Valhalla Unleashed

One: Healing Wounds-3

“Sit down, my love. We have much to discuss.” Sitting at the table, Kenna straightened out her dress and neatly placed her hands in her lap. “We are in need of new allies. We have fallen from our Jarls good graces. Steinar no longer receives our messengers nor does he accept our tribute.” Kenna turned her head to one side seeming perplexed.

“Perhaps he is dead,” she exclaimed. Rurik smiled, reaching into his waist, he slowly produced a knife that he used to whittle at the table.

“If only that were true. Then our troubles would surely be at an end, but I fear that they have just begun. Even our neighboring Chieftains will not send word of their loyalty. We have been cutoff with only the snow and ice to protect us now. I believe what the Seer is saying is that it's time to make peace with your father and ask him for his help. It's been a long time Kenna, old wounds will heal.” Kenna pursed her lips and clenched her jaw.

“After the dishonor, I caused, you expect me just to saunter into his hall and have him accept me with open arms?” I was puzzled as I had never met my mother's father before. I just assumed he had perished in the raids long ago.

“Mother, of what dishonor do you speak?” I asked. Kenna's eyes were stern and cold. She turned to Rurik for some guidance on how to respond to my question.

“It's alright dear. I think it's time you tell the boy the truth. He's a man, he can handle it,” Rurik said calmly.

“I was hoping it would never come to this my son but it appears your father is out of choices. Long ago when I was just a girl my father Jerrik told me that it was time to be given to a proper suitor. Longships with emissaries came from all the tribes bearing furs, treasure, and riches of every kind to secure my hand. Father sent the emissaries back asking for the suitors to reveal themselves in person to be judged fit. The men came and soon father made a bargain with a Lord in the South Lands.

“I was to wed his son, a much older man named Finn. Finn was a warrior like your father, but unlike Rurik he was cruel and motivated only by his selfish glory. Finn was joined by many men including another I recall seeing standing at the back of my father's hall; a man with a handsome and kind face.

“I just had to meet him before Finn took me away, no matter the cost. One evening I snuck out from my chambers to find him standing watch at their longship. It was love at first sight; we ran away together in the darkness taking only what we could carry. We traveled by foot for many weeks living off the land until finding a small village that took us in. That man was your father, Rurik, who then was known as Tate.” Sitting in astonishment, I did not blink even once.

Clearing my throat I asked, “And all these years, your father has not found you?”

“I think for a time my father and Finn went searching for me, driven by their anger and shame that I had caused. Eventually, they gave up. We stayed here and built a strong community and created new families for us to love and look after.” Kenna wiped a single tear from the left side of her cheek. “Is this truly what you need? If it is I shall do as you wish.” Rurik smiled placing his hand lovingly on Kenna's shoulder.

“Then it is settled. Tomorrow we shall gather a small but bold group of men to escort you on your journey to see Jerrik.” said Rurik.

“You're not coming with me?” protested Kenna.

“Sadly no. We already have too few men. I need to look after our people.”

“So not only must I relive this unpleasantness but I'm being asked to do it alone?” Kenna was on the verge of anger as her eyes began to redden with frustration.

“No, my love, not alone. Audan will accompany you in this quest.” Mother looked at me and shook her head violently.

“Absolutely not! You can't do that. They will look at him as a bastard. They may even try to murder him.” Rurik turned to me pointing with a rigid finger.

“Take your best men, Jareth, Gunnar, anyone you wish. Arm yourselves well and whatever you do, do not separate yourselves under any circumstance. Do you understand?” I nodded sharply.

“I do, Father. I will guard her with my life and the life of our warriors.” Father slapped his hand on my shoulder and smiled widely.

“That's a good lad. I'll make arrangements for you to bring tribute as well. I'm still uncertain on how Jerrik will respond to Kenna's unexpected arrival. Let's hope that a beautiful daughter can melt the ice in an old man's heart.”

“Do you suppose that Finn is still amongst my father's company?” asked Kenna.

“I don't know much about your father other than where his home was the day we left it. If Finn is still alive after all these years surely he has found another woman to call his own. More likely he is drinking in Valhalla.” Kenna stood and leaned into the open arms of Rurik. Stroking her long hair, he said “All will be well, my love. You will see. The gods will protect us.”

“I ask to take my leave, my lord,” said the Seer. Rurik dropped his head and swatted open his hand towards the Seer, dismissing him.

“Audan, I'd like to share a word with you in private if you would honor me.” Without replying, I left Kenna and Rurik to their discussion. Stepping out of the hall, Tibor remained standing guard outside.

“You can head back in Tibor.” Tibor nodded raising his shield and spear slightly as he turned to resume his post. Looking back, I could still see Mother and Father in a warm embrace. Once outside, the cold air greeted my face as I followed the fast footed Seer.

“Are you armed, young man?” he asked.

“Of course, but why do you ask? Are you expecting an attack?” I was suspicious of the Seer's questions.

“No, young Audan, but I carry no weapons so it is wise to keep company that does.” The Seer picked up the pace and moved faster down a sloped grassy hill covered in a thick fog.

“Old man, why are you moving so fast?” The Seer did not respond. “Old man? Do you hear me?” At a light run, we headed towards torches at the edge of our village. “Where are you taking me?” Reaching the torches, the Seer stopped abruptly and slowly turned towards me. “I didn't know you could move like that,” I exclaimed.

“We needed to put distance between our voices and the ears of men.” Something was different about his voice, the raspy tone had vanished and a clearly deep voice was now present.

“Are you well, old man? You sound strange to me.”

“Of what old man do you refer?” The Seer lifted his arm and gently removed his cloak revealing his never before seen appearance. I braced myself to see the rumored grotesque features of the Seer's face. Slowly raising his head, I could see a long grey beard, hair that extended passed his shoulders and as his gaze met mine, astonishment came over me when I beheld a familiar missing eye that contained the stars of the night time sky.

“Odin…”