too dense.

Of course, I passed the test easily enough. This makes Biremeril frustrated. He can’t quite figure out how to get the Light to form a point. Meanwhile, Melyis also passed, and I assume Ralodan showed her as well. The two seem to grow closer and closer. I pull Biremeril aside and teach him how to reach the state of flow.

It takes him a good deal of explaining, lots of questions, and a few demonstrations before it finally clicks for him. Chalia also finds it and so does Charinva. I assume Charinva figured it out solely based on what Ralodan said at lunch. She’s so smart. She’s still quite surprised that she hasn’t found it mentioned in any text. It seems few people know of the flow, or are reluctant to talk about it.

With this flow, the lessons we have to learn at each level seem so easy. Healing is as simple as weaving those tiny flecks of Light within the cut and pulling the torn flesh, muscle, and veins together as if I was sewing a quilt or dress. The Light does most of the work, mending the flesh and muscles. Cleansing and purifying diseases and illnesses is not that different. Using the Light, you let it flow through the body, burning up the corruption within it. It’s nothing more than that.

The Sisters are astonished at our progress and ease. It seems none of them know the flow. How were they able to do all this without the flow? It seems impossible to do it without seeing the flow of the Light. Even the spells I thought were so difficult within the books I borrow from Charinva are now so simple. It’s just a matter of directing the flow in order to get that result. Like with transmutation. When I look at the metal, I can see the tiny particles within it. I just have to weave their flow to extract what is needed to change it into something else. Of course, it is the thing I extract that presents the danger, and vice versa for doing the opposite. Of course, to do the opposite, you have to extract what is needed from part of it and put it into the rest of it. Like with turning iron into gold, it seems like you’re left with less, but in truth, the gold is far more than the iron. It makes so much sense now.

Of course, it’s quite difficult to take the air and make it gold. I would nearly suffocate myself trying to draw enough air in to make an adequate amount of gold. Besides, air itself is more complicated than I originally believed. There isn’t just one kind of air. It’s mixed with so many different kinds of air, if that makes any sense. I don’t know how else to explain it. I take a little pleasure when I surpass Olizara Greatgazer, the girl who taught my first class as a Novice. She was not happy about it, but there’s nothing she could do.

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Bothvar Beorcolsson

We return to the village just in time to gather with the others. Eawyn steps in front of the crowd. “Another winter has come and gone. Spring has brought its blossoms, and soon summer will be upon us. Raids will begin, and we will earn our continued survival. We must not forget that we may be separate clans, but we are all of one people. People of the North. One tribe, one heart, and one mind. There will be a time when we must put our differences aside to come together as one tribe under one kingdom once again. When we will be faced with an enemy that seeks to destroy who we are to make us what we are not. The Southerners only seek to make us servants of their Tyrant Usurper. Will any of you bend the knee?”

The crowd roars a defining answer of its refusal to bow down. Eawyn waits for the crowd to die down before she continues. “Then you must stand together and fight for your freedom. You must set aside your petty squabbles.”

She looks right at my father and the Earl of the Wolf Clan. “You must put aside your hate for each other and fight side by side with your rivals. Only when we unite as one clan can we be victorious. Remember, when you raid this summer, you raid as one clan. Everything we take from the Southerners is a victory towards not just our freedom from their tyranny, but our rule over these lands. Not just these lands, but all human lands.”

The crowd cheers its approval, whistling, clapping their hands, and stomping the ground. “Now we depart from each other and go our separate ways for now. But soon, war will be upon us. Ready yourselves and prepare for it. Until then, take what you can from the Southerners and show them why it is wise to fear us.”

The crowd erupts in a deafening roar, clapping each other on the shoulders, raising their fists, and hollering their approval again. After things die down, we all slowly disperse. 

Scyra comes up to me and extends her hand. I nod, taking it and giving it a shake. “Take care, Shadow Killer. I hope we meet again.”

“You as well. Ice Wielder. We will meet again. From what it sounds like, war is coming sooner or later. It would be an honor to fight by your side,” I say. I really do need to come up with better names… Ice Wielder, really?

“As it would be for me to fight by yours,” she says with a smile. “Now take care of your family. I’ll keep in touch with the yeti.”

“That would be much appreciated. And you take care of yours,” I say. We nod and part ways.

I say goodbye to Amalasontha and Amalgunda, as they both show me great honor. Father had to meet one last time with Eawyn and the others before he joins us.

Now comes the hard part. Bodvar is not happy about going with the Wolves. None of us really are. Slaves pile all the things Bodvar brought with him. Father assures him that they will send someone over with the rest of his things that he will need. He makes a long list of the stuff he wants to be brought over.

Bodvar stomps and throws a tantrum about having to live with them. “This isn’t fair! Why do I have to go to the filthy Wolf Clan? Why can’t Thormar go? I’ve got my own purpose. I haven’t even been able to raid yet. I hate them. I hate them all.”

I take a deep breath in and pull him aside. I feel sorry for him. I don’t know if I hate them as much as he or father, but I do feel a strong disliking towards some of them. At least for Vidkunn and Bjarni. I have to admit that I kind of respect the twins, Baldric and Siv. At least from what I’ve heard and seen of them. I don’t necessarily like them, but it is like that of a bear respecting a wolf. That doesn’t mean I wouldn’t kill them if I had to, but those two are different from the elder two. There is something in their eyes that shows how different they are. I feel that we are not that different from each other. I feel some kind of bond that warriors feel for one another. It’s like a brotherhood. Of course, they are all warriors. I cannot deny that. “Listen, little brother, you can’t always choose your fights. All you can do is make the best of what you have. Besides, haven’t you seen Vidkunn’s daughters? I hear they are very pleasant on the eyes. Very beautiful. I also hear they are fierce warriors. Maidens in every sense of the word.”

“Really?” Bodvar asks, slanting his head in obvious skepticism.

“I would not lie to you,” I say, and I am not lying. Surprisingly, the oaf somehow was given beautiful daughters. Obviously, it was his wife who gave them to him, since he is as ugly as a cow pie, not that I am a good judge of a man’s handsomeness.

“I just don’t know… There’s no way they can be that skilled in fighting. Not like us,” he says.

“Possibly. But don’t you want to bed a pretty woman?” I ask.

He shrugs. “I mean, I guess. I like Vigdis.”

I crank my head to the side at his preference. Vigdis? Solmund’s youngest sister? She is his age, but she is not one I’d consider pretty. She definitely has the potential to be a great warrior and is rather fearless, but pretty? No. Definitely not like Arngunn. She’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid eyes upon. I’ll admit that Scyra is a close second. She had eyes I’d never seen before aside from her mother, along with that unnatural snow-white hair. And her face is as beautiful as it gets next to Arngunn’s. “Vigdis? Why her? Why not someone like Einar’s daughter, Thorgunna? Or even her sister Gudfrid? She might be on the more masculine side, but she has a pretty face.”

“Gudfrid, maybe. I seen her knock a man out once. That got me excited. But Vigdis is fearless. She knows how to have fun. I want a woman that can keep up with me and knows how to have fun,” he says.

Now I understand, he just wants a woman as crazy as he is. That makes sense, I guess. “Well, my brother, you are in luck. There is no one crazier than those Wolf women. They are beyond crazy.”

He narrows his eyes, tilting his head. Then runs a hand through his blonde hair. “What do you mean, crazy? I don’t want a woman who doesn’t have a full quiver. Definitely no one like Throst’s daughter, Arngunn. Or Grom’s woman. Or his sister. They are crazy. One moment they are all nice and the next moment they are screaming at you. I don’t want that.”

I laugh hard. “No… Not that kind of crazy. I heard they’re more like you. They have a thirst for battle and adventure. All the Wolf women do. They love to fight and raid. For the sake of the gods, they have wolves for pets. That’s the kind of crazy they are. Completely fearless.”

His eyes light up. “Really?”

I nod. “You’ll have to be careful. I’m sure they’ll want to fight you.”

He scratches his chin. “Maybe this won’t be so bad after all. At least if they are like you say. Any woman who’s not afraid to fight a man is my kind of woman.”

My brother has always been an odd one, but I can somewhat understand his taste. I do find it sexy when a woman knows how to handle a sword, but it is not something I prefer. Arngunn would never pick up a sword. She didn’t care much for fighting. Once Bodvar says goodbye to all his friends and to my surprise he has many, our entire family gathers to meet with the Wolf Clan and, of course, they have their entire family as well.

Bjarni and his wife and son; Vidkunn and his wife; Vidkunn’s sons, their wives and children, and his daughters; and Bjarni’s daughter and her two children, Baldric and Siv, all stand waiting for us in the village. The rest of the city seems to have gathered around, including Eawyn, Kadal, and Scyra.

Bodvar pulls at my sleeve. I lean down as he whispers in my ear. “Which ones are Vidkunn’s daughters?”

I look at Vidkunn and find his wife next to him, along with his youngest son, Gadaric, who will come with us. Next to the young pup is Vidkunn’s oldest son, Thorgrim, and his wife, with their children whose names I can’t remember. Next to him is his second oldest son, Thorhall, and then there are his two daughters. And they are beautiful. One’s a little on the muscular side, but the other is around Bodvar’s age. I barely manage to fight the smile, trying to conquer my lips as I bring them to my brother’s ear. “The ones standing on the far right of the oaf beyond his sons.”

He nods as he eyes them. One of them has blonde hair like the mother while the other shares dark brown, almost black hair like the oaf himself.

Bodvar once again tugs at my sleeve. I lean in and he whispers in my ear. “Which one is the warrior?”

“They both are,” I say in a whisper. “I think.”

“Huh,” he says with a huff while scratching his chin. “Not bad. Not bad at all.”

We walk down to meet with Bjarni, his oaf of a son, and his daughter, who rather reminds me of a combination of my mother and her sisters, oddly enough. Maybe not all the Wolves are as stupid as the oaf. The oaf’s two oldest sons share their mother’s blonde hair. Only the younger one is as ugly as the father. Gadaric is the pretty boy who has yet to grow a beard. It’s hard not to doubt whether he’s even held a sword or an ax. The boy looks soft. Not like Bodvar, who might not be the brightest of us, but is fearless nonetheless and knows how to fight. This is a terrible trade. We are getting screwed. There is no doubt about it. Trading my brother, who has the potential to be one of the best warriors for a prissy Wolf pup who doesn’t know one end of a sword from the other. May the gods help us.

“Beorcol,” the old Wolf leader says. I heard he was a great warrior, but I only see a fat old man who’s gotten comfortable with his rule. Vidkunn is definitely an oaf, but at least he has the shape of a warrior. The only warriors with any potential are the oaf’s oldest son and his daughters, along with the twins of the old Wolf’s daughter. Those two I need to be very careful around. Something tells me they know how to swing a blade. Even more importantly, I bet they know how to lead a battle. Leading war is far more dangerous than only knowing how to fight man on man. My father has definitely taught me that. Besides, I’ve seen the wolves they command first hand and I won’t forget it.

“Bjarni,” my father says, without showing a hint of fear or hesitation. “Here we are, as agreed.”

“So, it seems. Well, no one can ever say that Bjarni Vikarsson has ever broken his word. We agreed to trade sons, and so we shall. Although, I have much doubt on how good of a trade it will be.”

“That we can agree upon, but from different sides of the argument,” father says.

“Let’s get this over with so we all can be on our way,” Bjarni says.

“Another thing we can agree on,” father says, holding out his hands.

“Then say your farewells to your son and let us say ours to my grandson,” Bjarni says and father nods.

We all turn to Bodvar, who doesn’t show an ounce of emotion. Figures all it takes is a woman of his liking to make him eager to go with the Wolves. I suppose that is something all the sons of Beorcol share. Well… I’m not so sure about Thormar yet.

My mother is the first to approach Bodvar. “Don’t get into too much trouble, son. I know you will. Just don’t give them any reasons to attack you. They’ll be all too eager to.”

My brother smirks. “Good, I hope they do. I’d love to test my strength against theirs.”

“That’s my boy,” father says, earning steely cold eyes from my mother. “Just don’t get yourself killed and try not to kill any of them. We don’t want this shitty deal to be for nothing.”

Bodvar nods, his smile growing even deeper.

“Don’t be such a fool, little brother,” Thormar says. Bodvar punches him in the shoulder. “Ouch, what was that for?”

Bodvar’s grin deepens. “I had to get at least one last hit on you. We won’t see each other for a long time. Who am I going to fight with when you’re all the way in Stormfront?”

Thormar smiles and then punches him back, which earns a laugh from Bodvar. Tears fall from my mother’s eyes. “I hope you boys never change.”

“Oh mom, don’t worry. We won’t,” Bodvar says.

Svala then punches him, too. “I’ll miss you, little brother.”

“Don’t worry, sis. I won’t be long. Once they realize I’m a warrior better than any among them, they’ll learn to respect our clan and I’ll be home before you know it,” he says with his cocky smile. She smacks him on the backside of his head. “What was that for?”

“Your head was getting too big. I needed to deflate it a little,” she says, earning a chuckle from us all.

Then Thora steps up and punches him in the gut, nearly dropping him to his knees. “For the love of the bloody gods. Who taught you to punch like that?”

“You did, stupid,” she says with a smile. “You and Uncle Bothvi.”

“You definitely had some excellent teachers, and you learned well,” he says, still holding his gut.

She then leaps at him, wrapping her arms around his waist. “I’m going to miss you, Uncle Bodvi. Don’t be stupid and stay there too long.”

He hugs her back. “I won’t. I’ll be back before you know it. Don’t worry. We’ll be sparring with each other long before any war ever comes.”

She looks up at him. “Is that a promise?”

He nods. “Of course, it is.”

She steps back and goes to punch him again, but he was expecting it this time and blocks it. But he wasn’t expecting the kick to the shin.  That makes him nearly stumble over as he tries to balance on one foot while holding the shin of the other. “Bloody mother of goat shit.”

I can only laugh at the fool boy. He brings this onto himself for being such a fearless fool. I mess up his hair as he regains his footing. He tries to push my hand away and goes to punch me, but is not fast enough. I am, though, and land one on the thigh, giving him one of those stinging horse kickers we call ’em. “Bloody bearded pig fucker.”

“Oh, little brother, when will you learn you’re just not fast enough to land a hit on me?” I say with a smile.

