A day and night had passed, Skafi had shown his skill with the sling many times, "Truly fadir, I hit the Orc in the head and the rock bounced to the others face!" Whunjo nodded mildly, "Hrm-hrm.. and where are Tiw.. Hermod? Your modir did not have them with him." Skafi smiled, "They're with grandmother! Modir wanted us away, .. an evil mann would come from the mountains to steal our crops and she said they needed us to protect Sjunnaz and grandmother. Luckily we did! Wouldn't want to know what had happened if I had not saved Sjunnaz and the girls..!" Whunjo's brow folded painfully, a stab he felt at the thought that he should've been there. Then the chief in him added thoughts of more Orcs so close , capable to bypass the guards in the forest... in fact it was good a reason as any to return to the village before heading to the farm. "We go to the great hall first and fetch the boys. Tonight I want everyone together." Skafi hopped on a root and ran along it's length balancing across the slippery wood.., "Will you go away again fadir?.. I mean.."
Skafi jumped right in front of his sire and looked up at him, "We missed you. We all did, Hagalaz doesn't admit it but she does. Actually only Sjunnaz admits it now that I think of it.., but each time the others were in the open fields they would look to the mountains waiting for you fadir!" The man wrapped an arm around his son's head and pulled him closer, the boy swung his arms around him with a sob, "No. Uncle will fight our wars for now. I will stay. Are my men still around in the village?" Skafi didn't look up and wiped at his face with his sleeve, "Hmph.. most left.. it has been so long that you have been away.. Many did not think you would ever come back! But nobody at home believed it!"
They followed the path that only they could see through the bushes and ferns, until the forest was eventually behind them and the walls came in sight. Whunjo was pleased with the activity in the village. A lot had changed, but more had stayed the same, it had been a prosperous year it seems. And efforts to clothe everyone seemed to have paid off. Every man that had passed his ritual of manhood bore now the trademarked shouldercloak of orange dyed wool over his shoulders. There were far less people without shoes too, that was new. Everyone greeted Whunjo and Skafi with satisfaction in their eyes.
The both of them were even halted by a throng of young girls, all their eyes were on Skafi as a single one of them came forward. Her slim belly forward , her chin not leaving her chest as she held something behind her back. Skafi seemed confused, Whunjo held up a face of supreme indifference. Then she showed a wildflower and handed it to Skafi before running back to the other girls and with snickers, giggles and encouraging words they ran off. Skafi glanced at the flower and looked up, "Hmm.. typical girls eh fadir?" Whunjo nodded with what should've been meant as a serious frown, even if he was trying hard not to just laugh, "Yes son.. you better keep that flower. Do not show it to your modir yet though.." "If you say so fadir..", Skafi sighed before sticking it carefully in his leather pouch.
Then they came upon the wooden hall, the carvings were the same as ever. Apparently they had received a new coat of resin. The smell of pine still heavy on the wind. Ulfrid was sitting there, sharpening his sword and giving the impression of a paid thug moreso than the champion of the tribe. The man looked at his swordbrother's son and grandson, "Gentlemen..", he remarked. "Who are you calling gentle!? I felled my first two Orcs not long ago!" "Oh! Two Orcs!?", Ulfrid said with mock amazement, "Heard of it.. one had a limp and the other was THIS..", he held his hand even till below his knee, "..small!" "Nuh uh! They were HUGE!!", the boy rose up his hands high and made the effort to go on his tiptoes, "Even taller than that!!" "Gooood! So your fadir can rest assured then having such a good fighter in the house!" "Joah!" Whunjo laid a hand on his sons head and reached out to clasp Ulfrid's lower arm.. a gesture returned. "The chief's wife.." Ulfrid's eyes widened, "I know you've been on quite the adventure, but now you're just pushing your luck! Hah! Those old crones will talk on and on till your head comes off!" Skafi snickered.. Whunjo nodded.., "Hrm-hrm.. I have my brave fighter with me!" "Hrahrahhrah!! Then go in there and good luck, be sure to close the door behind you!"
