Sail back to the castle.

Once the Beathans have paid sufficient respect to their departed relatives, you head back to the dock. You feel less queasy on the return journey, though the frigid northern air seems that much more cutting after your brief reprieve from it.

As your group scatters, to see to their myriad duties, you catch Kara by the wrist.

“I'm here for you, Kara.” you tell her. “Anything you need.”

“Though certain things more than others, aye?” the redhead smirks. You shrug, but make no effort to deny it.

“That... might have tae wait until later tonight. There's much tae do before we celebrate our takin' the castle back.” the princess tells you.

“Such as?”

“I'm keen on speakin' to Siggi more, without Donald. Lad could be a valuable source of information, if we handle it right.” Kara states.

“He's defeated, what could he possibly tell you?” you ask, limping after the redhead, travelling back into the castle proper.

“I want more information on Einar. Deanian society bein' as insular as it as, we don't know much about him. What little we do is facts mixed wi' tall tales, legend.” Kara explains.

“I can see why that might be useful.” you concede. “The man is waging war on you, after all.”

Moving with purpose, Kara strides over to a nearby officer, and asks him where Siggi is being held. Pointed in the direction of the vanquished jarl's cell, she continues on, leaving you to hobble after her.

“Speaking of which, Einar's not the only king of Dean, right?” you ask. “Why's only one of them going after you?”

“That's right. Dean's a bit... looser as kingdoms go. Multiple raider captains and would-be kings, mustered under the banner of whoever's strong enough tae rise atop the heap. Right now, that's Einar, who they call the Serpent King, and Haakon, the Wolf, splitting Dean in two. We hear they share many of the same goals and aspirations, but differ on how tae achieve them. Einar favouring conquest, Haakon less violent methods of growth.”

“You don't think there's any chance Haakon could be an ally? Could curb the other king's war-making?” you ask.

“Not likely. Einar and Haakon are distant cousins. The older king may not agree entirely wi' the mage's thirst for blood and expansion, but he has been supplementing what Einar pillages with food and supplies.”

“How can you be sure Haakon won't invade once you've defeated Einar and your forces are depleted?”

“We can't. All we hope is that we can make Einar's victories costly enough that he abandons his raids, at least goes after a softer target.”

“Well then today was a good start, surely?”

“Aye.” Kara agrees.

-

Siggi is slumped in a barren cell. Evidently, the teenager had given the guards enough trouble that they'd left his shackles on.

“Not the accommodations you were getting used tae, eh little Jarl?” Kara needles him, as the two of you approach.

“Fuck off!” the straw-haired Deanian spits. “I grew up in the hold of a longship, this is a palace to me. Better than whatever pigsty you and your cunt brother were reared in, anyway!”

“Funny, Siggi, doesn't look like you're done growing up.” Kara remarks. Between the Deanian's shorter stature, and his freckled face, she does have a point. “Chances are, you'll be doin' the rest of your growing up a hostage in the Itherian court.”

“Better than a pigsty, at the very least.” you interject.

“So you're Edward, eh?” Siggi smirks. “Which one of them had to suck your cock for you to lend them your aid, then? You should know, you've doomed your kingdom siding against us. After we've conquered Beatha, Einar will turn his gaze to you.”

“Bold words from inside a cell, boy.” you respond.

“Won't be words forever, cripple. They'll be facts.” Siggi counters.

“You hold Einar in such high esteem. Tell me more about him.” Kara responds, drawing closer to the bars.

“Must be a foreign concept, eh? Respect for a king. Coinneach was just about the only one of your rulers we thought much of, and he got old, feeble, frail and dead.” Siggi says. “Einar, though... He's young, powerful, cunning. Even without his magic, I'd wager he could take you all.”

“You said before he heard voices. Departed ancestors. Is that true?” Kara asks.

“True as the waves of the sea. I've seen it. And not just his ancestors. He summoned a shade of my father, before we raided Gaelica. We spoke.”

“That can't be possible.” Kara insists.

“I know what I saw, Beathan.” Siggi responds.

“I'm going tae come back tonight. If you tell me more about Einar, I'll see that the guards feed you.” the princess offers.

“Ah, fie on your food!” The Whelp curses. “Had my fill when I held this poxy place!”

-

You and Kara step away from the cells, speaking in private.

“Spirits, do you believe any o' that?” the redhead asks you. “Shades, talking tae the dead?”

“The boy obviously holds his king in high esteem.” you note. “Fearsome as he may be, I doubt he's capable of all Siggi claims. As for the magic, well, I've n-no real experience in matters of the supernatural.”

The statement's a pretty major lie by omission, but what Kara doesn't know won't hurt her, you reason.

“I must away. I hope I'll see you at the celebration tonight, though. And after...” Kara adds, kissing you tenderly before moving away.