We set up our tents just outside the village. The slaves do most of the work setting up camp and pitching our tents. Thormar gets stuck with Bodvar. Thora with Aunt Sigvor and Svala. Sigvor\u2019s slaves are behind them with Thormar\u2019s. Mother obviously with father. Me by myself, next to the men who’ll be on my ship and my brothers. I know I said I will not raid, but I\u2019ve come to admit the necessity. I won\u2019t have another winter where my people starve. If it means taking from others, so be it. Besides, as much as I have all but put aside the thoughts of revenge, I will kill the elf who took my brother if I come across him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As we finish getting settled in, I head out to find my father. He is arguing with my mother like always, and it\u2019s about the Wolf Clan, which is even less of a surprise. \u201cBeorcol, you can\u2019t go starting fights. This is not the place or the time to do so.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI cannot let that bastard, Bjarni, get away with what he did. He killed my father and my grandfather. I saw it with my own eyes. I will not rest until his head lies at my feet,\u201d my father says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd then what, will you let his son, Vidkunn, get his revenge upon you for killing his father?\u201d mother asks, crossing her arms against her chest with a glare. \u201cWill you continue this stupid cycle of taking father after father? If you kill Bjarni and Vidkunn kills you, then that will force your children to seek revenge. And Vidkunn\u2019s children. And the children of their children. This cycle must stop here and now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My father grumbles. \u201cI hate when you\u2019re right, but that doesn\u2019t mean I agree to it. If Bjarni and his sons provoke me, I\u2019ll kill ’em. I\u2019ll kill ’em all and end the blood feud once and for all.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThen you better make sure you kill every last Wolf or you\u2019ll shackle our children to this prison of stupidity,\u201d she says before she turns her back to him and walks away muttering under her breath. \u201cStupid, pig-headed, sheep\u2019s arse, chicken shit of a man.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My father huffs. \u201cDamn the gods. Why does that woman always have to be right?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
His eyes meet mine. \u201cI take it you heard that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI think the entire camp heard that,\u201d I say.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou might be right. She is so loud,\u201d he says, and I can\u2019t help but laugh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cShe is your wife,\u201d I say with a grin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat she is, and as crazy as it sounds, I would have no other. The damn woman is far wiser than I,\u201d he says, sighing. I follow him as he walks to the mess tent and pours himself a mug of ale and downs the entire thing. \u201cI needed that. Shall we head to the meeting of the clans? Wouldn\u2019t want to miss that shit feast.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I nod, and he puts his hand on my shoulder. \u201cWe\u2019ll need the intervention of the gods to make it out of that meeting with a clean sword. Where are your siblings? Fetch Bodvar and Thormar. I want them to witness it so they see the stupidity they\u2019ll have to deal with when I\u2019m gone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I nod and head to their tent, pushing inside to see a shit feast of their own. The two are at each other\u2019s throats, trying to see who can go longer without breathing. I sigh and yank Thormar off of Bodvar, tossing him outside. How am I not surprised by either of these two. It\u2019s been taking less and less to boil Thormar\u2019s blood and Bodvar knows exactly where to dig to unbury Thormar\u2019s anger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thormar barges back into the tent. \u201cI\u2019ll kill him. I swear to the gods, I\u2019ll kill him.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I have to restrain him as Bodvar holds up a fist with his pinky finger out signally that Thormar has a little pecker and only causes him to erupt in further rage. And of course, Bodvar continues to hurl insults at him. \u201cOh, come off it. You\u2019re acting like a girl. All I did was touch one thing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou\u2019re a donkey\u2019s arse! I told you not to touch my stuff and then I find it all flung out on the floor,\u201d Thormar says as he tries to push past me to charge at him once more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI told you I wanted this side. You took it just to spite me,\u201d Bodvar says as he folds his hands against his chest and spits on the ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWill you two shut up? Bodvar, what does it matter what side you sleep on? And don\u2019t touch Thormar\u2019s stuff. You know how sensitive he is,\u201d I say rather satirically.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI always sleep on my right side and I don\u2019t want to sleep with my back to the entrance,\u201d Bodvar says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat is a fair point. Thormar, why did you take that side when Bodvar claimed it for himself?\u201d I ask.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHe only claimed it after I had already set my stuff down on the bed and settled in,\u201d Thormar says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBodvar, why can\u2019t you just sleep on the other side of the bed so that way you\u2019ll be facing the entrance in case someone, for whatever reason, decides to come into your tent,\u201d I say.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bodvar thinks it over. \u201cI don\u2019t know. Then my head will be close to the entrance. It\u2019d be all too easy to pull a knife out and stab me in the neck before I can react.