“Maybe not now, but you just wait. After I show these Wolves a thing or two about fighting, I’ll come back even stronger and faster. We’ll see who can land a hit on who then,” he says, smiling like the fool boy he is.

“Come here, you fool,” I say, pulling him into a bear hug. “Stay out of trouble and don’t come on too strong with those girls. They’ll try to cut your throat.”

His eyes go wide. “Really?”

I only shrug. “They are Wolves.”

“That’ll be exciting. Nothing like a dangerous woman to make the heart beat a little faster. It makes the game much more fun,” he says with a grin. Stupid boy. I mess his hair up even more.

My Aunt Sigvor steps up and hugs him. “Don’t get yourself killed. I won’t be there to patch you up.”

“I won’t, aunty. Besides, they’re only Wolves. I’ll have more scratches from these weaklings than I’ll ever get from those dogs,” Bodvar says with a smile.

“Hey! We heard that,” Svala says.

“Oh, come on sister. I was only joking,” he says, giving her a grin and a wink. “Besides, it was a compliment. I was just saying how skilled you are at inflicting pain compared to the Wolves.”

“A backhanded one,” she says under her breath.

He only shrugs. My father steps up and puts his hands on Bodvar’s shoulders. “Listen, son, the peace between our tribes is stacked on your shoulders. Earn their respect and trust, and you will earn the debt of our entire people. Don’t let them goad you into doing something stupid. Sometimes you’ll have to swallow your pride. There’s no shame in it. Just don’t get yourself killed. Okay?”

“Relax, father. I know. I won’t do anything too stupid,” he says. My father pulls him into a hug before patting him on the shoulder with a respectful nod.

Finally, Bodvar grabs his packs with the help of the slaves and steps away, taking one last glance back at us before he heads over to the Wolves, walking past Gadaric who makes his way over with his own packs followed by a cat-looking being who walks upon two legs. I’ve seen them before. They’ve been on the elven slave ships. Few have even taken them as pets. Father looks at Bjarni, completely ignoring the boy and his pet. “Make sure no harm comes to my son and I’ll do the same.”

Bjarni nods. “That’s one more thing we can agree upon. As long as you keep Gadaric from harm, Bodvar won’t come to it either.”

Father only nods. “Until we meet again.”

Bjarni nods. Then father turns away and walks to our ship with us following behind. I take one last look at my little brother, who gives me a nod as he watches us leave. My eyes then meet Baldric and his sister. Surprisingly, he gives me a nod in acknowledgment. I return it before I turn and head for the ship.

The voyage back feels hollow. Especially without Bodvar to stir chaos. This day brings a clear sky with a deep everlasting blue and one of the three moons sits on the horizon.

No one speaks to Gadaric. He’s left alone with his pet. No one except Thora. She walks right up to him and eyes him. “You don’t look so tough.”

He looks down at her and smiles. He shrugs. “I know my way around a weapon.”

“I would like to see that,” she says.

“Have we spoken before? You seem familiar,” he says.

“No. I don’t think so. Why would I talk to a Wolf?” she asks.

He only shrugs. “It seems your family doesn’t like me much.”

She snorts a laugh. “Why would they? They don’t like Wolves very much. We’re sea people. We don’t care to be on land much. We’re true Vikings.”

He shrugs. “Clearly, you’ve never raided a caravan on the roads. It can be very exciting.”

She only shrugs. Gadaric points out into the deep blue sea. “Look… Are those…”

“Oh, those? They’re just my friends. My uncle calls them killer whales, but they’re harmless,” she says as surprise grips my chest. I walk over to the side of the boat and sure as the deep blue sky, a family of killer whales are trailing our ship. I swallow the lump in my throat. They’re always acting strangely when Thora is around. I look over at Thora and gape. Sigvor’s words really ring true.

“I can barely hear what they are saying,” Gadaric says.

She looks at him and whispers something I can hardly make out beyond the waves. He nods. What does all this mean? The voyage home is short, and no one is in a good mood. Especially Svala and, surprisingly, Thormar. They both stay to themselves. Home just won’t be the same without Bodvar.

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Bothvar Beorcolsson

Morning arrives, and I feel like someone is beating my skull with a hammer. I don’t remember drinking all that much after the first mug of mead, other than eating those mushrooms. Speaking of which, I have to… I rush out into the woods and take care of business. Too much business.

The shrooms I ate are nothing like the glowing ones in the cave. Not at all. The glowing ones don’t make you feel as if your stomach is brewing some witch concoction in the morning. The glow shrooms make me feel much better and more alive. Heightened in a way. The ones I ate last night made me feel as if I was wandering through Niflheim half dead. I don’t think I’ll eat those ever again.

I head back to camp after finishing my business to find my father up around a fire. I take a seat next to him. “Father, good morning.”

“You as well, my son. You want to talk about last night?” he asks.

“What about last night do I need to talk about?” I ask.

“Well, I heard about a fight with another crew… One particular crew.”

“Grom? He had it coming,” I say.

“Perhaps he did. I sure got an earful. He and Thrain want you to be punished for it,” father says.

“Punished for bringing justice? He stole someone else’s property and abused it. Not just anyone’s property, but Scyra, the Queen’s daughter’s slave. I caught him raping the girl,” I say. Of course, I didn’t know that at the time. The memory of Arngunn’s face still haunts me.

“This I didn’t know. That certainly changes things. If that is true, I’ll have to talk to Eawyn and apologize to Scyra, and then I will have a nice chat with Gorm…” He strokes his beard and I can tell he’s angry as he tugs it.

“Father, may I ask a favor?” I ask as my mother joins us. I nod at her. “Good morning, mother.”

“Good morning, my son,” she says with a smile as she snuggles up next to father. “I hear you had quite the night last night.”

I shrug as my father looks up at me and shrugs, too. “What is your favor?”

“Scyra has been in contact with a particular yeti I befriended. She invited me to meet with the yeti woman I knew as Blue-Eyes, whose actual name is apparently Shuli,” I made the hand gesture as I said her name.

“And what exactly is your favor?” he asks.

“I’d like the whole family to meet her. She’d love to meet you all,” I say.

“I think that sounds like a lovely idea,” mother says. Father doesn’t seem too convinced, but if mother says yes, then that is that.

“I suppose. How long will this take?” father asks.

“Shouldn’t take too long. Their conclave is right by those mountains directly to the east of here. Wouldn’t even take the morning to go there and back.”

My father nods. “Very well. We will go.”

I nod and smile. “Thank you. Make sure to tell everyone to bring gifts.”

He nods. “Now go get your siblings up and we’ll start breaking camp.”

Without another word, I grab a metal pot and a big ladle before heading over to Bodvar and Thormar’s tent, bursting in to find the two snoring. Bodvar on Thormar’s bed and Thormar on the floor. I start beating on the pot. “Time to wake up.”

“Urhh… No, it’s not,” Bodvar says, grabbing his pillow a covering his ears to block out the sound.

Thormar shoots up from the floor. “What’s going on?”

“It’s time for you to get up, little brother. And get Bodvar up without getting into a fight.”

I leave their tent and head over to the women’s tent, before banging on the pot outside. I’m not stupid enough to go inside. Aunt Sigvor pushes her head out of the tent flap and snarls at me. “Will you stop that!”

“Just doing what father asks. He wants everyone awake,” I say.

“Well, we are awake. You’ve done your task, now go away,” she says, shooing me off.

I sigh and head back to my tent to pack things up, stumbling on the horn. I take it out and put the strap I attached to it around my shoulder. Once I get what little I brought packed and everyone else finally gets up and ready, I head out to meet up with Scyra. I find her in the hall and she smiles as I walk in. Her teeth are so white. As white as her hair, which is the same color as the snow. She stands up as I walk toward her. “Hey. So mother is planning on gathering everyone together when the sun reaches its highest point, so that gives us plenty of time to head out to meet the yeti and get back.”

I nod. “My family has all decided to come.”

“Good. I look forward to seeing your reunion. We should leave now.”

A thought just occurred to me. “Let me get one more person that I know would like to see Shuli. I’ll have my family gather at the edge of the forest near the road out of here and I’ll meet you there”

She shrugs as I take off. I head over to my family’s campsite and find my father giving orders to the slaves to pack up the tents and carry everything to the ships. “Father, we are all set to go. If you can gather the family up and meet us over by the edge of the forest where the path out of Avala leads, Scyra and I will meet you there.”

He nods, and I take off running as I hear him shout after me. “Where are you going?”

“I have to fetch someone,” I yell back as I run out of camp.

I dash over to where I find who I’m looking for at the Valkyrie campsite. The Valkyrie warriors stand in alarm before they recognize me. One I recognize who fought the Bone Eaters steps up. “Bothvar Beorcolsson. What brings you here?”

“I need to talk to Amalasontha. I have a request I would like to make of her,” I say.

The woman nods, and she has me follow her to where Amalasontha is talking to Amalgunda. They both look up as we approach. “Bothvar. It is good to see you. What do I owe the pleasure of your visit?”

I bow to her and Amalgunda. “Lady Scyra has informed me that she has been in contact with the yeti cub we brought to a new home. She is taking me and my family to visit her and I thought I’d extend the invitation to you, since you are the one who helped unite her with her people. You have as much right as any to see her once again.”

Amalasontha nods, her face going soft. “That would be very pleasant. I would like to see the Blue-Eyes again. Tonna was very fond of her.”

I nod. “That is why I thought of you.”

“You are very kind, and you have much honor,” she says, bowing her head.

“I would very much like to see this yeti as well,” Amalgunda says.

“You are welcome to join us,” I say and she nods in thanks. I turn back to Amalasontha. “By the way, Scyra has informed me that her actual name is Shuli, not Blue-Eyes. I guess she does like the name Blue-Eyes, though.”

Amalasontha laughs. “I figured as much. It didn’t sound like a typical yeti name.”

I smile, and the two women, along with some of her guards, join us. We arrive at the edge of the forest where my family waits. My father steps up and bows to the two chieftesses. “Ahh, I did not expect to see you both here, but it is much welcomed.”

“I helped Bothvar bring the cub to her kind and I would like to see how she is doing,” Amalasontha explains before she looks around. “Where is Lady Scyra?”

I look around myself and don’t see her among us.

“What are we doing here?” Thora asks as she walks up to me with her arms crossed.

“Yeah, seriously. I could be still sleeping,” Bodvar says, earning a good whack from father.

“You sleep far too much, boy. It is good for you to get up early. You might as well get used to it,” he says, chiding him. Bodvar shrugs and yawns.

“We are going to see a close friend of mine. She would very much like to meet you all,” I say.

Then I spot two women walking from the forest and recognize the snow-white hair with those piercing, icy, cold blue eyes that seem to glow and shimmer with power. “There she is. I don’t recognize the woman she is with, though.”

As they arrive, I walk up to greet them. “Bothvar, I’d like you to meet the special friend of mine I mentioned earlier. This is Thyia. She was with me when we met the yeti.”

The girl is about the same age as Scyra with dark, raven black hair in a braid. She stands like a warrior with a hardened face that is beautiful like a polished diamond and just as hard as one. Her eyes are a dark brown and her skin is a warm ivory. She wears black leather chaps with a dark black tunic with crimson trim and her hood down. A quiver full of arrows hangs at her back with a long bow along with them. A rather nice sword hangs on her hip with a black grip. Knives line the straps around her chest and at her boots as well as down the side of her legs. This is a woman who knows how to kill.

I hold out my hand, and she grips it firmly. “It is nice to meet you. I’ve heard good things.”

She nods. “I’ve heard a great deal of many things about you as well. Some seem to be a bit outlandish, but from my first sight of you, part of me wants to believe them.”

“As I have told Scyra, they are all overly exaggerated,” I say, and that earns a smile from her.

“Now I’m more likely to believe them. Any person who tries to downplay the rumors makes them more likely to be true,” she says.

I only shrug. Scyra steps up, her hand on Thyia’s shoulder. “Shall we head off? We’ll want to make haste if we desire to be back here by the time the sun reaches its height.”

We all nod and follow Scyra out of the village and into the woods. The mountains that contain the yeti conclave are not far, and the peaks are already within sight. It doesn’t take us long to get through the blooming forest full of pine, birch, maple, alder, and aspen. The leaf trees sprout green. Flowers bloom, giving off the aromatic scent of their nectar and pollen. It seems to blend with the pine scent that is all but overwhelming. Of course, I can still smell deer droppings and old carcasses of fallen prey. That and the smell of something familiar. The farther we walk, the stronger it gets.

We arrive at the base of the mountains by a huge rocky pass between two cliffs. We stop where the forest clears and makes way to the rocky mountain land in which trees cannot find the dirt to grow in. Scyra turns to us. “Wait here, I’ll go get her.”

We all nod as Scyra takes off into the mountains with Thyia. My father comes up to me. “I hear you’ve been getting close with Lady Scyra. She would make a fine wife and, as her mother stated, she is free to choose her husband. Maybe if you play your cards right, my son, you could find yourself with some white-haired sons with icy blue eyes.”

“We’ve talked about this, father. I am not going to remarry. We have too many mouths to feed as it is. Winter is far too harsh for me to bring more mouths to feed.”

He growls at me. “That is foolish, boy! You need to remarry so you can have a son to carry on your legacy. Hopefully more than one. Maybe even a daughter or two. You can never have enough children. You’ll learn that soon enough. It doesn’t matter how strong you are, if you do not have someone to pass the sword to, all you do here will be for nothing.”

“I do have someone to pass on the sword to. I have Thora and my little siblings,” I say.

“They are not yours, Bothvar. You will be Earl when I take the last voyage. You need a woman at your side and children to take over when you too take the last voyage. Do not be the reason our line ends,” he says, his hand on my shoulder.

But I don’t waiver. My mother approaches. “Maybe this isn’t the time to talk about this.”

I hear several loud footsteps approaching from the mountains. I pull away from my father and approach as Scyra and her woman return. A short bumbling furball of a yeti comes stumbling in and plants down in front of me. A scent of musty caves and the wild blows off her. She looks up at me with bright blue eyes. I tilt my head in confusion. I thought she’d be taller. In fact, she looks like she has gotten shorter. And she looks a little different. I can’t put my finger on it, but there is something that seems very different about her.

“Oh my god, she is adorable!” Svala says as she and Thora rush up to her.

“I want one!” Thora says.

“Shuli?” I ask, skeptical.

