After we grab a bite to eat, we spend the rest of the day, making preparations<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The day goes by slowly. More double-checking everything. More talking. And more planning and more lectures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By the time we finish, the sun has gone to bed. Then father sends me out to check everything we\u2019ve already checked more than a dozen times. Even more time checking the boat. Going over the supplies. Checking the water. And on and on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I finally get a big plate of food from Semet back at the hall before mother comes scrambling in. \u201cHave you seen Svala? I can\u2019t find her anywhere.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After grabbing a leg of smoked turkey, I walk out of the hall with a sigh. Giving the air a sniff, I look at the ground to see a tiny boot print that has to be hers. I follow it all the way to a side gate out to the south that was added during the rebuild. I continue to follow her tracks and gain her scent. A smell of that nauseating oil she puts on that gives off a sharp fruity smell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I follow the path through the woods until it stops at a large tree. The tracks completely disappear. I walk all the way around the tree and find no more footprints. They just end at the tree. I look at the tree and see a ladder built into the tree. Looking up, there\u2019s a house built on the tree. How have I never noticed this? I try to climb up it but the ladder breaks. The trap door opens up and Svala\u2019s head shoots out. \u201cYou wool-brained goat. The ladder can\u2019t support our weight!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHow did you get up there?\u201d I ask.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI climbed the branches. These types of trees are the only ones strong enough to support our weight after we got strong in the mountains,\u201d she yells down at me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHuh, never thought about trees holding our weight,\u201d I say, scratching my beard. I put my thoughts aside and climb the tree. I get up inside and barely fit. Svala has to squeeze over.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She pulls her knees against her chest and gives me a dirty look. \u201cWhat are you doing here? Finally, have time to talk to your little sister?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat are you talking about? I always have time to talk to you,\u201d I say.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou rarely ever have time to talk to me. Growing up, you and Thorkel were always off by yourselves and never took any of us with you. Thormar never wanted to hang out with us either because he thought he was too old. He wanted to be like you and Thorkel. For most of the time, it was only just Bodvar and me. Now it\u2019s just me\u2026 And Thora. Sometimes. She\u2019s a bit odd sometimes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat do you mean?\u201d I ask.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWell, she spends a lot of time at the docks. I used to go out with her when she was younger, but she\u2019s always out there and I don\u2019t really want to spend all my time there.\u201d She continues to ramble on as I struggle to figure out what it means that Thora is out there. Is she talking to those whales? Can she really talk to whales? Should I be worried? This sorta stuff is what a mother is for. I am not prepared to handle it. She\u2019s just a little girl. She shouldn\u2019t be out on the docks alone like that, but I can\u2019t blame Svala. Svala is not far off from being old enough to be on the ships. Yet, I can\u2019t help feeling that she\u2019s safe on the docks. I can\u2019t forget the time she fell in and was saved by that whale. I\u2019ve seen those things kill men that fall overboard during raids.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI just feel so alone without Bodvar.\u201d Svala\u2019s words bring me back to the moment. I look into her eyes to see such sadness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSvala, I understand your pain. I miss him too, but he will be back faster than you know it. The Wolves will beg for Gadaric back once they get stuck all winter with Bodvar. The gods only know the trouble that is in store for the Wolves.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She laughs. \u201cYeah, he\u2019ll have them looking under every seat and watching out above the doors.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I snicker, remembering some of Bodvar\u2019s most infamous pranks. \u201cEspecially the time he put a bucket of ice-cold sea water above Thormar\u2019s door only for mother to walk through it. He was doing slave work for an entire season.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She snorts from laughing so hard. \u201cSuch a cow turd. You know, Gadaric is nothing like him. But he\u2019s not that bad. Rather friendly.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A thought just occurred to me. I got Bodvar all excited to sleep with Vidkunn\u2019s daughters, which would be Gadaric\u2019s sisters. What if his brothers talked him into wanting to try to sleep with my sister?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I better keep an eye on that boy. No Wolf is going to sleep with my sister! I\u2019ll have to sick Thora on him. She\u2019ll teach him a lesson or two.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thankfully, he\u2019s coming out on the raid and won\u2019t be anywhere near Svala. Bastard Wolves. \u201cI\u2019d watch out for Gadaric if I were you. You can\u2019t trust a Wolf. Always up to something.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She laughs. \u201cDon\u2019t be like father. The Wolves are not so bad.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ornulf\u2019s beard, I\u2019m too late. They\u2019ve got their hooks into Svala. I\u2019m going to chop Gadaric\u2019s dick off. Bastard. \u201cNow I wish Bodvar was here even more.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She looks at me. \u201cWhat do you mean by that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNothing. But if he were here, he\u2019d already have the Wolf pup sleeping with one eye open,\u201d I say.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou really hate them, don\u2019t you?\u201d she asks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMe? I don\u2019t hate them. I just don\u2019t trust Gadaric. He\u2019s not to be trusted!