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I toss my hands up in the air. \u201cYou two will just have to figure this out on your own then. Father is waiting for us to head to the meeting. He doesn\u2019t want to be late. Are you two going to make him late over your petty squabbles?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Both shake their heads no. \u201cThen come on.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They follow me out as Svala, Thora, and Aunt Sigvor exit their own tent. Thora rushes up to me, grabbing my tunic. \u201cBothvi, are we going to train? You said you would spar with me today.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can\u2019t help but let out a sigh. \u201cIt\u2019ll have to wait until after the meeting.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBut you said once we get to the village, we will train. Well?\u201d She says, raising her hands. \u201cWe\u2019re at the village, are we not?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Svala has a big smirk on her lips. Why does she take so much delight in my misery?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI can\u2019t do it now, girl. The meeting won\u2019t take that long. Just be patient,\u201d I say. Thora glares at me with her arms crossed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCome on, Thora. Let us go meet up with your grandmother and aunty Ingithora. Then you can go play with the other children,\u201d Sigvor says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOkay, but if you don\u2019t honor your word, I\u2019ll tan your hide just like Grandmother does!\u201d I spit out a laugh. She huffs. \u201cDon\u2019t laugh at me. I\u2019ll do it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI don\u2019t doubt it,\u201d I say with a smile. \u201cDon\u2019t worry. I\u2019ll spar with you once we are done.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou better,\u201d she says, stalking off with Svala and Sigvor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat girl is going to be the death of me,\u201d I mutter as we meet up with father.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat took you so long?\u201d father asks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I just glare at him. He sighs and looks at Bodvar and Thormar, who both only shrug. Dirty rotten bastards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
—<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We enter the great hall where tables are already set up in one giant square. Some clan leaders are already here, including Amalgunda with Amalasontha, who both nod our way as we enter, and next to them is Trefor Trehame with his sons, Asgrim and Kadal. Kveldulf and a tall giant woman sit across from them. She is either his wife or daughter, I can\u2019t really tell. although she isn\u2019t ugly, which is surprising. She\u2019s rather beautiful for being such a giant of a woman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Behind us, a pack of Wolves walk in with Bjarni at the front. My father and he meet with fire in their eyes. Behind him are his son, Vidkunn; his daughter, Asny; Vidkunn\u2019s sons Thorgrim, Thorhall, and Gadaric; and Asny\u2019s twins, Baldric and Siv.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHave to bring the entire pack with you?\u201d father asks with a smirk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bjarni eyes my father. The older man seems to debate whether or not to take the bait. \u201cDon\u2019t tell me the great Beorcol Thorgrimsson is afraid of some boys?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My father spits on the floor. \u201cI am not afraid of any Wolf. In fact, my hall is filled with wolf pelts. I would like to add a few more.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Baldric growls behind him as he and his sisters clench their fists. Those two always seemed more wolf than man or woman. Although, I can admit that the woman is not bad on the eyes. \u201cCount yourself lucky that I don\u2019t allow my grandchildren to kill you where you stand, you treacherous swine.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019d like to see them try. Maybe today will be the day I finally end the Wolf line, since it was a mistake,\u201d father growls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWill you two ever put it to rest?\u201d a familiar voice says. We all look up to find Eawyn entering with her daughter and Kadal Bothvarsson, the brother of King Teowulf. \u201cI grow tired of your constant petty squabbling.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHow can I rest when the man who killed my father and grandfather still breathes?\u201d Father asks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThey deserved it for killing my father Vikar and my grandfather Hallkel,\u201d Bjarni growls back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou both have plenty of reasons to hate each other, but there are plenty more reasons to become friends rather than enemies,\u201d Eawyn says as she, Kadal, and her daughter step up to the table. She places her hands on the table and leans in. \u201cWord has grown that the Southerners are discussing taking actions against our raids. They want to not only put an end to them, but also an end to us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhere did you hear this?\u201d Bjarni says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI have my spies. So far, from my understanding, it is only the three Northern cities that want war. Chillshore which was stolen from us, Barefrost, and Darkstall. Fortunately, for now, they do not have the support of the Usurper swine, Vandil. But we should prepare for the inevitability that they will eventually gain his support and come knocking at our doorsteps. We should always be ready for war, even in times of peace,\u201d Eawyn says. Then she stands up straight and brings her hands out to the empty seats. \u201cNow, will you two join us to discuss these important matters?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My father and the Wolf Leader glare at each other before they nod to Eawyn. We take our seats next to the Valkyrie Clan on the other side of the Builders, while the Wolves sit across from us with the Giants. Eawyn sighs. \u201cI take it the Eagle Clan will not be joining us?