Scyra bursts into a laugh. “That is not Shuli. That is Sheko.”

“I knew it wasn’t her. I thought she was rather short, but she has those blue eyes.”

“Yep, just like her mother,” Scyra says with a smile. I look up at her wide-eyed.

“Her mother?” I ask.

“Yep,” she says as she looks over her shoulder at the pass. “Are you coming, Shuli?”

Suddenly a giant yeti almost as tall as a tree walks out with a huge leather pack hanging at her side. The pack itself is big enough to hold almost two people inside. My entire family and Amalgunda take a step back, but I step forward as I meet those big blue eyes that I know very well. There is no mistaking them. With my hands, I say her name as Scyra taught me. “Shuli.”

Suddenly, I’m wrapped in white furry arms, practically being strangled. I’m nearly smothered before she finally sets me down. Her big hand then messes up my hair like I’ve done to her so many times. She smells just like she did back in the Northern mountains. Full of that musty cave scent, but I can still smell the scent of death on her along with the shadow.

My family had their weapons out, but thankfully, Amalasontha and Scyra stopped them from doing anything stupid. With my hands, I tell her it is so good to see her, and she does the same. I then step back to introduce my family to her. First, I start with a familiar face, bringing Amalasontha forward. She recognizes her immediately and pulls her into a big bear hug. I still can’t believe how big she’s gotten. Taller than even Kveldulf of the Giant Clan.

She finally puts the woman down and messes up her hair as she did to me. Amalasontha introduces her to Amalgunda, calling the woman her mate, which makes my eyes go wide. Then Shuli messes up her hair as she did with us. Scyra steps up beside me. “You know, thanks to you, she thinks that’s a form of greeting.”

That makes me boom out laughing. “If we ever meet another race of people who speak another language, remind me to be wary of what I do.”

She giggles. “I’ll try to.”

Amalasontha tells Shuli she is pleased to see her again. She missed her and is happy to see her doing well. That’s when I notice another short yeti lingering in the back by the pass. It’s a bit taller than the cub that Svala and Thora are playing with. I can’t help but smile as the cub messes up their hair.

Amalasontha pulls the spear from her back and presents it to Shuli. Shuli takes it with enthusiasm. Then digs into her pack and pulls out a necklace of polished smoothed stones. She tells her that the stones are found in the depths of the underground caves in pools of light water, which I assume are the same pools with the glow ore in them as we found in the Northern Mountains. She bows her head and thanks her before she steps back and I introduce my brothers to Shuli. Telling her that they are to me what Ulluc is to her. She nods with a smile.

My brothers pull out their gifts. Bodvar, a two-handed ax, and Thormar, an hourglass. “Can you tell her? It helps keep track of time.”

I nod and use my hands to explain what it does. She seems rather excited as she turns it upside down. She nods her thanks, putting them both in her pack before she pulls out a stone hammer and a stone ax of her own, handing them both to my brothers.

Thankfully, they bow their heads respectfully and accept them. Next, I introduce Svala and Thora. I tell her Svala is to me what you are to your brother, Ulluc. I don’t know the signal for siblings in her language. She nods, smiling. Thora is a little harder to explain. I look at Scyra. “How do you say she is my niece?”

Scyra nods and uses her hands to explain it. From what I understand, she tells Shuli that Thora is the cub of my brother. Shuli nods in understanding as she kneels down and messes up their hair. Thora leaps into her and hugs her. “You have such soft hair.”

Shuli smiles and laughs. My sister then gives her a golden necklace and Thora gives her a comb. Shuli takes them with enthusiasm and bows her head with gratitude. Then she pulls out two little carvings from her pack. Carvings I remember vividly as I was the one who carved them. I gave her and Ulluc over a dozen wooden carvings. She looks at me with a smile as she hands one to Thora and the other to Svala. Then she explains with her hands that I carved them and gave them to her when she was only a cub and they have provided her with much joy and comfort. She has given most of the others to her own cubs, but she felt that my kin should have some as well. They look at me, confused. I explain it to them. “I carved them for her when she was a cub, and now she feels you two should have them to provide you with the same joy and comfort she received from them.”

“Awww, that’s so sweet,” Svala says as she takes one of the carvings before she hugs Shuli.

Thora takes the other and looks at it closely. It is a warrior that looks like my brother. Or at least as close as I could make it. Of course, his shield was close to Thorkel’s. Thora looks at me with tears in her eyes. “Is this my father? That’s his symbol on the shield.”

I nod. She hugs the carving to her chest. Then she wipes away her tears and hugs Shuli once more. “Thank you so much! You do not know how much it means to me. I will forever cherish it.”

The two girls step back, and then I introduce my father. Telling her he is to me as Ukam is to her. She nods. She then tells me that she is surprised to hear me use their real names. She says I never used them back in the Northern Mountains. She says her father never liked being called Longhorn, at least not at first. Her brother hated being called Short Snubs, but he liked you so much that he didn’t say anything.

I smile at her and tell her Scyra told me what their real names were. I tell her I’m sorry for not taking the time to ask. She pats my head and tells me she liked me calling her Blue-Eyes.

My father steps up and takes out a large two-handed hammer. Shuli takes it and it looks like a blacksmith hammer in her hands. She nods her head and fetches out an enormous chunk of gold. She tells me she knows how many humans value this metal. My father bows his head with a big smile on his face. I’m sure he’s pleased with that. An Earl can never have enough gold. Expenses are always pilling up.

Next, my mother approaches, and I explain to Shuli our relationship. She signals a response. “Shuli says she is honored to meet the woman who birthed me.”

My mother bows her head. “I am honored to meet the one who gave my son a home when he was away from home.”

I relay her words to Shuli. My mother pulls out a medallion with a large sapphire in it. “Tell her that this medallion is enchanted to protect the wearer from magic. If the Southerners have magic castors, they will not be able to hurt the bearer directly.”

Shuli takes the medallion with awe. I tell her what my mother told her and she bows her head to my mother. Then she pulls out a giant uncut red ruby. She says she found this in the depths of the mountain. My mother takes it and she’s very pleased. Finally, my Aunt Sigvor steps up. I try to explain the relationship, telling her she is to me as I am to Thora. Shuli seems to understand.

My aunt pulls out several bags. “Tell her, inside these bags are tonics and herbs. This bag is for fevers. This bag is to help heal cuts, and this one is for bruises and broken bones. And this bag is to help ease the pain to make it hurt less, but outside of that it doesn’t do much else. These herbs can be found here. I left samples of each plant so she can identify it and find it in the woods and mountains.”

I nod but look to Scyra. “Can you explain all that?”

She laughs and nods. Shuli’s eyes go wide when she signs to her. She bows and messes up my aunt’s hair before signaling her thanks.

“She says she will give it to her shaman and it will help many of her people. She is most thankful for this,” Scyra says. She then reaches in and pulls out something I’ve never seen before. It’s a glowing red cap mushroom. She explains that this mushroom, unlike the green ones, helps us connect with the spirits. She puts it in a bag with others and hands it to my aunt. My aunt bows in gratitude and gives her thanks.

Finally, I step up and take the horn out. Shuli steps back as she recognizes it. I then tell her that it was her father’s. “I found it broken off from him, and I kept it to remember him. I hope that doesn’t displease you. I felt compelled to make it into a horn to blow to make noise so that, in a way, Ukam could always be heard even though he no longer walks this land. That way his voice could be used to give warning to protect others.”

Tears flow down Shuli’s eyes and, before I know it, I’m swept up in one big hug, squeezing the breath right out of me. After she puts me down, she accepts the horn and makes it roar. Giving it a blast that makes the trees shake. Birds from all around take flight. It makes my ears ring.

She pulls out a pair of antlers. I’d recognize those antlers from anywhere. Shadow Stalker Antlers. She hands them to me. Then she reaches over her back and pulls out a large hammer of the glow rock. I recognize it. It’s the very same hammer I made for Ukam. She tells me when she was old enough to hunt several winters ago, she led a great hunt against the shadow beasts in the Northern Mountains and killed many of the wretched beasts. She reclaimed her father’s hammer that I gifted him and used it to deal death to them. She now trains her people to fight together. They gather many and will rid the mountains of the shadow beasts. All of them.

This time, I’m the one hugging her. I’m so proud of her. She came here as a lost cub and now I have found a warrior who leads her people. After we break apart, I tell her this. “From now on, among our people, you will forever be known as Shuli, Blue-Eyes, The Bane of the Shadows.”

Her chest swells with pride and she holds the hammer high, bringing the horn back to her lips to give it another loud boom. This time I have enough sense to cover my ears, as do the rest of my party.

I then tell Shuli that it makes me so proud and happy to see her so strong and brave. She tells me she could never have done it without me. She then goes to the pass and drags the other yeti out. She tells me this is her son, Aruhn. He is like his father, Bollelos. Sadly, he died at the hands of the humans who live beyond the mountains. The ones we call the Southerners. That is why he is weary of us. She says he will learn that we are different from them.

I nod and walk up to him. I then pull out my ax I made long ago in the mountains. He flinches, but Shuli puts her hand on his shoulder. I then present it to him. Hesitantly, he takes it and it takes him two hands to hold it.

Shuli then apologizes for him not bringing any gifts. It is a great dishonor to not give in return. She hopes he will one day mature. I tell her not to worry. Their presence is enough of a gift. She gives me one last hug before we say our farewells and head our separate ways. It feels like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders.

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Lura Syllana

The Angel Akrasiel said this:

The Divine Light seeks order, stability, peace, and justice.

The greedy Demons seek to conquer and rule.

The hollow Darkness seeks to snuff out all Light, leaving nothing but the dark.

The hungry Void seeks to devour everything.

The Elder Gods seek chaos.

The envious Arcane seeks to become everything.

The Celestial life seeks to spread and blossom.

Love seeks to protect and cherish.

Hope seeks to strengthen.

Fear seeks to weaken.

Despair wants to end hope.

Wrath wants to destroy everything.

Death seeks the end of everything.

War brews upon this world. Some seek to conquer; others seek to destroy. We must not let this happen. This I task upon you, find loyal disciples of the Light.

Those who have a kind heart full of compassion.

Those who are brave enough to do what is hard even if it goes against the masses.

Find those willing to endure pain, sacrifice self, speak true in the face of lies, and find the Light in the darkest of nights.

Those who you can rely upon for the truth. Those you can depend upon to do what is right. And those who are humble and willing to serve, yet still question what is said. A mind that doesn’t take what is said as truth, but questions it, will better be able to tell the truth from lies. It is questions that help shine Light upon lies, but it takes courage to ask such questions when everyone seems to take what is said as the truth, even when it seems wrong.

These are the people who hold gold in their hearts while having the skin of iron. For not all that sparkles is gold. Sometimes what shines brightest might not always be the purest Light. Just as whoever speaks the loudest won’t always speak the truest.

Words from the Angel Akrasiel written in Terel’s book, Terel’s Revelations

Reading this book has brought me much to think about, yet it feels as if what is written is the truth and nothing short of it. His words about how those who speak the loudest might not be speaking truths really makes me question our High Father. His voice is certainly convincing, but what he says seems… Wrong.

I put the book away and pick up the book for training. It teaches how to clear one’s mind and focus inward. How to block out all sound and distractions. How to focus on one’s breath and become one with the Light from inside. Then it describes how to channel that Light from inside and manifest it in a physical form. Of course, it shows that most elves either use Celestial or Arcane Light. The elves from the forest lands use the traditional Celestial Light they gain from the forest itself. It is a Light of life and is found within nature and in all life. The Wood Elves of the forestland are able to harness this Light. That is why the forest is so sacred to them. It gives them strength. There is nothing wrong with the Celestial Light. In fact, the Divine Light strengthens the Celestial Light. The two have always supplemented each other. Made each other stronger. For it is the duty of the Divine Light to protect Celestial Light. That has always been the Divine Light’s purpose.

As far as Arcane Light goes, it is a double-edged sword. Arcane is not naturally destructive, but it can be. It can also be addictive. It is powerful, but also it can be used to do wonderful and amazing things if used properly. However, the more you use it the harder it is to refrain from it. It attracts envy. However, Arcane and Divine are not enemies. They can strengthen each other, but Arcane is tricky and can be self-serving.

Once you can channel the Light from within, in order to transmute it to Divine Light, you have to focus on channeling it through the crystal provided. At first, this will take a lot of concentration for those not used to channeling at all, but with enough practice, it becomes natural and instinctive. Once you can channel it through the crystal, you can weave it into a spell. Spells, for obvious reasons, take a tremendous amount of focus, depending on the level of difficulty and concentration required. The simplest spell is to manifest the Light in a physical form outside of your body. To produce the Light and let it shine.

This requires concentration. On a side note, when performing any kind of spell, it helps to have an item to channel the Light through, like a wand, staff, or orb. However, with Divine Light, we use a crystal that not only purifies the Arcane Light but helps focus it, allowing it to be easily woven into a spell as a wand would with just pure Arcane Light.

I guess that makes sense. Unfortunately, the book doesn’t go into any spells aside from making Light appear. I guess to reach level one, we just have to achieve that.

I set the book down and grab one I borrowed from Charinva about Arcane Magic. I’ve already finished the books for beginners and have moved on to more complicated ones. This book is a bit complex with spells that look extremely difficult. I don’t think this is for beginners. Even so, I should put all of these to memory, especially now that I know how to channel the energy, at least on a theoretical basis. I still have yet to channel. Well, at least within the church. I can’t count all the cheap tricks I did as a kid that my uncle taught me or the time, I killed Phraan with it. I didn’t know what I did then. I should probably spend my time getting my meditation hours done instead of reading a book on Arcane Magic, but I really want to learn.

I turn through the pages, looking at all the crazy spells. Some are more difficult than others. My eyes light up when I find the spell on how to make objects invisible to the eye. That is one I learned from my uncle. He made it seem so easy, but looking at the spell itself, it looks rather difficult. And yet, it uses hardly any energy. It’s more about concentration. Focusing your thoughts on the object and manipulating the material of the object so light will affect it differently. The light bends in such a way that warps around it, reflecting the image of what’s behind it. The item retains its physical mass, but to the eye, it’s completely invisible. I wonder how Ralodan can see it? He must be able to see the manipulation of light, but how?