\u201d At least around Svala, but I am not going to tell her that. I may be a fool, but I am not fool enough to incur a woman\u2019s wrath. Even if she is my little sister.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd why can\u2019t we trust him, exactly?\u201d she asks, leaning in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAsk, father. He knows why,\u201d I say.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She narrows her eyes. \u201cWhy can\u2019t you tell me?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Donkey\u2019s ass. How do I get out of this trap of hers? \u201cIf you don\u2019t know why by now, then you are not very good at figuring things out.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That gets her stubbornness to kick in. Her eyes turn into flames, but she doesn\u2019t ask another question. \u201cI\u2019ll figure it out. I\u2019m better than anyone here at figuring things out. You just wait and see.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She gets up and jumps down the trapdoor, jumping from branch to branch. I jump out and slam right through the first branch and break through the rest of them on my way down. \u201cYou hairy, goats shit for brains cow pusher! You broke my way up! Nikolas is going to be pissed. I\u2019m telling him you did it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat\u2026\u201d I groan as I lie on the ground covered in broken branches. That hurt. The breath was forced out of my chest and I can\u2019t get it back in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Slowly, I force myself on my side and push myself to my feet. \u201cWait\u2026 Who\u2019s Nikolas?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She\u2019s already halfway to the gate and I have to rush, enduring the pain shooting up my back to catch up with her. \u201cWho\u2019s Nikolas? And where did that fort come from? It wasn\u2019t there when I was last out here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNickolas is from the Builder Clan. He\u2019s our closest friend. And he built that tree fort and the rest of them,\u201d she says as she grabs a hidden key for the side gate and pushes her way in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That is a serious breach in our defense. \u201cWhere did you get that key? And why hide it there?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBodvar made one at Aldam\u2019s forge and he hid it there for us to use,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat clever little fox,\u201d I say.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She snorts a laugh as we head through the streets and alleys of Stormfront until we head into the Hall. Mother attacks us immediately. \u201cSvala, where have you been? I\u2019ve been worried sick. And Bothvar, you\u2019re all dirty. Are those leaves in your beard? And there\u2019s a twig coming out of your hair! What have you two been doing?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNothing mother,\u201d Svala says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNothing at all,\u201d I add.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou need to take a bath. Semet. Come here please,\u201d mother says as the slave rushes over.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She stands up straight in front of my mother with a look of admiration for the woman. \u201cWill you do me a big favor and make sure my son takes a bath? Drag him to the bathhouse by his dirty beard if you must. He smells like shit and is about to be out at sea for only gods know how long, and I want to make sure he at least gets one good bath beforehand.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Semet nods emphatically. \u201cYes, my lady. I will do as you ask. He will not go to bed until he has a bath.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mother smiles and nods. \u201cI can always count on you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Semet grabs my arm and practically drags me out of the hall and into the bathhouse. \u201cI saved your food for you, by the way. It is in your room.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThanks,\u201d I mumble. I\u2019m so tired. I could fall asleep standing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd thank you for earlier. I appreciate what you did for me,\u201d she says as she looks up at me with those sweet, innocent, glowing green eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYeah, sure,\u201d I say as we walk into the bathhouse. She then takes my clothes off. \u201cWoah, what are you doing?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLady Thorkatla asked me to give you a bath,\u201d she says with a sincere expression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI think she just meant for you to make sure I get a bath, not literally bathe me,\u201d I say.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo, her instructions were very clear. Earlier she told me to wash you down even if I have to drag you here myself. I will do exactly as she asks, and I promised her that you wouldn\u2019t sleep until you bathe and I meant it,\u201d she says, fervently nodding her head. Those emerald illuminated eyes were on fire with determination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhy are you so loyal to my mother?\u201d I ask.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBecause she has made me feel at home here. Even though I was but a child, I was to be sold as a slave to the whorehouse in Chillshore so the army and workers could have their share of me. Instead, I was taken by your people, and your mother took me in and treated me like I was one of her children. She protected me against men who\u2019d want to force themselves onto me just like you have, and I can honestly say she truly cares about me. That\u2019s more than what I could ever hope for. Besides, she gave me a friend in Arngunn. A woman who became the closest thing I\u2019ve ever known to a sister. I\u2019ve been quite lost without her,\u201d she says as her eyes drift away, full of a hopeless sadness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I nod. \u201cI understand.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She turns away from me and takes off her clothes. My eyes go wide as I stare at her tight little behind before I quickly turn around. Why did she just get naked? \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I turn my head in her direction. \u201cYou\u2019re naked.