The Damaged Soul

We follow father to the docks where the crew prepares the ship to sail out once the All-Clan Meeting is finished. Shields are hung on the side of the ship; barrels of water and dried food are stored below along with crates of weapons. The sea navigator, Varin Hialtisson, father of Sigvid, father of Griotgard and Solmund and their siblings, checks the health of the ship with his apprentice, Skardi, showing him the ropes of what it means to navigate the sea.

It is said he has a natural affinity for the task and it doesn’t surprise me one bit. Skardi has always been keen with this sort of thing. Although I must admit I am a bit worried. His skin has started turning a dark gray color from those mushrooms he keeps eating. However, I’ve also noticed he can hear things from great distances that no one should be able to hear. Is this because of those mushrooms? Several days ago, Thorkel was telling me how he was going through Thormar’s maps and plans to sail west, and they were actually pretty good. They’ve piqued his own interest. Skardi must’ve been two or three ship lengths away, and Thorkel was hardly whispering when Skardi came up and asked about the plans, mentioning things that Thorkel just said. We were both amazed. I might consider eating the mushrooms myself if it weren’t for that odd way they change your skin color.

Father gathers the crew around him on the top deck. Just as it’ll be my first time out on a raid at sea, Skardi, Solmund, and Skarf Cnutsson will also be out for the first time. It feels good to have friends out at sea.

My father looks at all his men, who are hungry for battle, and smiles. “It’s time for us to raid again.”

The crew holler and cheers. Father continues. “That’s what we do. We are Vikings! We raid and take what is ours!” The crew bangs anything they can to show their approval. “However, when I say we, I mean you all, with my son Thorkel leading this time around. I will not be coming this season.”

Even though most expected this, since Father has been grooming Thorkel to take over ever since the first time he went out to raid, many show their signs of disappointment. “It is about time I passed the torch to my son. I’ll be staying back and doing what Earls are apparently supposed to do. At least that is what my wife has been telling me ever since I’ve taken over as Earl.”

The crew snickers and Beorcol gives them a grin. “As you all have witnessed, he is as capable as a man can be of taking my place. I expect you to all follow him as if he is me. You know him, you’ve raided with him, and you can trust him to lead you. Since Thorkel is your captain now, I suppose I should start the passing of the torch and allow him to address you all.” says our father.

“Did you hear that? Father thinks I’m a capable man.” A roar of laughter erupts from the crew as Thorkel grins widely. Then he clears his throat as he gets a stern look from father. “Right… Well, to the point. We will go out at first light the day after we get back from the All-Clan Meeting, and we will head south. You’ll be joined by Koll Alriksson, Einar Alriksson, and Throst Thorhalldottir as usual. Koll will lead the raid and Throst will be second in command, followed by Einar and myself. The chain of command of the crew will be as it was when father led, with Rognvald as second, Varin as third, and so on. We will avoid any of the Golden Company fleets and focus on easy targets. Single merchants. We won’t take any unnecessary risks. We can always get more gold, but it is hard to get more trustworthy and honorable Vikings such as yourselves. Those have to be built through hardships, as my father has taught us all. And I say with full confidence that you all are among the most honorable and trustworthy I’ve had the honor of raiding with. You’ve all taught me how to be a true Viking, and I am grateful for that. I see you all as brothers and sisters of the North. So, we must keep ourselves alive. And besides, your families are counting on you coming home. We can’t be stupid and throw our lives away for gold or any other treasure.”

The crew nods, and the respect they have for my brother is shown on their faces as plain as the sun in the sky. I hope to one day have that kind of respect. I admire both my father and my brother more than anyone else. They are both men with the utmost honor, and the men follow them because they have proven themselves in battle. I, however, have not. I still haven’t even proven myself in a fight. Sure, I’ve joined many scuffles since the time I stood back and watched my brother and my friends fight with Grom. But this… This is different. I was never worried about dying in a scuffle with a clan mate. But here, life and death lie on a sword stroke. To say I’m nervous would be like calling our ship a row boat. I’m terrified.

I feel sick to my stomach, and the worst part is that father won’t be here. I am thankful that Thorkel will be with me as he always is, aside from the last few summers when he was with my father raiding. I understand why father is not coming. He is needed here, but I just wish he’d come. It would certainly ease the tension in my gut.

As the meeting finishes, Thorkel and I help the crew finish preparations with the ship before we head home to our wives and children. I hold my baby boy, Hrut, in my arms and wish I didn’t have to leave him or my beautiful wife, Arni. She watches us with a worried smile. I can see the sad look in her eyes. She doesn’t want me to leave either. I just hope she and my son will be safe until I return. One good thing about my father staying is I know my wife and child will be safe with him here. Of course, with my mother and Aunt Sigvor here as well, no harm could ever come to them. My aunt may not like violence, but that doesn’t mean she is helpless. Even the fiercest warrior could never stand up to my mother or my aunt.

The thought of it amuses me and puts a smile on my lips, but it quickly fades away when I look down at my son as he sleeps in my arms. He is so peaceful. Sometimes I wish he didn’t have to grow up. Then he would never know war and death. I wish he could remain innocent. But these are hard times, and we need all the hands we can get to face off enemies like the Southern Tyrants and the elves.

—

Thorkel and I stay behind for the meeting of the clans to spend time with our newborns before we set off to raid. They were only gone for two days, but my father insisted that we stay with our babies. There is nothing more important to our clan than family. And with family, what could be more important than taking care of a newborn baby?

Besides, there’s no telling how long we will be gone on my first time out at sea, and I am glad I didn’t leave as I hold my son in my arms. The way he sleeps is so peaceful. He is so tiny. His hand is no longer than my smallest finger. His little feet can’t even hold him up, but I know he will grow to be big and strong. That is the way of all Krakens.

My wife comes back out of the bedroom from her nap and as soon as she sees us, that warm smile of hers fills me with even more joy. She saunters over and plants a kiss on my cheek and one on Hrut’s tiny little forehead. I look up at her and get lost in the sea within her eyes. She is the light of my world. The sun that brings me warmth, and this little baby in my arms is the stars that give me hope on even the darkest nights.

Semet has been a blessing with her help. She spends a lot of time in our room assisting us. Arni has even moved her in with us. She sleeps on a slave bed next to the baby and she is always quick to step in and take care of little Hrut, watching over him to allow Arni and me to get some alone time. We spend much of it napping in each other’s arms. I could hold her within my embrace for the rest of my life. She fits perfectly in my arms. I spend much of the day taking care of her and the child with Semet’s help while making plans with Thorkel. We go over the supplies for the hundredth time. For being mostly the laid-back one, Thorkel is thorough in his preparations.

While it’s the three of us with baby Hrut, Arni sits down in my lap as I admire her. She looks deep into my eyes. “I want to take the collar off of Semet. I trust her only second to you and Asfrid. She deserves to have it off. She says it makes her feel awful and weak. Right Semet?”

Semet nods.

“Hasn’t Semet always worn the collar? How does she know it’s the collar that makes her feel weak and sick?” I ask.

Arni takes a deep breath in. “I… I may have been taking her collar off when we’re alone and letting her practice her magic. She can heal with it.”

I look at Arni with my jaw gaping. “You’ve taken her collar off? If people found out, they would panic. No one trusts elves or their magic here Arni. People have lost too many of their loved ones to elves.”

Arni bites her lip. “But… It makes her physically weak and ill. She needs that thing off. It’s not just about the magic, the thing makes her weaker and weaker the longer she wears it. I can’t just let her wither away. She’s my friend.”

I sigh. “You’re right. We can’t let her suffer like that. This is what we’ll do. We’ll make another collar that looks like the one she’s wearing, but it won’t have any magic on it at all. We can just swap them out. No one will know the difference unless someone catches her doing magic. You can keep teaching her, but just don’t do it where anybody is watching.”

She kisses me on the cheek. “Thank you. I just wish she didn’t have to wear one at all. It’s so demeaning and cruel.”

—

I spend part of my day working on making the new, identical collar. I’m not as good as a leatherworker as I am a blacksmith, and I’m not even that good of a blacksmith. My work is shoddy at best. At least that’s what the old dwarf Aldam always said. Eventually, I settle for something that is slightly off in color and a little thinner. I also added a soft padded linen lining to make it more comfortable. No one will see it. Arni isn’t wrong. She shouldn’t have to wear the collar.

Once I finish, we pull Semet aside in our room. I will not lie. For some reason, I am nervous about it all. I know she’s been with us for a long time, but it’s hard to forget that she is an elf and she could easily use that magic against me. Arni’s parents were killed by elves. But reluctantly, I take her collar off and her face flushes with life as she breathes in deeply. That sweet, innocent smile lights up her face, and the spark returns to her deep green eyes that now glow brightly.

Then I put the other collar on. Her face reddens as her eyes fall to the ground, too ashamed to meet mine. I let out a sigh and I feel deeply guilty. “I’m sorry you have to wear this. Just so you know, you will never be a slave in our eyes.”

Those bright green eyes meet mine and there’s a genuine smile. “Thank you, you do not know how much this means to me. The world seems a lot brighter and more alive without that thing on. I feel like I can breathe again. And I’ve always cherished the two of you more than anything. You both have made me feel safe, and you make me feel like I’m worth something.”

I can’t help but smile. “You are worth more than just something. You gave Arngunn a friend when she needed it most, and you’ve stayed by her side ever since. For that, I owe you more than I can give. So let this be a start.”

—

As our clan returns from the meeting of the clans, they bring word of a prophecy that has changed everything.

The prophecy said that when the daughter of winter marches south, the north will follow and the daughter of a king will sit upon the throne. Some of the people in our town think it has to do with Thorkel’s daughter, Thora, and what Sigvor said upon the day of our joint wedding. But I don’t think so.

Sigvor said the Daughter of the Sea will be born, and that is far different from that Daughter of Winter. My father and the other clan Earls think it has to do with King Teowulf’s living heir, a daughter. She is said to have hair as white as snow and eyes that shimmer in an icy blue glow which I can confirm, for I have seen them myself. That definitely seems like someone who would be considered this Daughter of Winter, and she is the daughter of a king.

My father thinks this changes everything, and he is glad he is not going to raid because there is much that needs to be done, but he doesn’t believe it will come this soon, so we still plan to raid without him.

We prepare for our departure; I’ve been waiting for this moment my entire life, and yet… part of me doesn’t want to go. Every time I see the woman, I love holding our small baby, I cycle to stay here with them.

After we finish last-minute preparations, I hold my baby boy in my arms and look down upon him with amazement. To think I could help bring something this pure into the world is beyond me. He is perfect, and he gives my life joy.

Arni takes little Hrut from my arms and we join the rest of the family for supper. Bodvar, Svala, and Thormar pester Thorkel with questions about tomorrow’s raid. He obliges them, and it causes my stomach to tie into knots as I consider whether half the stories, he tells are true. Is there truly a ghost ship that sails the sea? That must be a tale he’s telling to scare them. Right?

“Are you ready for tomorrow, my son?” father asks as he puts a hand on my shoulder.

“As read as I will ever be,” I say.

“Good. Remember to listen and learn. Think before you act, but think quickly and act fast. Leave nothing to chance. Soon, your actions will be instinctual based on experience. Watch the backs of your fellow crew and be careful. Act with honor,” he says.

I nod, and he gives my shoulder a squeeze. “Are you afraid?”

“I’ll be honest, I am afraid,” I say. Why did I say that out loud? Vikings are not afraid.

“Good.” I look up at him, confused. “It is smart to be afraid. Only fools are fearless, and usually they do not live all that long. Remember this: those who have courage and bravery are not those without fear, but those who choose to stand and fight in the face of fear. And do not let fear control you, or any emotion for that matter. Emotions will always lead you astray. Set your feelings aside and become a stone in the wind. Embrace the void of emotion through deep breaths. But do not become too rigid and brittle. If you find your way blocked by a boulder, become like water and flow around it. But do not be too shapeless. Hold like a stone and be as impassable as a wall, but do not get stuck in one place. We are Vikings, after all. That is why we sail out at sea.”

“Yes father,” I say. He always has something wise to say, and it usually is filled with riddles. But I feel his meaning in these words is as plain as day. I must be those things he said in order to become a great Viking. “Thank you for your wisdom.”

“Of course, my son. Now eat, but do not get too full or you’ll regret it in the morning. Trust me, I know this from experience. Also, make sure to always have your crew eat first. It shows you will always look out for their best interests. And as I’ve told Thorkel many times, do not order your crew to do something that you yourself would not do,” he says with a wink and a smile. He pats my back before he leans over to mother, and I see his hand go under the table. My mother’s eyes go wide and a wry smile crosses her lips as she gives my father a sidelong look.

I look over at Arni who has our baby, but all I can think about is tomorrow. It makes my stomach clench. I try to force the food down, but it is hard to keep it down with all the seabirds flying around in my stomach. After supper, I head into bed early with my wife and child. She holds him until he falls back asleep. Then she lays him down in his little tiny cradle at our bedside and joins me in my arms. I thought I’d want to have sex with my wife one last time, but instead, I just want to hold her and feel her love as we lay here in the silence. No words need to be said. There are no words that could express our love for each other.

I am going to miss this. I’ll surely miss the way she fits so perfectly in my arms. And how my little Hrut’s tiny fingers wrap around one of my own. And seeing the way my love holds and cherishes our child. The child we made together and she bore. He is a part of us. As if we took a piece of our souls, combined it, and made it into flesh. This little baby has both of us within him, and I imagine he’s the best of us, hopefully without my own flaws. Of course, Arni doesn’t have a single flaw, so there’s nothing to worry about there. I wish I could take them with me, but the sea is no place for a mother and her child. I try to stay awake for as long as possible so I can remember my wife’s beauty while I am out on the sea. I take in her tiny nose and how it fits so perfectly on her beautiful, soft face, especially with those luscious lips. I want to memorize the way they feel against my own. I don’t want to forget the way I feel when her warm hand touches my skin. These will truly be the things I miss the most, and they’re the true treasures in life.

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I love the way Arni’s nose seems to scrunch as she just wakes up and lets out a yawn while she rubs her eyes. As her eyes open, they land upon me and a smile forms on those cute lush lips. “Have you been watching me sleep?”

“Maybe,” I say with a smile, nuzzling my nose against her neck as she giggles.

She kisses my forehead and lets out another yawn. “I had the strangest dream.”

“Yeah? Tell me about it,” I say as I kiss the nape of her neck.

She bites her lip and runs her hand through my hair. “I was in this… Temple. It was huge. One of the biggest temples I have ever seen. However, they called it a cathedral. And there was this painting… It was on the ceiling that arched to the sky. It showed this man with wings bathed in light descending from above, shedding that light upon the darkness below. The walls of the temple were all white with gold and silver everywhere. Then there was this short, pudgy woman who was really mean and cruel. She kept calling me and these others low-borns. She was just so rude and condescending. I just wanted to punch her in the face!”

I laugh as I try to picture Arni punching some short, fat woman in the face. It’s hard to imagine. Arni would never do that. “Yeah, and then what happened?”

“There was another short skinny man who was so arrogant. They called him… I think it was Admiral? I don’t know if that was his name or some kind of title.” She only shrugs as I roll onto my back and smile. She slides over and rests her head on my chest. “I don’t know what it means. I feel like I’m seeing life through someone else’s eyes.”

“Who knows what dreams mean,” I say as I kiss her head. “Let’s leave the dreams for sleeping. My father and mother continue to pester me about making babies. I grow tired of it.”

Her delicate, soft, hand dances across what she has taken to calling the rock pathway of my lower torso. Her small, perfect teeth bury themselves in her plush bottom lip. “I want to have a lot of children. Many sons and daughters like your father. But maybe a couple more daughters. I don’t know where I’d be without my sister.”

“We can have as many children as you want. You can name almost all of them as long as I can have a son named Thorkel. We might as well name one Hrut as well.”

She smiles and kisses me. “I’d like that. I like it a lot. I should name one of the girls Asfrid then. And Svala. I think my sister wants to name one of her daughters after her favorite goddess, Frida, but I would rather name my children after people I know and love.”

I smile at her. “If that is what you want, then that is what you shall have. And it will make my sister think I did it just for her. Might earn me some silver tips. If only she knew the truth.”

She laughs and softly swats my chest. “You are so bad. I suppose we should probably name two of our boys Thormar and Bodvar, right?”

“Not a chance. I don’t want to risk having children just like them. Ugh… One is a know-it-all and the other knows too little. One is full of anger and the other doesn’t know fear. They’d always be fighting each other. Seriously, not children I want to put up with. At least with Thorkel, we only need to worry about him slipping out to exploring and getting into trouble. Every youngling does that.”

She gives a half smile and raises an eyebrow. “Bothvar? They’ll take it as if they didn’t make you proud or something. Both of them look up to you.”

“Why can’t Thorkel name his kids after them? He deserves children like them for all the trouble he’s gotten us all into.”

Her smile flattens. “Bothvar…”

“Fine, okay. But what if my brother names his kids after them too? Then we’d have two of each of them. Can you imagine that?” My eyes go wide as I truly give the thought weight. “That would not be good, I do not think our village could survive the four of them together.”

She snorts a laugh. “I’ll sort it out with my sister. Let’s just worry about making them.”

