We return to the village just in time to gather with the others. Eawyn steps in front of the crowd. \u201cAnother winter has come and gone. Spring has brought its blossoms, and soon summer will be upon us. Raids will begin, and we will earn our continued survival. We must not forget that we may be separate clans, but we are all of one people. People of the North. One tribe, one heart, and one mind. There will be a time when we must put our differences aside to come together as one tribe under one kingdom once again. When we will be faced with an enemy that seeks to destroy who we are to make us what we are not. The Southerners only seek to make us servants of their Tyrant Usurper. Will any of you bend the knee?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The crowd roars a defining answer of its refusal to bow down. Eawyn waits for the crowd to die down before she continues. \u201cThen you must stand together and fight for your freedom. You must set aside your petty squabbles.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She looks right at my father and the Earl of the Wolf Clan. \u201cYou must put aside your hate for each other and fight side by side with your rivals. Only when we unite as one clan can we be victorious. Remember, when you raid this summer, you raid as one clan. Everything we take from the Southerners is a victory towards not just our freedom from their tyranny, but our rule over these lands. Not just these lands, but all human lands.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The crowd cheers its approval, whistling, clapping their hands, and stomping the ground. \u201cNow we depart from each other and go our separate ways for now. But soon, war will be upon us. Ready yourselves and prepare for it. Until then, take what you can from the Southerners and show them why it is wise to fear us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The crowd erupts in a deafening roar, clapping each other on the shoulders, raising their fists, and hollering their approval again. After things die down, we all slowly disperse. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Scyra comes up to me and extends her hand. I nod, taking it and giving it a shake. \u201cTake care, Shadow Killer. I hope we meet again.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou as well. Ice Wielder. We will meet again. From what it sounds like, war is coming sooner or later. It would be an honor to fight by your side,\u201d I say. I really do need to come up with better names\u2026 Ice Wielder, really?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAs it would be for me to fight by yours,\u201d she says with a smile. \u201cNow take care of your family. I\u2019ll keep in touch with the yeti.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat would be much appreciated. And you take care of yours,\u201d I say. We nod and part ways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I say goodbye to Amalasontha and Amalgunda, as they both show me great honor. Father had to meet one last time with Eawyn and the others before he joins us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Now comes the hard part. Bodvar is not happy about going with the Wolves. None of us really are. Slaves pile all the things Bodvar brought with him. Father assures him that they will send someone over with the rest of his things that he will need. He makes a long list of the stuff he wants to be brought over.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bodvar stomps and throws a tantrum about having to live with them. \u201cThis isn\u2019t fair! Why do I have to go to the filthy Wolf Clan? Why can\u2019t Thormar go? I\u2019ve got my own purpose. I haven\u2019t even been able to raid yet. I hate them. I hate them all.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I take a deep breath in and pull him aside. I feel sorry for him. I don\u2019t know if I hate them as much as he or father, but I do feel a strong disliking towards some of them. At least for Vidkunn and Bjarni. I have to admit that I kind of respect the twins, Baldric and Siv. At least from what I\u2019ve heard and seen of them. I don\u2019t necessarily like them, but it is like that of a bear respecting a wolf. That doesn\u2019t mean I wouldn\u2019t kill them if I had to, but those two are different from the elder two. There is something in their eyes that shows how different they are. I feel that we are not that different from each other. I feel some kind of bond that warriors feel for one another. It\u2019s like a brotherhood. Of course, they are all warriors. I cannot deny that. \u201cListen, little brother, you can\u2019t always choose your fights. All you can do is make the best of what you have. Besides, haven\u2019t you seen Vidkunn\u2019s daughters? I hear they are very pleasant on the eyes. Very beautiful. I also hear they are fierce warriors. Maidens in every sense of the word.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cReally?\u201d Bodvar asks, slanting his head in obvious skepticism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI would not lie to you,\u201d I say, and I am not lying. Surprisingly, the oaf somehow was given beautiful daughters. Obviously, it was his wife who gave them to him, since he is as ugly as a cow pie, not that I am a good judge of a man\u2019s handsomeness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI just don\u2019t know\u2026 There\u2019s no way they can be that skilled in fighting. Not like us,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPossibly. But don\u2019t you want to bed a pretty woman?\u201d I ask.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He shrugs. \u201cI mean, I guess. I like Vigdis.