Broken Souls (Book 1 of Seasons of the Cycle)

Chapter 18 - Bothvar Beorcolsson

As winter ends, my brother's and my own child are born only a few days apart. He had a daughter and me, a son.

Holding my son for the first time, it felt like everything was leading up to this point in my life. His eyes are a deep blue, just like that of Arni's. We decided to name him Hrut after Arni's father. My father approves.

My brother and Asfrid named their daughter Thora, and she too has the same deep blue eyes as the sea. Asfrid was torn between the names Freyja, which also means Frida, the goddess she worships, and Thora. But ultimately, they chose Thora for a reason I wasn't clear about. I believe it's because of Thorkel's obsession with Thunar, the name of his favorite god. The god also goes by a different name... Thor. I can't help but think about what Sigvor said upon our wedding day as I look at her. What did she mean?

My father wants me to join him and Thorkel in the Captain's meeting along with the crew meeting before they all leave for the All-Clan Meeting. Near the docks is a building with a long table within it. We follow farther inside as he takes his position at the end of the table while the nineteen captains file in and take their spots with their most trusted behind them.

After everyone is here, my father takes his seat and everyone else sits down after him. My brother takes a seat to his left while I stay standing behind Thorkel with Rognvald, our ship's quartermaster and second in command. Since I'm not a captain myself, I have to remain standing. My father begins the meeting. "The meeting of the captains is now in session. Let us discuss this raiding season."

They all give their agreement. My father nods. "Shall we continue our raids on the merchant ships moving to and from Chillshore, or does anyone have any other suggestions?"

"The elves are getting more protective of their merchant ships. The normal routes are becoming more dangerous, especially with the small numbers we raid in," Koll says as he sits to the right of my father, a seat of the utmost respect.

"And what do you suppose we do about that?" Thrain Haklangsson asks with none other than Gorm standing behind him with a sneer. His eyes seem to fixate on Thorkel and me.

"We either need to raid in larger numbers which will decrease the profits we make individually, or find other routes," Koll says. Another uproar rumbles through the captains.

"Where in the name of the gods would we sail?" Thrain Haklangsson asks. He is a man of pure greed. His face is covered in tattoos of his journeys and his hair is done in the traditional Viking way, with the sides shaved and the top in a long braid. He has a long goatee with a mustache. "There are no more profitable routes."

"May I make a suggestion?" Thorkel asks and all eyes fall upon him.

"Earl Beorcol, I mean no disrespect, but you need to keep a muzzle on your son. This is a discussion between Captains," Thrain spits out.

"Well, seeing how I will be giving the captain's seat over to Thorkel this raiding season, I see no problem with him interjecting. He is a captain as of now. Now, Captain Thorkel, what is your suggestion?"

Thrain has murder in his eyes as he glares at Thorkel, but my brother gives him no more attention than he would give a bug beneath his feet. "Why do we not head west beyond the forest of the elves, and then south to the islands where Pirates sail? I hear there are shipping routes to many lands. I am sure there is more treasure to be plundered there."

Father smiles as he looks out at his men. "That is a good suggestion, Captain. Does anyone have anything to say?"

"That is absurd. We will find ourselves surrounded by enemies in seas we know nothing about," Thrain says. Spit flies out as he speaks. "I say we bring an army down and raid the Southerner's main port of Riverhall."