I crawl on top of her with a grin. “Oh, don’t worry about that, love. I think I’m going to do well at making babies.”

She giggles before her lips meet mine. Her hands slide up my rocky pathway and across the drizzle of hair on my chest, which she thinks looks like two large stones with a sprinkle of grass on them. Her fingers wander north, twirling my beard before her fingers explore my head of hair. She loves to keep my hair nice and soft with those tonics and oils of hers. She also loves to keep me nice and clean. I don’t mind it either.

Especially when she takes her time to clean my body. She loves to follow the trails of my muscles. I love to return the favor and trace the curves of her soft skin as I bathe her. My hands have explored every curve and valley of her body. It makes her moan in delight. I love the look she gets on her face when I find those soft, sensitive spots that make her gasp. It’s the look of a goddess gracing her love upon me. She is the stars, the moon, and the sun to me. I want to make her feel as if she’s already in the halls of the gods and that this is what the afterlife of the worthy is like. Full of pleasure, love, friendship, and joy.

She grinds her hips against mine as I kiss a trail down her soft skin. Her delicate, beautiful skin. The golden color she had during the summer has faded into a white, milky ivory color. I can’t help but leave a path of kisses all over it. I want my lips to touch every part of her, but I hold back and make my way down her soft tummy and lick the little cave there. That gets her squirming in giggles. My lips find her little pond, but I don’t dive in right away. I bring my lips between her legs as she wiggles her hips, enticing me. I slowly kiss down the soft, silky skin of her inner thighs as she quivers and scoots closer to my face. “Please, Bothvar. I want to feel your tongue against my womanhood.”

“Do you now? How badly?” I grin up at her as I meet her eyes, her teeth nearly cutting into her lip.

She pleads with me with those deep blue eyes. My own eyes go wide as I blink. For a second I swore I felt we were somewhere else… A golden hall, laying in a bed with sheets softer than silk. Her golden hair shining brighter than the sun and her eyes glowing with the light of all the stars in the sky. “Please, Bothvar. I need it so badly.”

I shake my head, pulling my attention back to the present. I look up at Arni’s cute, feminine face with that dainty, little nose.

“That bad, huh?” I ask with a dirty grin. “You know I could never say no to that face.”

I spit on her tight cunt and gently rub it inside her with my fingers as she grinds against them. Then I drag my tongue against her slit and flick the little bead at the top. She writhes in pleasure with a squeal. I let my tongue explore her wet womanhood, going back to the places that make her moan but never staying too long. She sighs in frustration as I tease her. Her hands grip my hair as she grinds her cunt against my face, groaning out.

I finally pull away and spit on my hand as I wet my cock. She bites her lip as she arches her back, pulling her legs against her soft, perky breasts. I slide myself across her tight entrance, coating my cock in her wetness. She doesn’t wait any longer and grabs my dick, pulling me up to her wet, warm sex. It drives me crazy when I see her digging her teeth against that delicate lip of hers. It’s so plush. I sink my cock into her cunt as she lets out the breath she’s been holding in.

Then I lean down and bite that bottom lip. She won’t let me go and kisses me deeply as I make love to her while her legs rest on my shoulders. Her cute nose squinches and it drives me crazy, making me thrust hard into her. She whines as her eyes cross. “Oh god, don’t stop. Fill me with your seed, Bothvi. I want to bear you a son.”

I groan out as I thrust harder into her. She grabs my ass, urging me on. My lips attack hers as I pump my cock into her while reaching down to rub that spot she likes so much that looks like a little bean. She moans out, gasping for breath. “I’m… I’m going to. Oooh… Bothvi.”

She moans out, digging her nails into my skin. Her eyes clench shut. She clenches down on my cock and convulses. I fall over the edge and fill her with my seed as the pleasure drowns me. Sweat covers my skin as I drain every last bit inside her. Gasping for breath, I collapse on her, holding her tightly. She grips my hair and holds onto me in return. “I can feel our son grow inside me. I know it to be true.”

I look at her and can’t hold back my smile. I kiss her with a burning passion.

A sudden loud crash comes from Thormar’s room next door. Arni staples. “What was that?”

“Must be Thormar having another one of his tantrums,” I say with a sigh.

“But he’s always so kind and calm,” Arni says.

I laugh. “My little brother might seem kind and rather calm most of the time, but when he gets pushed over the edge, he blows up. As my great uncle Alvi once described my grandfather, Thormar is very much the same. Swallows down his anger like a mug of mead, but when he swallows too much, it comes up like vomit.”

—

I spent the first part of winter making love to my wife when I’m not sparring, playing the game of war with my brothers or father, or picking up the slack with the slaves. Even though the slaves do most of the hard manual labor, sometimes I find it refreshing to chop some wood myself. Keeps me strong. We also spend a good deal of time fishing on the ice once the rivers, bays, and lakes freeze over. Winter can be harsh and food can be scarce. That’s why we must take every opportunity to get more.

Bodvar and Svala spend most of their time playing pranks on Thormar. Hiding his maps on him, stealing all his favorite trinkets. They went too far when they took the compass father gave him. I’ve never seen Thormar so mad. He had Bodvar pinned to the ground, nearly choking him. It took both Thorkel and me to pull him off and calm him down. Svala and Bodvar reluctantly gave it back.

After that, they turned their attention to the slaves, Morcar, along with several of the elves. No one cares enough to step in. I don’t like Morcar much, but I feel some of the elves don’t deserve it, so I convince Bodvar to reluctantly leave them alone. Especially the elves that serve Sigvor. Fortunately for Bodvar and Svala, they are not stupid enough to incur Aunt Sigvor’s wrath.

One of the elves, Valindra, even thanked me when I stopped them from picking on an older elf named Olaurae. Of course, it was really Arni who convinced me to stop my siblings from picking on the old elf. I tell her to give her thanks to my wife. But to be truthful, I rather like the old elf Olaurae. He taught me all about the little games with dice and cards elves play. They’re rather fun, except when I lose. The damn elf seems to win a lot. I think he cheats, but not enough to make it obvious. It doesn’t bother me that much since he doesn’t cheat me all that much. At least not that I’m aware of. Unless he cheats to let me win. That could be possible. He’s pretty wise for an elf.

One thing that bothers me is how some of these elves stare at my wife. That elf named Valindra, the one named Lethvelion, and that one named Renna are constantly taking glances at her. I swear, if I find Lethvelion looking at her in such a longing way as he does again, I might have to do something about it. Even this Olaurae seems to see something within my wife. I asked Valindra why they all keep looking at her in such a way. She tells me that Arngunn looks a lot like someone they all knew back home.

Both my Arngunn and Asfrid’s bellies swell up with babies around the same time. Thorkel and I, along with our family and most of the town, celebrated once we found out. It was a joyful night of drinking, wrestling, and games.

As Svala and Bodvar arm wrestle to prove who is stronger, we all sit at the table sharing drink and stories.

My father and my great uncle Alvi talk about their travels while Thorkel, Thormar, and I listen closely. Uncle Alvi has so many stories of his journeys exploring the unknown seas, it’s fascinating to listen to. And for once, both Thormar and Thorkel share a common interest. They both seek to explore just like uncle.

Bodvar and Svala seem to be in a stalemate. Finally, Svala kicks Bodvar under the table and slams his arm down against the table, winning the arm wrestle. “No fair, you cheated!”

Svala only shrugs with a grin. “Life isn’t fair, little brother. Get used to it. Besides, cheating is just a shortcut to winning.”

Bodvar looks over at father. “Father, tell Svala she can’t cheat.”

“Bodvar, in war, you do what you must to win. There is no honor in war, just victory and defeat. Although, Svala, if you truly want to test your strength and prove yourself to be stronger, you do Bodvar and yourself no favors by cheating. Never take shortcuts in gaining strength and skill. You practice fairly, but when it comes to battle, you take whatever measures you need to in order to win,” father says, taking a sip of his ale.

Uncle nods. “He is right. In war, there is no cheating in war because if you lose, you lose your life, but in practice, you only cheat yourself by taking shortcuts. To cheat in training your body, you do yourself a great disservice.”

My father nods. “Now, speaking of training, we should get back to it.”

—

My father increased our training and teaching. Especially with me since it’ll be my first time out on the sea this summer. We spent time on the ships, going over how to sail.

“Our ships have become much larger, stronger, and faster than they once were. They’re now three decks. The bottom is for storage and sleeping, the second deck is for the oarsmen thralls, and the third deck is where the raiders maintain the sails and our gunners work the four ballistae,” father says as we tour his ship, which Thorkel will take over this raiding season. “You must know your ship inside and out. You will learn its strengths and weaknesses. You must also learn as much as you can about your enemies and your allies’ strengths and weaknesses. We have plenty of both out at sea. Not to mention the sea itself can be an enemy. Not only can storms sink our ships, but there are monsters out there. Our clan is named after one, and there are many more like the Cirein-croin and the Leviathan. Not to mention the merpeople and the Merrow,” my father says as we stand on the main deck of his ship. “I’ve also heard about this narrow passage with a giant whirlpool in the middle. However, if you try to avoid it by sailing close to the rocks on the only narrow passage, you’ll get attacked by a many-headed serpent. There’s no way to avoid danger.”

“I keep hearing about them. Can they really be that bad?” Thorkel asks.

Father turns on him, his blue eyes drilling into my older brother. “I’ve seen the Kraken and the Merrow myself and have heard enough tales of the others from unimpeachable sources to have a healthy sense of fear. The Merrow lie to the northwest. You must never sail there or they’ll attack you. And I saw the Kraken. If there’s only just one, it’s also to the northwest in the Dead Sea as well. That is why we do not sail there. Now, I’ve heard tales of the Cirein-croin far to the south of the sand lands that the blue-eyed elves live in. Not to mention the merpeople are somewhere in that sea as well. I’m sure there are plenty more. I’ve even heard stories of water dragons. Never toss out a tale just because it sounds absurd, but also take them with a grain of salt. Heed the warnings, and take no unnecessary risks.”

He pauses before continuing. “Now those are just some of the monsters to be aware of. I’m sure there are plenty of others out there we haven’t heard of. You’ll have plenty of enemies that are people as well. The main enemies will be the Southerners and this Golden High Elf Trading Company. We simply call them the Golden Elves. Even though they are mainly merchants who ship goods from port to port, they have a fleet dedicated to hunting down pirates,” my father said. “Speaking of pirates, the seas are full of them. Some of them can be allies. I met an elf with a strange pair of black and red eyes who flew a black flag with a dragon on it. She went by the name of Captain Azariah, and she helped us out in our scuffles with the Golden elves. But not every pirate you can trust. There are some that aren’t so trustworthy. Two pirate captains in particular were rather scoundrels. They’re dwarven brothers who tried to steal a merchant ship from us and nearly sank one of our other ships. Their names are Thornwulf and Skakdraeck.”

“I thought dwarves were friendly blacksmiths,” Thormar says. Thorkel drags his hand down his face. He pushes Thormar’s head.

Father looks at him. “Do you think every Northerner is an honorable Viking?”

Thormar thinks about it for a second. “I suppose not.”

Father gives a half grin. “Then why would you assume every dwarf is a blacksmith with honor, and every elf is a Golden Elf who wants to kill us?”

Thormar lets out a sigh. “I don’t know. I just…”

Father cuts him off. “Just goes to show how backward things can be out at sea. Never make assumptions about individuals based on their race. Assumptions will get you killed. Now that being said, you should always assume the worst. If you see a man wearing a sword on their belt, assume they know how to use it and will use it against you. If you see a man in a cloak hiding most of their figure, assume they’re hiding weapons. Assume that the ship you see is the enemy. However, even though you assume they are the enemy, do not instigate a fight unless you are certain they are the enemy and you can win the fight. Always fight on your terms, and pick battles of your choosing in a place where you have the advantage. Never meet the enemy on their terms. Understood?”

We all nod and say the same thing – “Yes, father.”

A loud crash comes from the dock and out stumbles Svala and Bodvar. Svala punches Bodvar in the arm. “Clumsy oaf!”

“Ouch! Why d’ya do that for?” Bodvar says, rubbing his arm.

“You fell on me!” she snaps at him. Then she looks up at father. “But father, what if you had no choice?”

Father only laughs as he looks down at the two of them. “Svala, don’t let your mother catch you eavesdropping.” he warns. “If you have no choice, you fight. But fight smartly. Find weaknesses you can exploit and opportunities to gain advantages. There’s always going to be plenty of both in every battle. You just need to know where to look.”

“Just like when we had to engage the Elven trading company who attacked us. You purposely made them chase us until we got to the mountains to the north where the fog is in the ship graveyard,” Thorkel says.

Father nods with a grin. “Yes, exactly. And then we ambushed them and rammed their ship into a jagged rock which put a hole in their hull.”

“How come we didn’t raid their ship?” he asks.

“Because they were hunters, and they had wizards on their ship. If it weren’t for our own magical protections on our ships, they’d easily sink us with magic. However, that protection doesn’t work if we were to raid their ship unless you’re wearing one of the amulets. Even then, they can still beat you with magic without using it on you. Wizards and witches are dangerous. That is why we don’t try to engage the Golden Trading Elves,” father explains.

“Why don’t we get our own witches and wizards?” Thormar asks.

“Do you think we can just grow them out of the ground? They aren’t a crop we can harvest. I don’t know about you, but I have no idea how magic even works. Your mother can use magic, and maybe you boys can, but the vast majority of us Northman can’t use magic. Where do you think we could get witches and wizards, huh?” father asks him as he raises an eyebrow.

Thorkel smacks Thormar on the back of the head. “Thormar, maybe you shouldn’t talk anymore.”

Thormar growls and pushes Thorkel back, which was a big mistake. Thorkel hooks his foot around Thormar’s heel as he pushes his chest, making Thormar fall flat on his ass. Thormar yells at Thorkel and shoots for his legs, but Thorkel ends up getting him in a headlock.

“Boys, that’s enough.” Father sighs as Thorkel slowly releases him. Thormar is fuming as he gives Thorkel another shove. Thorkel goes to punch him, and Thormar nearly trips over his feet as he flinches. Thorkel just snickers. “Are you done?”

Thorkel only shrugs as Thormar glares at him. Father only sighs as he rubs his forehead and then focuses his attention on our older brother. “Thorkel, how can you know the answer if you never ask the question? Never prevent your people from asking questions. That is how they learn. The more questions our people ask, the wiser they become. The wiser our people are, the better we all are as a clan. Knowledge is just as sharp as any weapon, as any sword or ax. That is, if you know how to use it. Thormar, ask any question that comes into your head. But, if you ask the question, you have to be prepared for the answer even if you do not like it. After all, the truth is the truth, regardless of whether you like it or even believe it. Now, if we could get witches and wizards, we would surely use them. Your Aunt Ingithora definitely makes a vast difference on Koll’s ship, and she is only one person.”

Thormar turns to our father, “What about mother and Aunt Sigvor? They can both do magic.”

“Then who will watch over our home and lead our people when we are gone? And who will heal the sick? Besides, your mother does not take well to being on a ship. It makes her…” Father trails off, quickly looking around to make sure no one else is listening to us. “It makes her sick, and don’t you dare tell her I said that. As far as Sigvor, she doesn’t like violence. Now, let’s go back inside before any of you get a cold or your mother looks for us.”

Later, Thorkel and I find Thormar pounding nails into a beam back in the keep. “What in the name of the gods are you doing, little brother?”

Thormar sighs. “Can you just leave me alone for once?”

“Now what kind of brother would I bet if I did that?” Thorkel says with a smirk.

“Look, father said that whenever I do something out of anger, I should take some nails and hammer them into this beam. He didn’t tell me why,” Thormar says as he takes another nail and pounds it into the beam. The part below his knee is covered in nails as he works his way up. Thorkel and I just shrug.

Thorkel messes up his hair. “Have fun with that little brother.”

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The feast was the biggest I’ve ever seen in our town. Thorkel, Asfrid, Arngunn, and I sit at the head table. Our siblings all sat at a table to the side with the children from the leaders of the other clans.

My father and mother sit with Koll, his wives including my aunt Ingithora and Sigvor along with the leaders of the other clans including the Wolf Clan.

My wife, which is a happy thought, clenches my hand under the table. She doesn’t enjoy being at the center of attention. Especially with such an immense crowd full of important people. There are so many people here that there had to be tables set up outside throughout the town center. I share her feelings. Sitting here with everyone looking is nerve-wracking. I think I’d rather fight Grom and his friends. Thorkel and Asfrid, on the other hand, seem to enjoy it. He was always one for flair and she is cut from the same cloth. I think that’s why we married who we did. Arngunn is as perfect for me as Asfrid is for Thorkel.

The people pound the table and yell at us to kiss. Thorkel and Asfrid laugh. Arni, on the other hand, is as red as the wine we drink. But she turns to me anyways with that sweet, adorable smile only made even more desirable by the blush on her face. She leans up and I sink my lips into hers. The people erupt with cheers. Arni’s face is even redder than the silk around her waist.

My father gets up. silence creeps over the hall and the town as people cram in together to hear what he has to say. “My fellow true Northman. We are a proud people, are we not?”

The crowd erupts in cheers. My father grins and just as the crowd grows quiet, he says one word to get them going again. “Skol!”

