The Seeress

Chapter Eleven

Harold was dumbfounded, or maybe he shouldn't be. It was no surprise that Agnetha has friends, being the daughter of someone important. So much respect she could command, it was rather surreal, seeing her stature growing to a powerful being. 

Maybe that is a good thing that they gave sanctuary in the form of a longhouse together. Or rather several of them. About a few Nords also sat at the house with him, although they did not shiver or flinch like Harold. The fire there never burned so brightly for him, having lingered in the frozen forests for so long. Edwin looked at him at the other corner, puzzled seeing his stronger cousin huddling to the campfire so pathetically. A bad example to show to him. It does give a rather humiliating image with humour.

'Winter has not even arrived," Harold thought. And yet it was so cold. His body was aching with  

"Is the cold that bad," Edwin asked as he saw his cousin shivering there, although he himself was also shivering. 

"Shut up!" he said, trying to usher what's left of his strength to say that. At least he didn't have to worry about the wooden logs that act as walls falling over. They were made from strong, sturdy trees in Nordlund, those that only require the strongest hunters to cut them down.

Doubt was what pervaded their senses. Harold and Edwin knew that they could be killed and buried underfills of snow the other day. There were more than a dozen of them, and each of them could best Harold in combat. If Agnetha were to complain about his behaviour towards her, it does not seem impossible that they would have him dead sorely for that.

"So you were the good men who escorted lady Agnetha to safety?" the blond, stoic hunter who welcomed them entered the room. He was lean, yet he looked as if no man can push him down. He put down his helmet to show his face, a small, yet visible scar on him. Despite their help, Harold could only feel distrust of him. He could not help but try to distance himself from him while at the least trying to not look rude to him.

"We did, what is with you," Harold said, only looking at him in the eye in case of combat.

"We are grateful, that you saved our princess," the hunter continued. His posture looked friendly, but Harold did not see it in his eyes. " When the Jarl entrusted me to search for her, deep down, I was almost certain that our Agnetha was long dead. Thanks to you, that is not the case,"

"What's your name again? Erik? The Nord whom Agnetha called out?" Harold asked.

"That is correct, I am the one whom Jarl Kjartarn entrusted to search for her," Erik answered as he proceeded to sit next to Harold. Harold inched his seat a few steps back, as he found him repulsive.

"No surname?" Harold asked.

"We don't use surnames here," Erik replied without a hint of emotions. " Moving on, I would like to offer you a choice, Harold," 

"What choice is there, Nord?" Harold said as he noticed John opening the door. Meanwhile, Edwin was on his way out, as he did not want to linger around here for long. "Thought I would talk to the hunters, more lively than here,"

"Where have you been?" Harold asked his uncle, who looked more distressed than before. 

" Listen to him," John said as he brought a chair forward to sit. His gruff voice was enough for Harold to at least calm down. At least he had someone wiser to deal with him. 

" We ourselves can provide safe passage to the Klarelva with our numbers," Erik started. "However, we would think that since you brought her here,  we would ask for your help,"

Harold turned to John, realizing what he said. "We can leave now?" Harold said to his uncle.

"You can, but that is not necessary," Erik said as he gave himself a firm posture. "Join us, and we will double your pay in gratitude,"