Back home

My mind runs at lightning speed. I shove the horror of the situation to the back of my mind, to focus on what I need to do. There’s time to be horrified and potentially grieve later. Right now, those soldiers will be asking who I am and where I live, and threatening anybody who won’t say. They’ll try to track me down, and it’s only a matter of time before they find me.

I have to get out of town.

My resolve hardens and my mind slows a little. I have a goal, and that’s good enough to work on for the time being. I arrive home and wrench open the door, sprinting inside and shutting it behind me. ‘Father!’ I yell.

I hear a stirring from his bedroom and I run to it, opening the door. He leaps out of bed as I open the door, hefting his axe from where it rests, beside the night stand.

'I need to get out of here. Soldiers came to the mead hall and they accused Bjørn, Svengal and I of treason. They were going to execute us. I escaped but Bjørn and Svengal...' I gasp as I think about what happened. 'Father, I left them behind! I didn't...I shouldn't have...'

He puts a hand on my shoulder. 'There's nothing you could have done Ivar. They were armed and you were not. And there were more of them than there were of you, weren't there?' I nod.

'Then you were outnumbered and unarmed. If you had fought, you would have perished. It is better that at least you escaped, even if they did not.' He says, his voice and calm demeanor reassuring me. I nod, taking a deep breath. 'They'll be here soon.' I say. He nods.

'I'll buy you some time. Where are you going to go?' I think for a moment. 'I'm going to travel to Jotunheim. New Ambrosia needs a revolution, and Emperor Christiansen is unfit to rule.' My father smiles. 'It's about time you said that. Go pack what you need. May the Gods favour you.' I embrace him quickly, then go to my bedroom to pack.

I grab the stash of coins I have saved for emergencies. This definitely counts as an emergency. I grab a bedroll, some flint and steel, a few simple tools and some extra clothes for the cold. I pack some food rations and water canteens.

I figure I can buy any food I need, and break the ice to get water from the frozen lakes.

Lastly, I pack some weapons. I arm myself with a few throwing knives, my axe through a loop on my belt, and I balance it out on the other side of my waist with my sword in it's sheath.

'Ivar!' My father calls from the other side of the house. I heft my bag around my back and walk to where he called from. 'Yes father?' 'I have some things for you.' He says.

He hands me a gauntlet. 'Try it on.' I put my right hand through the gauntlet. It feels solid. Protective, as armour should.

'Flex your fingers.' I do so, and to my surprise, a shield builds itself around the gauntlet. 'I like this.' I say, smiling. 'I thought you would. Your mother and I forged it together as a gift for you.' 'Thank you.' I say.

My father reaches up and takes off his pendant of Mjolnir, handing it to me. 'You need this more than I.' He says. I put it on, nodding my head in gratitude. 'One last thing.' He hands me a canvas wrapped package. It's a big package, and I'm not sure if it'll fit in my bag. 'What is it?' I ask, starting to unwrap it. He stops me.

'Open it only when you need it.' He says. 'How will I know when I do?' He smiles again. 'You'll know.' He says. 'Thank you father.' I say. 'Fight well Ivar.' He opens the door for me, and I step outside. I glance back and hold up a hand in farewell. He returns the gesture, and I set off walking.

I think for a moment, before coming to the decision that there’s still more I have to do in Frostbite Falls, before I leave. I walk to Bjørn’s house to tell his family about what happened. It doesn’t take me long, only about 10 minutes walk.

I knock on the door. It opens to reveal Bjørn’s sister, a young woman of 18 by the name of Harmony. I’ve always had a secret thing for her, but never gone for her, because it would be awkward. She’s always been nice to me, and I appreciate her for that.

‘Hey Ivar! Not that I don’t like seeing you, but it’s so late at night! What’s up?’ Harmony asks. Despite the situation, I smile at her. She always manages to put a smile on my face. ‘I need to talk to you and the family. Something’s happened to Bjørn.’ Her face goes from a smile, to a worried frown. ‘Is he okay?’ She asks. ‘I’m not sure.’

As I finish recounting the story, I look to Harmony. She looks at me with a hand over her mouth. I look to Bjørn’s parents. ‘I’m sorry I didn’t do more.’ I say. Bjørn’s father waves away the apology. ‘Don’t be, you couldn’t have done anything more. Where are you going to go now?’ He asks, putting an arm around his wife, who is just staring at the ground, speechless.

‘I’m going to go to Jotunheim and overthrow Christiansen.’ I say with more conviction and confidence than I feel. ‘I’m coming with you!’ Harmony interjects. Her father rounds on her. ‘No, you’re staying here.’

‘Dad! I’m an adult now, I can make my own decisions.’

‘But honey, it’s-’

‘I know it’s dangerous! I’ve been training for a while now, and I can handle myself. Besides, whatever has happened to Bjørn, they need to pay for that. I want the chance to avenge him.’ She says. He looks at me. ‘Ivar?’ I nod slowly.

‘I’ve seen her train. She’s a capable warrior, and I’m going to need all the help I can get.’ I say. He nods. ‘Protect her with your life.’ He says. ‘You have my word.’

Harmony packs her bag quickly, taking a bedroll, more rations, water canteens and her hunting knife. She has her sword in it’s sheath around her waist, along with her bow and quiver around her shoulders. ‘Ready?’ I ask. ‘One second.’ She replies, taking out a pendant of Freyja and hanging it around her neck.

‘Alright, I’m ready.’ Harmony says. She says goodbye to her parents and we walk out the door.

‘Should we go and tell Svengal’s family?’ She asks once we’re walking out of the town. I shake my head. ‘He doesn’t have any remaining family and he lived by himself.’ Harmony looks like she’s about to say something in reply, but is stopped by a voice in the distance.

‘Harmony! Ivar! Wait!’