Whunjo and Skafi entered, immediately spears were crossed to bar their entrance, "No man is permitted here at this hour! Be on your way!!", a broad woman said, easily Whunjo's weight. Her round face red and stern! The other one did not look less impressive! However this was not what irked Whunjo.. "Look fadir.. drawn weapons in our hall!" "I see son, .. woman, who gives you right to bear naked iron in a great hall? You believe yourself above costum and respect?!"
The women did not even flinch, "Lady Magodav orders it and her word is will!! Now be away before we will make use of these spears!
Both father and son were forced out, the door shut behind them and Ulfrid was sitting there snickering humorlessly, "I see you met our friendly ladies. As dutiful as they are fat, hreheh!" "It's wrong! They can not just have weapons there like that!" Whunjo grabbed Ulfrid by the shoulder, "Why did Tunaraz allow this?" Ulfrid shrugged, "He didn't, in fact I was just waiting here for his return. He's been off hunting with Forseti today, deer.. or Orc. I got a handful of boys nearby to call when we have to show these women the door. "My modir knows this? Is she even in there?" Ulfrid nodded, "None knows why she permits it. And I dare not just try to force my way in lest something is going wrong in there. "Fadir, let me climb up.. it's not hard with all the works in the wall. I can go see if grandmother is fine." Whunjo seemed hesitant, Ulfrid bemused. "Hgrn.. good, but do not tell your modir and.. listen to what they say joah?" The boy smiled, "I will fadir!"
Skafi practically leaped on the roof, so fast he went. His lean legs swiftly bringing him to the back of the hall. He pushed a board aside, which he had sawn loose with Woede some time ago. Beneath the place was dark, but there was clamour of female voices he heard his grandmother speak.
"Ladies Hildrun, Magodav, Freske, Elskaz and Hrivalde", Skafi's grandmother said apparently dying from boredom, "I understand that you all will have fairly little to complain about if we solve this problem, however it will help our people a great deal. Especially our young girls! I will leave everyone their last say before I end this council!"
"Little to complain about!!?", shrieked Hrivalde hystericly, an old fat woman with two braided buns on either side of her head, garbed in a noble's outfit that would've given an outward impression of composure, "My husband off on a far away battlefield leaving me with only a paltry number of his useless guards to protect us? That's a good thing for our girls?!", she trembled and unbeknownst to eachother Skafi and his grandmother both thought in chorus, "You spoiled old selfish brat."
Hildrun on the other hand looked like she wrestled bears for sport and according to stories of her husband that may not have been just a rumor, "I agree with Hrivalde, sure the men will go off and wage war and what will we do then? Sit at home, wait for their success? Hah! I say let the women go with the men! ALL of them! How hard can war really be?!", her red hair hung in great braids from her head and she laughed proudly! "I have shot hares in the fields when on the run, speared a boar during a hunt once too! This will be of no long concern to us! We can leave the fields unworked for that long!"
Skafi kept observing, he saw how grandmother held her hand before her eyes..she couldn't bear to see that display.. as she lowered her hand she looked at Freske, a young innocent thing born from a wealthy family. Hardly experienced at life, most spent at a hearth knitting socks, learning songs and gossiping. She seemed very out of place and insecure. "I uh..", she said fretfully in her high beautiful voice.. First sparing a glance Hildrun and Hrivalde in turn, "I think that .. the men should do their thing and.. the women should ehm.. do their own thing too!", she bumped her fist on the table and hurt herself in the process. Grandmother seemed to smile at the girl, "Thank you sweetheart.", she said compassionately.
Elskaz was next, she was a golden haired beauty in a rugged working type sort of way. Her healthy round cheeks dotted with freckles and her yet pretty though cracked lips spoke.. A very matter of fact look was in her blue eyes, "I loathe to see the men go off. We know what'll happen. Bandits will smell opportunity, try to abduct some of the women, they'll destroy half of what they can't steal and who knows if it really is as bad as the rider Habuk once said to my grandfather. Then is it not best to sit out the storm with our men together and if this is to be our last season on this earth so be it?
Grandmother shook her head, "Nonono.. you speak true Elskaz, but.. we KNOW all will be lost if the tribes do not unite and go off to battle. The risk of banditry we must accept, perhaps we will find measures to deal with those. It will be a long war. Lady Magodav your final word?"