Another spell that catches my eye is transmutation. It’s similar to what we are doing with Arcane Energy, but instead of Light or energy, it transmutes the physical property of the item. There’s some complex explanation about manipulating the little properties that make up the material. It explains that a metal like gold has approximately seventy-nine of these positive particles. Iron only has twenty-six of these positive particles. In order to transmute iron into gold, you have to add fifty-three positive particles to the physical makeup of the iron ore. To do that, you have to break down part of the iron in order to take what is needed to transmute what is left into gold. This is a highly dangerous spell and can be quite sensitive. Even a minor mistake can cause a catastrophic eruption.

That’s disappointing. I thought I found a way to get the gold required in order to free my family. I could just transmute the gold from something like sand. Of course, according to the spell, you need to know the material in an absolute sense in order to transmute it. That means you have to break the material down into its tiny particles that require Arcane manipulation in order to see something so tiny. I sigh, put the book away, and decide to do some meditation.

It feels like I’ve been sitting here forever and yet the stupid hourglass hasn’t moved. Sister Jereno said it would only start once I am in meditation. Isn’t that what I’m doing? I keep peeking my eyes open to check the hourglass and never moves. The sand won’t fall from the top. It just sticks there. I sigh. I finally give up and wander over to the others to see if they have any luck.

I meet Melyis in the hall across from me and she can’t seem to get the hourglass to move, either. We head over to the boys’ side of the floor to find Biremeril first and neither can he. We reach Ralodan and as we knock and enter his room, he’s sitting on his bed with his legs folded and his eyes closed. “Ralodan?”

I walk up to him and wave my hands in front of his face. Then snap my fingers. Nothing. I look over to see the sand of his hourglass rising from the bottom to the top. He’s been at this for at least an hour. How did he do it? I put my hands on his shoulders and shake him. He finally opens his eyes. Blinks and then smiles. “Hey. Didn’t hear you.”

“You figured out how to get into the meditative state? How?” I ask.

“Yeah, we’d like to know too,” Biremeril says.

“It’s simple. You just have to clear your head of thoughts and focus on breathing. Sometimes it helps to also focus on your senses. Listen to what you hear, feel the sensations across your skin, smell the air, hear the beat of your heart, and just bring yourself peace. Here. How about you all get your hourglasses and we’ll find a nice place to practice,” he says, unfolding himself and standing up. He grabs his hourglass and follows us out. The more of Ralodan I get to know, the more I feel like he’s different from everyone else. The Light seems to come so easily to him. As if he is a part of it.

We grab our hourglasses and follow Ralodan out to the courtyard. We gather in a circle and copy Ralodan’s sitting position with our legs folded and our arms resting on top of them. “Alright, start your hourglasses and close your eyes.”

I do as he suggests and put my finger on the hourglass before closing my eyes. “Listen to what you hear. Feel the heat from the sun down upon you. Take it in and let it warm you up. Feel the cool, slight breeze upon your skin. Let the refreshing air cool you. Take in the sweet scent of the flowers. Allow the smell to fill you. Hear the sound of the birds chirping and the bugs buzzing, along with the sound of my voice, and the rustling of the plants. Now turn your attention inward. Listen to your breathing. Hear your heart beating. Let that beat take over. Fall into the rhythm of it and breathe. Slow, deep breaths in and hold it. Then slowly release the breath and let go of everything you are. Everything you hold on to and everything that burdens you. Just let it all go…”

I feel my heart beating, and I can feel the water of my body flowing. The wind dances across my skin and I breathe it in. I feel all that I am go silent. The worries I hold seem to release, like birds taking flight. My burdens wash off my shoulders, leaving me feeling weightless. I fall into a place where time and space seem to cease. Heat and cold find peace with each other. My mind feels fluid, my thoughts flow like a river, and yet they don’t take shape. I feel something deep inside me. This incredible warmth. A bright blue fire. It calls to me. I follow its call and become engulfed in the heat of its fire. It swarms around me as it burns inside me. It feels so good. So warm and lifting. I want to feel more of it. I want to drown in it. I want to lose myself in it.

I feel something trying to separate me from it. Everything seems to shake as the fire seems to slip. I cling to it. “Lura! You need to let go”

Ralodan? Is that him? I can’t let go. It feels so good. I always want to feel this way. My pain fades in the light of this flame. All those horrible things I’ve endured burn away and all that’s left is this flame. “Lura! You’re causing a storm.”

A storm? It doesn’t feel like a storm. I feel everything around me shake as the flame slips from my finger. I can’t let go. But… What about Ralodan? I need it. This is the way I need to feel. I don’t want to feel all that pain anymore. “Lura, please! Stop this.”

I let go and open my eyes to see everything spinning. Everything but Ralodan as he looks into my eyes. His own seem to glow with a bright yellow golden light. The sky has formed clouds and the wind swirls around us rather violently. There are rarely ever clouds in the sky. Not in the Shifting Sands. Only during violent sandstorms.

“Are you okay? We lost you there,” Ralodan says.

“What happened?” I ask. I look around to see both Melyis and Biremeril staring down at me with fear in their eyes as they brace themselves.

“You lost control. You must’ve latched onto the light inside. The Arcane Light. It ignited inside you and caused a storm outside,” he says, looking around as the winds die down and the clouds part.

Several people walk out into the courtyard, one being the High Mother, Mathienne Naesalor. “What happened?”

“We were meditating and…” Ralodan goes to answer before I interrupt.

“It was my fault,” I say, standing up and dusting myself off. “I’m sorry, High Mother. I lost control. I never felt anything like that before.”

She nods as her eyes seem to take me in while she rubs her chin.

“She needs to be punished for using magic without supervision. We shouldn’t allow a girl with such violent tendencies into the church. She’s too dangerous,” Mother Chaetris Rapidbirth says as she comes out from the opposite side of the courtyard. Her eyes are a blaze of fire.

My heart leaps into my throat. They can’t do that! This place has become my home. I don’t know what I’d do without it.

“That’s nonsense,” Mother Vedana Oddheart says. “This happens from time to time when someone is not used to the pull of Arcane Light and becomes engulfed in it. It is rare, but not done on purpose. She just needs a little help in controlling it. She’s got a lot of potential. There’s so much Light inside her.”

“I agree with Mother Chaetris, she’s too dangerous,” says Mother Aule Brasstruth, who’s next to Mother Chaetris.

“What in the name of the Light is going on out here?” the High Father says as he marches out with several others behind him.

“It was nothing but an accident,” Mother Vedana says.

“I will handle it,” the High Mother says, silencing everyone else. She holds her arm out to me. “Come with me, child. I think it is time we have a discussion.”

I look over at the others. They are all worried, everyone but Ralodan. He just nods. I turn to the High Mother and go with her. We walk into the Cathedral and up the stairs in silence. We arrive all the way to the top before heading into her private quarters. She ushers me over to a pair of couches with a table in between. “Have a seat, child.”

I do as I’m told, taking a seat on the couch. She sits across from me. Then waves her hand and a porcelain tea kettle suddenly steams before pouring itself into two glasses. The glasses levitate over in front of us. “You, my child, are blessed, but it seems you’re also cursed. You see, you have a lot of potential inside you. Normally, most people can channel the fire inside, letting it flow like a river, but some who have suffered much in their life have to deal with a storm inside. And you, my child, you have suffered much. Not just in your lifetime, but you’ve been cursed to endure the pain of an entire family line. It’s a harsh burden to put on your shoulders.”

“My family?” I ask, searching her bright blue eyes.

“Yes, the Syllana line. Not many know you’re one of them. If they did, they would not want you here. The Syllana line is one of the sacred Arcane lines. Same of that with King Volodar Morric and my own family line. We are the original elves that embraced the Arcane god. That is a little secret not many know, and I’d appreciate it if it stays between us,” she says with a wink before continuing. “I’m sure you’re aware by now that the gods of the other religions do exist. You’ve read the book, haven’t you? I know Terel’s notes have shown themselves to you. Have they not?”

My eyes go wide, but I nod. She smiles. “I had no doubt. You have the qualities he looks for. Terel’s a nobleman of a pure heart. He was a close friend of mine, the same as your grandfather. He, along with the other original elves to embrace the Arcane god before the fall, were all close friends of mine, and, yes, that included Terel himself. We followed the god named Nabu. He shared his wisdom of the Arcane with us and let us dip into his well of the Arcane fire. He was a wise god. Everything we learned from him we shared with the people that followed us away from our kin, who chose to stay with the old goddess. The mother of the forest. Your grandfather was one who chose to leave, along with myself, Volodar Morric, his wife, Terel Glarespell, and several others.”

This is beyond anything I ever imagined. “He led us to our own kingdom. Gave us the power to build this wonderful city. We became enlightened, but like all good things, they never last. Nabu wasn’t the only god who came to offer us salvation. Several others offered their own version of salvation. War broke out between the new religions. Our beautiful city was torn apart by fighting. We had an edge with our Arcane Magic, but then Ahriman, the evil one, brought destruction and activated the pylons, killing off the forest and sapping the land of the Celestial life. He grew in immense power and slew Nabu. This was made worse when our brethren from the forest attacked because of such devastation to their forest. They didn’t realize we were the ones who did not commit the atrocity and attacked all of us. Of course, we fought back, but we didn’t have the fight within us after losing our beloved deity. Fortunately, the dwarves came to our aid and turned the tables. However, the war cost us much, including the life of our Queen Immianthe Morric, which left Volodar devastated.”

“That’s awful,” I say.

“Yes, those were the parts left out of the books. Even though the war was over, the danger had not passed. Ahriman was still out there, and he wasn’t the only malevolent god who sought to either destroy us or enslave us. Other religions rose up. A new god named Vhezish offered salvation, but chaos followed wherever he walked. A god of complete darkness they called Deimos wrought terror and dread upon our people. A goddess Onoskelis deceived many into taking the power she offered. She let greed rise within our people, and, in a time when many gods sought power, it left devastating results.” The High Mother takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly, taking time to center herself before she meets my eyes. “Those who were blinded by greed and power took it. This led to the rise of the Golden High Elf Trading Company and the Council. War broke out between the different factions once more. We tried our best to save as many people as we could, but we were overwhelmed and overpowered. We lost many good people, including your grandfather, and your family suffered much, being stripped of their wealth and name. Everything seemed hopeless.” She wipes away a tear that escaped her cheek.

“What happened?” I ask.

“A light broke through the darkness. Angels came down from the heavens. They were led by the Angel Akrasiel. He fought the other gods back, bringing us salvation. The other gods retreated, giving us a momentary peace. We were able to rebuild and prosper for a long moment. The other angels left, but Akrasiel stayed behind. During this time, the Angel Akrasiel taught us many things and helped us build the church. He gave us back our city, and we gave him our loyalty and service. But like all good things, it didn’t last. The other gods would not remain in the shadows. They attacked. The Angel Akrasiel had to fight on different fronts. He created avatars of pieces of himself to fight them all. But he was weakened by being so divided. Ultimately, he lured the other gods into one final battle to the skies above beyond our own battle with their followers. He sacrificed himself, unleashing the full might of his Divine Light onto them. I will never forget seeing his holy power unleashed. The Light was blinding, but it cleansed and filled us with so much Light. He gave himself to save us. Once again, we found ourselves without a god, but we were not alone. Akrasiel promised he would be reborn. So, we remain here waiting to seek him out. Now, you know. There’s a reason why you have so much potential. Your grandfather touched the source itself and was filled with it. He passed this flame onto you.” She leans close and takes my hand into hers.

Her eyes look deeply into mine. “I’m sorry for all the pain you suffered. We had to keep you and your family out of the clutches of those who only seek to corrupt. That is why we didn’t intervene when your father and mother became refugees within the outer rim. I so wanted to intervene, but there are too many here who would try to corrupt or enslave you for their own twisted purposes. I’m not sure how far along you are in Terel’s books, but you will learn that the shadows hide everywhere. Even where the Light shines brightest, the shadows still find crevices to hide in. Even our church has corruption seeping within its walls. We’ve done our best to seek it out and bring it into the Light, but it’s a battle we are not accustomed to.”

I don’t know what to say. This is a lot to take in. It feels like my entire world has been turned upside down. “Now, I beg you to please be patient. Practice restraint. You have a heavy burden on your shoulders. Within you is a fire that is strong enough to engulf even those with the strongest wills. You must not give into temptation and let that fire swallow you. I know it’s hard. I know what I ask of you may feel impossible. Once you have tasted the sweet Light of Arcane, it is all too easy to want more, but don’t let yourself give in. Find solace in the Divine Light. Trust me, its warmth can give you the salvation you seek. You just have to be disciplined enough to choose it over the blue flame. Okay?”

I nod. She smiles and lightly pats my hand. “Now, go back to your friends, but I ask you to keep what I told you between us. If you need to speak to someone about it, you can either come to me, Vedana Oddheart, Nostra Longswitch, or Damaris. You can trust us. Damaris has always watched over you and wants what is best for you.”

“She knew all along?” I ask.

The High Mother nods. “We tasked her with looking after you and your family. She grew up with a man close to your grandfather. Of course, this isn’t my story to tell. If you want to know more, you’ll have to ask her about it. I have said too much.”

I nod. She smiles that sweet, genuine smile that reminds me of my mother. “Now, go be with your friends. They need you, and you need them.”

I nod and get up. She hugs me and walks me out to the door. “And Lura.”

I look up to meet her eyes. “When you meditate, you’ll always face the call of the Arcane flame. It will always be there. You must not answer it. You have to be vigilant. Instead, I want you to hold on to the crystal and focus on it. There you will find the Divine Light.”

I nod, and she smiles. I walk outside to see Damaris standing there. She gives me a soft smile. “I heard what happened.”

“You never told me you were charged with looking after my family!” I blurt out before I can stop myself.

She takes in a deep breath and lets it out slowly while she trades nods with the High Mother. “Come, let us go somewhere to talk where we can be alone.”

I nod and follow her to her quarters. She has me sit on her sofa with her. “Yes, I was charged with looking after your family and I knew your grandfather. Not well and only briefly. I never knew my own family, you see. I was orphaned during the events that led up to Akrasiel’s coming. I was only a child then. The man who took me in was a friend of your grandfather’s. I only saw your grandfather a few times before he… before he died. He was a brave and noble man who was truly loyal to the King until his last dying breath. He and your grandmother stayed behind to let others escape in order to hold off those who practiced the forbidden arts. They sacrificed their own lives so your parents, Volodar’s heirs, and all the innocent people could escape. And to make matters worse, since the Council took power, they stripped your family of their name and holdings due to their allegiance to the King. I’m sorry.”

