Mists Of Midgard: The Serpent's Shadow

Chapter 8: Saint Einar

Liv fiercely attacked her foe, delivering a series of powerful blows with her axe. With one final strike against the shield, she managed to knock her opppnent off balance, causing them to topple over. As she stood victorious, panting from exertion, she took a moment to scan the surrounding area. She noticed a common theme starting to trend; no one wanted to spar with her anymore. Frustration welled up within her - this vigorous physical training had been her only outlet for dealing with the recent loss of her father and Runar.

Three men approached her from a clearing. They were unarmed, so she remained unworried. Two appeared to be priests of the Christian faith, she was unsure of the other. It wasn't uncommon for Christians or even their priests to visit Arvigrad. She figured they must be from the neighboring town of Berwick. She had never been, but had heard stories. There was a great war between the two territories. Liv's grandfather was ruler of Arvigrad during this time. When her father became ruler in his late teens, a truce was made between the two territories.

The two priests wore the usual black and white robes you would expect of priests, and the other man wore an expensive looking tunic that sat beneath a blonde ponytail.

"We're here to see Saint Einar" one of the priests said. His gray hair and feeble looking hands showed his age.

Liv gave them a very confused look when the other priest spoke up and chastised his fellow priest. "He is riff raff until we find him, and see if he is worthy to be sainted!"

The third man, who obviously wasn't a priest understood the confused look on Liv's face. He stepped forward with his hand out to shake hers. "Hello, we're sorry to bother you. I'm James Hall, an Army Officer of Berwick. We are looking for Einar Baldrsson, the one who fell into the mist, but is still around to tell the tale."

Liv stopped herself from laughing and instead, smiled. "I can take you to him, but I can promise you he's no saint."

"We will be the judge of that!" the grouchy priest replied.

James bowed, as to excuse his companion. "Please pardon him, he is weary from our short travels."

Liv chuckled as the four headed back to Arvigrad, which was only a short walk away. "By chance, are you Liv? Liv Arvidsdottir?

She nodded, as she covered her eyes briefly, in an attempt to block the morning sun. "Yes, that is me."

"I'm so sorr-" James started.

"It's not necessary" Liv interrupted. She was tired of sorries and condolences, but knew her tone was unwarranted. She wanted to apologize after replying that way, but things were a bit awkward for having just met these men.

James nodded. "I understand. Regardless, the King of Berwick seeks to aid Arvigrad. We have thirty men available, if you seek to do battle in Osvik.

Liv stopped and her eyes lit up at James's words.  "You would do that for us?" 

James nodded as he cusped his hands together. "King Leofric was distraught when he heard of your father's passing. He also wishes to keep the good will between our two peoples n good health."

King Leofric had been king of Berwick for as long as Liv had been alive at least, probably longer. She knew he was an old king, who was mostly liked by his people.

"I'll definitely bring that to the regent's attention" she said as she saw Einar, Ulfdan, and Halfdan walking out of the market together.

Liv pointed at Einar and declared "There he is! Saint Einar, Saint of Arvigrad!" The people around her began to come forth, and see what the fuss was.

Tne three men accompanying her nearly ran to Einar, as they began to bombard them with questions and verses from their bible. He gave a slightly upset, and disapproving look to Liv that said "Why would you do this to me?"

She smiled and waved goodbye to him as she turned the corner.

                                     II

Time kept moving in Arvigrad as they finished preperations to return to Osvik. Ideally, it would have been preferable to attack Osvik right away, but the mists were more unpredictible in the cold months, but now Spring was here to lead the way.

James Hall, and other Christians from Berwick had been hanging around Einar to his dismay. They mostly picked at his character, and tried to learn more about him. He didn't understand their reasoning first, but now he understands, based on their faith, to be sainted, one must first be martyred for their faith, and then a miracle must occur. Einar's miracle, somehow surviving his fall into the mist.

Einar stepped on the dock, eyeing the monstrous boat before him. Thorvid, who was the leader of the boat builders in Arvigrad, stood before his magnificent boat, cackling. 

Einar arrived on the dock and laid eyes on the colossal boat before him. Thorvid, the most revered boat builder of Arvigrad, stood beside it, cackling. His laughter filled the air with a blend of mischief and pride.

He pulled Liv who was beside him in for a big hug that she reciprocated.. "I call it the Night-Wolf, Liv!" He gestured with his hands a the magnificence of his work. "My masterpiece" he said in a quieter voice. "And I'm so proud that you will be one of the first to sail on it.

Thorvid was an old man with a bit of a hunchback, and long untamed gray hair. He recieved an awful injury to his eye as a child, earning him the nickname "Dead-eye Thorvid". Hs claims he traded his eye to Loki, in exchange for his boat building ability, but most people didn't believe that.

Einar then looked over to Sigr, who had just finished giving a speech to the warriors who were stsrtng to board the boat. They locked eyes and Sigr flagged him down. "May Odin guide you on your travels."

Einar replied with much less possitivity than he was shown. "Odin will guide me. All while the king watches me, of course." He was referring to the mistweaver woman who had harassed him awhile ago. He could see she was already on the ship.

Sigr frowned at the attitude he was recieving. "You know, most wouldn't complain at having. someone as strong as a Mistweaver for their coming battle."

Einar stepped onto the boat. "Would be a shame if something happened to her!" he shouted.

"A shame for the King, but not for Sigr, Einar, or Arvigrad!" Sigr replied.

Einar understood what he meant, but didn't like it either way. His relationship with Sigr took a dive after Einar discovered the king left people behing to watch him. He disliked how Sigr was okay with it.

Liv shortly joined him after hugging Tora. Einar watched the two. It looked like Tora was whispering something to her. He figured they were goodbyes, but he didn't want to be nosey. As he looked away, Tora shouted towards him "You make sure she returns here!"

Einar smiled and waved. "You'll be calling her Jarl before you know it!" His proclamation incited a cheer from the men behind him.

The magnificent boat that would be carrying Liv's revenge with her was unlike anything any of them had seen. Essentially two long boats joined in the center, providing shelter, but the real function of it, was to carry battle rhinos on their journey, something not previously possible. The shelter could safely house two rhino for the voyage. The monstrous boat would be a terrifying sight to behold to anyone outside of this crew.

All of the raiders began to take their stations rowing, adjusting the masts or whatever else was needed in the moment.

Two other boats tailed the newly constructed Night-Wolf, one carrying the rest of Arvigrad's warriors, and the other belonged to Berwick and carried the other thirty men, minus James who remained with Einar.

As Einar began to shout orders at his people, he found that he was surprised at how he was at ease. He expected to be more.

Feeling a familiar presence, Einar turned around and found the women in the gold mask standing there. The familiar, metallic voice that he remembered emanated from the mask as she spoke. "That feeling within you, it is the guidance of the Gods," she said, her words resonating with a mystical weight.

He ignored her, as he wanted nothing to do with her.