She had been sitting there quietly observant, her dark hair to chin's height and her eyes darkened with soot of some sort. There was a danger written in her stare, someone who knew what she was capable of and not afraid to show it. Yet she was cultured in her appearance and calm in the moment. Her deep voice rang out, "I've heard of the tribal councils , the threat the easterlings have dare to bring to this very hall. I know that all chieftains within three week's march from either side of Honungmaerc will join in a coalition. She was silent.. pondering..,
"What will it be Magodav? What will the women of the tribes commit to? Hrivalde and Elskaz vote to keep the men at home and stay at home.. Freske suggests us to let each do as they see fit.. Hildrun clamours for the men and women to go to war.."
Magodav straightened her back and proud pushed her chest forward, "I will clamour for the men to go to war..." Hrivalde whimpered, Elskaz frowned while balling a fist.. Freske stooped her shoulders and looked like a hare in a fox' den, Hildrun seemed on the verge of grinning.. , "But I will say the womenfolk must stay at home. We will demand that our capable girls will learn the art of combat those that haven't yet and keep a skeletoncrew of warveterans at home to oversee these efforts and to maintain a presence against robbers and bandits. Let the shieldmaidens do as they see fit or as their oaths decree in the meantime."
Grandmother nodded quietly. All eyes were upon her now as she was to make the verdict, "Very well." She stood up, "This is the decree by which we vow to leave.
The men will be free to go to war with the women's blessing, but a crew of veterans must remain in each village to secure the safety of everyone!
The shieldmaidens follow their hearts and oaths.
The womenfolk will stay at home, they will prepare for war by arms and they will harvest.
Do we all agree?"
There was a moment of silence..indecision among them. Only Magodav rose her hand proudly and Freske sheepishly.
"We can not have it all ladies..", grandmother added, "DO. WE. ALL. AGREE?"
With reluctance the other women did raise their hands, only Hrivalde felt the need to pettily push over her cup and spill her drink all over the table and floor before storming off.
Grandmother went to sit in her chair with relief, "Finally.., you may all go to your residences." "Oh almost forgot. Those that want there is as I heard a few new merchants that have never been here before performing all sorts of feats. It should provide some entertainment during your stay."
A yawn could be heard and Skafi recognised his brother Hermod, "Granny.. can we finally go outside now? We've played this boardgame like three times in a row now.." "Hmp? Oh sorry my boys.. you can go-" A shriek went through the hall! The others looked surprised or startled, only Magodav in a moment of wonder suddenly smirked to herself in understanding.
The gates were swung open and there stood Ulfrid and Whunjo fists balled and hands on the hilts of their weapons! The curtain that had obscured the view of what happened in the back of the hall now pushed aside and there Hrivalde sat on her backside on the floor, "Weapons in the hall!!", she screamed, completely out of her wits!
Whunjo could see his mother rushing in, "Magodav, those are your warriors, what's the meaning of this!" She appeared and calmly looked down at Hrivalde holding her pearl necklace and breathing through her panic! "Ah.. yes.. I apologize. Since the departure of my husband I have been responsible for managing the warriors. I felt this was a good precaution .. now I remember the costum.
"We do not speak lightly of this Magodav! Fueds have started for less!" Magodav looked at her warriors and laid her own arms smoothly over eachother, "I believe you are correct. I am in your debt. Allow me to repay it by leaving a garrison of warriors at your disposal with a hostage? Whunjo and Ulfrid shared a glance, knowing something was meant behind this.
Skafi came running from behind Whunjo, seeing his grandmother ask just that, "We can use extra men..and a suitable hostage would prevent them from turning swords on their host, I suppose. Since they have the gall to wield weapons in my husbands hall as if they own it I can't put it past them! Very well, I accept! Which hostage though?! Magodav looked positively playful and cast a feline glance at Whunjo. "Myself..", she said with a slightly feral grin..
Skafi leaned towards his father, patting him against the leg.. Whunjo lowered his ear, "Girls are weird.."
"Hrm-hrm.."
