"Your father did not know," Freke whispered comfortingly in my ear, "he would never have made you leave if he did."

"I know," I muttered, "it is the very reason why Brokk came to us in the first place. My father trusts him and his intention to make me a better warrior."

"Who knows, Brokk might accomplish that in the process," the wolf teased.

"I am a good fighter, Freke," I snapped, not in the mood for their jokes, "but as I joined, so did my entire Hird. Their lives, as well as yours and mine, are in the hands of a mad man."

"They are warriors Tyr, they knew what they were getting themselves into when they joined."

A man who had been one of my father's advisors for many years sat close to us and decided to speak his mind on the matter. "That is true, my Lord. We are all warriors, old and young, men and women. We will follow you into battle for sure. You can calm yourself by knowing that our lives are not in your hands but in the hands of the Valkyrie."

"Thank you, Faste," I said and gave him a faint smile, "but that does not give me a reason to make poor decisions."

The older man laughed at that and added, "you are smart, take advantage of the friends you have brought with you. We have your back, unlike Brokk who's only follower is his overpowering greed."

Brokke had left us alone for the last couple of hours. The sun was setting and someone had recently called out the sight of land. My lover sat cuddled up to my chest, warming me with their body which radiated more heat than mine even in their human form.

"I won't let anything happen to you," I whispered and pulled them closer.

"Tyr, my love. You know I can take care of myself," they chuckled, "when I shift into my true form my body heals from injuries much faster than yours. My muscles are stronger and my magic is sharper than your sword," they kissed my lips once then leaned back to study me, "I am more worried about you."

I nodded once and licked my dry lips, pained by the salty air. "We will hear his plan, but if it's too reckless we will make our own."

"And go against him?" Freke sniggered, "who would have thought?" they said sarcastically.

"Most of them are loyal to me or my father, they will listen to me," I insisted.

"I know, that's not the problem as I see it."

"And what is the problem then, oh mighty vitki of the wolves," I teased and gained a hit in my chest for it.

"He will try to kill you," they said with a far too serious tone, "he's too proud to go back to Bildsfell and your father's hall without a ship filled with riches, and if we fail I believe he'll try to get rid of all witnesses of his failures."

I chuckled at their predicament, but deep down I knew they were on the right path in their assumptions. "I hear you think highly of my dearest uncle."

Freke shrugged and rose to their feet, holding out a hand for me to grab. And as soon as I stood beside them they leaned into my ear and whispered, "I enjoy his company so much I'm considering the fact that maybe his wife begged the raiders to take her with them to escape her husband's foul breath."

I laughed dryly as I walked down the Longship towards the man we both despised. "So tell us your plans Brokk, what will we expect as we enter their shore?"

He turned to look at me with a smug grin on his face. "So now you want to listen?"

"Do I really have a choice, Uncle?" I asked and leaned against the ship to get a better look of the shoreline. It resembled our own, back home, stone and trees. No settlements as far as my eyes could see.

"We'll make camp here," he said, pointing to the north, "we'll rest, sharpen our weapons, then leave on foot. It's half a day's march to reach their town."

"Their town?" A man I knew as Egil asked, "that sounds much bigger than we are prepared for," he insisted. And to prove a point, he glanced nervously at the twenty five men and women who currently rested around us.

"It sure does," Freke agreed behind me, "but I'm sure our brave Jarl-to-be has a plan on how to tear down their walls and conquer the mighty halls of Hroksholt."

"I do," the man said with burning eyes filled with detestation, "and I am looking straight at it."

I could feel the air leave my lungs as Brokk took a step towards Freke and I instantly moved to block his path. The bigger man eyed me up and down with hatred flashing in his eyes, but was clever enough not to pick a fight with me. Instead he showed exactly how he felt about me by spitting on the flooring of the ship right in front of me.

"Why do you think I let my nephew bring his disgusting pet?" He hissed, "Freke will find a way to get us inside."

⇷ ⥈⥈⥈⥈⥈ ⥇

My feet landed in the water as we jumped ashore to push the ship on land. The weather was colder here as we had travelled north. We had been sailing for seventeen days and nights, stopping only a few times to get more fresh water and hunt for fresh meat.

And now, as we had arrived at our destination, I couldn't push away the longing for my hometown. It was that time of year for the farmers to plough the lands and prepare it for crops, and the priestess would perform a sacrifice to the Gods to gain their blessing in hope for a good harvest.

Spring also meant travellers and traders would pass through, which always was exciting since they usually brought news from other villages and even other countries. Like all the young boys and girls I had loved to sit by my father's feet to listen to their tales, and I had to admit that I still did.

Finally I wondered if my wife missed me, if she still felt sick in the mornings. I could only hope that my sister helped her feel at home, because even if I did not love the woman, I was not a cruel man. I cared for her and I felt respect towards her, and I knew she probably felt the same for me.

As my thoughts wandered I could not help but think that I might never see my home again or my unborn child. One ship and twenty five warriors was enough to raid a small village like my own. But Brokk had left out the part that Hroksholt was a big town with towers and wooden fences. If we had known this we would have gathered at least four more ships.

The simple truth was, if we had known of Brokk Stoneheart's plans, none of us would have joined him. Not even with a bigger amount of ships. This was madness, and we all knew it.

"What is your plan, Tyr?" A female voice asked me low to my side. I peered at her and recognised her as Liv, one of the shieldmaidens.

"Not now," I whispered back and nodded towards Brokk who was close enough to hear us. She gave me a firm nod, and a look that told me she would be on my side if I decided to stand against my uncle. She probably thought I already had a plan. Now I just needed to look convincing which would give me and Freke some time to actually make one.

Ten of the men and women started to cut down a few trees as soon as we stepped on shore, creating shelter from the wind and a spot to cook our meals. Others gathered firewood, some went to scout the area and hunt some dinner at the same time.

I walked amongst them and updated myself on their status, most of them seemed happy to trade the boat for solid ground. But at the same time I knew they were less than pleased with the reason for our long trip.

When I had the opportunity to talk to some of them in private, I found out that most of them were displeased with how Brokk had planned it all. They were all waiting for me to take action.

I left them working on our camp to find Freke under a tree with closed eyes. They wore fresh markings painted with blood on their face. I noticed burning dried herbs in a wooden bowl in their lap, smoke rising towards their relaxed face. Knowing they were on their way to enter the realm of the Gods I sat down gently beside them to guard their body from anyone who'd dare to approach them.

While lulled by their calm breathing and watching the others work, I overheard my lovers silent prayers;

Spirit of the wolf,

You who wanders the wild lands.

You who stalks in silent shadows.

You who run and leap between the moss covered trees.

Lend me your primal strength.

And the wisdom of your glowing eyes.

Teach me to relentlessly track my desires.

And to stand in defence of those I love

Show me the hidden paths and the moonlit fields.

Fierce spirit.

Walk with me in my solitude.

Howl with me in my joy.

Guard me as I move through this world.

As their lips stopped moving I knew they were waiting for an answer and I knew it might take all night. The spirits and the Gods always seemed to have too much time on their hands, never considering time was of the essence down here in Midgard. So I took the opportunity to close my eyes and rest my body, before the upcoming storm.