I wipe the tears that have formed from the corners of my eyes. “I don’t understand. Why didn’t they go after the church? Why was my family the only one who was punished?”

She rubs the center of her nose between her eyes and takes a moment to center herself. “Your family weren’t the only ones punished, but they couldn’t go after the church. At least not at the time. Your grandfather died just before Akrasiel came. Once he arrived, no one could stand up to the church. However, after the Angel Akrasiel vanquished the other gods, forcing them to retreat, he forgave the council and those who controlled the Golden High Elf Trading Company. However, during the short time of peace with Akrasiel’s guidance, we weren’t able to reestablish Morric’s line back to the Throne. Many of the nobles refused to accept the rule of another monarch. Akrasiel didn’t want to break the peace, so they compromised and created a new Council. All was good until the Angel Akrasiel sacrificed himself to save us. After he was gone, the Council became corrupt, as you can see. The church was divided on what to do about it, most refused to intervene. Most believe it is not our place to play politics. I suspect some within our ranks might be working with the Council, but I have no proof.”

I let out a sigh. “So, we just let the corruption erode our city? People starve and suffer on the streets because of such corruption. Is it not our responsibility to weed out corruption?”

“It’s not that simple. You need proof. You can’t just accuse people of such things,” she says.

“Instead, we just let people suffer,” I say with a little more venom than I intended.

“No, we do all that we can to help those who suffer,” she says.

“That definitely worked well,” I say as my anger gets the best of me.

“I understand your frustration,” she says.

“Do you?” I ask, glaring into her eyes.

“I do more than you realize. Trust me, Lura. I am with you on this. I agree with you, but there’s nothing we can do. Trust me, I’ve tried all that I can to change things,” she says, closing her eyes to rub the spot between her eyes.

I let out a sigh. “I know, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to blame you for any of this. I just… It doesn’t feel fair what we’ve all had to go through in the lower sections. What my family has gone through. What most have to go through, especially those forced into slavery.”

“You are absolutely right. That’s why I joined the church. I wanted to help those who suffer as such. Now you also have an opportunity to make a difference and help those who you know in Tent City and the Low Town. When you become a Sister, you will be able to help heal the hurt, cleanse the sick, and help provide for those in need. That’s how we help the suffering,” she says.

“But there must be more that we can do. What we can accomplish is as much as one person can by shoveling sand out of the desert. We can hardly make any impact at all,” I say.

“Perhaps it doesn’t seem like much in the greater scheme of things, but don’t discount the difference you make in one person’s life. You shine a light in their life, and they will carry that light and shine it for others. Soon, that light will spread. Besides, things will be better. The Angel Akrasiel will be reborn and things will change. I promise you that,” she says.

“Maybe he’s already reborn. Have you ever thought about that?” I ask and I can’t help thinking of someone specifically. It makes sense.

She eyes me suspiciously. “What makes you say that?”

I only shrug. “Nothing.”

She stares at me just a little longer before she smiles. “Well, you should get something to eat. It’s lunchtime and I’m sure you’re hungry.”

As she walks me out, I nod my head. I turn to her. “I know you’re right, it’s just, it seems like no matter what we do, nothing changes.”

“I know all too well how you feel. We just have to keep our faith strong and continue to do the good work of the Light. Eventually, you’ll see your work bear fruit. I see it in my own work. Just look at yourself. You’ve come such a long way, and I’m proud of you. I know you have a long way to go, and you’re still so far from your own goal of freeing your family, but just maintain your faith and I know you’ll see the day when you are reunited with your family. You just have to have faith,” she says with a smile that shines with hope. I nod and hug her. She embraces me in her arms and holds my head against her chest.

“Thanks, Sister Damaris. For everything,” I say as I pull back.

She nods and smiles. “Of course. You deserved none of the bad things that have happened to you. I just hope the Light brings you the peace you deserve. It works in mysterious ways, but it has a plan for us all. We just need to have faith.”

I smile and nod before I head to lunch. As I walk into the hall filled with Sisters and Brothers of the Light, silence suddenly washes over it before whispers break out. I don’t let it bother me as I grab some food and join my friends. They make room for me between Chalia and Charinva and across from Ralodan, Melyis, and Biremeril. Chalia barely gives me time to eat as she hurls a whirlwind of words at me. “What happened? Ralodan, Biremeril, and Melyis said you created a storm and had to go with the High Mother. Are you in trouble?”

“No, I’m fine. It was just an accident,” I say, not telling them the truth. I didn’t create the storm… I am the storm.

“So, what did the High Mother tell you?” Chalia asks.

“She just said I have to fight the temptation of Arcane energy and focus on channeling through the crystal. That’s all,” I say, picking at my food. It just hit me how tired I feel.

Ralodan places an hourglass on the table. “You left this back in the courtyard.”

“Thank you,” I say with a smile as I grab it. On the bottom, a number glows that shows how many hours I’ve accumulated and I’m shocked to see I have four hours from our session earlier. I look up at the others. “We meditated for four hours?”

Ralodan smiles. “Time goes by quickly during meditation.”

“That’s so true,” Chalia says and Charinva agrees.

“Yeah, once you learn how to enter the meditative state, it goes by quickly. One hundred hours hardly feels like a single hour,” Charinva says.

After we finish eating, I head back to my room and sit on my bed. I take my crystal in my hand. I guess I should give it a try. Maybe I should wait for a Sister? No. I feel like I can do this. I start my hourglass and close my eyes. I do exactly what Ralodan instructed, focusing on everything I hear, feel, smell, and then focusing on my heartbeat and breath. I feel myself become weightless and leave time behind. And like before, I feel that pull to the invigorating blue light. It calls to me. It’s so strong. I want to embrace it and submerge myself within it, but I fight it. I focus on the crystal in my hand. I try to imagine the Divine Light. When Orym filled me with it, I remember what it felt like. So warm and holy. It gave me so much joy. I feel that joy return as my body is enveloped in warmth. I feel so wonderful. Far different than the feeling from earlier; instead of the sweet, intoxicating power it’s a warm, joyful, light that encompasses me. It feels as if I have entered the Kingdom of Heaven. The Light lifts the weight of all the pain I’ve endured from my body. It washes away the past and alleviates the worries of the future. All that remains is this joyous warmth.

I open my eyes to see the room filled with warm, yellow light like that of the sun. It’s almost blinding. I don’t want to let it go. It feels so good. I want to let it engulf me, but I have to let it go. As the Light fades, I’m left feeling cold and a little empty, but not entirely. Some of that joyful feeling stays behind and resonates within me. I take in a breath and let it out. Then I grab my hourglass and see that five more hours have been accumulated. Wow… This might not be as hard as I first thought.

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Bothvar Beorcolsson

After the meetings, I’m grabbed by Solmund, Griotgard, and Skardi. They pull me away as soon as they can. A bowl of shrooms is shoved in my hand along with a mug of mead to wash them down.

“Now, you better eat up. You’re behind and you have to catch up,” Griotgard declares, his hands at his belt with his unkempt beard sticking out in every direction. It’s strange seeing him with a beard. I still remember him as my older brother’s best friend and Solmund as mine, along with Skardi. Skardi has always just been Skardi. Always sailing in a ship of his own wind.

I eat the shrooms as fast as I can and wash the shit-tasting mushrooms down with the sweet mead. Then I’m pulled by the fur on my cloak. My three friends drag me over to where a bunch of other women from the Valkyrie tribe are gathered.

“See!” Griotgard says. “I told you I knew Bothvar. We go way back.”

The young Valkyrie women giggle amongst themselves. One with a head held high steps up. Her beautiful, flowing, golden hair seems to shine in the setting sunlight. “So, you do know the Bone Breaker, a Friend of the Yeti.”

She turns her eyes towards me. Those bright blue eyes. Just like Arngunn’s. How could I forget that endless ocean? I can’t. They’re the only sea I want to swim in. The woman sizes me up, her sapphire eyes travel up and down my body. “You don’t look so tough. I saw you come back with Amalasontha. The sisters that battled that day all speak of your deeds. The way you fought the Bone Breakers with such utter ferocity. And your kindness to the yeti. I would not believe a man is capable of such things if I did not hear it from my sisters’ lips themselves.”

“It is all true, trust me,” Griotgard says, walking up to the Valkyrie. He wraps his arm around her. “I fought alongside him against the most ferocious beasts of the night. They had antlers on their heads and venom dripping from their dagger-sharp teeth. It was an endless sea of them attacking. Not to mention the invasion of the Jotnar. If it weren’t for Bothvar, we’d all be dead.”

She shrugs his arm off and grabs the mug of mead out of his hand, drowning it in one swig. “I may not have been there, but I am no newborn. I’d like to see for myself if the rumors are true. Bothvar Beorcolsson, I challenge you to a duel to first blood!”

I sigh. “Do we have to fight? I still have to spar with my niece, and she’s getting good enough to leave welts. Do you have any idea how hard that girl can hit?”

The maiden’s all laugh. “He must not be the same Bothvar the War Chieftess mentions. He can’t even defend himself against a child.”

“If that child was trained by Bothvar, I wouldn’t be surprised if she teaches you all a thing or two about humility,” an all too familiar voice says. The women all stiffen and clamp their fists to their chests in respect. I turn to find Amalasontha standing behind me. I am shocked I didn’t hear her. She nods as we meet eyes. “It seems you have taken my advice to heart.”

I remember what she told me. The path of pain and suffering. I’ve tried to alter my course. To find a better purpose in life. And here I am, drinking and eating shrooms instead of doing what I promised. “I try to, but it is hard.”

She laughs. “You don’t know the half of it, young Beorcolsson. It’ll be the hardest thing you ever do. As you can see, my own warriors do not understand it. I have my work cut out for me to teach it to them.”

“Teach what, mother?” the same woman who challenged me asks.

“Do not worry, my child. You have much to learn before you can handle that lesson. Much,” she says, with a half-hearted smile. “Now come, children. The friends of Bothvar only want one thing from you, and it isn’t to test your ability to fight.”

“Take care of yourself tonight, Bothvar, and try not to let others lead you astray,” she says as she eyes my friends before she turns away and leads her warriors away. I hear her whisper under her breath. “Young ones, never thinking with their head.”

“Oh, for the love of the gods,” Griotgard complains. “Don’t leave!”

“Bothvar, you, my friend, have quite the reputation,” Solmund says as he clasps a hand on my shoulder. “I’m proud to be your friend, and I hope to share in your glory.”

“I doubt it is about glory, Solmund,” Skardi says as he eyes me. “I think it is about much more than that, but what do I know?”

“You are not wrong, my friend,” I say to Skardi, clapping his shoulder. “It is about duty and service to our people. Nothing more. Nothing less.”

“Let us go drink with the Builders. If I remember correctly, they had some fine women,” Griotgard says.

I laugh and pat him on the back. “You all go ahead. I’ll meet back up with you. I have a promise to fulfill.”

They all nod. Griotgard grabs his empty mug. “Don’t take too long or you’ll miss out.”

“I hope they have that herb we smoked the one time,” Skardi says as the three of them walk off. I head back to the camp to find a little girl who will always have my vow of service. When I meet Thorkel again, I will tell him with pride that his daughter carries on his honor along with our pride.

I stop dead in my tracks as I see what stands at the edge of the woods. My breath catches in my throat. My hands tremble and my heart stands still. Longhorn, White-Hair, and Short-Snubs stand watching me with dead eyes. They just stand there staring at me. “I’m sorry! I should’ve been there. I…”

“Who are you talking to?” I turn around to see my sister with Thora.

“You’re late! After the meeting, you promised to spar with me. You gave your word!” the little girl says with her arms folded against her chest as she glares at me. I turn back to the woods to find nothing. I blink and rub my eyes. It must be those mushrooms they gave me. I shake my head and blink once more. Nothing’s there.

“What are you staring at, brother?” Svala asks as she rubs her chin, looking at the woods.

“Nothing. It’s nothing.”

“So? Are you going to explain why you broke your promise?” Thora asks, tapping her foot.

“I did not break my promise. I told you I would spar with you after the meeting. I did not specify what time after the meeting I’d spar with you. And here I am, as promised,” I say with a smile.

She glares at me. “I suppose you’re right. Only by a technicality.”

“Why is a youngling telling me about what is right and wrong?” I ask no one in particular.

“Someone has to,” Svala says with a grin. My eyes narrow.

“I’m not a youngling. I’m just as old as you were when you trained with father and grandfather. You can’t deny it. Svala and grandfather told me all the tales of you and father’s youth,” she says with a glare.

“So, they have. Well then, shall we get to it?” I ask.

“I want in too. You always leave me out,” Svala says.

“Very well. Get three practice swords and shields. You two will test your skills against me,” I say.

The two scurry off before coming back with practice swords and shields, followed by Thormar and Bodvar. Both with their own practice swords and shields. Bodvar points his at me. “We want to practice with you too! Don’t you dare tell us we can’t!”

I sigh. “Very well. You’ll face me two at a time.”

I’m handed a practice sword and shield. As Thora pushes Bodvar and Thormar out of the way. “We’re first!”

“Seriously?” Bodvar asks. “What’s the point? You’re a girl. You might as well just step aside and let the men train.”

Thora turns around and attacks Bodvar with such speed and ferocity. He’s forced to give ground and back up. “Say it again! Tell me I’m not worthy. Say to me that training me is pointless. I dare you!”

“I was just saying…” He starts, but she roars in defiance and barrages him a volley of strikes, kicks, shield bashes, and screams. For the first time, I see fear in Bodvar’s eyes as he backs peddles, desperately trying to perry and block Thora’s attacks. He trips and she pounces. Whacking him without mercy with her practice sword. Thank the gods it’s not a real one.

“That’s enough!” I shout, yanking her off him.

Bodvar leaps to his feet with wild eyes. “You demon child! I’ll make you…”

“You’ll do nothing!” I snap at him. “You earned that with your stupid words. Now take your shame like a man and step aside. She’s earned the right to train just as you have.”