The word echoes through the hall and the town as they all say it before quieting down once more. “As proud Northerners, we hold sacred to our traditions, some lost over time and new ones found. And we honor the Gods. And we have seen their presence, today of all days.”

Whispers spread through the hall before getting put out like a flame with a gust of wind. “There is no doubt in my mind that the gods smile upon us. You saw it yourself when they shined down upon the ceremony to bless the marriage of my two sons and my newly wedded daughters by law. As the Wise One said, they will bring us children. Children who’ll carry on our history and culture. That is what it means to be a Northerner. To bring new life into our clans and carry on tradition and culture.”

He turns to us and takes a moment to take us all in. “I haven’t said this enough, but I am proud of my two sons, and I am grateful for the two women they have chosen to marry. Those women surely have their work cut out for them in keeping those two iron heads out of trouble.”

The crowd erupts into laughter. Father gives us a warm smile and a wink. “But, if I am being honest, they remind me of myself at their age. Young and full of pride and ambition. They take on the world as if they had skin of iron. Hopefully, these women can shrink their heads a bit. What is a Northerner without a strong woman by their side? Eh?”

The men and women all nod and agree. Several cheers to it. But not everyone. The old Earl from the Wolf Clan, Bjarni, and his son Vidkunn and his children all seem to keep stoney faces. All but the youngest one who seems to always wear a smile. He even seems to find a friend in Thormar. Somehow, that doesn’t surprise me. But the rest seem to try to keep their distance. There is no love between us, and it is not a world-shattering revelation with the bloody history we share. A cycle of war and death. Which makes Sigvor’s words ring in my head. What did she mean? Whose daughter? Mine? Thorkel’s? What did she mean by the Daughter of the Sea? We are people of the sea, so I guess that makes sense unless she’s referring to something else. The only other possibility I can think of is the god Nasi who we make a sacrifice to before every raid.

“May Fridgerd be praised for giving her blessing on these two unions, but any Kraken knows these two beautiful women were destined to be with my sons.”

A few familiar voices shout out in agreement. Father only nods. “Practically tied at the hip, those four are. This just makes it official. Now, I’ll stop my rambling, and let’s celebrate. Eh?”

The crowd erupts in cheers.

“Bring out the feast!” My father shouts over them, making them cheer even louder. They drum on the table once more and Thorkel gives out a loud laugh. I turn to Arni, who once more has a face the color of a rose as she turns to look up at me. This time I dive right in and kiss her, which leaves her with a big smile. She in return kisses me back. The thralls bring out the food followed by Thyri, the cook, snapping at each and every one of them with her wooden ladle in hand, swinging it around as if it were a battle ax. That woman is as fierce as any Viking Berserker.

They put plates buried in a mountain of food in front of us while putting the major platters on each table. They bring tables outside to put out food for the rest of the town who couldn’t fit inside the great hall.

We dig in and feast until our bellies hurt with delicious beef and pork roasts, potatoes, sweet mazzletofs, string beans, corn dripping with butter, smoked fish, steamed calamari, boiled cabbage smothered with more butter, and melted cheese to cover it all. I wash the food down with a cup of tingle fruit wine, savoring the taste. It’s strange how such a tart fruit makes for a sweet wine. As good as it tastes, it’s that strange fizzle that makes it undeniably delicious. And of course, Thyri personally brought me my favorite, tazzle berry pie. Even though I could puke with how full I am, I still cram the deliciously sweet pie in my mouth.

An argument breaks out between my father, Koll, Einar, and the Wolf Clan leaders, Bjarni and his son Vidkunn, and the one I recognize as Vidkunn’s oldest son… I can’t remember his name… Thor something. Hall or grim or… I don’t know. Baldric and Siv give them all scornful looks. I can certainly verify the claims of them and those wolves firsthand. I shudder at the memory.

I also see Aldam arguing with his two siblings, Baggisli and Oddim Bronzehammer. Aldam slams his fist on the table. His little brother only smirks at him. Baggisli simply shakes her head.

Five women walk up to us. Three seem younger than the other two, but they’re all from the Valkyrie village. I recognize Amalasontha and her daughter Tonna along with the girl, Almedha, from the docks, but the other two I don’t. Although I think the older one goes to the Clan Meetings… Maybe they both do? I don’t know; I need to pay more attention during the meetings, but they’re so boring. She is probably the Matriarch or whatever. They are surely warriors, or were, that I have no doubt.

Arni leans over and whispers in my ear before they arrive. “It is Dasyra Ragnarsdóttir, the Matriarchal Spiritual Leader, along with Amalgunda, the Chieftess, and surely you remember Amalasontha, the War Leader of the Valkyrie clan. And, of course, Tonna is here. I’m sure Asfrid is so happy to see her. The other girl is Almedha, daughter of Dasyra.”

My eyes go wide… Almedha is the daughter of the Spiritual Matriarch? I did not know that.

As a woman who seems a tad bit older than my mother approaches first, I stand to greet her.

“It is a pleasure, Dasyra of the Valkyrie. Along with Amalgunda and Amalasontha. Thank you for joining us in our celebration. Tonna…” I nod at Amalasontha and Tonna and receive one in return. Tonna looks as if she’s holding back a laugh. Amalasontha wears a stony expression, as usual. The other two women also seem to hold back laughs. I look over at Almedha, who’s snickering. “Uhhh… Almedha… It’s good to see you as well. I didn’t realize you were…”

Arni elbows me. I look down and she nods over to the younger woman standing behind the older woman who approached me. “That is Dasyra.”

My eyes go wide. She is no older than I am! Why would she be the Spiritual Matriarchal Leader? And why do they need three different leaders? The woman standing in front of me along with Dasyra both smile. Dasyra speaks up. “It is okay. This happens all the time.”

I eye her warily. Then, the lady who approached first speaks. “I’m Amalgunda, the clan Chieftess, and this is Amalasontha, our war leader.”

Amalasontha finally smiles for the first time that I’ve ever seen as she nods. “We’ve met before, but it was a long time ago when the four of them were just children playing in our woods.”

“I have not forgotten that,” I say with a forced smile.

“We have come to honor you and your wife along with your brother and his wife and will pray for success upon the unions,” Amalgunda says as all three bow their heads.

I do the same in return. “Well, your honor is much appreciated,”

All three women nod and retreat. Tonna leans in. “Way to go, Bothvar. I can’t believe you mistook the chiefess for the Matriarch. I’m sure they were very amused, probably not as much as I was, but it’s been a long laugh in our village at how many people make that mistake.”

“Well, you could’ve given me a heads up,” I say.

“And miss the look on your face when you realize you got it wrong? Nah. By the way, it’s good to see you two. I haven’t seen you, Bothvar, since the All-Clan Meeting, and you, Arngunn, since the forest. I must’ve just missed you at the clan meeting,” Tonna says.

“That’s because Thorkel and Bothvar ditched us,” Asfrid says in a bitter tone as she interrupts. “Didn’t expect to see you here, Tonna…”

Tonna gives her a smile. “It is good to see you too, Asfrid. And you as well, Thorkel.”

“Ahh. it is good to see you again, Tonna,” Thorkel says with his usual smile until he sees the look on Asfrid’s face, and that smile is quickly washed off.

“Maybe at the next All Clan Meeting you can actually make a plan when you try to prank the Wolves and it might actually succeed,” Tonna says.

“Right… And perhaps going through the forest full of wolves wasn’t the best idea,” Thorkel says, with a forced grin before Asfrid’s expression goes from cold to burning hot.

“Well, I am going to go enjoy the festivities. I wish you four the best of luck in your marriages,” Tonna says with a smile and a nod before skipping off.

Almedha smiles as she approaches. “So, did you ever figure out that problem of yours?”

“I think it’ll always be a work in progress,” I say, returning the smile before looking over at Thorkel. I return my gaze to meet Almedha’s vibrant green eyes. “And yours?”

“I could say the same,” she says with a laugh as she looks back at the four walking away. “Well, I wish you four all the best in your marriages. It was nice to meet you, Arngunn. You’re a lucky woman. And you as well, Thorkel and Asfrid. Bothvar, it was good to see you again. Congratulations on your marriages.”

She then walks away, and both Arni and Thorkel lean in, asking what that was all about. I only shrug and tell them I’ll explain later.

I lean over to Arni. “I don’t think I’ll ever understand them. Why is the youngest one the Matriarch? And why do they have three different leaders? Talk about too many skippers on a ship.”

“I wouldn’t be too quick to judge. Besides, I heard a rumor that Dasyra is actually super old, but magic makes her look young. She’s really the daughter of Ragnar Bjornsson. The illegitimate daughter from an elven slave, but daughter nonetheless.” 

“And how did I not know you were hanging with Tonna at the All Meeting?” Asfrid asks my brother, venom dripping from her words. But mutters under her breath. “Even though I figured so.”

Thorkel goes white as snow. “It was nothing. We just saw each other in passing, that’s all.”

“It certainly didn’t sound like nothing. What was this about a prank on the Wolf Clan?” Asfrid asks, crossing her arms against her chest and raising an eyebrow.

“We were just trying to have some laughs at the Wolves’ expense. Didn’t quite go the way we wanted it, and I didn’t know Tonna would join us. It was only a brief moment. Nothing more,” Thorkel says while rubbing the back of his neck. If I didn’t know any better, I’d think he’s sweating.

To my surprise, Baldric and Siv walk up. Baldric is a man with shoulders as wide as the door frames. He towers over most. Siv tosses her red hair behind her shoulder and smirks. She is not short, but it’s hard to deny she’s beautiful. But her face is kinda wolf-like, just like Baldric’s. Not ugly, though. Rather majestic, but intimidating as well. “I see you two haven’t been sulking in the forest since that All Clan Meeting so long ago.”

“I see you two haven’t forgotten it,” Thorkel says, not daring to look at Asfrid. “Maybe next time you can leave your dogs in the woods and we can fight like warriors.”

Siv laughs. “Still wouldn’t be a fair fight for you. Wolves are just naturally stronger and faster than anything else on land.”

“But you wouldn’t dare step foot into the water, because nothing beats the Kraken in the water,” Thorkel retorts.

She only shrugs. Baldric steps up. “Regardless, we didn’t come to cross swords. We came to offer congratulations on your marriages. Maybe another day we can find out who the better warriors are, but today, we will put aside this petty squabbling and show our respect.”

“I’ll be truthful. I didn’t expect this from you two or your clan, but I’ll return the respect.” Thorkel stands up, grabs his goblet, and holds it up. “Share our drink and enjoy the games and festivities. We can fight in the days to come.”

Baldric and Siv nod and toast to that, along with the rest of us. Baldric looks back at our family, arguing with each other. Father still argues with Bjarni and Vidkunn. “If only our family could do the same.”

That actually gets a chuckle out of Thorkel. “Who knew I’d find a laugh from Wolf’s humor. Maybe you’re not so bad after all, Baldric.”

Baldric shrugs. He then nods and his eyes meet mine. It feels as if I’m seeing someone I should know better. Someone I’ve known for a long time, but I’ve only spoken to him maybe once. He nods and I return in kind. Siv’s eyes also catch mine, and there’s a similar feeling there. Her eyes remain on mine for a bit longer before the two of them walk away. 

“What a strange lot they are,” Asfrid says, then she punches Thorkel on the shoulder. “Next time you go off trying to prank the Wolf Clan and don’t invite me, you’re going to be sleeping outside in the cold after I knock your teeth out.”

“Fair enough,” Thorkel says, nearly coughing on his drink.

Semet, the green-eyed elf, walks up and fills our drinks. Arni’s servant that my mother gave her. The two have always been inseparable. When she goes to walk away, Arni stops her. “Semet, why don’t you get something to eat and enjoy the rest of the night? You are my friend and you should celebrate as well.”

Semet smiles and nods. “As you wish.”

More people come to greet us and congratulate us as we eat. Styrkar Hreinsson and his brother Saksis. Both have sons a little older than us and serve on our father’s ship, and so will their sons. Varin Hialtisson, father of Sigvid, who is the father of Solmund and Griotgard, comes to give us congratulations. He has taken Skardi under his wing and is teaching him how to navigate the seas. We tap our mugs with his and drink up.

Earl Trehame of the Builders, a jolly old man with a long beard and a wide belly, comes up with joyful praise and a warm congratulation. He seems like a fun one to be around.

Even the Giant Earl Kveldulf and his wife Thyre, along with their son Bergthor, come up to congratulate us. All three of them can hardly fit into the hall being so tall. Even Thyre is almost half a man taller than everyone outside of the giants.

As the feast finished, we were ushered outside around the large fire where drums, lutes, panpipes, and harps create a festive melody. I pull Arni in my arms, lifting her off the ground and spinning her around while she laughs and holds on.

We move and dance to the flow of the music with Thorkel and Asfrid. Arni wraps her hands around my neck and holds on to me as we spin and move to the beat of the drums.

At some point, Arngunn sees something that upsets her. She pulls away and heads out of the square where everyone is dancing and singing. I follow her out of the crowd and down a side alley into the dark, where I hear a familiar voice of a woman pleading and struggling.

“Get off of her!” Arngunn yells.

I walk past Arni to find Gorm trying to force himself on Semet. She’s in tears as she struggles against Gorm. I pull him off of her and push him back, grabbing her and pulling her over to Arni as she takes the girl into her arms. He growls at me and tries to push me but I bat his hands away and push him against the building. “She is not yours to use!”

Others stop what they are doing and gather to witness. Thorkel and my father push through. “What is going on?”

“It is clear what is going on. Gorm is at it again, disgracing himself,” Thorkel says with a snarl.

Gorm looks at all the other people, grimacing. “She’s just a slave.”

“But she is not your slave,” my father says, stepping up.

“Who cares? She is not a Viking. She is not of our people. She is a filthy elf,” he says, snarling.

“That does not matter. You are damaging someone else’s property. That is as good as theft,” my father says, glaring at him. Gorm meets his gaze with scorn. My father doesn’t back down but glares back with a much deeper intensity. “If I find you trying to steal someone’s property again, you will face some dire consequences. Do you understand?”

Gorm spits on the ground and walks away. My father meets my eyes with a nod before looking over at the slave and my wife, then he looks around. “What are you all standing around for? Let’s get back to the festivities.”

Everyone reluctantly returns to dancing and games. My brother claps his hand on my shoulder before he returns with Asfrid to dance. Sometimes I don’t understand my brother. I still can’t forget what happened that night at the All-Clan Meeting with that slave, yet here he is against it…

 I help Arni escort Semet back into the hall. She takes her back to her own quarters that my father gave her and lets her stay there. Not long after, she returns to me and barricades herself in my arms, leaning up to kiss me. “Thank you, Bothvi. She means a lot to me, and I would not have any harm come to her.”

Leaning down, I press my forehead against hers. “I know, my sweet love. She will be safe as long as I’m around. I remember when we first met her after we learned that your parents died. I know she helped you heal, and for that I will forever be in her debt.”

Arni smiles, bringing her soft delicate hand up to my cheek, caressing it. I wish I could keep the warmth of her touch forever against my skin. I lean into her hand, closing my eyes. She then grabs my beard and pulls me down to meet her kiss.

We head back out to join the fun, singing, and dancing. Playing games and laughing throughout the night. With Arni by my side, my life feels complete. Our dance lasts long into the night before the music stops. My father, mother, and my aunts all walk up. My father steps forward as people gather around. “It is time for the most important part of the ceremony.”

He smiles as he looks at my brother and me. “Time to make me a grandfather. I want a kid from each of you this winter and more to come.”

“What your father is trying to say, it is time to consummate your marriages,” Aunt Sigvor says as she claps her hands together. “A marriage isn’t truly final until it’s consummated and the dowry is paid tomorrow morning, however, this is a special case since the brides’ parents feast in Valholl for the honors they’ve accomplished, they were put in the protection of the Earl. And it wouldn’t make sense for Earl Beorcol to pay himself. We will forgo the dowry. Instead, payment will be made with children to carry on Beorcol’s line.”

“Now let’s get these four into their beds!” my father shouts as we’re suddenly ushered forward, practically dragged and pushed through the great hall into our rooms. However, none of them leave.

“You’re all not going to watch, are ya?” I ask, looking around.

“We have to witness the two of you getting into bed and then we’ll give you some privacy,” Aunt Sigvor says.

I grab the fur blanket and hold it in front of my wife as she slips her dress off and gets in bed. Then I take my shirt and boots off before slipping my trousers off. I slide in next to her and pull her into my arms.

“Okay, now we will leave,” my aunt says as she ushers people out. “Out, out! All of you. Let them get down to baby-making.”

I hear my father yell as he leaves Thorkel’s room. “I better hear the sweet sound of lovemaking. By the time winter ends, I want grandsons. Oh, and don’t rush. You’ll be doing your woman a favor. Take it slow and be gentle.”

We’re finally alone as silence creeps over the room. I get up and put an extra log in the brazier and then slip back into bed. We lay there in the fire’s light, neither saying a word.

There’s tension in the air and it’s as thick as whale blubber. I finally decide to speak. “Well… I guess we should… a… make some babies.”

She laughs and leans up to give me a peck on the cheek. “I don’t know about you, but I’ve never… uh… done any baby making.”

