The Call of Crows

Chapter 5: Inciting a Storm

Bjorn walked to the front of the ship on the morning of the third day of sailing since the battle with the prince, past Ruhak, who was taking a nap, and Cecile, who was rationing what food they had. Peng was manning the steerboard, keeping them on course northward.

He thought it odd that the Nikan man had so quickly integrated into being simply...part of the team. Not that it wasn't also odd to just consider the five of them a team now. But when you were lacking hands in a desperate situation, you weren't to complain about extra help.

Taya leaned against the front stern of the boat, looking out ahead of them.

Bjorn took a deep breath. Whatever the answer was to the question he was going to ask her, he'd have to take it in stride.

Bjorn sat on the edge of the planking on the other side of the keel, "So...do you have any experience with the Nikan?"

"Aside from three days ago and Peng, not really. Why do you ask?" The Sklaveni turned to face him.

"I...I don't know if it's safe to go home. I want to go back to Ascomarch. More than anything. But if these...princes are hunting us? I could endanger everyone by going back." More than anything? Why did he say that? If he could go back, that'd be great, but he wasn't set on it. The part of him that was still attached had just taken over.

"I wouldn't worry about it too much. Train up your powers a bit and you could protect them. Hell, there might be some Shedim Masters among your people. But...if you really aren't sure, it will be awhile before we can make it to the Northlands. I'd be happy to teach you a thing or two more."

"That'd be appreciated." Bjorn muttered.

"Why do you want to go home so bad anyways? Even before we left, I always used to see you stare somberly off into the night sky in the northward direction." Taya pursed her lips.

Bjorn felt warmth arriving in his cheeks, "O-oh. It's just...family and friends, you know? It's home."

Taya narrowed her eyes, "That's like...a tenth of the truth. Maybe not even that."

Bjorn blinked, "What?"

"I can tell you aren't telling me everything. Not a good basis for the beginnings of a friendship. Spill."

Bjorn stammered, unable to think up anything to say. Anything besides the truth. Or at least, all he was willing to tell, "Well-well, there's some...unfinished business I have and-"

Taya sighed, "Look, you don't gotta tell exactly what happened, but for the gods' sake, Bjorn, at least give me the gist."

Bjorn fell silent, pursing his lips. "It's...about a girl. Named Katla."

"Who is she, your wife?" Taya asked. "Wifely...prospect?"

"N-no," Bjorn said. "And frankly, I don't think it's your business. I've already told you all I care to say."

Taya scoffed, "Well come on, now I'm invested. Making leading statements like 'unfinished business' and such."

Bjorn cursed his skaldic affinity for storytelling.

"I...ugh, fine," Bjorn grumbled, breaking eye contact with her. "Katla and I go way back. We Ascommani have an old tradition that states any warrior and any shield maiden can only ever go into battle with the other. A warrior and his shieldmaiden row together, fight together and camp together. She was my shieldmaiden and probably the best one I could have asked for."

Taya furrowed her brow, "You take that many women into battle with you? I always imagined Ascommani as being more...masculine. No, not masculine. Just...I don't know, it doesn't fit with your culture's image."