He huffs but ultimately yields. I must admit, I am just as shocked as the rest. I don’t think I’d ever see the day Bodvar the fearless would be beaten at his own game, but Thora is a different beast indeed. She’s just so full of anger and rage, and I can’t really blame her. A girl without a mother and father, forced to grow up at such a young age. Her childhood was stolen from her by fate. She should play with the other children, but instead all she wants is to practice and grow strong. She’s taking the same path of vengeance upon those who have taken her life from her. The same path I once sought. The path that took what was most dear to me. I can’t blame her. I just hope I can show her a different path. The one I now take. A path of service and duty to our people. That is how she will earn the honor and pride of her father, for that is why he gave his life.

Svala smiles. “You know what, Thora. Let’s let the boys show us how it is done. Let’s let them teach us how to properly fight.”

“But Bothvi promised to spar with us, not them!” Thora wines.

“I know, but trust me. It’ll be best for us to let them try first,” Svala says with a grin. There is something about the way she smiles that makes me feel a bit uneasy. She’s always up to something. The girl has the mind of our mother and father. A dangerous combination.

“Fine… But they better not take too long. I want plenty of time to test out what we practiced,” she says, tossing her shield and practice sword to the ground and folding her arms against her chest.

“Finally, someone sees reason,” Bodvar says as he and Thormar step up. Thormar is a little wearier than our younger brother.

They ready their stances and I wave them on. They both charge at me, swinging wildly. Nearly fighting each other as much as they are fighting me. I dodge and duck at Bodvar’s manic strikes while Thormar is just as busy avoiding the wild swings. He pushes Bodvar aside to strike at me with little effect. Bodvar growls and cuts Thormar off while he attempts to stab at me. My wooden blade deflects it like a still branch.

Thormar heaves his shoulder into Bodvar and swipes at my side to only meet my shield. I let this go on a little longer in amusement before I end it as I get in between them and watch them charge at me, only to step out of the way, letting them collide into each other to fall on their arses.

Both Svala and Thora burst into laughter. Thora falls and rolls on the ground, laughing so hard. Svala leans over to rest her hands on her knees to catch her breath. “See Thora? I told you it would be best to let them go first.”

Bodvar tosses his shield and sword down as he pushes Thormar. “This is your fault.”

Thormar kicks Bodvar’s leg, tripping him. “My fault? How is it my fault?”

Bodvar shoots at Thormar’s ankles, tripping him. “You were getting in my way!”

“You were swinging your wood like a drunken scoundrel! You lost the fight before Bothvar even had to swing his blade,” Thormar says as he throws several punches at Bodvar.

“Okay, that’s enough, you two,” I say as I grab both of them and toss them in separate directions. “You’re both to blame for your loss. You were defeated because you fought each other more than you fought me. I didn’t even have to swing my sword. You two did the fighting for me.”

“It’s our turn now!” Thora says, grabbing her own practice blade and shield. The fire in her eyes makes me hesitate. That and the grin Svala wears. It’s a confident one.

The two girls step up in front of me with their shields up and swords ready. I stretch my neck back and forth, cracking out the dust in my bones, and nod. Thora and Svala charge at me in a fury of strikes and feigns. One fakes a swing only for the other to strike where my shield is not. I have to exert myself to perry with my blade. The two have been spending a lot of time practicing together. They fight as one. Svala swings at my throat while Thora attacks my legs. I barely avoid the blows as I leap over Thora’s sword and block Svala’s with my shield.

Sweat breaks out on my brow as a barrage of strikes and misdirects keeps me on my heels, moving as fast as I can to block and perry their attacks. They move as separate arms to the same body. Attacking where the other is not. When did they get so skilled?

In time they could surpass even me. Despite that, I see their weakness. They all attack without defense and there’s a pattern to their attacks. I let them continue their barrage of strikes, laying my trap as I let them get close. A smile turns upon my lips as they walk right into it. Thora swings at my feet as Svala once again goes for my head. I step on Thora’s wooden blade and duck under Svala’s swing, sending her flying over my shield. Thora releases her sword and darts back. Smart girl. I go to attack and…

I stop dead in my tracks as I see her. She stands behind Thora, staring at me with dead eyes. Tonna watches me with that face of sorrow. Tears of blood run like rivers down her face. Her neck remains ripped open from the teeth of those wretched Bone Eaters. She just stares at me.

A loud crack echoes out as a sharp pain erupts across my back. A rage blinds me as I seek to undo the past. I whip around and attack. Losing myself in my hunger for blood. I see the eyes of every Bone Eater my blades have fed upon. I feel their neck in my hand as I ready my blade to drink their blood once more.

“Bothvar!” My name tears through the blood-red rage. I blink and look down to see my hand wrapped around Svala’s neck. Tears streaming down her eyes. My eyes go wide in horror as I pull myself off of her. What have I done? I look around at Thora, Bodvar, and Thormar as they stare at me in complete terror. My head snaps back to where Tonna stood, only to find the white-haired girl with icy blue eyes staring at me. Her eyes narrowed as they pierce into me.

I turn away from all of them and leave. I walk as far away from all of them as I can. Even the sun hides itself from me, and rightfully so. The fear in their eyes was because of me. Am I becoming a monster?

—

I continue to wander through the sea of people. They drink and celebrate. Cheering with mugs raised. Singing and dancing. None of it brings me peace or joy. Everywhere I look, I see the faces of the dead. They’re haunting me. Every face is one I’ve killed. Even the creatures of the night linger in the darkness, watching me. They’re out there waiting for me. I can smell their stench.

I have no solace. No safe haven. No matter where I go, the dead follow me. Haunting me. I stop dead in my tracks at a sight that grips what’s left of my heart as I’m confronted by two little boys, one younger than the other. Their eyes are white and their skin decays. They hold the hands of a woman as cold as a winter chill. Asfrid stands there with a face gaunt with death as her rotten flesh clings to her bones. A skeleton wrapped in dead skin. Her son in one hand and mine in the other.

“Why are you haunting me?” I scream.

My skin crawls as I hear her speak. “You did this. You let us die.”

I let out a roar.

“Are you okay?” I look up to see the eyes of a stranger. “You don’t look so good.”

I realize I’m on my knees. I look past him to see that same icy blue-eyed girl with white hair. Is she behind this? Is she haunting me?

I push past him and rush through the crowd of people who whisper about me. I hear my name on their lips. Why won’t they leave me alone?

I rush out of the camp and into another as I stop dead in my tracks at the sight in front of me. Gorm and his friends hold a slave girl down and take turns fucking her as she sobs and cries in shame. Gorm pauses as he sees me. “Oh, look who has graced us with his presence. The Giant Slayer himself. Want a turn on the bitch?”

I look down at the woman as she stares up at me with pleading eyes. No! The face staring up at me is none other than Arni’s. Those deep sea-blue eyes are full of tears. But the blue fades in them, leaving nothing but the paleness of death. “Why did you leave me? Why did you let me die?”

I lose it. My rage and wrath pour out as I attack the men. Slamming my fist into Gunnstein’s face as he tried to shove his cock in Arngunn’s mouth. I turn on Moldof and bury my fist in his gut, making him cough out blood. I roar in a blinding rage as I toss Sigmund aside and clamp my hands around Gorm’s neck, pinning him up against a tree as I try to choke the life out of him. But when I see whose neck, I have my hands wrapped around; I gasp in horror. Thorkel’s lifeless eyes stare back at me. I let go and scramble backward, nearly tripping over Arngunn as she sobs tears of blood. Thorkel’s eyes bore into me. “It was you who killed us, brother. You!”

I turn as I see the frosty blue-eyed girl with the snow-white hair watching me and I run. Running through the crowds, into the town, and past the buildings until I find myself at the docks.

Kneeling before the dark, endless sea, I bring my eyes to the stars above. Searching for a sign. Any sign. “I’m sorry! If any of you can hear me, please know that I am sorry. I was not there to save you, and your deaths are all my fault. Please forgive me.”

I slump down and hang my head. How can I find redemption when I can’t bring the dead back to life? I can’t undo my failures. If only I could’ve done things differently. Thorkel would be alive if I had acted. If I would’ve sought out and killed the Shadow Stalkers, Longhorn, White-Hair, and Snubs wouldn’t have become their prey. Why do I lose myself in my rage? Tonna died because I was drunk in bloodlust and I nearly killed Svala in it, too. Why didn’t I return home when they needed me most? Why did I leave my wife, her sister, and their sons, my own and my brother’s, to fend for themselves and starve? Their blood covers my hands.

I hear the dock creak with footsteps. I turn to find that icy-cold stare upon me. Her eyes seem to glow with the cold, winter ice in the darkness. “Why are you following me?”

“You see them too, don’t you?” she asks.

“See what?” I ask.

“The dead. You see them just like I do. They haunt you as they haunt me. Tell me I’m wrong,” she says.

I meet her icy stare and silently nod. “That’s what I thought.”

She sighs as she walks by me and sits down at the end of the dock. “They won’t leave you alone, you know that, right?”

“What do you know of it?” I ask as I sit down beside her.

“I was there… I saw my father fall as I stood helpless by my mother’s side. We watched from afar as our army marched against the Southerners. The Usurper Vandil swept upon our force like the wind. I suppose that is why they call him Windfury. His giant ax howls every time he swings it. And his strikes leave carnage in their wake. I stood with my mother as he cut down our warriors with each swipe of his ax. One by one they fell in his path, but my father did not fear his ax. He stood strong and faced him. He fought bravely. Like a true warrior, and I am proud to call him my father. He was the strongest warrior I ever knew. I thought no man could defeat my father. He fought like the storm itself, but it was not enough…” She turns her eyes to the sea as tears wet her cheeks. With a sleeve, she wipes them away and grits her teeth.

She stares out at the water, taking in a deep breath. “I watched frozen as the two met in battle and fought long and hard, but then the Tyrant Usurper beheaded my father so suddenly. His ax was soaked with the blood that gave me life, and there was nothing I could do. Over and over again, I see it happen. I want to kill the usurper so badly. I want to drench my blades in his blood, as he did to my father and I want to cut his head off. I don’t just want to kill him; I want to utterly defeat him. But most of all, I just want to see my father one last time.”

She wipes more tears from her eyes and rests her head against her knees as she brings them against her chest. “I don’t even know if he is in Valholl. We couldn’t recover his body. If that wasn’t bad enough, after we came out of hiding in the land of the elves, my half-sister was taken by Southern slavers. Just to pour salt in the wound, I now have word that she is none other than the slave of the son of the Tyrant Usurper himself. I will kill both of them. I swear it. The Tyrant Usurper and his son.”

I look at her, finding tears in my own eyes. I don’t know what to say, but I know exactly how she feels. I let out the breath trapped in my lungs and stare out into the endless sea. “You might be one of the few people who truly understands my pain.”

She breathes and turns to me. “Thanks.”

I raise an eyebrow as I meet her eyes. “For what?”

“For listening and not apologizing. I hate when people do that as if they were responsible for the death of my father.”

I laugh. “I know exactly what you mean.”

“By the way, I saw what you did back there and I thank you,” she says.

“For what?” Once again, I have that eyebrow raised.

“For stopping those bastards from raping my servant. They had no right. If it was me, I’d have killed them,” she says.

“I should’ve. Gorm and his friends deserve no less,” I say.

“Why didn’t you? It looked like you were going to,” she says.

I stare back out at the black sea. “I wanted to, but when I looked into his eyes, I saw my brother’s face staring back at me.”

“I see. Well, either way, I appreciate what you did,” she says.

I only shrug. “I did what I thought was right.”

A silence passes by, but not an unpleasant one. She looks at me with a smirk. I find myself once again raising an eyebrow at her. “What?”

“You know I’m not going to marry you, right?” she says.

I lean back with my eyes narrowing in confusion. “Where did that come from?”

“I heard your father speak to my mother, trying to convince her to wed us. It’s not going to happen,” she says.

“Good, I don’t want it to happen,” I say.

“Why? Are you saying I’m not good enough?” she asks. This time she’s the one with a single eyebrow raised.

“What? I didn’t say that. I just said I don’t want to marry you either,” I say.

“Yeah, but why?”

“I thought you said you didn’t want to marry me? Why does it matter?” I ask.

“Well, I don’t, but why wouldn’t you want to marry me?” she asks.

“Because I don’t have a heart to give you. It is somewhere out there with the one that I love, and one day I’ll get it back when I see her again.”

She nods. “I understand.”

“Good. And why wouldn’t you want to marry me?” I ask, tilting my head at her.

She only smiles. “You’re simply not the one my mother prophesied about.”

“Is that so? What makes me not the one?”

She shrugs. “First, I don’t think you are my enemy. In fact, I’m surprised to find that I think I like you. You’re a bit crazy, but so am I. I believe you’re just as broken as I am. And I don’t think you are my long-lost kin either.”

“I don’t know about long lost, but we are kin. We are both descendants of the great Ironside who was the first king of our people.”

“So… You’re still not my enemy, are you?” she asks.

“Maybe not now, but who knows what the future brings. I hope I’m never your enemy, but if I ever become your enemy, that would certainly fulfill the prophecy, wouldn’t it?” I crook my head down at her.

“I thought you said you didn’t want to marry me,” she says.

“I don’t. I was just pointing out the possibility.”

“Good, because you’re not my type,” she says, crossing her arms against her chest and tearing her gaze away from mine.

“Is that so? What makes me not your type?” I ask.

“Well, for starters, you have a sword dangling between your legs and I prefer shields.”

It takes me a moment to understand what she means by what she said. Then my eyes go wide as I figure it out. “Oooh. I see. I guess if that is what you like, then that settles it.”

She smiles. “Glad you understand. Besides, I think I am in love with another person. She’s a bit crazy, but aren’t we all? Unfortunately, she’s an outsider and my mother doesn’t trust her. That’s why she wasn’t allowed to attend the feast. I’m rather mad at my mother because of it.”

“I suppose that’s what parents do. My mother can be a bit infuriating at times as well.”

She laughs. “I’ve heard.”

I share the laugh. “I bet you have.”

“I’ve actually heard a lot of things about you. It’s hard to figure out what’s true and what is false.”

“Don’t believe any of it. It’s all exaggerated and blown out of proportion. People love to make a sea out of a pond.”

She giggles. “I bet. What is true, then?”

“I fought the Bone Eaters, but I didn’t fight them alone and I got lost in a rage, paying a high price for it. Because of my actions, a friend died. As far as the giants go, I may have killed a few, but if it weren’t for this wizard warrior named Thon, our village would’ve been completely destroyed and the people all either dead or taken. And I didn’t fight the Shadow Stalkers alone. I had help. In fact, if it were not for a friend named Longhorn who paid the ultimate price, I would be dead.”