“Well… I once walked in to find my father and mother doing some baby-making once. I think that’s when Bodvar was made.”

“And how were they doing it?” she asks as she reaches up and combs a finger through the beard I’ve been growing. It’s not quite long enough to braid yet.

“Well, my mother was on her hands and knees with my father behind her, but we shouldn’t do it that way because Bodvar is a few ore men short of a full boat.”

She snorts a laugh. “Well, he tends to act before he thinks, but he is still a child. The gods know we weren’t the wisest children. We were always getting into trouble.”

“True,” I say with a smile.

A loud bang rings out from the door. “I don’t hear any baby-making going on.”

I let out a long sigh. “He is relentless sometimes.”

“How about I lay on my back and you just stick it in? That will work, right?”

“Well, I suppose it doesn’t matter how it is done, as long as I lay my seed inside you,” I say as she rolls on her back.

I get up and crawl between her legs. She looks up at me with those crystal blue eyes as shimmering as the sea and bites her lip. “Just be gentle. I heard it hurts the first time. Sigvor told me I’d bleed.”

My eyes go wide. “I don’t want to hurt you, let alone make you bleed. Why would you bleed? We’re not fighting, we’re just making babies.”

“I don’t know. That’s just what she said. But she said it’d only hurt at the beginning and it’ll feel good after you’re inside me for a bit.”

“Well… Just tell me if it’s too much,” I say as I spread her legs and push them up against her. I stroke my cock. Then I go to press it up against her slit.

“Wait!” she says as she pushes me back. Then she turns and gets on her hands and knees, bringing her mouth down to my cock. She looks up at me as she takes my dick in her hands. “Sigvor said to get your cock wet with my mouth and that would help it go in better.”

“You’re going to put my cock in your mouth? That doesn’t seem very… Eh. I guess.” I only shrug, but then I feel her hot, wet mouth wrap around my cock, and pleasure shoots out from it. “Oh, that feels good.”

She takes it out and looks up at me with a smile. “Yeah? You like that? Maybe if you’re good, my handsome husband, I’ll do it more often. It doesn’t taste half bad.”

I smile down at her as I run my hand through her soft hair and bring my fingers to her cheek, gently stroking it with my thumb. “Oh, then I will treat you like a queen if that is the case.”

She laughs and then takes my cock back into her mouth. “For the love of the gods, that feels wonderful. Better than anything I’ve ever felt!”

She slowly sucks on it while moving her tongue around, and I shudder as a passionate fire erupts through me. Who would’ve ever thought of a woman taking a cock in her mouth? I certainly wouldn’t have.

She takes as much of my dick in her mouth as she can before she gags on it. As she catches her breath, she lets it fall from her mouth. She spits on it and rubs the spit around my cock with her hand. She looks up at me with those sapphire gems. “I think it’s wet enough now.”

“Should I use my tongue on your slit?” I ask as she lays back down and spreads her legs.

“Probably wouldn’t hurt,” she says.

I slide down onto my stomach and bury my face between her soft, white thighs. The smell of her cunt drives me wild as I drag my tongue around her slit. I give the insides of her thighs some kisses before diving back in, licking up and down the walls of her slit. She grips my hair. “Oh, my word. Don’t stop, that feels so good.”

I smile and lick my tongue up the little round bead-looking thing and that causes her to cry out. “For the love of the gods!”

She likes that. She thrusts her hips against my face when I do it again. I finally pull away. “I think it’s plenty wet now.”

“Okay.” She pants. I get back between her legs, lifting them against her chest. Slowly, I press my cock up against her cunt and make my descent.

Her eyes go wide as she gasps. “Oooh! That hurts.”

“I’m so sorry. Should I stop? Do you want me to pull it out?” I ask.

She shakes her head no. “Keep going. We have to do this to consummate the wedding. They’ll know if we don’t.”

“Okay, just tell me if it hurts too much,” I say as I continue sliding my cock inside her. It’s so tight. I really have to take my time and slide a finger length by finger length. Stopping each time to allow her time to breathe. 

I slip in a little more, finding a break in her resistance. She screams out in agony. My eyes go wide and I sink my teeth into my bottom lip. “Are you okay? Did I hurt you? I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to. I will stop. We don’t have to do this. I…”

“It’s okay,” she says in a breath. She whimpers a bit. This isn’t how sex should be. This isn’t how I imagined our first time would go. Whenever I saw my mother and father having sex, they seemed to enjoy it. Our people have never been shy about having sex. Whenever we have large feasts and celebrate, people always have sex out in the open and they all seem to enjoy themselves. Besides a few slaves who didn’t seem to enjoy it. What am I doing wrong? I don’t like seeing Arni like this. She grits her teeth. “Just keep going.”

I lean down and bring my face down to hers as I wrap my arms around her neck. She holds onto my shoulders. Slowly, I continue to push more of my cock inside her. She winces, grits her teeth, and digs her nails into my back. This is not how I pictured our first time together. I don’t go any farther and slowly retreat. She looks up at me, confused. “What are you doing?”

“I don’t enjoy hurting you,” I say.

She smiles wearily at me and then leans up and kisses me. “It’s okay. Just get it over with. This will only hurt this once. That’s what Sigvor and your mother said.”

I grit my teeth and slowly slide my cock inside her and she yells out in pain. My cock is finally all the way inside her. “There it’s in.”

She is gasping for breath. I just keep it inside her without moving. While leaning on one arm, I bring my other to gently swipe the loose hair from her face. Sweat beads on her brow. She finally catches her breath. “I think I’m ready.”

“Are you sure?” I ask.

She nods. I lean down and kiss her. Ever so slowly, I roll my hips back as she bites her lip. I nudge my dick forward and she grimaces. I pause to make sure she is okay. She only nods. So, I continue. I make short, slow movements back and forth. Taking my time and being as gentle as I can be. It’s excruciating. I have the urge to go faster. To thrust my hips in and let loose, but I hold back with all my will. I won’t ever hurt Arni. She has my heart, and hurting her would be like hurting myself. I keep control over my urges and keep it slow. Stopping whenever she winces.

“Don’t stop. It’s starting to feel good.”

“It doesn’t look like it to me,” I say.

“Just keep going,” she says, and I do. I slowly rock my hips back and forth. By the gods, does it feel good. She is so tight. She claws her nails against my back and I groan out. But fuck, it feels so good to be inside her. She moans out as she closes her eyes.

I lean down and kiss her. She kisses me back, running her hands through my hair as I thrust into her at a steadier pace. I pull her head back as I kiss down her neck. A fire of pleasure burns within my cock and ripples through my entire body. I fight the urge to lose control and fuck her harder, but it’s so hard. I just want to let go. The way she looks with her eyes closed as she moans out, pleasure melting on her face drives me even crazier. I lean down and kiss her as she wraps her legs around my waist and pulls me to her. Her hands run through my hair and grips it, pulling me back to meet her kisses.

In this moment, we truly are one. It’s hard to tell where I end and she begins. Arni reaches down and starts to rub the top of her slit, I lay my hand on top of hers and she takes my fingers and guides them along the top of her vagina. I just want to remain like this forever, but I feel so close to erupting. I fight it as long as I can, but I can’t stop myself from falling over the edge as my cock bursts with pleasure as she tightens around me, crying out in ecstasy. I fill her with my seed as she continues to clamp down on me and tremble in pleasure. Her moans are quivering pleas of surrender.

I finally finish as a chill sweeps over my sweat-soaked skin. Pulling myself off her, I roll onto my back and collapse. We’re both panting for breath. She finally rolls to turn to me, leans up, and kisses my cheek. I wrap my arms around her and pull her against my chest. “That was… wow.”

“I know. At first, it hurt. A lot, but the pleasure quickly overcame the pain. I’ve felt nothing like that before,” she says as her finger traces circles on my chest.

“Yes, I agree. I have no words to describe how I felt.” I run a hand through her hair.

“I know you just put a baby inside me. I know it’s a son. He’ll grow up to be big and strong like his father,” she says with a smile.

“I hope I can make him proud to be my son.” My arm moves down to her shoulder and caresses it.

“I know you will,” she says, leaning up to kiss my cheek again. This time I turn and kiss those sweet, luscious lips and she laughs before kissing me back.

“Let us get cleaned up and get some sleep.” I force myself to get up and so does she. That is when I realize there is blood on the sheets and on her as well, coming out of her cunt. Horror washes over my face. “For the love of the gods, what did I do to you?”

“Relax, husband. Sigvor and your mother said this happens to all virgins for the first time they have sex,” she says.

“Let me get us some new sheets, towels, and a wash bucket.” I grab on some britches and rip the old sheets off, taking them out to find my father, mother, aunts, Koll, and several others up.

As soon as they see me, they’re up and are congratulating me. My aunts and my mother take the sheets from me, practically parading them all over with the other women. My father, Koll, and the other men congratulate me. All this for having sex.

Finally, I’m able to get my wife and I cleaned up while slaves replace our sheets just as Thorkel comes out but without bloody sheets. Everyone looks confused. Thorkel shrugs with a sly grin. “We may have done it once or twice before. I didn’t realize we would need to show the sheets.”

The room erupts into laughter. Everyone but my mother, Sigvor, and Ingithora are laughing. They don’t seem happy at all. Mother shakes her head. “You’re going to bring bad luck upon your marriage…” I slip into my room and fall into bed with my wife. I smile at the thought of her as my wife while I pull her into my arms and kiss her shoulder. She snuggles up to me, and we lay like that until sleep takes us.

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She practically drags us out all the way through town as people wish us luck. She leads us all the way to the carved wooden altar of Fridgerd, the goddess of marriage, love, and fertility. The mother of the gods. There, our aunt, the wise one Sigvor, awaits along with our father. My mother pushes us forward to stand in front of them. Sigvor wears a very nice linen dress with her dark hair done in a braid. Her eyes show joy as her lips try to touch them in a smile full of warmth. She has on an elegant headdress with antlers decorated with flowers.

Sigvor smiles down at both of us from the altar. “Today is a day of celebration. We have come here to witness the union of brothers with sisters.”

For the love of the gods, when she says it like that, it makes it seem like I’m wedding my sister. “These two brothers bound in blood, the same blood that I share, have come here to forge an eternal bond between two sisters who are also bound in blood, uniting two families as one.”

She takes a step down so she is standing on our level and looks us both in our eyes. She turns to Thorkel first, taking his hands in hers. “Do you, Thorkel, son of Beorcol, come to bind your love with that of Asfrid, daughter of Hrut?”

“I do with all my love,” he says with a smile.

She nods and releases him before turning to me, taking my hands in her own. Her warm touch spreads through my own body. “And do you, Bothvar, son of Beorcol, come to bind your love with that of Arngunn daughter of Hrut?”

I nod over-enthusiastically. “I do with all my heart.”

My aunt’s smile widens. “Good. Now you two may join your father upon the altar.”

“Now bring out the brides to be,” she says as Thorkel and I take our place next to our father.

Thorkel and I wait with eagerness. It suddenly dawns on me how many people are here watching us as we stand at the altar on top of the hill in front of the mountains. Nearly every street is filled with people. All the way to the docks, people stand to watch. Not just people from our entire town, but leaders of other clans as well. I’m surprised to see that even the Earl and his family from the Wolf Clan have come. A man about my age catches my attention as his eyes meet mine. I can feel him sizing me up. He’s tall, with broad shoulders, hair that looks like the night, and a stare as cold as ice with eyes glimmering green. Next to him is a very beautiful woman the same age as him, with hair as red as fire and matching glistening green eyes. There’s no mistake about it, it’s the twins Baldric and Siv, grandchildren of Earl Bjarni. They’ve grown a bit since the All-Clan Meeting, where we tried to sneak up on their tribe, if that can be imagined. I still can’t figure out why there’s something so familiar about Baldric and Siv. I just have this nagging feeling we know each other. 

I tear my eyes away from them and see some familiar faces. The Valkyrie clan watches from the opposite side of the aisle. The War Chieftess, Amalasontha, stands as she acknowledges us with a nod of her head. Her eyes seem to pierce into me like they did when Thorkel, our friends, and I got caught on her land so long ago. Next to her is the smiling face of Tonna. She is beautiful, to say the least, with her long brown hair in elegant braids. Her face appears delicate but also has a sharpness to it. She gives us both a wave. I find myself smiling as I wave back. I will never forget the time she taught Thorkel, Vog, Solmund, and Griotgard how to fight with a staff. I wonder what Asfrid will think when she finds out she’s here. I remember quite clearly; she wasn’t very fond of her. Did she ever learn that we were spending time with her at the All-Clan Meeting? Next to her is another woman as old as Amalasontha, two younger women, and one that I recognize. I met her at the All-Clan Meeting. She’s the girl from the dock… What was her name… Almedha! She looks as beautiful as ever with braided brown hair and her smile. She gives me a nod and I return it.

My breath catches as our aunt Ingithora ushers out the two most beautiful women in all of Aratheon. One, in particular, I can’t look away from. Her face is veiled in a see-through sheen, but I can clearly make out every gorgeous detail of her beauty. Her eyes are as deep as the sea with a blue that makes all the sapphires in the world seem dull. Her golden blonde hair is swirled up in a bun with flowers and lacy pink ribbons wrapped and decorated in it.

Her dress is a pure white of the finest linen. It’s even got a red silk belt wrapped around her slim waist that contrasts with the deep blue silk belt wrapped around Asfrid. My mother rarely ever parts with her silk. It tells me how much she really likes the two.

Arngunn’s smooth creamy skin shows the touch of sun with a golden glisten. When her eyes meet mine, it feels as if we are the only two people here. The rest of the world seems to fade away. And when she bites her lip, a fire burns inside of me.

They are brought in front of Sigvor. “Asfrid and Arngunn, daughters of the late beloved Hrut who is now feasting in Valholl with his beloved wife, Grimhild. You have come to intertwine your fates with Thorkel and Bothvar, sons of Earl Beorcol, and my sister Thorkatla Alvisdottir. Since both of your parents have passed away, Thorkatla, the mother of Bothvar and Thorkel, and Earl Beorcol, their father, have taken both of you in and adopted you. Thorkatla is here to give their hands away in marriage.”

Our mother steps forward and takes both of their hands in hers. “Thorkatla, do you hereby pass over their hands in marriage to Thorkel and Bothvar?”

“I do,” mother says.

Sigvor looks at Arni and Asfrid. “Asfrid and Arngunn, daughters of Hrut, do you two vow to love and care for Thorkel and Bothvar, sons of Beorcol, until your last voyage to the halls of the gods?”

Both women nod. “We do.”

Sigvor then turns to us. “Do you, Thorkel and Bothvar, take Asfrid and Arngunn’s hands in marriage, to protect and love until your last voyage to the halls of the gods?”

“We do,” we both say in unison.

“You may take their hands.”

Thorkel and I step down as our mother holds their hands up for us and we take them in our own. The warmth of Arngunn’s hand within mine makes my soul come alive. Her skin is as soft as the silk she wears around her waist. We all take a step up to the altar.

“Bring the sacrifice,” Sigvor says.

A goat is brought forward. Sigvor steps up to the altar and grabs a knife and a bowl. She steps down to the slave holding the goat and places the bowl underneath its neck. “With this sacrifice, we seek the God Fridgerd’s blessing upon these sacred unions of marriage so that they may prosper with good fortune and bear many children.”

With a sharp cry from the goat, she slits its throat. Blood sprays out and spills into the bowl, and the goat flops down onto the floor. She takes the bowl, walks up to the altar, and mixes different herbs within the bowl before placing it in Fridgerd’s open hands. Then she chants in the old tongue. Words I cannot understand.

Suddenly, a light shines down on the bowl so bright it nearly blinds us. Gasps are heard throughout the crowd. And then it’s gone. It takes several moments to be able to see.

Sigvor turns around so quickly it causes Arngunn to squeeze my hand. She looks hard at the four of us as if she cannot decide what to do. “I have just had a vision.”

Our father steps forward. “What did you see?”

“A daughter… A Daughter of the Sea will be born from the consummation of tonight. She’ll bring…”

I hear her mumble war and death under her breath as she stares off into the sea. Whose daughter? Ours? Thorkel’s? What could she possibly mean?

She shakes her head and rubs the dip between her eyes. “Where was I?”

She looks over at the bowl. “Right… It seems Fridgerd has put her blessing upon these two marriages.”

She grabs the bowl from the hands of the statue of the goddess. Then she dips a brush and she gasps. That’s when I see it. The bowl that was filled with goat’s blood instead has a golden liquid within it. She looks up at us. “Fridgerd has truly shined upon you.”

She dips the brush into the golden liquid and splashes it upon each of us. It burns, but it doesn’t hurt. It feels as if it washes through me.

“With that, the ritual is complete,” she says wearily. Her eyes searching us for answers.

“I think this means it is my turn now,” our father says as he steps up, hesitantly.

“Ri… right,” Sigvor says as she steps aside without taking her eyes off of us.

“Now, bring us the swords and rings. I promise, there will be no surprises with my part,” he says, getting a reluctant laugh from the crowd. He gives a half-hearted smile and quickly runs a hand through his now braided hair that is showing the first signs of gray.

My brothers and sister, along with Koll Alriksson’s youngest daughter, all walk forward. My brothers carrying swords and the girls carrying the rings.

