The Game of Predators and Prey

Kattegat

After weeks of sailing on rugged, rough seas. We had just docked in the trade centre of Norway...

Kattegat...

A hand was held out to me as I jumped the gap between boat and land, the threat of cold water beneath my feet.
It was late fall and we unfortunately to my dislike were going to be wintering here. Now it wasn't the place itself I disliked, it was the people.

After Ivar, and the Ragnar son's came to power. Kattegat was haunted by an eerie feeling, like the gods were watching us with viscous intent. I held my fur a little closer to my chest as my brother and father hopped from the boat.
"Really has changed here," my father boasts as his chubby belly jiggles with each step. His long beard gracing the top of his gut and the braid of his hair hanging down his back. My father was well respected, for the most part anyways. He raided with Ragnar Lothbrook more then once and thus his earldom held true through all the years.
"Smells like week old herring," my brother grumbled.

He was just as excited about being here as I. My brother was older then I, by a couple years. He was annoyed that my father brought me and my younger brother but he really didn't have a choice now did he. Our home is being watched by my uncle and to say the least my father did not trust us with him. And if I could tell you the truth, it was me that he didn't trust  my uncle with. The scars on my thighs to prove the torture I had endured much to my fathers ignorance.

"Melti!" My younger brother cooed at me, I turned to the strapping, ignorant 10 year old.
"Yes, Erik?" I swooned, bringing a smile to his young face.
"Why do you not fight like those shield maidens?" I looked over my shoulder and at the furious warriors along the beach. Sand kicked up under there feet as the waves matched their fury of attacks.
"By the Valkrye," I cursed under my breathe.
"Your sister is not a fighter my boy, she is a lover," my father gave me a grin and I glared at him in annoyance.
"I choose to resolve with my words not my fists, unlike our brute brother," I chuckled and Erik grinned.
"I say sister, your words didn't seem to work on those bandits, you would've lost without your brute brother," Calder reminded me of our tough venture to our neighbours settlements. It wasn't a good memory. Calder has saved my ass more then once and I am forever grateful for him.

Calder's blonde hair whipped in the wind with fury. The entails looking like silky gold strands, he was a looker for the women back home, and from the glances off the dock, here as well. His face clean, except for the long stache that trailed from the corners of his lips. His eyes as blue as the sea, much like our mothers.

We were greeted on the docks by a hoard of people.
"Ah Earl Halvor, we have awaited your arrival since Spring." A man tall as a tree and built like an Ox stood before us. His eyes blue like Calders and his long scruffy hair on top ended on his back in a tight braid.
"I'm Ubbe, Son of Ragnar Lothbrook," my father greeted him with a firm handshake.
"It's been too long, I remember when you were an infant." They smiled at each other, and my father introduced us.
"These are my sons, Calder," he padded my oldest brother on the shoulder as I pushed Erik ahead of me. I was always introduced last.
"and Erik," he patted the small shoulder. They both nodded at Ubbe, and then my father grabbed my hand delicately. Like I was a flower.
"This is my daughter, Melti." My long blonde hair was laying against my back, it was damp from the mist of the sea. And rather wild if I would say my self but the braids I had placed managed to stay the whole journey. My clothes however were less then impressive. A stained, soaked gown covered by my multiple wolf pelts. That had been ruined by the journey.

But Ubbe's eyes did not waste time in examining me. His eyes pierced my soul as they lingered across my body. I smiled softly but was annoyed by the male attention. This wasn't what I was here for.
"Welcome to you all," he finally spoke as he peeled his eyes from me. "I'm sure you are all tired and hungry. Let us eat," We followed in stride behind the Son of Ragnar. But just as we reached the entrance of the town. A chill crawled up my spine like a feather on my skin. Turning back to the boat, an ominous figure sat aboard our boat. The mans face draped in a dark cloak and two ravens sat upon his shoulders. I squinted trying to make out a face, but my hand was grabbed by a small one.
"Melti, come on," I turned to my younger brother, who impatiently tugged on my hand.
"Erik, just hold on..." but when I turned back the person was gone. Something was at play here.