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIsn\u2019t that what a bathhouse is for? I can\u2019t go in there with my clothes on,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI guess you are right, I don\u2019t know what I was thinking,\u201d I say as I try not to stare at her beautiful naked body. It just feels wrong staring at her. My heart belongs to Arngunn and always will. She was one of Arni\u2019s closest friends. I can\u2019t be ogling at this woman, no matter how beautiful she is. One day I will die and be reunited with Arngunn. I do not want my reunion to be tainted by sleeping with another woman, especially a woman who was so close to Arni.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She takes my hand and leads me into the pool of water. I\u2019m pushed down on the bench as she takes a cloth and wipes down my skin. \u201cYour mother is very worried about you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I look up into those compassionate green eyes. \u201cShe thinks you\u2019re drowning in the loss of those who\u2019ve passed away.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd what do you think?\u201d I ask.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She pauses as she looks into my eyes. \u201cArngunn is a woman worth losing yourself in. I owe her much and valued her kindness, and I miss her so much. I can\u2019t imagine how hard it has been for you. It has certainly been hard for me. After she died, I was lost. I still am, but your mother took me back and has been helping me come to terms. She said that keeping your mind busy helps lessen the pain of loss. So, I\u2019ve been trying my best to stay busy. To be of use, but it is hard.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She bites her lip as she closes her eyes. Then she opens them to meet mine. “I don\u2019t know how you do it. You keep fighting on and on while staying so loyal to her. All I can think about is how much it hurts without her. She was my entire life. I don’t know what to do without her. Your mother told me to tend to you. She said maybe we can help each other\u2019s hearts live again.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She then continues to wash me, pausing with every scar she comes across. The look of worry burdens her eyes. \u201cIs that why you are here? To help my heart live again?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIf that is what you wish. I would certainly be willing to try,\u201d she says as she kneels down to wash my calves and feet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI don\u2019t think there is anything you can do to help with that. My heart is Arngunn\u2019s and always will be. I don\u2019t think I can give my broken heart to another. There’s nothing left of it. At least not in my chest. It’s in Arni’s hands. One day I will be reunited with her and finally feel it beating back in my chest. I won\u2019t let myself go astray with another and taint our reunion,\u201d I say as I peer into her eyes to make sure she understands. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
She nods, avoiding my gaze. \u201cI understand and I admire that. You\u2019re a good man, Bothvar. It pains me knowing I might not see her again if I\u2019m not allowed into the halls of your gods.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I chew on my lip as I remember what I told her when we were just children the day father brought her back from raiding. I told her that her parents were in Niflheim suffering because they were not of our faith and they would never be in the halls of the gods. How could I say such things? I was such a fool boy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She finishes washing me in silence before we dry off and walk back to the hall without speaking. Before we walk in, I take her hand and look into those glowing, green eyes. \u201cNo one knows for certain what may come after this life. Who knows, maybe you will find your place next to Arni and me, wherever it may be. I hope that is true.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She smiles and hugs me. I hesitantly wrap my arms around her and hold her for a long time before we break apart. She wipes the tears from her cheeks before we walk back in. “And Semet, you’re more than welcome to stay in my room while we’re out at sea. If anyone gives you trouble for it, tell my mother. I’ll speak with her before I go.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She nods, biting her lip as her face blooms red. Then we head inside. I eat the food she left me in my room before I finally get some sleep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
—<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As morning finally comes, I am up and ready. We\u2019ve made the last checks and are all ready to set out. I say my farewell to my family. My mother pulls me into her arms as if I were a little boy once more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My father gives me a hug even a bear couldn\u2019t match. \u201cJust remember this, son. When the fighting begins, look east and you will find relief.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Once again, my father loves to leave his last words in riddles. I nod and act as if I know exactly what he\u2019s talking about.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Svala tries to act tough, but tears stroll down her eyes. She relents and buries herself into my chest. I pat her head and whisper into her ear. \u201cJust one more season and you\u2019ll be joining me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That gets a smile. \u201cYou just wait, brother. I\u2019ll be the greatest Viking there is and I will make you proud.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI don\u2019t doubt it,\u201d I say with a smile as Thormar trails behind me. My mother doesn\u2019t seem to want to let him go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My Aunt Sigvor gives me another big hug. \u201cTake care of yourself and make sure you wear the protection we\u2019ve made. I will not see you harmed. Got it?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I nod and smile. She returns it. \u201cGood. Watch after your brother and make sure my sister does nothing stupid. Ingithora has always been such a risk taker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I laugh and nod. I look around but don\u2019t see the little one. \u201cWhere is Thora?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The others look around as well, but then I spot her. She staggers over under the weight of three giant packs. \u201cWait for me! I\u2019m coming and you can\u2019t stop me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIf she\u2019s coming, so am I,\u201d Svala says as she turns to go back to the hall but is stopped by my mother.