Valknut

CHAPTER|10 Barbarian Feast

“Mither? She is 'ere? How on earth...” Kieran muttered after listening to the scout. 

As soon as he walked out of the longhall, he saw Lady MacShane approaching the bailey on her horse, accompanied by three of her own guards. He quickly ordered a servant to clean out the chamber his mother used when she was visiting and hollered for the stable hand. Helping her dismount from her horse, Kieran escorted his mother to the study. When the doors slammed shut behind them, Lady MacShane took a moment to take in her son’s appearance before speaking. 

“What do ye think yer doing?” 

“Mither, I have told you already, I am going with Olaf in the mornin'. If am to get vengeance for father’s death, I need to scout McDermott lands 'n' security 'n' speak wi' th' spies.” Kieran said rolling his eyes. 

Lady MacShane took a step closer to her son and lovingly put the palms of her hands on his cheeks. 

She looked him straight in the eyes and said, “I know you'll want vengeance 'n' I know ye promised th' Chieftain that ye with ally with him against th' McDermott’s, bit must ye start now? Can ye not hold yer horses?” 

“Nae th' time is now”, Kieran said shaking his head. Slowly he removed his mother’s hands from his face, kissed her palms and said, “Don’t worry mither, I will be safe. We aren’t fightin' them yet. Tis just a scouting mission.” 

“Nothing is just what it seems,” She said her eyes searching the floor for courage, “I will not lose ye too”, she said softly. 

Slowly Kieran brought his mother into a big hug before he said, “Do not worry, all will be well. I will be back in two weeks, ye'll see”. 

Unable to shake her son’s resolve, Lady MacShane softly said, “I have something to tell ye”. 

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In the longhall, Olaf suddenly found himself sitting alone on the dais with Catriona. While the others drank, sang and chatted away about their adventures, Olaf searched his plate while he thought of something to say to Catriona. His mouth opened and closed several times and his brow creased as he tried to focus. 

Just when he thought he had figured out how to start a conversation, Klaufi, his first mate, stood up holding his drinking horn high in the air. As silence spread across the hall, Olaf glared at Klaufi, not particularly interested in what he had to say. For a split second there, he wished the earth would swallow Klaufi, giving Olaf another opportunity to speak with Catriona. But then Klaufi spoke, and a slow smile crept on Olaf’s face. 

“To th' greatest drinker in this hall, Catriona, may she forever hold her drink 'n' may many men continue tae challenge her…” 

“Nae” said Sverting as he rose. Grabbing the table to steady himself, he slowly raised his drinking horn before bellowing, “Olaf can best th' lassie in a drinking challenge any day”. He let out a loud belch that had the hall rolling around in laughter before he plonked down on his bench. 

“Is that so” Catriona muttered before glaring at Olaf with a mischievous grin on her face. “Shall we put Olaf’s drinking skills to the test”, she said. The hall roared with the chants of “Drink, Drink, Drink, Drink.” 

Before Olaf could protest, two chairs and a small table were brought to the center of the hall. Huge hands grabbed his arms and unceremoniously lifted him from his chair. A second later, Olaf found himself staring into Catriona’s eyes as he sat across from her at the small table. A thrall stood beside them with a jug of mead, filling a drinking horn for each opponent. Sides were picked and bets were being placed by the onlookers.