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHave they ever joined us?\u201d my father asks as slaves bring out drinks for everyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCowards. That\u2019s what they are,\u201d Kveldulf says, slamming his fist against the table, cracking it. \u201cWe should\u2019ve wiped them out when they refused to join us in the war against the South.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe will not fight each other, that is exactly what the Southerners want,\u201d Amalasontha says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAs always, the wisdom of the Valkyrie Clan shows true. As much as the Eagles deserve to be punished, we would only hasten our own defeat at the hands of the Southerners when we let our warriors die at the sword of our fellow Northerners,\u201d Eawyn says as she looks particularly at my father and Bjarni. \u201cNow, before we dig into this issue, let us first discuss other important things such as trade and food, then we\u2019ll discuss raiding, and finally we\u2019ll bring the subject of potential war up once again.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Everyone nods. Eawyn smiles as she takes a sip, before continuing. \u201cNow what clans need food? It may have not been as long as The Longest Night, but Winter was still a harsh one.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe could use more food to last until summer,\u201d father says, before taking a long swallow of his drink. \u201cThe Jotnar raid wiped out a good portion of what we had left from winter.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe have plenty to spare and will gladly send some of it over,\u201d Amalgunda says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My father nods at her in thanks. \u201cWhen summer arrives, we will send over all the spare fish that is caught by our fishermen.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Amalgunda nods in return.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnyone else?\u201d Eawyn asks. No one else speaks up. \u201cThen on to the next issue. Trade. Let us hear all the needs you have and see if we can come to an agreement.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAs always, the Builders are forever in need of raw materials. Except for lumber, we could always use more metals, clothes, clay, and more. We\u2019re willing to trade finished tools and weapons for raw materials as long as we can keep a share to ourselves for our own needs,\u201d Trefor says, scratching his white beard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe have just come to discover a massive amount of ore within the mountains. Mostly coal, iron, and this heavy metal that is nearly impossible to lift without proper training. We\u2019d be glad to help mine and deliver it with the aid of your people for a cut of the tools and weapons made from it,\u201d father says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Trefor nods, resting his hands on his big round belly. \u201cThat is a fair trade. We\u2019ll agree to it. We can send over people to help mine and carry the ore after the end of the meeting of the clans.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Father nods. Then Bjarni speaks up. \u201cThe Southerners at Barefrost have plenty of metal to give once we take it from them. The mountains surrounding their town are rich with it. We\u2019ll give you most of what we take for a share of the tools and weapons made from it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Trefor also nods at him. \u201cThat deal is also satisfactory.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe can help mine and deliver it if we can have a share as well,\u201d Amalgunda says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI see no problem with that. And the Giants are also welcome to help for a share,\u201d Trefor says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe mountains to our north have more metal than all of us could ever mine in the lifetimes of our children\u2019s children. I see no problem in sharing it with all who help us mine it,\u201d father says with a nod. \u201cJust be warned that the mountains can be treacherous and are filled with these fiendish creatures we\u2019ve come to call Shadow Stalkers. They hunt at night and feed on flesh. I\u2019m also certain that the thieves at Chillshore also mine in the mountains, so we have to be prepared for a fight.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI welcome a fight with those bastards,\u201d Kveldulf says, once again slamming his fist on the table, further splintering it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI fear no fight with the usurpers, but won\u2019t seek it out either,\u201d Amalasontha says, wearily. \u201cI do not want to lose any of my people needlessly.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They all nod at that. Eawyn speaks up. \u201cWe, too, will send aid to the mountains. Now, are there any other needs to be met?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Eawyn takes a moment to wait for any response. \u201cNo? Then let us move on to raiding. Last cycle, raids went well. Shall we plan to do the same this time around?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI see no problem with that,\u201d father says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cEasy for you to say, squid lover,\u201d Vidkunn barks, slamming his fist down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Father lets out a low growl. \u201cWhat did you call me?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou heard me!\u201d Vidkunn says with a snarl.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMaybe you\u2019d like to say that to my ax,\u201d father says even though we do not have weapons on us because it is forbidden during clan meetings, for obvious reasons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Vidkunn stands up. \u201cGladly.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSon, now is not the time,\u201d Bjarni says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFinally, one of you Wolves speaks wisdom,\u201d father says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOh, and you\u2019re just a fountain of knowledge?