Chapter Four #2
“’Tis true, Father.” Freya pulled her shoulders back and looked Bj?rn in the eyes.
“None fares as well as I on the seas, no matter how turbulent, and well you know it. So trust in this journey, for if I don’t aid us in safe travels, the gods surely will.
” Fingering the stone around her neck, she gestured at the land.
“And if it becomes unsafe, know that my mother and your beloved wife, as she always has from the afterlife, will lead us to ground where we’ll wait out the storm. ”
Seeming affected by those words above all, Bj?rn’s gaze lingered on her stone before he looked Freya in the eyes again. “Ja?”
“Ja,” Freya assured, saying no more as they gazed at one another for a long moment before, thankfully, Bj?rn nodded once.
“Then you best set sail soon,” Bj?rn said, his voice rough with emotion as he looked at his daughter before turning his attention my way.
“I won’t weigh your boats down much this day, as you must travel swiftly, but more is coming soon to bless you and Freya’s union.
Today, bear furs to warm your tribe and the two of you on your wedding night, and several freshly forged blades, may they protect you and yours always. ”
“As will our wolf furs until we can send more goods,” I vowed, referring to the trunks of furs unloaded the previous evening. “May they keep you as strong and stealthy as the wolf in battle.”
After that, we set to making final preparations and said our goodbyes within the hour.
Although Bj?rn did not embrace Freya, I didn’t miss the emotion in his gaze when he told her to fare well and bear many strong sons.
Her sister didn’t embrace her either, yet she did press something into her hand and exchanged the fondest look I had seen on Tove’s face thus far.
By the time we set out, the storm was closer and the seas rougher, much to Freya’s delight. Or so it seemed, given that the sadness on her face while watching her sister and village fade into the distance was soon replaced with anticipation as she set to helping us navigate.
“It sails well,” she praised at one point, looking over my ship with appreciation as it sliced through the choppy water. “You must have a fine boat builder.”
“Brynhild is,” I agreed.
Freya’s eyebrows swept up. “She’s a woman?”
“She is,” I confirmed. “And has long overseen the building of Dahl ships.”
“They are impressive, indeed.” Freya ran her hand along the boat’s smooth oak. “I look forward to meeting her.”
“And she you.”
A flicker of surprise lit her eyes. “She knows of me, then?”
“My entire tribe knows of you, Freya,” I replied, taken with how she appeared on the sea, her hair vividly red and her amber gaze golden against the frothing dark greens and blues of the water.
How suited she was to it, keeping her balance with ease despite the swaying boat.
“Some remember you from when you visited as a child, and others have heard of your battling. Others still, your seer abilities. ’Tis not every day one comes across a shield-maiden who possesses such gifts. ”
“Gifts I rarely use nowadays,” she warned, troubled where moments before her lovely face had been full of excitement. “’Tis important you understand that and make it clear to your people. I do not divine for anyone.” She shook her head. “Not anymore.”
While curious, we unfortunately had to focus on sailing rather than talking because the weather worsened.
Though the skies darkened, thunder cracked, and rain fell, the shadows that had fallen over Freya’s face at our discussion lifted, and excitement once again sparkled in her eyes.
She clearly relished the ruthless sea, gusty winds, and the challenge of keeping afloat.
While some manned the rudder, others rowed while Freya, I, and a few others worked the sails.
“We may have no choice but to go ashore soon, Soren,” one of my men roared above the elements when it became impossible to speak normally.
He was right. We would soon be unable to make it past the breakers to go ashore. Truth told, it might already be too late.
“There’s still time,” Freya yelled over the booming thunder.
As drenched as the rest of us, her wet hair was plastered to her head and her fur cloak sodden, yet she appeared unfazed when she looked at me and shook her head.
“The winds are shifting to the south. Row hard away from the shore and then let the sails do more of the work than the oarsmen. ’Tis a safer option than trying to navigate inland at this point. The waters are too unstable.”
I looked from the skies to the slant of the rain to the height of the waves, gauging her accuracy. Though it was risky, she was right. We could do it, but we would need to act swiftly, so I gave the orders, and we headed away from the coast.
Grinning, she took up an oar, impressing my men with her willingness to go where she was needed and row just as hard as anyone else.
Staying with the sail, I waved at the other ships to follow suit, and we continued braving the turbulent waters until the winds did just as she had predicted.
Lifting most of our oars, we raised another sail only for the ship to lurch south, caught by sure winds that gave us good speed against the waves.
I could not help but smile when Freya tossed back her head and laughed, giving us a glimpse of the infamous Helvig berserker.
And Odin above, she was glorious when she smiled.
When she laughed, and the throaty sound carried on the wind, I joined in her laughter, because it felt good.
Good to laugh with her, enjoying the wild ride every bit as much.
And it only got better from there…until she asked me the last thing I wanted to hear later that day. Something that I would undoubtedly struggle to heed.