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I roll my eyes, but a laugh escapes my lips. \u201cNeither of you are old enough to come. Besides, who will stay to watch after the old folks? Someone needs to keep them on their toes and make trouble.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thora drops her packs. \u201cBut\u2026 It is my destiny. I\u2019m supposed to be a Viking, just like my father. Besides, you need me! Who\u2019s going to make sure you don\u2019t do stupid things?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I sigh as I walk up to the little girl and kneel down. \u201cThora. You know I can\u2019t take you with me. Not yet. You\u2019re nearly there. Just be patient. You still need to learn and grow before you can come. But don\u2019t worry. There will be plenty more raids that you can conquer. You are destined to be a great Viking, but not yet. Besides, someone needs to stay here and keep Svala company. She needs you, and so do your grandfather and grandmother. And don\u2019t forget about Aunt Sigvor. They all need you. You have to stay here and protect them. Okay?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She wipes her tears away. \u201cBut I want to go with you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I take a breath and pat her head. \u201cI know. I wish you could come too, and one day you will come with me, but not this day. Will you do me a favor?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She shrugs. \u201cWhat favor?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWill you stay here and look after our family? Protect them and make sure they do not do stupid things. Will you do that for me?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She looks over at them before meeting my eyes. She nods. \u201cI guess so. I suppose I can do that. But I swear, you better take me next time. Okay?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know about next time, but if you train really hard and prove to me you are ready, maybe we\u2019ll see. Will that be, okay?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She sighs. \u201cI guess.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I smile and mess up her hair. \u201cGood. Now do not get lazy and weak while I am gone. And don\u2019t let Svala laze around either. The both of you practice your fighting and force the old man to teach you his secret ultimate tactics. Maybe if you learn enough, we can make exceptions.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cReally?\u201d she asks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I nod.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOkay. I promise Svala and I will work so hard that we\u2019ll finally beat you when you get back.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I smile and nod. \u201cI don\u2019t believe it, but I hope you prove me wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She leaps into my chest and gives me a hug. \u201cI will, I promise.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I see Svala catch Thormar with a good knee to the thigh as they break apart from a hug, nearly dropping him, and I snicker before I whisper something into Thora\u2019s ear. A wide grin appears on her face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thormar recovers and gets a hug from Sigvor before he goes to Thora. He\u2019s very weary at this point and hesitates to give her a hug. Thora, on the other hand, puts on a very innocent baby face, pushing out her bottom lip. \u201cI\u2019m going to miss you, Uncle Thorma. Are you going to bring me back a gift? Bothvar said he will.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOf course, I will,\u201d he says with a smile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She nods approvingly. \u201cGood, now give me a hug!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He leans down and gives her a hug, but just as they break apart, she gives him a swift kick to the jewels and drops him. Both Svala and I burst out laughing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBothvar! Seriously?\u201d Mother says with a look that could put a draugr back into its grave.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I only shrug. Then I pick up Thormar from the ground. \u201cCome on, little brother. We have to be off.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We board the ship, and I take a roll call. Once I\u2019m sure everyone is here, including the Wolf pup who has seen fit to bring his little cat pet. We set sail with Koll, Einar, and Throst\u2019s ships at our side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I catch Thormar looking back as both Svala and Thora stand at the end of the docks. Then something I don\u2019t expect happens. Thora leaps into the water, sending my heart into my throat. \u201cThora!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Suddenly she emerges on the back of one of those whales. The black and white killers of the sea and it races up next to us. \u201cWhat in the name of the gods, girl!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The men are all wide-eyed as they watch her, just as stunned as I am. Even mother, father, and Sigvor scramble to the end of the docks with the jaws dragging at their feet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I hear whispers among my men. All seem to say the same thing. The Daughter of the Sea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I shout at her. \u201cThora. What are you doing?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI want to see you off.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGo back, you crazy little girl.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAhhh, but\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo buts! Have your whale take you back!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOkay\u2026 Come on, Kyki, let\u2019s go back to the docks,\u201d she says, patting the whale on the back. It turns around and heads back to the docks. That crazy girl. I watch in amazement as she\u2019s delivered to the docks. She says something to the whale before she\u2019s pulled off by my father and mother. That\u2019s when I notice there are several other whales following behind. They start to follow us. How can she do that? She talks to them as if they were people and they listen. She truly is the Daughter of the Sea, but what does that mean?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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