\u201d Bjarni asks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019ve got more wisdom in my little finger than you have in your entire clan,\u201d father says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat\u2019s it! Let us form a square!\u201d Bjarni shouts, spilling over his ale as he pounces to his feet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cEnough. This has got to end,\u201d Eawyn says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019ll end when he lies on a burning funeral pyre,\u201d father says, stabbing his eyes into the old Wolf.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo! I forbid it. You all act like children,\u201d Eawyn says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Scyra snorts a laugh. \u201cYou should punish them like children. Make them work together like you did when I fought with Alyndra\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She looks away as her eyes close in a bitter sadness. I heard about what happened to her sister. Snatched up by Southern slavers and sold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Eawyn rubs her chin. \u201cMaybe that is exactly what we should do. My daughter has far more wisdom than either of you two have shown so far. Here is what I decree. You two shall trade sons who will live with the other clan. You will learn each other\u2019s ways.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFor how long?\u201d my father asks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cUntil you both can see that you are not that different from each. Until you learn to bury this hate, you have for the other. That is my decree,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cA wise one, it is if it succeeds,\u201d Kadal says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI don\u2019t like it,\u201d Bjarni says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNeither do I,\u201d father says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSo, you\u2019d rather kill each other instead? What will that solve aside from making us all weaker? We need to stand strong together or we will be defeated by ourselves,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Father looks back at us. He eyes me, then Thormar, and then Bodvar. Then his glare lands on the Wolves before turning back to Eawyn. \u201cDo we get to choose who we trade?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYour youngest. You\u2019ll send over Bodvar and Bjarni, you\u2019ll give up Gadaric. You\u2019ll integrate them within your clan and by the gods. If any harm shall come to them by one of your own, you\u2019ll have to answer to me,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd if they get hurt during a raid?\u201d Bjarni asks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhy would you ask that?\u201d father says. \u201cAre you planning on my son having an accident?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo. I wouldn\u2019t sink so low, but if he is to be one of us, he\u2019ll raid like us,\u201d Bjarni says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIf he falls by the blade of a Southerner, then we will exact our punishment on the South, however, if I suspect foul play, I will bring down swift justice on the guilty,\u201d Eawyn says, slamming her hand on the table. Ice spreads from her touch, freezing the entire table in a thick layer of ice. \u201cAm I clear?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Everyone nods. Eawyn smiles and draws the ice back into her hand. \u201cThen it is settled. Bodvar Beorcolsson will go to the Wolf Clan, and Gadaric Vidkunnsson will go to the Kraken Clan. They will remain there until both clans can set aside their differences and bury their hate for each other, and I\u2019ll decide when that happens.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNow, let us talk about more important matters. I fear war might be inevitable with the South if we continue to raid upon their ships and caravans, but I do not think we should stop because we have just cause for such actions. As long as they still hold Chillshore, we will not stop raiding them. Chillshore is ours. We built it. They have no right to dirty it with their greedy tyrant arses,\u201d she says, anger burning into her words even though they have an icy sting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The leaders all smack the tables in agreement. A smile appears on Eawyn\u2019s face. \u201cWe might not be ready to face the Southerners in war, just yet, but the time is near. As the prophecy says, when the daughter of winter marches south, the north will follow and the daughter of a king will sit upon the throne. It is clear that when we do march into war, we will be victorious!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The leaders all stand up in a roar of approval. \u201cFor now, my friends, prepare yourselves for the inevitable war to come. Fill your racks with weapons, harden your warriors, and strengthen your resolve. The time to get our justice is nearly upon us. We will bring down the Tyrant Usurper, Vandil, and justice will be served.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The men and women clap the table with their fists until Kveldulf\u2019s table breaks in half. Laughter erupts from the others. The giant man shrugs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Eawyn looks satisfied. \u201cNow, if there are no further matters to discuss, we shall end the meeting and celebrate the beginning of the summer raids.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
No one objects. Eawyn spreads her hands. \u201cThen it is settled. You are all welcome to feast, drink, and enjoy yourselves. However, there will be strict punishments for those who break the peace. There shall be no killing here. As long as you all understand that, there will be no problems. Drink up and enjoy yourselves. The meeting is over.\u201d Slowly, the clans disperse from the hall back to their camps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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