They hand each of us a ring and a sword. We place the ring upon the sword. My father looks at us all. “Thorkel, Bothvar, you both hold two swords that have been passed down from father to son. They hold the protection of our ancestors all the way from the great Bjorn himself who discovered this world.”

I hear a mutter from Vidkunn Bjarnisson of the Wolf tribe, which also catches my father’s eye and earns a smirk from him.

He turns to the women. “The sword you hold into your hands is forged anew with my blessing. Hrut was a good friend of mine and as close a brother as one gets. I know these swords have his protection and mine.”

He smiles down at us and turns his gaze to my brother. “Thorkel, my son. Do you swear to the gods that you want to marry Asfrid, daughter to Hrut?”

“I do more than anything,” he says.

He then turns to me. “And you, Bothvar, my son. Do you swear to the gods that you want to marry Arngunn, daughter to Hrut?”

“I do with all my heart,” I say, earning a nod from my father.

His gaze turns to Asfrid. “Asfrid, daughter of Hrut, do you swear to the gods that you want to marry, Thorkel, my son?”

“I swear I do,” she says, biting her lip.

My father smiles at her before turning to my soon-to-be wife. “And lastly, you, Arngunn, daughter to the great and late Hrut, my dear friend. Do you swear to the gods that you want to marry my son, Bothvar?”

“I want to marry him as much as I want to breathe,” she says.

“I’ll take that as an I do,” my father says, earning a few chuckles from the crowd. He smiles at that as his eyes shift up to them. “Well, who would have thought these four would marry each other?”

The villagers of our town roar in laughter. “I definitely wouldn’t have bet against it. Now. With the sacrifice made and the vows said, I proudly announce you all as married. Exchange the rings and one more thing for my sons.”

We exchange the rings on the tips of the swords, place them on our fingers, and look up at my father. “For the love of the gods, kiss your brides.” More laughter from the crowd as I wrap my arms around my wife and kiss her deeply, lifting her up off the ground. She is my wife!

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When we finally head back to camp, the fun can begin. I follow my brother and our friends, Solmund, Griotgard, Skardi, and Vog; even Gili and Tyrkir join us as we ditch the girls and our younger brothers, both of them having their own friends. We sneak into the woods so we can travel around to the Valkyrie tribe without being seen.

Then, we slowly creep into their camp but are stopped dead in our tracks. “What are you boys doing?”

Behind us stands Tonna and her staff. Thorkel pushes everyone aside as he walks up to face her. “Nothing. Nothing at all.”

“Doesn’t look like nothing. Looks like you were sneaking around our camp.” She whacks her staff against her hand. “Do I have to show you the same lesson that I showed you a long time ago?”

“And what lesson was that?” my brother asks with a grin.

“Oh, I don’t think you forgot. I think you remember all too well the sting my staff leaves,” she says, smirking back.

“Just relax, Tonna. We just came to see you again. Would you like to join us in some harmless fun?” Thorkel asks.

“I don’t know. Especially if your version of fun includes killing defenseless animals,” she says.

“Not at all. We’re just going to play some pranks on the other tribes, that’s all. I promise. Well, maybe snag some mead. And that herb the Builders always smoke. Maybe even find a drum beat to dance to and get into a few fights,” Thorkel says.

“Okay, that sounds like fun. Where’s your beloved? I’m surprised to see she’s not with you,” Tonna says.

“Who, Asfrid? We ditched her and the other girls back at camp. Besides, she’s not my beloved. Not yet, anyway,” Thorkel says, flashing that smile at Tonna.

“Whatever. And by the way, you weren’t planning on playing a prank on my tribe, were you?” Tonna asks, raising an eyebrow.

“Us? No… Not at all,” my brother says, acting all hurt as he raises up his hands in defense.

Tonna brushes a long string of her brown hair out of her face. “Sure… For some reason, I don’t believe you, but it’s whatever. Now, what do you have in mind for the other clans?”

I must say, Tonna is different. She’s a little taller and her bosom has gotten larger. I don’t remember her having breasts the last time we met. But she has them now. She also wears a tight tunic cut off above the stomach, showing off her rock-hard tummy, and a pair of trousers that cling to her thick legs. It’s hard to pull my eyes away from her butt. It is a nice round shape.

“Hmmm… That’s a good question. I usually don’t plan these things out, I just go with it. We’ll need to scout the campsites out. My main target is definitely the Wolf Clan. They’re a bunch of stiff-necked dogs with sticks up their arses who need a good jostling to loosen them up. I think I’ll skip the Giant Clan. I don’t know if I want them loosened up. The stories I heard about them make my skin shiver. And I just want to get that herb from the Builders. I hear it makes you feel like you can fly.”

“What about the Ice Tribe?” Tonna asks.

“Ehh… It’s a poor fortune to dishonor your host. I don’t want to anger the gods,” Thorkel says.

“Wow. I’m surprised. You’re actually showing wisdom,” Tonna says, getting a laugh out of the boys.

“Hey! I’m not as stupid as I look,” he says, folding his arms against his chest.

“Really? You coulda fooled me,” Tonna says, causing the boys to laugh even harder.

She just gets a dirty look from Thorkel. “Let’s get going. We’ll have to be really sneaky in order for the Wolves to not discover us.”

“Fortunately for you, that’s what I’m good at. I snuck up on you lot, didn’t I?” Tonna says with a grin on her beautiful face.

“You got lucky, that’s all,” Thorkel says as we take off back into the woods and scurry through the outer rim of the campsites until we arrive at the Wolf’s.

We sit on the edge of the woods and watch their camp. It’s hard to make out anything from this distance, and we don’t dare move any further in the light of the evening’s sun.

“What are you doing?” A deep voice cracks behind us. We all turn around to find that Baldric boy leaning against a tree with his sister, Siv, on the other side. I have to say, there’s something familiar about Baldric. I just can’t put my name on it.

“Nothing… Nothing at all. We were just exploring the forest. That’s all,” Thorkel says, standing up abruptly from his crouching position.

“That’s not what it looked like to me,” Siv says as she brushes her deep red hair across her shoulder. “Don’t you agree, brother?”

“I agree, sister. To me, it looked like you were all spying on our campsite,” Baldric says. He’s big for his age. I know he’s not that much older than Thorkel or I, but his arms are as thick as tree trunks, and he’s half a head taller than Thorkel.

“Well, you’re certainly mistaken, but that is okay. I heard Wolves have tiny brains,” Thorkel says.

That only earns a huff from Siv and a single chuckle from Baldric with a rather tense smile. “I’ve heard far worse things about Krakens.”

“Hey, don’t lump me in with that lot. I’m a Valkyrie. We neither have small brains nor do whatever you heard about Krakens,” Tonna says.

“Smooth Tonna,” Thorkel says with a rather flat face. She only shrugs.

“Why don’t you lot go back to the safety of your fathers before something bad happens,” Siv says. I must admit, she is rather beautiful, even though her face seems to be as sharp as a sword that really looks like it wants to cut us.

“Or what? Are you going to make us?” Vog shouts.

“We could,” she says, and just then a large pack of dire wolves comes out from deep within the forest led by a large black one and a large red one.

Suddenly, fear whips through me like the northern winds. Thorkel hesitates before taking a deep breath and a step back. “On second thought, maybe we’ll just move along to the Builders’ campsite. That herb of theirs is sounding really good about now.”

“Yeah, that sounds like a good idea,” Tonna says, gripping her staff.

“Wise move,” Baldric says as we get up and walk rather briskly out of the forest, quickly making our way to the Builder’s camp.

“Way to go, Thorkel. Maybe a plan would’ve helped, don’t ya think?” Tonna grumbles as we scurry away with our tails tucked between our legs.

“Who would’ve thought the rumor about them and the wolves were true? I surely didn’t believe it,” he says, scratching his head.

“I could’ve told you it was true. I thought you actually had a plan, and you weren’t telling me about it. But that was just foolish,” she says, giving Thorkel a good whack on top of his head.

“Ouch, what in the name of the gods was that for?” Thorkel asks, rubbing his head.

“For nearly getting us killed!” She brings up her staff again and Thorkel puts his hands up to defend himself, but Tonna only smirks as she rests the staff on her shoulders and lets her hands hang over the top.

“I could’ve taken them,” Vog says.

“Yeah… Me too,” Griotgard says.

“Yeah right!” Skardi snickers. “You both would be food for the wolves.”

“You guys have fun with your Builder herbs. I’m going back to my clan,” Tonna says, as she turns her back to us and splits off in the other direction. I can’t help but glance at her behind as she walks away.

“Great… There goes Tonna. I was really hoping she’d dance with me and maybe more,” Thorkel says.

“What about Asfrid? Aren’t you going to wed her?” I ask.

“Maybe, I don’t know. Probably. I doubt she’d let me marry anyone else. But, for now, I want to enjoy being free of marriage. What’s one night?” Thorkel asks.

“I don’t know. I just… It doesn’t feel right to me. I already plan to marry Arngunn, and I don’t want anyone else,” I say.

“Well, that’s you, brother. I like Asfrid, don’t think I don’t. I just… She’ll be the only woman I’ll share a bed with after we wed. Unless she will let another woman join us in marriage, but I highly doubt that. She doesn’t like to share and I just want to experience the fruit of other trees before I chain myself to her,” he says.

“Whatever,” I say with a sigh.

“Promise you won’t tell her,” he says.

“I won’t. I promise. I would never betray you,” I say.

“Why don’t we just get a slave and have turns with her?” Vog asks.

“Yeah, I wouldn’t mind having a warm cunt to sheath my cock into either,” Griotgard says.

“I don’t know… A slave kinda takes the fun out of it. There’s no chase or… Flirting or… Teasing back and forth. That’s what I like about Tonna. She makes it fun. Besides, she’s really good with a staff. And she can fight. She can fight a lot better than you lot. I wouldn’t mind going at her again. I’m far more prepared than last time,” Thorkel says as he stares off into the distance where Tonna walked off to.

“Yeah, she really embarrassed you last time,” Vog says with a smirk.

“She embarrassed you, too. She embarrassed all of us,” Thorkel says, glaring at the big oaf.

Vog only shrugs. “She is a worthy foe.”

We walk to the Builder’s camp and are immediately welcomed with open arms. Especially by two girls around our age. One with bright red hair and the other with dark raven hair.

“Welcome to our little camp. My name is Stangyth,” the dark raven-haired girl says. “You’re warriors, aren’t you? I’ve always wanted to be a warrior, but my father says it is not our life. He just doesn’t understand.”

“Oh, quit it, Stangyth. Why would you want to do something so barbaric?” the girl with bright red hair asks. “Don’t listen to her. My name is Eormenburh.”

“Well, my name is Thorkel, and these are my friends and family,” my brother says as he introduces us. He has a warm smile for the two beautiful women. They’re a little on the skinny side. Thorkel walks up and puts his arm around the girl with black hair, named Stangyth. “If you want, I can show you a thing or two about handling a sword.”

Her eyes go wide while the redhead named Eormenburh rolls her eyes. Stangyth looks up at my brother. “Really? I would love to learn.”

“Absolutely,” Thorkel says with a wide grin. “Just one thing. I heard you have an herb here that if you smoke it makes you feel as if you are flying. Is that true?”

She nods her head emphatically as her eyes seem to soak my brother in. “Yes! Yes, we have an herb that the Southerners call Tufonder. We call it Dazziweed. It makes you feel wonderful. Let me get some and we can all smoke it together.”

The other girl only sighs as Thorkel follows the raven-haired girl into their camp.

“Oh, don’t worry, he’s harmless,” Griotgard says with a smile as he walks up to the redhead. “I’m Griotgard. I’m his best friend. I can show you how to use a sword too, if you want.”

The woman scowls at him. “I know what your name is. The other boy said it already. And weren’t you listening? I don’t want anything to do with something so barbaric.”

She practically growls in frustration as she walks away, complaining about men. Griotgard scratches his head. “Women are so complicated. I don’t think I’ll ever understand them.”

A moment later, my brother runs back to us alone. “Woah, that was close. I guess her father didn’t like seeing her with me and chased me off with a hammer. Thankfully, I got the herb and a pipe to smoke it out of. Let’s go somewhere and try it out.”

We head back to our tent at our camp and make sure no one’s going to interrupt us. Thorkel has Skardi get a thin stick, wrap the end in a layer of oil-drenched cloth, and catch it on fire. It takes him a moment before he’s back with a little torch. By then, Thorkel has packed some of the herb into the pipe and takes the torch from Skardi before he brings it to the pipe and takes a sharp inhale, drawing the flame through the herb. He immediately breaks out coughing. He hands me the torch and the pipe.

I look at it wearily, but I buck up and take a puff with the flame and end up coughing as well. It makes my lungs hurt. I pass it over to Solmund and it makes its way around. None of them can fight the cough. We pass it around a few times before it goes out.

“Do you guys feel anything?” Thorkel asks.

“I don’t know… What am I supposed to feel?” Griotgard asks as he scratches his neck.

“Like you’re flying, whatever that feels like,” Thorkel says.

“I kinda feel funny,” I say, as it feels like my head is full of air.

“How so?” my brother asks.

“Like my head is without weight,” I say.

“Yeah, I feel that too,” Solmund says.

“I kinda feel a little happy,” Vog says with a straight face as his eyes shift about the room. “I think…”

“I like it, but I like those glowing mushrooms better. They made me feel so connected with the forest,” Skardi says as he sniffs the air. “Like, I could hear and sense everything. Smells were so vibrant and even the colors seemed to pop. I am going to get more of those when we get back home.”

“I kinda like it, actually. Makes me feel light as a feather,” Griotgard says as he runs his hands through his dark black hair.

“Yeah, it’s not bad. Let’s try to get some mead or ale or whatever we can find,” Thorkel says.

“Well, you’re a man now, aren’t you?” Skardi asks. “Solmund, Bothvar, and I are a few cycles away still.”

“I am… I just… You’re right. I’ll go get us some,” he says as he pushes out of the tent.

“You guys ever think that we’re just in… in like a dream?” Solmund asks as he stares at his hand. His hair is kept long, and he’s got facial hair growing in. Mostly scruff. Griotgard keeps his neatly trimmed in a goatee and mustache.

“I’ve considered that,” Skardi says, rubbing his bare chin. “It does seem possible. Maybe it’s Ornulf’s dream and as soon as he wakes up, it’s over.”

“That’s what I was thinking,” Solmund says with a smile.

“You guys are crazy,” Vog says. He always kept his hair short and has grown a wild beard.

“I don’t know… I think it could make sense. Wouldn’t be a bad dream,” Gilli says as he pulls on his long brown hair. Even though his sides are shaved, the hair on the top of his head is quite long. His face contorts in concentration as he stares at his own hair. Hair is kinda strange. It doesn’t decay like the rest of the body. I pull my own blonde hair and look at it. Why does it grow? What’s the point of hair?

“It’ll be a better dream once Thorkel gets back with the mead,” Tyrkir says as he sticks out his tongue, trying to touch his nose with it. He’s always let his brown hair hang loose over his face.

I look down at my hands; it feels like they’re bigger for some reason, and everything around my hands seems to vibrate. Is that normal? Is it because of this herb? What was it called again?

“You guys… You guys. I think… I think I’m drowning,” Vog says as he brings his hands to his neck.

“But Vog, you’re not even in water. How can you drown without being in water?” Skardi asks.

“I don’t know. I just… I don’t know,” he says as he claws at his tunic. “I think I drownded.”

Skardi snickers. “That makes no sense.”

“What’s taking Thorkel so long?” Tyrkir asks.

“Should we go out and find him?” Griotgard asks.

“What do you think, Bothvar?” Solmund asks me, but I can’t take my eyes from my hands. There are rivers running through them. 

“Uhhh… I don’t know. Sure,” I say. They all head out, and I finally look up to make out the sun dropping down below the horizon. It looks like it’s falling against the land, creating a ball of fire.

“Are you coming, Bothvar?” Skardi asks.

“Uhhh… Right. Yes. Where are we going, again?” I ask.

“I don’t know,” Skardi says.

“We’re going to find mead,” Tyrkir says.

“I thought we were going to find Thorkel,” Gilli says.

“The entire reason Thorkel went out there was to find mead,” Tyrkir says.

“Oooh… Right. I remember now,” Gilli says.

“For the love of the gods, brother… Get with it,” Tyrkir says.

“You try getting with it. I don’t even know what we’re getting with,” Gilli says, as his hands play with his hair.

“I’m hungry,” Vog says.

I slowly push my way out of the tent but immediately turn and walk back in. There are way too many people out there. Where did they all come from?

A hand grabs my tunic and I’m dragged back outside. Solmund pulls me along behind him. “Come on, we have to go find Thorkel.”

“But… Okay…”

The four of us… Wait, there are five of us. No… Solmund, Griotgard, Skardi, Vog, Gili, and Tyrkir… That’s one, two, three, four, five, six! That’s six of us. No, wait. I forgot to count myself. That’s seven. Wasn’t there one more? Or two more? Where’s Thorkel and… Tonna! “Where’s Tonna?”

“Seriously, Bothvar?” Vog asks.

“Wasn’t she with us?” I ask.

“No,” Vog says.