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I crank my head to the side at his preference. Vigdis? Solmund\u2019s youngest sister? She is his age, but she is not one I\u2019d consider pretty. She definitely has the potential to be a great warrior and is rather fearless, but pretty? No. Definitely not like Arngunn. She\u2019s the most beautiful woman I\u2019ve ever laid eyes upon. I\u2019ll admit that Scyra is a close second. She had eyes I\u2019d never seen before aside from her mother, along with that unnatural snow-white hair. And her face is as beautiful as it gets next to Arngunn\u2019s. \u201cVigdis? Why her? Why not someone like Einar\u2019s daughter, Thorgunna? Or even her sister Gudfrid? She might be on the more masculine side, but she has a pretty face.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGudfrid, maybe. I seen her knock a man out once. That got me excited. But Vigdis is fearless. She knows how to have fun. I want a woman that can keep up with me and knows how to have fun,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Now I understand, he just wants a woman as crazy as he is. That makes sense, I guess. \u201cWell, my brother, you are in luck. There is no one crazier than those Wolf women. They are beyond crazy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He narrows his eyes, tilting his head. Then runs a hand through his blonde hair. \u201cWhat do you mean, crazy? I don\u2019t want a woman who doesn\u2019t have a full quiver. Definitely no one like Throst\u2019s daughter, Arngunn. Or Grom\u2019s woman. Or his sister. They are crazy. One moment they are all nice and the next moment they are screaming at you. I don\u2019t want that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I laugh hard. \u201cNo… Not that kind of crazy. I heard they\u2019re more like you. They have a thirst for battle and adventure. All the Wolf women do. They love to fight and raid. For the sake of the gods, they have wolves for pets. That\u2019s the kind of crazy they are. Completely fearless.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
His eyes light up. \u201cReally?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I nod. \u201cYou\u2019ll have to be careful. I\u2019m sure they\u2019ll want to fight you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He scratches his chin. \u201cMaybe this won\u2019t be so bad after all. At least if they are like you say. Any woman who\u2019s not afraid to fight a man is my kind of woman.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My brother has always been an odd one, but I can somewhat understand his taste. I do find it sexy when a woman knows how to handle a sword, but it is not something I prefer. Arngunn would never pick up a sword. She didn\u2019t care much for fighting. Once Bodvar says goodbye to all his friends and to my surprise he has many, our entire family gathers to meet with the Wolf Clan and, of course, they have their entire family as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bjarni and his wife and son; Vidkunn and his wife; Vidkunn\u2019s sons, their wives and children, and his daughters; and Bjarni\u2019s daughter and her two children, Baldric and Siv, all stand waiting for us in the village. The rest of the city seems to have gathered around, including Eawyn, Kadal, and Scyra.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bodvar pulls at my sleeve. I lean down as he whispers in my ear. \u201cWhich ones are Vidkunn\u2019s daughters?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I look at Vidkunn and find his wife next to him, along with his youngest son, Gadaric, who will come with us. Next to the young pup is Vidkunn\u2019s oldest son, Thorgrim, and his wife, with their children whose names I can\u2019t remember. Next to him is his second oldest son, Thorhall, and then there are his two daughters. And they are beautiful. One\u2019s a little on the muscular side, but the other is around Bodvar\u2019s age. I barely manage to fight the smile, trying to conquer my lips as I bring them to my brother\u2019s ear. \u201cThe ones standing on the far right of the oaf beyond his sons.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He nods as he eyes them. One of them has blonde hair like the mother while the other shares dark brown, almost black hair like the oaf himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bodvar once again tugs at my sleeve. I lean in and he whispers in my ear. \u201cWhich one is the warrior?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThey both are,\u201d I say in a whisper. \u201cI think.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHuh,\u201d he says with a huff while scratching his chin. \u201cNot bad. Not bad at all.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We walk down to meet with Bjarni, his oaf of a son, and his daughter, who rather reminds me of a combination of my mother and her sisters, oddly enough. Maybe not all the Wolves are as stupid as the oaf. The oaf\u2019s two oldest sons share their mother\u2019s blonde hair. Only the younger one is as ugly as the father. Gadaric is the pretty boy who has yet to grow a beard. It\u2019s hard not to doubt whether he\u2019s even held a sword or an ax. The boy looks soft. Not like Bodvar, who might not be the brightest of us, but is fearless nonetheless and knows how to fight. This is a terrible trade. We are getting screwed. There is no doubt about it. Trading my brother, who has the potential to be one of the best warriors for a prissy Wolf pup who doesn\u2019t know one end of a sword from the other. May the gods help us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBeorcol,\u201d the old Wolf leader says. I heard he was a great warrior, but I only see a fat old man who\u2019s gotten comfortable with his rule. Vidkunn is definitely an oaf, but at least he has the shape of a warrior. The only warriors with any potential are the oaf\u2019s oldest son and his daughters, along with the twins of the old Wolf\u2019s daughter. Those two I need to be very careful around. Something tells me they know how to swing a blade. Even more importantly, I bet they know how to lead a battle. Leading war is far more dangerous than only knowing how to fight man on man. My father has definitely taught me that. Besides, I\u2019ve seen the wolves they command first hand and I won\u2019t forget it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBjarni,\u201d my father says, without showing a hint of fear or hesitation. \u201cHere we are, as agreed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSo, it seems. Well, no one can ever say that Bjarni Vikarsson has ever broken his word. We agreed to trade sons, and so we shall. Although, I have much doubt on how good of a trade it will be.