Mists Of Midgard: The Serpent's Shadow

Chapter 6: The Serpent's Shadow

King Oleg called on the townsfolk of Arvigrad to gather together for an urgent meeting. The topic at hand was who would take up the mantle of leadership now that a new ruler was needed, following the tragic events at the tournament. There were whispers and murmurs among the crowd as some of the townsfolk dared to consider the possibility of choosing themselves as their leader. But deep down, they all knew that there was no other choice but Liv. After all, Arvigrad was her family's rightful heritage.

King Oleg anticipated the backlash his proposal would garner, but with confidence, he announced "Sigr will be appointed as regent lord. He will reign temporarily, until Liv is ready to rule." The revelation sent a wave of anger coursing through Liv, her face etched with resentment and disbelief. "You have no right" she said coldly.

As Oleg's revelation echoed through the room, the air grew tense. The townsfolk, sensing the rising tension, shifted nervously in their seats. Oleg, however, stood firm, his gaze locked on Liv.
"Liv, I understand your frustration," he began, his voice steady. "But Sigr is a fine choice for regency. He is loyal, strong, and has proven himself capable." This still angered Liv. She stepped towards him, alarming Einar and Halfdan, who grabbed her by the arm.

"Liv," Oleg continued, his voice softer now. "I understand your anger, but I ask that you hear me out. Your rightful place as the ruler of Arvigrad will come in due time, but for now, Sigr is the best choice for your people. He is a proven leader, loyal and strong. He will guide the city through these challenging times and ensure its stability until you're ready to take the role of ruler."

Liv's anger boiled over, and with a forceful stride, she pushed herself away from the Einar and Halfdan and marched out of the meeting room, her footsteps leaving a trail of fiery determination in her wake. The sound of the door slamming echoed throughout the room, signaling her forceful exit.

The air among the room was awkward, as some of the townspeople obviously agreed with Liv, but wouldn't dare question the King.

"She just needs time, I'm sure" Halfdan said, trying to soften the silence in the room.  Shortly after, the crowd dispersed, some staying to talk to Sigr about any issues they've been having or recommendations they had.

King Oleg pulled Falki to the side after the meeting and spoke with enthusiasm. "Falki, I'm eager for you to return to Hjaldrheim with me. There are so many brilliant philosophers, scholars, scientists, among others that I can't wait for you to meet. They'll expand your mind and knowledge in ways you never thought possible."

Falki was reluctant to agree at first, but the prospect of meeting these brilliant scholars and philosophers ignited his curiosity. His passionate nature could not resist the allure of expanding his knowledge of the world's mysteries. Falki smiled. "I look forward to it, King Oleg".

Falki went to ready his things and say his goodbyes.

                                     II

A month and some change had passed. The cold and harsh bite of winter was now far from peoples minds as the sun warmed their skin. Crops were blossoming, as was Arvigrad. Regent Lord Sigr had brought many positive changes to Arvigrad that one could assume were born in Hjaldrheim, even Liv could not deny his effectiveness as a leader.

The pain of Liv's recent losses were less sharp, but still on her mind none the less. Unsurprisingly, she found the tediousness of spring's work, and her tight training schedule kept her mind busy, which aided her in finding some happiness. As Arvid's daughter, she never really had to participate in any of the farming, fishing, or day to day tasks, but Arvid had her do those things anyway, forming a strong work ethic within her.

"What do you think?" Sigr asked.

Liv did her best to hide her annoyance with him. She did not like him, and thought she never would. "I don't have any choice in the matter, do I?"