“Yes, she was,” Skardi says.

“Do you see her with us?” Vog asks.

“That wasn’t the question. He asked if she was with us and she was. Then she left,” Skardi says.

“But she’s not with us now,” Vog says.

“Of course, she’s not with us now,” Skardi says.

“I wouldn’t mind it if she was with us,” Griotgard says with a grin full of shit. “Thorkel was right. She knows how to handle a staff.”

“Should we find her?” I ask.

“No! She left us. Remember?” Vog says.

“Oh… I guess I forgot,” I say.

“There you guys are!” We all turn to see Svala, Asfrid, Arngunn, and Semet walking toward us.

“Oh shit. Thorkel said not to tell her something. I don’t remember what it was,” I say.

“Tell me what?” Asfrid says with a look that could make the dead die again.

“Uhh. I don’t remember what I was not supposed to tell you. Wait. Did I say that out loud?” I ask.

“He said not to tell you about the gift Thorkel got you,” Skardi says.

“He didn’t…” Skardi’s elbow rams hard into my gut. “Ouch! What was that for?”

“Hi, Bothvi!” Arngunn says as she steps in front of me with that beautiful smile. She has such a small, cute nose. And her chin, it is so delicate. Those rosy cheeks seem so soft. I reach up and touch that soft, silky cheek. She clasps the back of my hand with her own tiny hand. Much smaller than mine, and she giggles. “What are you doing?”

“Where is Thorkel?” Asfrid asks, with her hands at her hips and her foot tapping the ground.

“We know nothing!” Griotgard shouts.

“We were actually just looking for Thorkel,” Tyrkir says.

Gods, her skin is so soft. It’s like touching a flower petal.

“You guys are acting funny,” Svala says as she eyes us wearily.

“You’re acting funny!” Vog says.

“Yeah, Svala, stop acting so funny,” Gili says, mimicking Vog.

“Don’t mimic me!” Vog snaps as he punches Gili.

“Okay, what’s going on?” Svala asks as she crosses her arms against her chest. “And Bothvar, stop touching Arni’s face like that. It’s weird.”

“I really like it,” Arni says as she leans into my hand.

“It’s so soft,” I say.

“You’re so weird!” Svala says.

“Yeah, that’s kinda odd. I don’t like it,” Asfrid says as she slaps my hand away.

“Aww,” Arni says with a sigh, sticking out her bottom lip. Semet pulls at her dress and whispers something in her ear, and she nods with a smile.

“Seriously, what is going on with you all?” Svala says.

“Hello,” Thorkel says as he stumbles up with a mug, the contents spilling everywhere. He wraps his arm around Asfrid. She gives him a very cold look. “Howsh, it going…”

“Where have you been? And what is this about you not wanting to tell me something?” she asks.

“Don’t you go… hiccup… don’t tell. I’m a little. A drunk right now. Hiccup.” He has to lean on Asfrid to even stand up straight.

“What the bloody goat turd, Thorkel? You were supposed to bring us all mead!” Tyrkir says with a growl.

“Oooooh. I… hiccup… I knew I forgot something. I’m a little drunk. I think. And that herb we smoked… Wow!” he says before he turns to Asfrid, his face only a finger length away. Then he plants a kiss on her cheek.

Her eyes go wide and her cheeks flush red. Then, suddenly, she bucks him off of her and full-on punches him in the face. He falls over like a tree being chopped down. “I am so mad at you right now! You do not get to kiss me. You ditched us, and now you’re so drunk you can’t even stand up straight. I’m fuming mad. You better have a really nice gift for me or you’re gonna think that punch was a bee sting.”

“What herb?” Svala asks as she looks at us with a cat-like curiosity while Asfrid marches off. Thorkel rolls over on his stomach and throws up everything he drank. Svala winces before she looks at us with determination. “I want some.”

“I don’t think you can handle it, little cuz,” Gilli says, patting her on the head. She reels around and punches him in the stomach. He doubles over on his knees. “Uhh, what was that for?”

“I told you a hundred times not to pat me on the head like that!” she says with a huff. “Now you piss brains better share or I’ll tell mother and she’ll tell your mothers. You know they’ll tan all of your hides. Or better yet, I’ll tell your sisters.”

“Goat shit, she has us. I certainly don’t want to face their wrath. They’re all so scary,” Griotgard says.

“Especially if she tells our mothers,” Gili says as he straightens up, climbing to his feet with his eyes wide as gold coins. “You’d think it’d be nice to have three mothers, but it is not. I’m three times more likely to get caught and then I get punished for it three times over. It’s a nightmare.”

“Then you better share,” Svala says.

“Fine,” I say.

“I think I’m going to check on my sister,” Arni says as she looks at me with those beautiful sea-blue eyes.

“Are you sure you don’t want some?” I ask.

“Yeah, maybe next time,” she says, smiling at me before she leans up and kisses my cheek. Then she skips away with Semet. My hand goes to the spot where she kissed me, and I can’t help but grin. I’m never washing my cheek ever again. I swear I’m going to marry her someday.

Thorkel finally picks himself up off the ground and rips his tunic off, going bare-chested as everyone walks back into the tent. “Hey… Guess what! I almost forgot to tell you all.”

We all shrug. Thorkel grins with half-lidded eyes. “I saw little Thormar smooching on that girl… What was her name…”

“Signy Styrkarsdottir?” Svala asks.

“Yeah! That’s the one.” He giggles.

Svala tilts her head. “What’s so funny? Those two have been getting close for a long time, now. I actually like Signy, although I don’t know what she sees in Thormar…”

Thorkel’s grin widens. “I sicked Bodvar on them. The little shit dumped a bucket of water on them and took off running. I think Thormar’s still chasing after him.”

Laughter erupts from everyone’s lips. Even Svala can’t hold back. “You’re terrible.  Sometimes I think we go too far, but Thormar takes things too seriously.”

Skardi pulls out the herb and packs up some for Svala and hands her the pipe. She looks at him with her eyebrows scrunching together. “And what am I supposed to do with this?”

“You’re supposed to smoke it,” Skardi says, giggling.

“Don’t you think she’s a little young for that?” Gilli asks.

Svala turns on him and raises her fist. Gilli nearly falls over the cot. “That’s what I thought. Besides, I’m not that much younger than Bothvar and Thormar. Bothvar is sixteen, Thormar’s only a cycle younger, and I’m only a cycle younger than him. I’m plenty old enough, and if you say otherwise, you can say it to my fist.”

“Okay! Okay… I’m not your mother. Do what you want,” Gilli says.

“Now how am I supposed to smoke this?” Svala asks.

“With fire, how else do you think you’re supposed to smoke it?” Skardi asks, making us all laugh.

Svala raises her fist and Skardi flinches before rushing out of the tent. “Let me go get you some.”

Thorkel walks in. “I feel a little better.”

“Now are you going to go get the rest of us some mead?” Tyrkir asks.

“I don’t know… I don’t think I want anymore,” Thorkel says, rubbing his face. “My face hurts.”

“I’ll go get some,” Vog says as he walks out.

“Finally, a cousin who is worth something,” Tyrkir mumbles.

“Hey… I heard that,” Thorkel says.

“What about me?” I ask.

“Well, I wasn’t referring to you, Bothvar. Just this bum,” Tyrkir says, pointing his thumb at Thorkel.

“Speaking of Thormar, where is he?” I ask Svala.

“Don’t know, don’t care,” she says as she looks at the herb in the pipe. “Well, that’s not true. I saw him with Tandril, Starolf, Gudrik, Hosvir, Thorvir, and their friends in their tent talking out their asses how they’re going to get themselves a ship and sail west.”

“What a bunch of dunga,” Griotgard says.

“At least Hosvir isn’t following us around,” Solmund says.

“Yeah, true. He’s so annoying,” Griotgard says.

“That’s what little brothers are for,” Thorkel says, messing up my hair.

“Or nephews…” Tyrkir says. “It’s weird having Starolf and Gudrik as our nephews. Especially since they’re not that much younger than us.”

“At least Starolf and Gudrik aren’t as bad as Hunbogi. Sometimes I want to smother him in his sleep,” Gilli says.

“You and me both. Veleif should’ve left him out in the woods when he was born,” Tyrkir says.

“That’s a little… cruel,” Svala says.

“Don’t tell me you don’t secretly wish he’d fall off a cliff,” Gilli asks.

“Well, he is a bit crazy and mean, but… okay, maybe just a little,” Svala says as Skardi comes back in with a small little stick with the end on fire.

“Here, use this,” he says as Vog comes in behind him with a big bucket and some mugs.

“Yes! Thank you!” Tyrkir says, jumping up to his feet from the cot with a smile. “At least one cousin is reliable.”

He takes a mug from Vog and dips it in the bucket and chugs it. Solmund, Griotgard, and Gili follow in.

Svala bursts into a coughing fit as she blows out smoke. Thorkel comes up and takes the pipe from her. “Give me that. Who said you could smoke it? Nevermind. I need a hit.”

He hits it and lets out a sharp cough. “Anyone else?”

Skardi takes it next and smokes it. Once again it starts to make it around. I reluctantly take another puff.

Thorkel puts it out. “I need to fuck someone.”

He storms out. Griotgard and Vog, all chug their mead before they follow him.

“Men! Always thinking with their dicks,” Svala says as she storms out too, leaving Gilli, Tyrkir, Solmund, Skardi, and me.

“Do you guys want to play a game or something?” Skardi asks.

“Ehh… Not really. I think I’m going to go take a piss and find Oddny,” Tyrkir says as he empties his mug and tosses it onto the ground. He rushes out and is gone.

“That’s not a bad idea. Besides, I have two beautiful women waiting for me. I think I’m going to go put sons inside them and have them out before we’re wedded in the fall.”

“Do you think they’ll find any girls?” Solmund asks. I only shrug.

“Let’s go see,” Skardi says. We follow him out and go look for them. After searching the entire camp, we finally hear something behind Vog’s tent. Moaning, groaning, and slapping of flesh. We head over to see the guys all surrounding a slave I recognize. An elven woman who, I think, is Vog’s father’s slave. Thorkel slams into her while Vog tries to get his pecker in her mouth.

Tears run down her eyes, and she doesn’t look as if she is enjoying it. They are not being very nice to her. Not at all. They’re saying some terrible things to her, calling her all these awful names, especially things that have to do with elves.

I don’t like it. It makes me feel sick to my stomach watching. I walk away. Part of me wants to stop it, but I can’t. Thorkel is my brother, and it’s not my slave. But it’s not how I imagined sex would be like. Not at all. When I think about having sex with Arngunn on our wedding night, she’s enjoying it. Happy and blissful. There won’t be tears in her eyes, and I certainly do not want to hurt her.

I can’t understand how anyone would enjoy that. I find my great uncle Alvi walking with Gudrod, Bodvar, and an older woman with two girls of her own around Bodvar and Gudrod’s age. I don’t think I’ve met her before. My uncle and the older lady seem to be getting on well. He even steals flowers out of another woman’s hair when neither is looking and gives them to the woman he is walking with. She appears to like it very much. Bodvar sees it and tries to steal a flower too, but gets caught and shooed off. He settles for a red dandelion weed that sprouted up and hands it to one of the girls.

I decide not to interrupt them and walk away. I wander a bit, searching for answers. I find myself going to the docks to look at the stars but realize I’m not alone. A girl about my age also sits here. She looks up at me with big green eyes and then scoots over, giving me room. Her dark brown, silky hair is done up in a ponytail. I sit down next to her and look out at the stars reflected down upon the water. “I’m Almedha, what’s your name?”

“Bothvar,” I say.

She nods. “So, Bothvar, what brings you out here when everyone is back there?”

“I don’t know, honestly. Just trying to figure things out, and you?”

“I could say the same. What are you trying to figure out?” she asks. She has such a crisp and melodic voice. It sounds like the songbirds in the forest.

“I don’t know how to explain it. I’m not sure I understand,” I admit.

“It takes courage to admit what you don’t know,” she says.

“What are you out here for?” I ask.

“Avoiding my mother. And my responsibilities. It’s not very honoris and I’m getting much delictum.”

“What does that mean? I’ve heard it before,” I say.

“Well, at Forsa Village, we have five core beliefs, Kathikon, which means duty. Duty to ourselves, duty to our purpose, duty to our family, duty to our people, and duty to the world. There’s a lot of duty, to say the least. It is our duty to protect our people and ensure their survival. It’s our duty to provide for our families and keep them safe. It’s our duty to find purpose and to fulfill it, whatever it may be. Our duty to the world is to ensure it is not ruined by others. We are keepers of the land and nature. Our duty to ourselves is to maintain our honor and leave no regrets. Honoris is the second belief. It means what it sounds like, honor. Honor is earned by self-sacrificing acts that are for the better of the clan and the world itself. There is no greater honor than to sacrifice oneself and die in order to save and protect the clan and the world. It is also a great honor to save the life of another clan member. A lesser honor to save the life of an outsider. Killing in battle brings no honor, but it is a duty that is served and must be done for the greater good of the clan.” She takes a moment to look out at the calm sea that reflects the stars above.

“And the other three?” I ask.

“Delictum means shame or guilt. It is acts of cowardice that accrue delictum. Or hurting innocents. Shaming your fellow clan members or family earns you much delictum. Apolutrosis means redemption, which is another of the five pillar beliefs. The only way to achieve Apolutrosis is with officium, which means service. You must serve the clan as best you can. In order to do so, you must be willing to sacrifice your own wants and needs for that of the clan and the world at large. It is all about self-sacrifice. About duty. It’s rather simple, really.”

“Yeah, I can see that now. It makes much more sense,” I say. My brother and our friends accrued much delictum when they hurt that elf slave. They need to get Apolutrosis. “Thanks. I think I found what I was looking for. You’re really wise. I’m glad I met you.”

She smiles. “You’re welcome. I’m glad I could help, and in a way, you have made me understand my own delictum and how I can earn Apolutrosis. I thank you in return.”

I nod and smile as we both get up. She holds out her hand and I shake it. “I hope we meet again, Bothvar.”

“Me too, Almedha,” I say with a smile before we part ways.

As I head back, I hear the screams and follow them to find men whipping and beating two elf slaves, an older man and a younger woman, both with bright blue eyes. “That is what you get, you pointy-eared bastards. Try to escape again and I’ll cut your tongues out, or worse.”

I look away as the poor elven slaves barely cling to consciousness. It’s hard to imagine why they wouldn’t want to escape when they are beaten and treated as such. Cruelty like this wouldn’t make anyone want to stay. But what can I do? They aren’t mine. But it would certainly earn me delictum to do nothing. I walk up to them. “How much for these slaves?”

The men turn to look at me and all laugh. “Boy, go home to your parents. You don’t have the coin for such a purchase, nor could you afford to keep them.”

Another man steps up to the one who spoke. “Gunni, that is Earl Beorcol’s son.”

The man named Gunni, a bald man with a goatee, looks at me carefully. “So, you want to buy them, ehh? I will accept no less than twelve pieces of silver for each.”

I untie the coin purse from my belt and hand them a few gold pieces. “A few gold coins should cover that. I’ll have someone come get them.”

The man bites a gold coin and nods with a turd-eating grin. I walk back to the clan to find the slave named Valindra. I tell her to go get some others and fetch the two slaves I purchased. I told her to tell Sigvor to help them with their wounds and that they are my gifts to her. She nods and carries out my orders.

I head back to the tent and find Thorkel stumbling in at the same time, falling onto the bed. I head inside and sit down on my own cot. “You’ve accrued much delictum Thorkel.”

“What? What are you talking about? Go to bed,” he says as he turns away from me.

“You hurt that elf, girl. That is an act of shame,” I say.

“She’s a slave and an elf. Who cares,” he says.

“I care. It doesn’t sit well with me,” I say.

“She’s an elf. Her people are responsible for killing Asfrid and Arngunn’s parents. They are the enemy. Who cares about them?” he says with a growl. “Now be quiet. I’m going to bed.”

It doesn’t take long before he falls asleep. Is he right? The elves did kill Arni and Asfrid’s parents. Does that make what Thorkel and our friends did okay? No… Almedha didn’t say anything about vengeance or revenge. It was about honor, duty, shame, service, and redemption. But do these core beliefs hold true for slaves? What about elves? Especially since many of our clan members have died at their hands. I don’t know; I need to think on it some more.

 —

The next day on the way back home, the slave Valindra comes to me as I watch the shores drift by. “Lord Bothvar.”

I laugh at the title. “You don’t need to call me that. Bothvar is just fine.”

She nods. “You have my thanks for last night. You reunited my friends and me with a long-lost friend. The old man’s name is Larongar, and he is a close friend of ours.”

I nod. “What about the girl?”

“She, I don’t know, but Larongar was helping her escape. We will take her in and help her.”

“How did you come to be enslaved?” I ask.

“All of us grew up in poverty within our city, Isyelnaes, which resides in the Shifting Sands desert to the south. Most grew up in tents outside the great walls. We had to steal to eat, so we all joined together and became thieves, but we were betrayed by a man as greedy and lustful as they come,” she says, meeting my eyes.

“I see. I’m sorry for your hardships. I cannot blame you for your thievery. I suppose when it comes to hunger, most of us would do the same,” I say.