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat we can agree upon, but from different sides of the argument,\u201d father says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLet\u2019s get this over with so we all can be on our way,\u201d Bjarni says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnother thing we can agree on,\u201d father says, holding out his hands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThen say your farewells to your son and let us say ours to my grandson,\u201d Bjarni says and father nods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We all turn to Bodvar, who doesn\u2019t show an ounce of emotion. Figures all it takes is a woman of his liking to make him eager to go with the Wolves. I suppose that is something all the sons of Beorcol share. Well\u2026 I\u2019m not so sure about Thormar yet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My mother is the first to approach Bodvar. \u201cDon\u2019t get into too much trouble, son. I know you will. Just don\u2019t give them any reasons to attack you. They\u2019ll be all too eager to.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My brother smirks. \u201cGood, I hope they do. I\u2019d love to test my strength against theirs.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat\u2019s my boy,\u201d father says, earning steely cold eyes from my mother. \u201cJust don\u2019t get yourself killed and try not to kill any of them. We don\u2019t want this shitty deal to be for nothing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bodvar nods, his smile growing even deeper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDon\u2019t be such a fool, little brother,\u201d Thormar says. Bodvar punches him in the shoulder. \u201cOuch, what was that for?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bodvar\u2019s grin deepens. \u201cI had to get at least one last hit on you. We won\u2019t see each other for a long time. Who am I going to fight with when you\u2019re all the way in Stormfront?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thormar smiles and then punches him back, which earns a laugh from Bodvar. Tears fall from my mother\u2019s eyes. \u201cI hope you boys never change.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOh mom, don\u2019t worry. We won\u2019t,\u201d Bodvar says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Svala then punches him, too. \u201cI\u2019ll miss you, little brother.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDon\u2019t worry, sis. I won\u2019t be long. Once they realize I\u2019m a warrior better than any among them, they\u2019ll learn to respect our clan and I\u2019ll be home before you know it,\u201d he says with his cocky smile. She smacks him on the backside of his head. \u201cWhat was that for?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYour head was getting too big. I needed to deflate it a little,\u201d she says, earning a chuckle from us all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then Thora steps up and punches him in the gut, nearly dropping him to his knees. \u201cFor the love of the bloody gods. Who taught you to punch like that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou did, stupid,\u201d she says with a smile. \u201cYou and Uncle Bothvi.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou definitely had some excellent teachers, and you learned well,\u201d he says, still holding his gut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She then leaps at him, wrapping her arms around his waist. \u201cI\u2019m going to miss you, Uncle Bodvi. Don\u2019t be stupid and stay there too long.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He hugs her back. \u201cI won\u2019t. I\u2019ll be back before you know it. Don\u2019t worry. We\u2019ll be sparring with each other long before any war ever comes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She looks up at him. \u201cIs that a promise?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He nods. \u201cOf course, it is.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She steps back and goes to punch him again, but he was expecting it this time and blocks it. But he wasn\u2019t expecting the kick to the shin. That makes him nearly stumble over as he tries to balance on one foot while holding the shin of the other. \u201cBloody mother of goat shit.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can only laugh at the fool boy. He brings this onto himself for being such a fearless fool. I mess up his hair as he regains his footing. He tries to push my hand away and goes to punch me, but is not fast enough. I am, though, and land one on the thigh, giving him one of those stinging horse kickers we call ’em. \u201cBloody bearded pig fucker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOh, little brother, when will you learn you\u2019re just not fast enough to land a hit on me?\u201d I say with a smile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMaybe not now, but you just wait. After I show these Wolves a thing or two about fighting, I\u2019ll come back even stronger and faster. We\u2019ll see who can land a hit on who then,\u201d he says, smiling like the fool boy he is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCome here, you fool,\u201d I say, pulling him into a bear hug. \u201cStay out of trouble and don\u2019t come on too strong with those girls. They\u2019ll try to cut your throat.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