“So, it is true. You are the one she spoke of,” Scyra says as she looks at me in a new light.

“What are you talking about?” I ask.

“Shuli, the yeti woman. She spoke of a human man she said was like me. She called him Shadow Killer because he slew the hunters of the night and saved her life. I wasn’t sure who she spoke of until I heard rumors about you. That you were a slayer of giants, a Bone Breaker… I laughed at those, by the way. Then I heard them call you a Killer of the Shadows and a Friend of the Yetis, and that made me wonder. I still wasn’t sure until now. Until you mentioned Longhorn. That’s what she said you called her father.”

I can’t help but drop my jaw as my eyes widen. Is she talking about… No. “Although, she also said he didn’t like that name. At least initially. She laughed as she told me he thought you were very annoying when they first met you. But you honored them with your gifts, and he felt like he owed you hospitality because you saved his life, even though he also saved yours. However, she said he grew to like you and enjoy your company after a while. They all did.”

“You spoke to Blue-Eyes? How?” I ask in complete astonishment. My jaw still hangs gaping.

“Her name is Shuli. Although, she liked the way you looked into her eyes with such reverence, so she didn’t mind you calling her Blue-Eyes. However, her brother hated the name Short-Snubs and her mother didn’t really care for White-Hair. You do know that all yeti have white hair, right? And Short-Snubs? Seriously? You’re not very good with names. If we were ever forced to be married, I will definitely handle the naming of any kids we’d have, which won’t happen anyway, so there’s no point in humoring it. But seriously, you know his horns will grow, right?”

A laugh snorts out of me. I laugh so hard it makes me tear up with joy. I can’t remember when I laughed this hard. “So, what were their names?”

“Well, Longhorn’s actual name was Ukam. White-Hair was named Feneborn and their son, who you called Short-Snubs, was named Ulluc. Their names are kinda strange, but not as barbaric as I expected. I honestly thought they would choose something like Longhorn or Blue-Eyes. Do you know how rare it is for a yeti to have blue eyes? She’s one of the few I saw with them. How strange,” she says, scratching her chin.

My smile deepens thinking about the little yeti. “How did you come by them?”

She looks at me, biting her lip. Then she looks out at the sea before she dives into the tale. “Well… That’s a complicated story. You see, originally, we saw the yeti as a nuisance. They made it impossible to travel in the mountains and would often attack our people. We’d return in kind of course, but tension grew and things were misunderstood. It didn’t help that the Southerners of Barefrost were also attacking the yeti. Then we met a wizard warrior, as you would call it. Not too unlike the one you mentioned, but she was a woman named Aketa and had another woman with her. My mother hired her to deal with the yeti.”

She turns and smiles at me. “Of course, me being me, I couldn’t let them have all the glory by themselves, so I joined them along with Thyia, the outsider I told you about. We traveled up the mountains and stalked them until we found one fighting the Southerners. It was Aketa who said we should help it. She was sure she could talk to it. I wasn’t convinced, but Thyia said we should humor her. So, we attacked the Southerners and killed them before they could kill the yeti.”

I listen to her story as anger rises inside me. After my experience with Blu… Shuli, I feel protective of the yeti. She continues. “The yeti was weary of us, but Aketa seemed to be able to converse with it. I understood some of what was being said. Her name was Shuli, and she wanted to find a human she called Shadow Killer. She found the Southerners and went to talk to them when they attacked her.”

I tense up with wide eyes. “What was she doing outside of the conclave?”

“She wanted to see you. You should visit her,” she says.

“I will certainly have to. When was this?” I ask.

“It wasn’t that long ago, earlier this spring. But anyway, Aketa became our translator and Shuli told us your story. She also introduced us to the other yeti. We discussed many things, and I learned how to roughly speak their hand talk. I’m not very good at it, but I can communicate with them well enough to make trades and have a rough conversation. Anyway, we later introduced my mother and uncle to the yeti and brokered a peace treaty. We also explained that we were not with the humans from Barefrost. They are treacherous and can’t be trusted. They seemed to understand, and we now have a rather good relationship with the yeti. We trade goods with them. They allow us to get minerals and metals, and we give them fish and other goods. Shuli and I still talk. She always asks if I found you. I can’t wait to tell her I finally did,” she says with a smile, tucking a loose string of bright white hair behind her ear.

“Thank you for telling me all of this. You have no idea how much it means to me. I needed to hear this. Especially after all that has happened today. It feels good to know she is well.”

“Of course. Maybe tomorrow we can pay her a visit before you leave,” she says.

“Yes, I’d like that very much,” I say.

I hear footsteps coming out onto the dock. We both turn to see two girls walking out towards us, one slightly taller than the other. “Bothvi? Is that you?”

Scyra bursts into laughter. “Bothvi?”

I ignore her. “Thora? Svala?”

Thora runs out to us and I shout at her. “Don’t run on the docks!”

“There you are! We’ve been looking everywhere for you. We heard you got into a fight with Grom and his minions, and you kicked their arses,” she says, smacking her fist into her other hand. “You showed those rotten, no-good, pansy, goat turds.”

“My god, girl! Who teaches you how to talk like that?” I ask as I eye Svala.

“Hey, don’t look at me,” she says, but not in her normal sarcastic tone. Her face is full of fear. She’s afraid of me and for good reason.

“Everyone talks like this. Why can’t I talk like this?” Thora asks.

“Because you’re not old enough,” I say.

She huffs. “I am too old enough. I’ll talk how I want to talk.”

I sigh and let the issue go. “So, what do you want?”

I realized as soon as the words left my mouth that they weren’t the best choice of words. Both of the girls cross their arms against their chests and look down at me with scorn. Thora practically growls. “What do we want? Well, we certainly didn’t come out here to see if you were okay or anything. Obviously, you’re fine since you’re sitting here with a beautiful woman. Besides, only a weakling would lose to Grom.”

Both Svala and Scyra laugh. I eye Svala suspiciously. I know she gets Thora to talk like this. “You’re the one who gets her to say all that, aren’t you?”

Svala only shrugs. “None of it is wrong.”

Thora steps up and punches my shoulder and it actually hurts. “What in the name of the gods was that for?”

“No one tells me what to say.” She sticks her bottom lip out and actually huffs. Suddenly, one of those blasted whales springs up from the water and sprays us.

Thora laughs. “Tell ’em, Meara! She thinks you’re an old grumpy bear!”

“Okay then,” I say.

Scyra’s jaw is hanging as she stares at Thora and then back at the sea where the whale was. “What…”

“For whatever reason, the killer whales seem to think she’s one of them,” I try to explain with a shrug.

“They’re my friends and they aren’t the only ones. I met a shark named Lulu back in Stormfront and she is absolutely adorable. She’s a great white with the sweetest smile. A bit toothy. I even convinced the whales to get along with her. They’ve welcomed Lulu into their pod-like she’s one of them,” Thora says.

This earns another strange look from Scyra. “And I thought I was the weird one with the ability to wield ice and winter storms. You are on an entirely different level.”

Thora smiles. “That’s not all I can do. Check this out. I just learned this not that long ago.”

Thora concentrates really hard and water slings up from the sea like a rope and pools into her hands like a ball. However, she sneezes, and the ball rains down on the docks.

Svala smacks the back of her head. “Thora! Mother said you’re not supposed to show anyone this stuff.”

“Mother knows about the water and her friends?” I ask.

Svala nods. “But she wants us to keep it a secret.”

“Don’t worry, your secret is safe with me,” Scyra says. She puts her hand on Thora’s head. “I know what it is like to be different. Trust me, it is not a bad thing. You are special.”

“She is the Daughter of the Sea,” I say.

“I don’t even know what that means,” Thora says, getting a laugh from us all.

“Well, we’re going back to where the people are. We actually have friends that want to be around us. We’ll leave you with your…” Thora looks up at Svala. “What was the word you wanted me to say?”

Svala sighs, dragging her hand down her face. “Betrothed!”

“What does that mean?” Thora asks, tugging on her blonde hair.

Svala throws up her arms. “Nevermind. I’ll tell you later. Come on, let’s go and leave these two lovebirds alone. We don’t want to know what they’ll be up to.”

“Svala, wait,” I say. She stops and looks at me. “About earlier. I’m sorry. I don’t know what came over me.”

“It’s fine. No big deal. It was just a sparring match in which we won, by the way.” She shrugs, but without realizing it, her hand goes up to her neck. Then she realizes it and quickly pulls it away, taking Thora’s hand. “Come on Thora. Let’s go see if we can egg Thormar and Bodvar into a fight.”

“Yes! Let’s do it,” Thora says, pumping her fist in the air.

I let out a long sigh, dragging my hand down my face in exacerbation. How have my siblings lived this long? The two walk off. “My sister is a bad influence on my niece. Those two together are trouble. They’re like those damn killer whales. They work together too well, and it doesn’t help that they’re both getting so strong and fast, nor the fact that Svala is so damn cunning. She will make a great warrior one day, and so will Thora. That punch actually hurt. It felt like I was hit with a hammer.”

Scyra laughs. “They’ve got spunk, and they’re not bad in a fight. I like them. They certainly gave you a run for your coin. At least until you got distracted staring at me.”

“I wasn’t staring at you. I just… I thought I saw a ghost,” I say as the memory of Tonna’s bleeding eyes haunts my thoughts. I shake it out. “But yeah, I tell you what, more and more Thora resembles my brother Thorkel. Her father. I see him in her every time I look at her. Him and her mother. She’s got both of their stubbornness. And her mother’s mouth. That woman cursed more than anyone I’ve ever known. She and Thorkel would argue a lot, and yet I think that made them love each other more. It was confusing. And yet her sister, my beloved Arngunn, was the exact opposite. She was kind and sweet. Wouldn’t hurt a fly.”

I turn to stare off at the sea.

“My sister was like that. She was too kind. I tried to harden her up a bit, but she was never like me. She cared about everyone and everything. Even the ugliest of creatures. We once found a nasty-looking animal in the Elven Woods and she treated it like it was a little puppy. I think it’s because she was half-elven. I don’t know. The elves I met were fierce. They taught me how to fight and made me strong, but Alyndra was nothing like them. Just a little girl who liked to smell flowers.”

I look at her with a hurting heart. “Arngunn loved flowers too. She’d spend all day picking them if she could. She always had them in her hair and always smelled of them.”

“She sounds sweet. I bet I would’ve liked her. Hell, I might’ve stolen her right out from under your nose,” she says with a devious smile.

I laugh. “You are something else.”

She shrugs. “I am who I am.”

“I’m glad I met you. It has been a long time since I had a good laugh, and I am happy that Blue… Shuli is doing well. I cannot wait to see her tomorrow. I think I will bring my family. She will want to meet them.

“I bet so too. Well, I need to sneak out and meet up with Thyia. She’s camped outside the village, stuck by herself. She’ll need some company.” She gets up and dusts herself off. We’re both a little wet from that cursed whale. “I can honestly say it was a pleasure to meet you, Giant Slayer. Try not to get too many ridiculous titles.”

I laugh as I climb to my feet. “It was nice to meet you as well. I suppose I’ll see you tomorrow then?”

She nods. “I’ll meet you at your camp. Don’t forget to bring some gifts. They think gifts are a high honor or something.”

I nod. “I should get carving Shuli a toy. She liked the ones I gave her back in the mountains.”

She snorts a laugh. “I think you’d be surprised.”

I raise an eyebrow. “What, why? She’s only a little cub.”

Scyra grins. “She’s not the little cub you remember. She’s taller than you. You do realize younglings grow up, right? You’re a little thick in the head sometimes, aren’t you?”

I tilt my head as my face contorts with a cringe. “Me? Thick in the head? No… Okay, maybe just a little.”

She giggles. She’s got a delightful laugh. It is a sweet melody. Her voice is pleasant to hear in general. Crisp, clear, and sweet like honey. “Well, I’ll see you in the morning, Shadow Killer,” she says as she walks off. I turn to take one last look at the sea and breathe it in. I am starting to think marrying her wouldn’t be so bad. It’s too bad she prefers shields over swords. But it wouldn’t work, anyway. She’s not Arngunn.

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Bothvar Beorcolsson

We set up our tents just outside the village. The slaves do most of the work setting up camp and pitching our tents. Thormar gets stuck with Bodvar. Thora with Aunt Sigvor and Svala. Sigvor’s slaves are behind them with Thormar’s. Mother obviously with father. Me by myself, next to the men who’ll be on my ship and my brothers. I know I said I will not raid, but I’ve come to admit the necessity. I won’t have another winter where my people starve. If it means taking from others, so be it. Besides, as much as I have all but put aside the thoughts of revenge, I will kill the elf who took my brother if I come across him.

As we finish getting settled in, I head out to find my father. He is arguing with my mother like always, and it’s about the Wolf Clan, which is even less of a surprise. “Beorcol, you can’t go starting fights. This is not the place or the time to do so.”

“I cannot let that bastard, Bjarni, get away with what he did. He killed my father and my grandfather. I saw it with my own eyes. I will not rest until his head lies at my feet,” my father says.

“And then what, will you let his son, Vidkunn, get his revenge upon you for killing his father?” mother asks, crossing her arms against her chest with a glare. “Will you continue this stupid cycle of taking father after father? If you kill Bjarni and Vidkunn kills you, then that will force your children to seek revenge. And Vidkunn’s children. And the children of their children. This cycle must stop here and now.”

My father grumbles. “I hate when you’re right, but that doesn’t mean I agree to it. If Bjarni and his sons provoke me, I’ll kill ’em. I’ll kill ’em all and end the blood feud once and for all.”

“Then you better make sure you kill every last Wolf or you’ll shackle our children to this prison of stupidity,” she says before she turns her back to him and walks away muttering under her breath. “Stupid, pig-headed, sheep’s arse, chicken shit of a man.”

My father huffs. “Damn the gods. Why does that woman always have to be right?”

His eyes meet mine. “I take it you heard that?”

“I think the entire camp heard that,” I say.

“You might be right. She is so loud,” he says, and I can’t help but laugh.

“She is your wife,” I say with a grin.