She nods. “I should go check on them. They should make a full recovery, thanks to Lady Sigvor’s help. She is very kind.”

“Just as long as you don’t cross her,” I say with a laugh. “She along with my mother and their younger sister can be quite spiteful to those who wrong them. Trust me, my siblings and I have spent many a days suffering their punishments.”

She smiles. “Even still, I’m sure your punishments were out of love.”

“Ehh, more out of our own stupidity, but sure,” I say with a smile. She also smiles before she bows and takes her leave. I have to say, she is quite beautiful. There’s something about elven eyes. The way they seem to glow. At least the ones who can do magic.

Looks like Thormar found himself a stray dog at the meeting. He won’t let it out of his sight. Bodvar has taken to calling it Ruffles. Thormar hates that name so Thorkel made sure it stuck.

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A woman with hair as gold as any treasure. Eyes as blue as the sea itself. A smile that challenges the sun. Even the stars in the sky can’t compete with her beauty. She radiates with warmth. Her touch brings joy to my soul. She fills me with life. She is all mine, and I am hers. Holding her in my arms, the world seems to fade away. She’s the goddess I worship. The moon in the night to guide me through the darkness. With her, I am not afraid of anything. Even in the face of the storm, with her by my side, I am the storm. In the great golden hall of my father, I find no greater joy than holding this beautiful woman in my arms. Even when we were young, she was always mine. Even as children, we were always together, in love with each other. Now that she is my wife, my life feels complete. She’s given me children I could not be prouder of.

I love her tender compassion. And her playfulness. Even now, when we are already bound by marriage, we act like mere youngins, sneaking kisses in empty corridors as parties rage on in my father’s hall. Even when we’re caught red-handed, we play it off like a bunch of naive whelps, pretending nothing happened. But as soon as they’re gone, we’re back to attacking each other’s lips. After all this time, we still have this deep, burning passion for each other.

Every time I come home from battle, I can’t hold back from taking this woman into my arms and into our bed. She’s the reason I fight at all, and no other woman can bring me the joy of her heart. I will never be with another woman again. None of them can compare to her.

“Bothvar!” I’m abruptly awoken as water splashes against my face. I shoot up out of bed to see Thorkel, Asfrid, Svala, and Bodvar chuckling.

“To Niflheim with you lot!” I snap at them. But then I see Arni with her arms crossed as she glares at them and I calm down.

“I told you he wouldn’t like it,” she says before her eyes meet mine. “I tried to stop them, Bothvi.”

My siblings chuckle. Thorkel drops the jug on my gut. “Get up, Bothvi. We’re leaving for the All-Clan Meeting today. I can’t wait, it’s always so much fun!” My brother puts emphasis on the nickname Arni gave me in a mocking tone.

Asfrid and my siblings all follow Thorkel out, leaving me with Arni. “I’m sorry they did that to you. And if you want, I’ll stop calling you Bothvi so they don’t make fun of you for it.”

“Don’t apologize, and I hope you never stop calling me Bothvi. I like the way you say it,” I say as I climb out of bed, walk up, and hug her. She hugs me back and I savor the joy it brings me. When we finally pull apart, I meet her eyes. “I had a crazy dream about us.”

Her beautiful smile radiates upon me. “Is that so? What was it about?”

“It was the most magnificent dream ever. We were married, and we snuck off from a party to… Well… Let’s just say it wasn’t to talk.” I grin as I scratch the back of my neck, realizing that maybe I shouldn’t go into the details of what happened. My cheeks burst with heat and hers are as red as those flowers she likes to pick. “It was odd though… We were all grown up, but the hall we were in, which I guess was my father’s… It was far bigger than this hall. It was pure gold and extravagant. Maybe it’s a sign of what is to come and we have to build a bigger hall. I’m not sure.”

“I like it. Not so much the hall, but the thought of us being married and sneaking off. Can we make that happen?” she asks, staring up at me with those deep blue eyes, as sweet as honey. How can I say no to her?

I nod. “It’s a promise that we will be married and have lots of children, just like in my dreams.”

She practically leaps into my arms, burying her face in my chest. “That will be a dream come true.”

—

My brother is finally a man and will set sail with my father. We journey with our people to the meeting of clans. We sail out near the end of spring. Thankfully, the journey to the town of Avala Village is short since they are just to the south of us, past the Valkyrie village of Forsa. Father says they named themselves Valkyrie after the women warriors of the gods who lead the souls of fallen warriors to the halls of the gods.

From what I’ve seen, the women there are brave warriors themselves. Tonna, the daughter of their war chief, once beat up my brother and our friends Vog, Solmund, and Griotgard all at once using a staff of hers. She wasn’t even any older than them. Her mother is even more fierce. Amalasontha is a very intimidating woman.

The Ice Tribe is only a morning’s journey south. We sail down the spring coastline as only lumps of snow and ice remain and arrive at the Village which sits upon the entrance of a river. After we dock our ships, most of the slaves carry our supplies outside the village where we set up camp with the rest of the clans.

It seems like most of the other clans are here. The Wolf Clan came last night and set up camp, same as the Giants of the mountains. Along with the Builders, the Valkyrie arrived before us. The only clans missing are the Eagle Clan and the Bone Eaters. Of course, the Bone Eaters are exiled and not welcome here for their disgusting practice of eating the flesh of others. The Eagles rarely ever leave their village far to the southeast, up in the mountains above the Wolf village of Fenris.

I share a tent with my brother, Thorkel, while Thormar and Bodvar share a tent. Thormar has to chase Bodvar down after he takes his precious maps. Bodvar laughs and calls Thormar a bloody goat turd, mimicking Aldam. The boy always tries to act like people he admires. I saw him pretending to be father, trying to mimic father’s lectures to Thormar when he threw a temper tantrum. Svala helps Bodvar, and they play keep away from Thormar, with even Asfrid joining in. My sister sleeps with my Aunt Sigvor along with Asfrid and Arngunn. Semet is also with them. And of course, my parents get a tent for themselves. Uncle Koll and all three of his wives set up their tent next to my father’s with the other captains of their raiding party, Einar and Throst, with their wives. Koll’s children and grandchildren all pitch their tents next to ours. Same with Einar’s children. Vog nearly gets into a fight trying to pitch his tent right next to ours, but neither Griotgard, Solmund, or Skardi will budge. He settles for pitching his tent on the other side of theirs. Thankfully, Thorkel could calm him down.

His brother, Eystein Einarson, had to share a tent with their little cousin, Trandil. He’s a little younger than Thormar and is rather weak and pathetic. He can’t even stomach the sight of blood without passing out.

Eystein’s my age, but he’s a bit of a hermit. Always has his nose in one of those books. He’s not all that better of a fighter than Trandil. Their sisters Thorgunna and Gudfrid camp next to Aunt Sigvor and the girls.

Our cousin Veleif Kollson and his two wives Halldora and Thorballa Cnutdottir, who are sisters, set up near father and the captains. His daughters, Aldis, Estrid, Asvor, and Bolla, along with Svafar’s daughter Hilde, cram into one big tent next to their aunts’ tents (who are also our cousins). Frida gets her own tent while Greiland shares with Yngvild. Svafar pitches up next to Veleif with his wives, Hallgerd Sigviddottir and Tofa Odinkardottir. Saxi is next to Svafar with his wives Arnbjorg Thorstardottir and Geirlaug Thorhalldottir. Gilli, who is Thorkel’s age, shares a tent with two women who he plans to marry, named Hallberta Thorstardottir and Jofrid Sigviddottir. Jofrid is Hallgerd’s younger sister. Both are Solmund, Griotgard, Hosvir, and Vigdis’ older sisters. Gilli’s tent is across from ours, while the youngest of Koll’s sons, Tyrkir, sets his tent up next to Gilli with a girl named Oddny, who is one of Throst’s daughters. Those two are also planning to marry.

Veleif’s son, Hunbogi, tents with his cousins, Starolf Saxison and Gudrik Svafarson, who are the sons of Veleif’s brothers, Svafar and Saxi and, and sets up next to Thormar and Bodvar. Starolf and Gudrik get along just fine, but neither seem to like Hunbogi for whatever reason. He seems rather cruel. Especially to their slaves.

The slaves all get jammed into two different tents, one for the labor, which is mostly men, and another for the house slaves, mainly women, except for Aunt Sigvor’s. They share a small tent behind hers along with Mother’s favorite slaves. Koll has several vast tents for all his slaves besides the ones that are favored by him and his family. Some even sleep in their tents.

When Thormar finally gets his maps back, Thorkel convinces Bodvar to turn his pranks on that no-good, rotten slave Morcar. The rat who is constantly tattling on other slaves and is an arselicker. He tattled on Thorkel once, and Thorkel has never forgotten about it.

Bodvar shoves a snake he finds down the back of the slave’s tunic. I shiver as a chill goes down my spine at the sight of the snake. Svala and Thorkel nearly die of laughter. And even Asfrid joins in. Arni, on the other hand, doesn’t think it’s funny.

Gudrod finds us and, as usual, follows us around like a lost puppy. He’ll do anything Thorkel or even I say; He practically worships the ground we walk on. Thorkel gets him to sneak into Brynhild Svartkollrdottir’s tent, one of the most beautiful shield maidens in our village, and steal her undergarments.

Her son, Thorvir Stormborn, who is good friends with Thormar, is said to have been born out at sea during a storm. The tale is a strange one. Apparently, Brynhild was still a virgin and suddenly became pregnant while out raiding with Einar Alriksson, my uncle Koll’s brother. They said the entire pregnancy didn’t last longer than a couple of days. She was pregnant, and then gave birth during a particularly nasty storm. Some say it was the gods that got her pregnant. None of the crew confesses to sleeping with her. Everyone collaborates with the story. Anyway, Gudrod gets caught by Thorvir and tossed out. Thorvir has a bit of a temper, but he’s good in a fight. Can’t imagine why he’s friends with Thormar.

As we settled in, we were greeted by Kadal Bothvarsson and Eawyn. Her daughter, Scyra, seems to stand a ways behind her with a sour expression on her face. Both women have particularly strange snow-white hair. Scyra is too young to have her hair already go white. They also share the same color of icy blue eyes. Both seem to glow like that of the elves, but they have a chill to them and they still have the whites of their eyes.

It is said that Eawyn and her daughter can both summon a storm of winter and bring down a rain of ice. They command the cold as if they ruled over it. At least that is what I heard.

My father and mother greet them warmly as my siblings and I hang back. They talk for a while before the Ice Tribe leaders leave.

Aldam Bronzehammer, who plants his tent with ours, is greeted by two other dwarves. One looks like a woman, and the other is shorter by a head. I didn’t know there were women dwarves. He waves Thorkel, Thormar, Svala, Bodvar, and me over to him. “Hey, arsefaces. Meet my siblings, Baggisli, the toad on the left, and Oddim, the one with the big mouth.”

“I see your manners haven’t improved,” the dwarf named Baggisli says. I’m surprised to hear a woman’s voice seeing how she has a beard longer than most of our clan mates.  She has red hair, braided into two tails that rest on her shoulders. She’s a little shorter than Aldam, and not as stout either, but taller than Oddim. She has a rather square face with a stern set of eyes.

“Did you expect anything less?” Oddim asks. He has curly red hair and a fiery red beard with a single braid that goes down to his chest. “Aldam has always had the manners of a goat. He gets it from our father.”

“Hey! Don’t you go off bad mouthing my mentor, you bloody goat arse lickers!” Bodvar shouts as he steps up to the other two dwarfs waving a tiny fist. Everyone erupts in laughter.

After Aldam catches his breath from heaving with laughter, he puts a thick hand on Bodvar’s head, messing up his hair. Then he leans in to whisper, if you can call it that, since his whisper is louder than most people’s normal talk. “Those two get their snobbiness from our mother.”

The three dwarves get into a long-winded argument, and we take the opportunity to slip away. After things settle down, Thormar joins his friends, Starolf Saxison, Gudrik Svafarson, Trandil Sibbesson, Bragi Serksson, Saksi Sekisson, Harvard Grimwaldson, Bjornuulf Ulfsson, and Thorvir Stormborn with his maps. Thormar is obsessed with his maps and always talks about the islands and lands to the west, past the forest of elves.

My father takes Thorkel and me to the village, where we meet in the hall with the other clan leaders as the meeting begins. I don’t really listen because it’s so boring. A lot of bickering between trading goods, especially food.

Most of the bickering is between my father and the Wolf Clan leaders. Bjarni Vikarsson is their Earl. He is an old man who has gained a fat gut, but he still has this sense of hardness to him, as if he has seen many battles. He’s brought his son Vidkunn, who’s a little younger than my father. And his grandsons. One’s name is Baldric, the son of Bjarni’s daughter, Asny, along with Vidkunn’s oldest sons, Thorgrim and Thorhall. He also has two daughters named Asa and Dalla and another son named Gadaric, who is around Svala and Bodvar’s age. Dalla is a little older, Asa is older than Thorhall, and Thorgrim is the oldest. At least that’s what I think.

I heard Baldric and his twin sister, Siv, can talk to wolves. They sleep with them or something. He’s about my brother’s age, if I had to guess, and he seems like an excellent warrior. He has a stone face that gives nothing away.

The Giant Kveldulf, the leader of his clan, is by far the tallest man I’ve ever seen. He is easily the size of two men standing on top of each other and needs to constantly duck down to avoid hitting his head.

Amalasontha and two other women are here for the Valkyrie. Her face is like that of a rock. Unforgiving and unwavering. Her first companion is a little less hard and about the same age. She smiles here and there. The other looks far younger and seems more reserved.

The Builder is an older man who, like Bjarni, also has a gut, but lacks his hardness. He seems to be a very animated man who loves to express himself with his hands. I think his name is Trefor Trehame. The Builders are a weird lot. They do not use the same naming way as we do, which is to use the father’s name with the dottir or son attached to the end. They have some kind of family and tribal clan name, as I understand it.

Beyond that are only Eawyn and Kadal, with Scyra sulking in the background. The meeting goes on forever and ever, with more and more arguments and words being tossed around. Especially by my father and the Wolf Clan.

At one point I was sure it would come to axes. I try to focus, but it’s so boring. My attention often wanders. I also take notice that Scyra doesn’t seem to be all that interested either. She twirls a dagger around her fingers. She catches me staring and pretends to chuck her dagger at me. I don’t even flinch. Then her eyes seem to dig into me, and we get caught up in a staring contest.

She only wins because I hear them mention war, and my attention gets pulled away. However, I find out it’s only the prospects of war against the south and they’re sure it won’t happen this cycle. They always talk about war with the Southerners, but it never comes. When I look back at the girl, she sticks her tongue out at me. I return the gesture. The meeting finally ends, but we have to listen to both Kadal and Eawyn give a long speech before the fun part begins.

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Father lets us pick through his share of the treasure and take what we want. He always lets his crew take their share first then he takes what is left. I find an old shabby case. Upon opening it there is a magnificent hammer. It’s white and gold. I pick it up and warmth radiates from it. It feels so right in my hand. It makes me feel good and full of joy and warmth. I put it back into the case and take it to my room. It reminds me of the hammer in the cave, the crimson one that no one can pick up. Both must be special. I can just imagine wielding such a hammer. A vision of myself with it as lightning rains down from the sky enters my mind.

—

“The shield wall is one of our most important defenses. The men unite into one strong wall with three rows of shields. The first row kneels down, using their shields to defend our feet. The second row moves into the gaps and bring their shields down to the torso while the third row brings their shields up to the head. At any given moment, men can move their shield to thrust a spear through, or several men can move aside so the archers behind can release arrows. Let me ask you, when do we use the shield wall?” father asks as Thorkel, Thormar, and I listen carefully.

“We use it on the battlefield, when we are facing another army,” Thorkel says.

Father shakes his head. “And.”

“To defend against arrows?” I ask.

“That is another reason. Yes, but not the only,” father says.

“By nature, what are we?” father asks, staring into both of us with his stormy blue eyes.

“We are Vikings,” Thorkel says, sticking his chest out.

“You are right. And what do we do?” father asks.

‘We raid,” Thorkel says.

“Once again, you are right,” father says with a nod, making Thorkel’s chest stick out a little farther. “So, if we are raiders, what strategy do we primarily use?”

Thorkel takes time to think upon it, but I blurt out what comes to my mind. “We attack. We are on the offensive in a raid.”

“Exactly. And do you use a shield wall when you are attacking?” Father asks.

“No…” Thorkel says, hesitantly scratching his head.

“Why not?” father asks.

“It wouldn’t be very effective on the offensive. It slows you down and limits your ability to attack,” Thorkel says, nodding.

“Exactly. So why would we use a shield wall?”

“When we are being attacked?” Thorkel asks.

Father nods. “That is precisely why we use it. We use a shield wall to defend, which is rare with our kind, but it happens. When we find our ships being boarded, we use a shield wall to defend against the invaders. When we find ourselves being ambushed, we use a shield wall. When we find arrows raining down on us, we use a shield wall. However, we are not the kind of people to act in defense. We strike first and attack. We are the aggressors; we set the pace for the battle. In order to do that, we choose the battlefield. To win, you must be one step ahead of your enemy. To win war, you must be deceptive. To be deceptive, you do what is unexpected. If you know your enemy expects one thing from you, you do something they would not expect. If the enemy expects you to march to meet them on the open field, you wait in ambush on the road to the battlefield. If the enemy expects you to defend the walls of your city, you open the gates and hide within to ambush them as they enter. Like snaring the hare in a trap, you spring it on your enemy as they enter the grips of the snare.”

