It was the last days of winter, outside the mist receded as the sun reached up high in the sky, it was noon. The birds sang their songs together and bathed in the slowly flowing river near the great wooden hall that the Northmen call Jarnsalr. Within it's structure a hearth was lit, casting shadows upon the many carvings of monsters, animals and heroes depicted in patterns of knotted figures interacting with eachother. Wunjo looked around himself at the work that must have taken great ability and love to create, he was pleased yet it also made him somewhat homesick. He held back any incoming memories as his eyes fell upon those whom he joined in this fine hall!
A young girl with fair hair come up to him, perhaps fifteen winters?.. She offered him a drinking horn filled with mead, he took a sip from the sweet drink, "Froeydis the Drakeling.", he thought to himself. She seemed cultured, learned, her poise was proud and she was very tall for one her age, proving to be her mother's child indeed. She walked off towards the others, offering another horn to Kenaz, with whom she shared her age. Kenaz took two horns, her hair the hue of the setting sun, her garb of leather and furs stuck to her, rather practical than to look pretty as the dresses most wealthy women would favor over it. Yet then, she was perhaps rather feral and more open with her emotions and thoughts towards men. She turned and offered one of the horns to a man sitting on the floor, freshly stitched up from wounds recieved at a struggle with goblins earlier that day. His hair was fair, and while he did not hail from the north, his ancestors had done so once as he claimed himself a man from the horselords of legend. He was in a foul mood indeed, for his pride was hurt as Kenaz protected him rather then the other way around. It seems the many poems he loved so, were not always holding on to the truth.
Finally there was a final one in the hall, a hulking man with wild black hair drapped over the soft furs covering the floor. Laying asleep like a baby. It never ceased to amaze Wunjo how his brother Uruz could go from berserking his way through a pack of goblins to laying there so peacefull, he gave the big man a slap on the shoulder, he grunted and then Froeydis spoke as she sat herself upon the throne that was decorated with many fine hunting trophies.
"I have good news!", she said with the fire of youth burning as bright as the fire illuminating the hall, "I have found another to join us on our travels! A man he is, going by the name of Hasstein, he has proven to me to be very kind." A smile beamed on her face and Kenaz cheered happily! Aegal grunted uninterested. Wunjo had his doubts, "Hrm.. I know of the mann.. he attacked the Spirit Avalhinn I believe, nay?" Froeydis startled a little, "If he did so.. then I shall ask him of it, would you believe him an ill choice to bring along?" Wunjo snorted, " I do not aim to withhold any to join from this journey, but if this one shall come with us.. I would rather not see him raise blade on any of the Spirits,.. before we are all certainly doomed!" She nodded, "Avalhinn is not of this earth, she affects men and women in all manner of ways, let us speak to him of it." Wunjo grunted and smiled a little, "Very well.. Now I also bring news, for I have brought friends for this journey also! Two to come along!" He would gesture for Kenaz.. then at Uruz! .. "Aegal will come also!", Kenaz quickly added!
She would sweep her gaze upon the others and spoke, "I'm glad to hear so, I will welcome you all then!! For we shall need as much wit and strength as we can muster!"
((to be continued)