“That she is, and as crazy as it sounds, I would have no other. The damn woman is far wiser than I,” he says, sighing. I follow him as he walks to the mess tent and pours himself a mug of ale and downs the entire thing. “I needed that. Shall we head to the meeting of the clans? Wouldn’t want to miss that shit feast.”

I nod, and he puts his hand on my shoulder. “We’ll need the intervention of the gods to make it out of that meeting with a clean sword. Where are your siblings? Fetch Bodvar and Thormar. I want them to witness it so they see the stupidity they’ll have to deal with when I’m gone.”

I nod and head to their tent, pushing inside to see a shit feast of their own. The two are at each other’s throats, trying to see who can go longer without breathing. I sigh and yank Thormar off of Bodvar, tossing him outside. How am I not surprised by either of these two. It’s been taking less and less to boil Thormar’s blood and Bodvar knows exactly where to dig to unbury Thormar’s anger.

Thormar barges back into the tent. “I’ll kill him. I swear to the gods, I’ll kill him.”

I have to restrain him as Bodvar holds up a fist with his pinky finger out signally that Thormar has a little pecker and only causes him to erupt in further rage. And of course, Bodvar continues to hurl insults at him. “Oh, come off it. You’re acting like a girl. All I did was touch one thing.”

“You’re a donkey’s arse! I told you not to touch my stuff and then I find it all flung out on the floor,” Thormar says as he tries to push past me to charge at him once more.

“I told you I wanted this side. You took it just to spite me,” Bodvar says as he folds his hands against his chest and spits on the ground.

“Will you two shut up? Bodvar, what does it matter what side you sleep on? And don’t touch Thormar’s stuff. You know how sensitive he is,” I say rather satirically.

“I always sleep on my right side and I don’t want to sleep with my back to the entrance,” Bodvar says.

“That is a fair point. Thormar, why did you take that side when Bodvar claimed it for himself?” I ask.

“He only claimed it after I had already set my stuff down on the bed and settled in,” Thormar says.

“Bodvar, why can’t you just sleep on the other side of the bed so that way you’ll be facing the entrance in case someone, for whatever reason, decides to come into your tent,” I say.

Bodvar thinks it over. “I don’t know. Then my head will be close to the entrance. It’d be all too easy to pull a knife out and stab me in the neck before I can react.”

I toss my hands up in the air. “You two will just have to figure this out on your own then. Father is waiting for us to head to the meeting. He doesn’t want to be late. Are you two going to make him late over your petty squabbles?”

Both shake their heads no. “Then come on.”

They follow me out as Svala, Thora, and Aunt Sigvor exit their own tent. Thora rushes up to me, grabbing my tunic. “Bothvi, are we going to train? You said you would spar with me today.”

I can’t help but let out a sigh. “It’ll have to wait until after the meeting.”

“But you said once we get to the village, we will train. Well?” She says, raising her hands. “We’re at the village, are we not?”

Svala has a big smirk on her lips. Why does she take so much delight in my misery?

“I can’t do it now, girl. The meeting won’t take that long. Just be patient,” I say. Thora glares at me with her arms crossed.

 “Come on, Thora. Let us go meet up with your grandmother and aunty Ingithora. Then you can go play with the other children,” Sigvor says.

“Okay, but if you don’t honor your word, I’ll tan your hide just like Grandmother does!” I spit out a laugh. She huffs. “Don’t laugh at me. I’ll do it.”

“I don’t doubt it,” I say with a smile. “Don’t worry. I’ll spar with you once we are done.”

“You better,” she says, stalking off with Svala and Sigvor.

“That girl is going to be the death of me,” I mutter as we meet up with father.

“What took you so long?” father asks.

I just glare at him. He sighs and looks at Bodvar and Thormar, who both only shrug. Dirty rotten bastards.

—

We enter the great hall where tables are already set up in one giant square. Some clan leaders are already here, including Amalgunda with Amalasontha, who both nod our way as we enter, and next to them is Trefor Trehame with his sons, Asgrim and Kadal. Kveldulf and a tall giant woman sit across from them. She is either his wife or daughter, I can’t really tell. although she isn’t ugly, which is surprising. She’s rather beautiful for being such a giant of a woman.

Behind us, a pack of Wolves walk in with Bjarni at the front. My father and he meet with fire in their eyes. Behind him are his son, Vidkunn; his daughter, Asny; Vidkunn’s sons Thorgrim, Thorhall, and Gadaric; and Asny’s twins, Baldric and Siv.

“Have to bring the entire pack with you?” father asks with a smirk.

Bjarni eyes my father. The older man seems to debate whether or not to take the bait. “Don’t tell me the great Beorcol Thorgrimsson is afraid of some boys?”

My father spits on the floor. “I am not afraid of any Wolf. In fact, my hall is filled with wolf pelts. I would like to add a few more.”

Baldric growls behind him as he and his sisters clench their fists. Those two always seemed more wolf than man or woman. Although, I can admit that the woman is not bad on the eyes. “Count yourself lucky that I don’t allow my grandchildren to kill you where you stand, you treacherous swine.”

“I’d like to see them try. Maybe today will be the day I finally end the Wolf line, since it was a mistake,” father growls.

“Will you two ever put it to rest?” a familiar voice says. We all look up to find Eawyn entering with her daughter and Kadal Bothvarsson, the brother of King Teowulf. “I grow tired of your constant petty squabbling.”

“How can I rest when the man who killed my father and grandfather still breathes?” Father asks.

“They deserved it for killing my father Vikar and my grandfather Hallkel,” Bjarni growls back.

“You both have plenty of reasons to hate each other, but there are plenty more reasons to become friends rather than enemies,” Eawyn says as she, Kadal, and her daughter step up to the table. She places her hands on the table and leans in. “Word has grown that the Southerners are discussing taking actions against our raids. They want to not only put an end to them, but also an end to us.”

“Where did you hear this?” Bjarni says.

“I have my spies. So far, from my understanding, it is only the three Northern cities that want war. Chillshore which was stolen from us, Barefrost, and Darkstall. Fortunately, for now, they do not have the support of the Usurper swine, Vandil. But we should prepare for the inevitability that they will eventually gain his support and come knocking at our doorsteps. We should always be ready for war, even in times of peace,” Eawyn says. Then she stands up straight and brings her hands out to the empty seats. “Now, will you two join us to discuss these important matters?”

My father and the Wolf Leader glare at each other before they nod to Eawyn. We take our seats next to the Valkyrie Clan on the other side of the Builders, while the Wolves sit across from us with the Giants. Eawyn sighs. “I take it the Eagle Clan will not be joining us?”

“Have they ever joined us?” my father asks as slaves bring out drinks for everyone.

“Cowards. That’s what they are,” Kveldulf says, slamming his fist against the table, cracking it. “We should’ve wiped them out when they refused to join us in the war against the South.”

“We will not fight each other, that is exactly what the Southerners want,” Amalasontha says.

“As always, the wisdom of the Valkyrie Clan shows true. As much as the Eagles deserve to be punished, we would only hasten our own defeat at the hands of the Southerners when we let our warriors die at the sword of our fellow Northerners,” Eawyn says as she looks particularly at my father and Bjarni. “Now, before we dig into this issue, let us first discuss other important things such as trade and food, then we’ll discuss raiding, and finally we’ll bring the subject of potential war up once again.”

Everyone nods. Eawyn smiles as she takes a sip, before continuing. “Now what clans need food? It may have not been as long as The Longest Night, but Winter was still a harsh one.”

“We could use more food to last until summer,” father says, before taking a long swallow of his drink. “The Jotnar raid wiped out a good portion of what we had left from winter.”

“We have plenty to spare and will gladly send some of it over,” Amalgunda says.

My father nods at her in thanks. “When summer arrives, we will send over all the spare fish that is caught by our fishermen.”

Amalgunda nods in return.

“Anyone else?” Eawyn asks. No one else speaks up. “Then on to the next issue. Trade. Let us hear all the needs you have and see if we can come to an agreement.”

“As always, the Builders are forever in need of raw materials. Except for lumber, we could always use more metals, clothes, clay, and more. We’re willing to trade finished tools and weapons for raw materials as long as we can keep a share to ourselves for our own needs,” Trefor says, scratching his white beard.

“We have just come to discover a massive amount of ore within the mountains. Mostly coal, iron, and this heavy metal that is nearly impossible to lift without proper training. We’d be glad to help mine and deliver it with the aid of your people for a cut of the tools and weapons made from it,” father says.

Trefor nods, resting his hands on his big round belly. “That is a fair trade. We’ll agree to it. We can send over people to help mine and carry the ore after the end of the meeting of the clans.”

Father nods. Then Bjarni speaks up. “The Southerners at Barefrost have plenty of metal to give once we take it from them. The mountains surrounding their town are rich with it. We’ll give you most of what we take for a share of the tools and weapons made from it.”

Trefor also nods at him. “That deal is also satisfactory.”

“We can help mine and deliver it if we can have a share as well,” Amalgunda says.

“I see no problem with that. And the Giants are also welcome to help for a share,” Trefor says.

“The mountains to our north have more metal than all of us could ever mine in the lifetimes of our children’s children. I see no problem in sharing it with all who help us mine it,” father says with a nod. “Just be warned that the mountains can be treacherous and are filled with these fiendish creatures we’ve come to call Shadow Stalkers. They hunt at night and feed on flesh. I’m also certain that the thieves at Chillshore also mine in the mountains, so we have to be prepared for a fight.”

“I welcome a fight with those bastards,” Kveldulf says, once again slamming his fist on the table, further splintering it.

“I fear no fight with the usurpers, but won’t seek it out either,” Amalasontha says, wearily. “I do not want to lose any of my people needlessly.”

They all nod at that. Eawyn speaks up. “We, too, will send aid to the mountains. Now, are there any other needs to be met?”

Eawyn takes a moment to wait for any response. “No? Then let us move on to raiding. Last cycle, raids went well. Shall we plan to do the same this time around?”

“I see no problem with that,” father says.

“Easy for you to say, squid lover,” Vidkunn barks, slamming his fist down.

Father lets out a low growl. “What did you call me?”

“You heard me!” Vidkunn says with a snarl.

“Maybe you’d like to say that to my ax,” father says even though we do not have weapons on us because it is forbidden during clan meetings, for obvious reasons.

Vidkunn stands up. “Gladly.”

“Son, now is not the time,” Bjarni says.

“Finally, one of you Wolves speaks wisdom,” father says.

“Oh, and you’re just a fountain of knowledge?” Bjarni asks.

“I’ve got more wisdom in my little finger than you have in your entire clan,” father says.

“That’s it! Let us form a square!” Bjarni shouts, spilling over his ale as he pounces to his feet.

“Enough. This has got to end,” Eawyn says.

“It’ll end when he lies on a burning funeral pyre,” father says, stabbing his eyes into the old Wolf.

“No! I forbid it. You all act like children,” Eawyn says.

Scyra snorts a laugh. “You should punish them like children. Make them work together like you did when I fought with Alyndra…”

She looks away as her eyes close in a bitter sadness. I heard about what happened to her sister. Snatched up by Southern slavers and sold.

Eawyn rubs her chin. “Maybe that is exactly what we should do. My daughter has far more wisdom than either of you two have shown so far. Here is what I decree. You two shall trade sons who will live with the other clan. You will learn each other’s ways.”

“For how long?” my father asks.

“Until you both can see that you are not that different from each. Until you learn to bury this hate, you have for the other. That is my decree,” she says.

“A wise one, it is if it succeeds,” Kadal says.

“I don’t like it,” Bjarni says.

“Neither do I,” father says.

“So, you’d rather kill each other instead? What will that solve aside from making us all weaker? We need to stand strong together or we will be defeated by ourselves,” she says.

Father looks back at us. He eyes me, then Thormar, and then Bodvar. Then his glare lands on the Wolves before turning back to Eawyn. “Do we get to choose who we trade?”

“Your youngest. You’ll send over Bodvar and Bjarni, you’ll give up Gadaric. You’ll integrate them within your clan and by the gods. If any harm shall come to them by one of your own, you’ll have to answer to me,” she says.

“And if they get hurt during a raid?” Bjarni asks.

“Why would you ask that?” father says. “Are you planning on my son having an accident?”

“No. I wouldn’t sink so low, but if he is to be one of us, he’ll raid like us,” Bjarni says.

“If he falls by the blade of a Southerner, then we will exact our punishment on the South, however, if I suspect foul play, I will bring down swift justice on the guilty,” Eawyn says, slamming her hand on the table. Ice spreads from her touch, freezing the entire table in a thick layer of ice. “Am I clear?”

Everyone nods. Eawyn smiles and draws the ice back into her hand. “Then it is settled. Bodvar Beorcolsson will go to the Wolf Clan, and Gadaric Vidkunnsson will go to the Kraken Clan. They will remain there until both clans can set aside their differences and bury their hate for each other, and I’ll decide when that happens.”

“Now, let us talk about more important matters. I fear war might be inevitable with the South if we continue to raid upon their ships and caravans, but I do not think we should stop because we have just cause for such actions. As long as they still hold Chillshore, we will not stop raiding them. Chillshore is ours. We built it. They have no right to dirty it with their greedy tyrant arses,” she says, anger burning into her words even though they have an icy sting.

The leaders all smack the tables in agreement. A smile appears on Eawyn’s face. “We might not be ready to face the Southerners in war, just yet, but the time is near. As the prophecy says, when the daughter of winter marches south, the north will follow and the daughter of a king will sit upon the throne. It is clear that when we do march into war, we will be victorious!”

The leaders all stand up in a roar of approval. “For now, my friends, prepare yourselves for the inevitable war to come. Fill your racks with weapons, harden your warriors, and strengthen your resolve. The time to get our justice is nearly upon us. We will bring down the Tyrant Usurper, Vandil, and justice will be served.”

The men and women clap the table with their fists until Kveldulf’s table breaks in half. Laughter erupts from the others. The giant man shrugs.

Eawyn looks satisfied. “Now, if there are no further matters to discuss, we shall end the meeting and celebrate the beginning of the summer raids.”

No one objects. Eawyn spreads her hands. “Then it is settled. You are all welcome to feast, drink, and enjoy yourselves. However, there will be strict punishments for those who break the peace. There shall be no killing here. As long as you all understand that, there will be no problems. Drink up and enjoy yourselves. The meeting is over.” Slowly, the clans disperse from the hall back to their camps.

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