His eyes go wide. \u201cReally?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I only shrug. \u201cThey are Wolves.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat\u2019ll be exciting. Nothing like a dangerous woman to make the heart beat a little faster. It makes the game much more fun,\u201d he says with a grin. Stupid boy. I mess his hair up even more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My Aunt Sigvor steps up and hugs him. \u201cDon\u2019t get yourself killed. I won\u2019t be there to patch you up.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI won\u2019t, aunty. Besides, they\u2019re only Wolves. I\u2019ll have more scratches from these weaklings than I\u2019ll ever get from those dogs,\u201d Bodvar says with a smile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHey! We heard that,\u201d Svala says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOh, come on sister. I was only joking,\u201d he says, giving her a grin and a wink. \u201cBesides, it was a compliment. I was just saying how skilled you are at inflicting pain compared to the Wolves.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cA backhanded one,\u201d she says under her breath.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He only shrugs. My father steps up and puts his hands on Bodvar\u2019s shoulders. \u201cListen, son, the peace between our tribes is stacked on your shoulders. Earn their respect and trust, and you will earn the debt of our entire people. Don\u2019t let them goad you into doing something stupid. Sometimes you\u2019ll have to swallow your pride. There\u2019s no shame in it. Just don\u2019t get yourself killed. Okay?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cRelax, father. I know. I won\u2019t do anything too stupid,\u201d he says. My father pulls him into a hug before patting him on the shoulder with a respectful nod.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Finally, Bodvar grabs his packs with the help of the slaves and steps away, taking one last glance back at us before he heads over to the Wolves, walking past Gadaric who makes his way over with his own packs followed by a cat-looking being who walks upon two legs. I\u2019ve seen them before. They\u2019ve been on the elven slave ships. Few have even taken them as pets. Father looks at Bjarni, completely ignoring the boy and his pet. \u201cMake sure no harm comes to my son and I\u2019ll do the same.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bjarni nods. \u201cThat\u2019s one more thing we can agree upon. As long as you keep Gadaric from harm, Bodvar won\u2019t come to it either.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Father only nods. \u201cUntil we meet again.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bjarni nods. Then father turns away and walks to our ship with us following behind. I take one last look at my little brother, who gives me a nod as he watches us leave. My eyes then meet Baldric and his sister. Surprisingly, he gives me a nod in acknowledgment. I return it before I turn and head for the ship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The voyage back feels hollow. Especially without Bodvar to stir chaos. This day brings a clear sky with a deep everlasting blue and one of the three moons sits on the horizon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
No one speaks to Gadaric. He\u2019s left alone with his pet. No one except Thora. She walks right up to him and eyes him. \u201cYou don\u2019t look so tough.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He looks down at her and smiles. He shrugs. \u201cI know my way around a weapon.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI would like to see that,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHave we spoken before? You seem familiar,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo. I don\u2019t think so. Why would I talk to a Wolf?\u201d she asks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He only shrugs. \u201cIt seems your family doesn\u2019t like me much.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She snorts a laugh. \u201cWhy would they? They don\u2019t like Wolves very much. We\u2019re sea people. We don’t care to be on land much. We\u2019re true Vikings.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He shrugs. \u201cClearly, you\u2019ve never raided a caravan on the roads. It can be very exciting.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She only shrugs. Gadaric points out into the deep blue sea. \u201cLook\u2026 Are those\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOh, those? They’re just my friends. My uncle calls them killer whales, but they\u2019re harmless,\u201d she says as surprise grips my chest. I walk over to the side of the boat and sure as the deep blue sky, a family of killer whales are trailing our ship. I swallow the lump in my throat. They’re always acting strangely when Thora is around. I look over at Thora and gape. Sigvor\u2019s words really ring true.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI can barely hear what they are saying,\u201d Gadaric says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She looks at him and whispers something I can hardly make out beyond the waves. He nods. What does all this mean? The voyage home is short, and no one is in a good mood. Especially Svala and, surprisingly, Thormar. They both stay to themselves. Home just won\u2019t be the same without Bodvar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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