“That makes sense,” Thorkel says.

Father smiles. “Does it now? So, if I were to bring four ships upon you as your three ships raid a merchant ship, what would you do?”

Thorkel thinks about it. “We’d attack them one at a time?”

“That might work. What if they were elves and can use magic? Would they not burn your ships with flames? That would make attacking devastating,” he says.

“Then we’d retreat,” Thorkel says.

“For how long? Their ships are faster. Surely, they would catch you, and they have a greater number,” he says.

“I don’t know then. What would you do?” Thorkel asks.

“Well… I’d scatter my fleet in different directions, finding better places to fight. This would divide their fleet as well as they would have to decide on who to pursue and would ultimately decide to divide and pursue each ship. Or they would send all their ships to one of ours. Either way, it gives us a better chance of survival. I’d also use the merchant ship and ram it into the biggest threat they have, immobilizing their ship that way, taking away their advantage. A storm would make it hard to chase, but it also limits our ability to fight, and storms are never easy to weather. Now, one interesting fact is that our ships are smaller and lighter. Do you know what that means?” Father asks, raising an eyebrow.

“That they don’t sink as far into the water?” I suggest.

“Precisely. I’d find shallow waters where our ships can hover over the top and the elves would surely get stuck. South of here, there are waters near the shore with large spiky rocks rising from the ground. This is a perfect place to lure the elven ships as our ships glide right over them and theirs will crash into them. But for the sake of this discussion, let us say you must face the elf’s head on. What would you do then?” father asks.

“I’d board their ship and kill them,” Thorkel says.

Father shakes his head. “You’d die and so would your men. Sure, we have some protection from their magic with these amulets your mother and Sigvor provided us, but we do not have enough to go around. And it only protects us from a direct attack. That means if they have some kind of spell to attack us with the environment around us, these things are useless. Would you still attack?” Father asks.

“Well, no. But what can you do?” Thorkel asks.

“What did I tell you about their ships?” father prompts.

“That they are bigger and sink further into the water?” Thorkel asks.

Father nods. “What do we have on our ships?”

Thorkel and I both think for a second before I hesitantly say my thoughts. “Ballistas?”

“It’s ballistae, not ballistas,” Thorkel says, punching my arm.

Father nods, a smile forming on his face. “Either way, your brother is right. What would you do with them?”

“You’d use the Ballistae to sink their ship, right?” I ask.

“Precisely. With our Ballistae, we have bolts that are made to punch through the hull of a ship. They have a big hammer for a head. You’d fire these into their hauls. As many as you can to sink their ship and retreat.”

“But we are not cowards, father, and what about all the loot we can get from their ship?” Thorkel asks.

“Sometimes, my son, it is better to escape with what you have than risk losing it to the elves for something more. Live to fight another day,” father says, his deep blue eyes locked onto Thorkel. “There might be some honor lost in retreating and running, but at least you have tomorrow, and if you’re fortunate, the days that follow to gain it back. But if you die, you die regardless of your honor. And let me tell you, son, there might be glory in death, but there is no honor in it. Nor does your death provide for your family. What will they do when you are gone?” father asks.

“But… I thought it was the most glorious thing to die in battle,” Thorkel says.

“The only time you should consider sacrificing yourself or your men when escape is still an option is when the reward is big enough to merit the loss, the cost of not doing so outweighs your life if you were to retreat, or lastly, there is no retreat and only death. If your death will save the lives of your men and your family, you do so with honor and glory. To sacrifice your own life to save the lives of all those you care about is the greatest honor and will be rewarded with the most glory. Now, I want you to spend until the sun passes the top and makes its descent studying the sword and shield forms I taught you. You will use practice swords and will spar with each other, using the strikes and combinations you were taught. Your goal is to land a blow on the other. We use practice swords to learn from being struck because in battle, a strike against you means death,” father says as he holds his hands behind his back.

“Yes, father,” we both say as we get up and grab our practice swords and shields. We face each other and engage. Thorkel is faster and more practiced with the forms, strikes, and combinations. Thormar and I spend a lot of time learning from being struck. By the time the sun finally reaches the top of its height in the sky and starts its descent, Thormar and I are covered in welts and bruises, while I only got one strike against my brother.

“And remember, do not lose all that matters for one that doesn’t,” father says with a smirk. What is that supposed to mean? “Now let us break for our midday meal.”

We follow our father into the hall where father’s uncle sits with Gudrod. Gudrod’s eyes light up when he sees us. “Thorkel! Bothvar! Thormar.”

Thorkel sighs under his breath as the boy scrambles to his feet and rushes over to us. He looks so pleased to see us. Like a puppy finding his long-lost brothers. Thorkel only brushes Gudrod aside and grabs a plate of food before sitting next to father. I wrap my arm around him and mess his hair up. He beams up at me with that jolly smile he always wears. I like having him around. He always lightens the mood. Father breaks away and heads to grab food. “Nice to see you, uncle.”

“You as well, my nephew. How goes training with the boys?” Uncle Alvi asks.

“Oh, it goes… They’re learning fast, and that is good,” father says, as he stuffs his face.

“Ahh, it reminds me of when your father and I trained you and your brothers. It feels like yesterday,” Uncle Alvi says.

“You have brothers?” Thormar asks as I grab a plate and sit down next to Gudrod and him.

“Have you been living under a rock?” Thorkel asks as he swats the back of his head. Thormar tries to get him back, but he is too quick.

“Had brothers. My eldest brother, Thorkel, died and my other brother was exiled and stripped of land and title. He is no longer my brother,” father says. I was only a youngling when Borgar betrayed our family. I don’t remember him very well, but I remember the hurt he caused us. Thormar must have only been a baby then.

“Ahh, yes, Borgar gave much shame to our family. I still remember when you two were boys, you used to fight all the time. Thorkel would constantly have to break you both up. Then things would get so bad, that Thorgrim would snap and lose his temper. My brother would always try to swallow down his temper like a mug of mead, and when he swallowed too much of it, it’d come up like vomit and spew everywhere,” uncle Alvi says.

“Yes, father had an explosive temper. He was fine, mostly. At least when we were young. He seemed to have less control over it as he got older,” father says.

“That he did. Anger is like poison you drink, hoping your enemy dies from it,” uncle Alvi says. “I am surprised you haven’t told Thormar about your brothers. They should know their family history. They have the blood of kings within them.”

“Bothvar and I know about Borgar’s betrayal, but I never knew we had the blood of kings in our veins,” Thorkel says.

“Yes, we descend from the first great king, Ragnar himself. It was his son Bjorn who discovered these lands. Bjorn settled in Chillshore, naming it as such for how cold it is there. Bjorn had many sons, but two stayed here, Hogni and Ragnar. However, Hogni and Ragnar started a fight that led to a civil war between them. Ragnar defeated Hogni and exiled him and his followers. Can you guess where they settled?”

“Here?” Thormar asks.

Uncle Alvi nods with a great smile and Thorkel thumps Thormar on the head, calling him a know-it-all under his breath. “You are correct again. Ragnar went on to have a strong line of descendants, leading up to the previous king Teowulf Bothvarsson. King Teowulf was our distant relative. Now, Hogni had two sons of his own, Leidolf and Orni. Orni, I believe, only had a daughter named Alfdis. She had a son and no one quite knows who the father is, but she says his name was Skuli. However, her son’s name was Fenric. Do you know what he was significant for?”

“That name sounds familiar,” Thorkel says, scratching his head.

“Does it have anything to do with Fenris Village and the Wolves?” Thormar asks, earning him another elbow from Thorkel.

“Yes, you are quite right. You see, something happened between Fenris and Eyvald, who was Leidolf’s first son. His second son was Geirolf and I’m not sure what happened to him. Anyway, something happened that caused Fenric to split off and lead some people to Fenris Village. They say he could talk to wolves and that is why they call them the Wolf Clan,” Uncle Alvi says.

“Fenric probably started it,” Thorkel says. “The Wolves are always instigating.”

The elf man with bright blue eyes comes out of my Aunt Sigvor’s room and gets a plate to fill with food for her. My father gives a nod of approval. Uncle Alvi only shrugs. “Perhaps. Who knows… Never judge someone until you have walked a mile in their boots. That way, you’re a mile away with their boots.”

My uncle grins and even the elf man laughs, which makes my uncle’s smile widen. “Anyway, Eyvald had two sons… wait, I mentioned that already. Well, Hallkel also had two sons. Can you guess who they might be?”

Thorkel, Thormar, and I look at each other and shrug. Our great uncle smiles widely and points at himself. “Well, me, of course! And my older brother, Thorgrim. He was normally a jolly merry-go man. Loved to laugh and have fun, but also had a bad temper that got him into many fights. Anyway, I hope you can guess the children of Thorgrim.”

“Well, father was one,” I say with a smile. Father nods.

“Well, obviously,” Thorkel says, punching my arm. “And you mentioned my name and Borgar.”

“That is correct. Thorgrim’s oldest son was Thorkel. A man you got your own name from. Then there was Borgar…”

“We don’t like to talk about Borgar…” Father says in a stern tone. He stares off into the distance.

“Why, what happened?” Thormar asks.

“I said we don’t talk about it,” father says rather roughly.

“It was not an easy time for any of us,” uncle says.

“How come you don’t have any children?” Thormar asks.

Thorkel thumps him again. “Why did you have to ask that, ya dumb arse face?”

Great Uncle Alvi’s face grows suddenly sad. He looks down at the mug in his hand. “I did once… A beautiful wife, a daughter, and a son. Two wonderful children who would’ve both grown to be good people, but they are…”

Uncle looks up at us with a tear in the corner of his eye and smiles. “They’re in the halls of Valholl feasting with their mother, my father, my brother, and Thorkel.”

“I’m sorry, uncle,” I say.

“It is okay. The gods work in mysterious ways. Fortunately, I’ve been blessed with other gifts. Beorcol was one of them, and he has given me some great nephews and a great niece. And fate has put Gudrod in my path and has given me a new purpose. Now I have a second chance to teach the lessons my son and daughter have never learned. Isn’t that right, Gudrod?”

Gudrod smiles. “Yes! Although I didn’t know I was supposed to learn anything. Will you teach it to me again?”

“Aye, ye yeh…” uncle says with a sigh while dragging his hand down his face. “Sometimes the blessings can come with challenges.”

My father and Thorkel laugh while I scratch my head and force a laugh out.

One of the other new slaves goes to grab something from the banquet. Father chucks a knife that lands next to his hand. “And what do you think you’re doing?”

The slave freezes. “I… I… I thought this food…”

“You thought. You shouldn’t do that. That food is only for people who have my permission. Who have earned honor in my eyes and have proved their loyalty. It is for people I like. I do not know you, so, therefore, you eat with the other slaves and people. There is plenty of food in the barn. Now get out of my sight.”

The slave scurries off out of sight.

“Why not let the slave get some food?” I ask.

“Because there is not enough of the good stuff to go around. Besides, I didn’t say he could never have some. I said only those who have earned honor and proved their loyalty and people I like can eat at the banquet. I hope he listened and has taken it to heart. That way, it gives even slaves something to work for. You see, my sons, I am not cruel for forbidding them to eat at the banquet. I am just and fair. Everyone has the opportunity to earn the right to eat at the banquet, but not everyone will earn that right. That slave is new and needs to know how things work.” He pauses a moment to consider his words as he strokes his beard. “I’ll be the first to say that I am not all that keen on slavery, but our society depends on it. Therefore, I have made it so that if slaves work hard, earn honor, prove their loyalty, and gain my trust, even they can gain their freedom and eat at my table. That instills hope within their hearts and makes them work harder, and eventually they become loyal. Never act with malice and cruelty. Fear is only reserved for your enemies, but for those who serve, you treat them all equally and give them all opportunities to rise above their stations. Even the lowliest slave has that right. That is what instills loyalty and earns the hearts of your people. To do that, you must be a fair and just leader, not a ruler that needs an iron fist to command obedience, but someone who leads by example. Someone who provides fairness, justice, opportunity, peace, and prosperity. Slaves may have a momentary life of hardship, work, and some might endure punishment, but they all have the opportunity to earn their freedom.”

“Well said, my nephew,” my uncle says. “You make your father proud. You’re like him in many ways and better in some as well.”

My father’s chest swells with pride.

After we break for lunch, Thorkel and I spot Thormar talking to a girl named Signy Styrkarsdottir. She seems to be rather cozy with Thormar. A grin sprouts on Thorkel’s face as he goes up to them. “Aww look at this, Thormar’s hanging around with a girl. Should we plan a wedding? Thunar knows you won’t get many other options.”

Thorkel can be a bit of a donkey’s arse sometimes. Even I think that was a bit of a punch to the jewels. Thormar’s face burns hot red as he pushes Thorkel, earning him a trip to the ground where he lands flat on his back as Thorkel wraps him in a headlock and rubs his knuckles against the top of his head. “Shouldn’t have done that little brother, you know you can’t beat me in a fight.”

“Get off of me!” Thormar shouts as he kicks and squirms.

“Leave him alone,” Signy says as she tries to push Thorkel off of him. Finally, Thorkel relents and pushes Thormar’s face in the ground as he gets off. Tears stream down Thormar’s cheeks as he gives our older brother a death glare. Signy rushes up to him, placing her hand on his forearm. “Are you okay?”

Thormar rips his arm away and takes off running. “Leave me alone!”

We sneak off out of the city and over to a valley by the river. I turn to Thorkel as we head towards the valley where all the flowers are. “Don’t you think that was a bit too much with Thormar?”

“Oh, come on, Bothvar. He needs a good thrashing. He’s so soft and weak. He needs someone to give him a swift kick in the arse so he’ll work harder to get stronger. The gods know Bodvar doesn’t need one. He’s hardly a toddler and already he’s fighting with the chickens,” he says as he starts to crotch down low once we reach the valley.

The valley itself is covered in wildflowers that are far different than the ones from spring. The fall flowers have more thorns and darker colors. Here we find Asfrid, Arngunn, and the elf girl, Semet, in the middle of the valley.

My brother signals for me to get down as we arrive unnoticed. We sneak through the field low to the ground as the thorns prickle into our hands and trousers down below the knee.

“I wish it were spring,” Arni says as she puts a flower in her hair. “Ouch! The fall flowers are so prickly. And they’re not as pretty as the spring flowers.”

“Oh, stop complaining, Arni. You sound like a toddler begging for a tit,” Asfrid says. I can’t tell what she is doing.

“I do not!” Arni says.

“You always sound like that. Now come on, let’s go,” Asfrid says.

“I just want a few more flowers. I want to make a bouquet,” Arni says.

Asfrid lets out a long sigh. “Hurry up! You’re taking forever.”

“Here, Arni. I’ve got some more,” Semet says. I can hear her shift.

Thorkel moves a little closer, practically crawling on his belly as I try to follow, but I come across a snake and shout out before I can cover my mouth.

“What was that?” Asfrid asks. “Did you hear that?”

“I think so. It sounded like someone shouted,” Arni says.

“Well, obviously!” Asfrid says, standing up. She holds out a large stick. “Who’s out there? We know you’re there.

“I think there are two boys sneaking in the flowers,” Semet says as she stands up and points over at us. “I can hear the flowers say so.”

Thorkel huffs. “Good going, Bothvar. You ruined our surprise ambush.”

He stands up and brushes himself off. I scramble away from the snake as Asfrid whacks him with a stick. “Ouch, what was that for?”

“For sneaking up on us like that!” Asfrid snaps at him as I climb to my feet and pull the thorn out of my hand as it bleeds.

Thorkel punches me in the arm. “We would’ve scared you too if it weren’t for the bull over here. He’s as sneaky as a bear charging through stacks of crates.”

“Hey, I didn’t want to sneak in the first place,” I say.

“And I just found out why, you suck at it,” Thorkel says.

“Hi, Bothvi,” Arngunn says with a smile as she leans closer to me, holding something behind her back.

“Hi, Arni. Whatcha got?” I ask.

Asfrid hits Thorkel with the stick again. “Ouch! Why do you keep hitting me?”

“That was for trying to scare us, you goat-brained, bull-headed, guppy!” Asfrid says.

“It’s a flower, and it’s for you,” Arni says as she holds out a dark red flower full of thorns. She holds it with two fingers. I don’t understand why she’d give me a flower, but I can’t deny that sweet smile of hers and the way it fits so perfectly on her face, just underneath that small, little nose.

“Uhh… Thanks,” I say, forcing on a smile as I carefully reach over, failing to place my fingers where the thorns are not. Somehow, I hold in the curses trying to fight their way out of my mouth. I look around until I find a deep, dark, purple flower and pluck it. Once again, the thorns stab my hand as I hold it out for her. “This is… Uh… For you.”

“Aww, thank you, Bothvi. You’re so sweet,” she says and before I realize it, she has her arms around me in a hug with her face buried in my chest. She smells like the flowers she picks. Or maybe that’s just the flowers themselves. I don’t know. Either way, I like it.

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