DIVINE [HVITSERK RAGNARSSON]

8: GOODBYES

CHAPTER EIGHT - 'GOODBYES'

The air was warm and pleasant, bringing a gratifying surprise to the residents of Kattegat. A good blessing from Odin or Thor themselves perhaps, as the morning bought the day that Bjorn Ironside's raiding party left Kattegat in search of the Mediterranean. Sons, fathers, brothers, daughters, sisters, would all sail across seas in search of adventure, treasure and glory.

Arvid Stensson was one those raiders. He sheathed his axe back around his waist as he picked up a small sack from the floor and walked out of his family's cabin. Inga smiled up at him as he walked out into the sun and put his arm around her.
"It is almost time to say goodbye." She said to him, that familiar wave of fear hidden in her voice.
"A temporary goodbye, Inga. And when I return with stories of the Mediterranean, we shall be married."
He kissed her forehead as the cabin door shut behind them and Arvid's sister emerged next to the couple.
"I'm coming to say goodbye," she said to them, "Erik is already down by the boats."

Asta began to walk towards Kattegat's huge fjord with her brother and Inga. She looked at Inga as they walked, and wondered what feelings were rushing through her body on this day. She'd always feared her brothers or her father not returning, but she'd never known the yearning for a husband or the one you were to be married to; the news that they'd gone to Valhalla instead of coming back to their marriage. She wondered if she'd ever know that yearning.

The three of them arrived in Kattegat to an unfolding scene of busyness, love and sadness. The bustle of ships being packed up and people preparing to leave, the love of departing hugs and the sadness of families knowing they would be apart for weeks. The sun was still warm at the waters edge, but the waves bought a small breeze with them to the shore.
"Quick, give me one last hug my son." Signe appeared in front of them, pulling her eldest child into an embrace almost instantly.

As her family spoke and exchanged goodbyes, Asta's eyes scanned the boatyard of Kattegat. It wasn't long until they rested on Hvitserk, his tall figure stood next to one of the boats, laughing with Sigurd and Ubbe. She might've said goodbye to him, but she didn't want the hassle of explaining to her brothers, or to Ubbe, why the two of them were suddenly acquainted. She watched them as they too exchanged goodbyes, Aslaug appearing and hugging her son. They soon left Hvitserk standing alone at the side of the ship, waiting for Bjorn and the brothers Harald and Halfdan. When Asta snapped out of watching the Ragnarssons, her family too had disappeared and she could see them down nearer a different ship, one that her brother Erik was stepping on to, her father there too.

She had to go and say goodbye to her brothers, but that would mean seeing Hvitserk, too. She couldn't avoid him, not here. And right now, she was unsure of their relationship to one another. Would she call him a friend? He certainly didn't act like it - he kept their training as exactly that. No niceties, no joking, no playing. So should she say goodbye? She watched him as she walked through the bustling of people, swallowing a feeling in her throat as she approached the pier that he stood on.
"Hvitserk." She said his name as she stopped in front of him and he turned his head from the boat, looking surprised to see Asta of all people in front of him. She froze slightly after she spoke, taking in the way he looked. His hair was freshly braided again, like it was at the feast last night. He had furs on today, grey ones that looked brand new and held themselves proudly on his broad shoulders. His sword stood bravely at his waist and he had his shield in his hand, ready to accompany him over the Mediterranean seas. He looked like a true Viking.
"I just wanted to say goodbye." Asta managed, her throat suddenly a little dry. She swallowed again nervously.
"Oh, uh, goodbye, farmer girl." He stared blankly at her as he put his hand on the ropes of the ship, ready to climb aboard.
"May Thor guide you safely across the waters." She didn't smile as she nodded at him and turned, ready to walk away. At least she had acknowledged him, given him the usual blessing that the warriors were given before they sailed for weeks at a time.
"Hey, Asta." Hvitserk suddenly spoke up, and Asta turned around again. He was stood on the side of the ship now, towering over her and she squinted slightly as she looked up at him. "Keep up that training until I return, okay?" He raised his eyebrows and just before Asta turned away, she saw the faintest tug of a smirk at the corner of Hvitserk's lips.