Valknut

CHAPTER|34 Introductions II

A half hour later, Catriona walked out her chamber door and down the flight of stairs that would take her to the main hall in the castle. From there, she would make her way east to the main entrance and step down the few stairs that would lead to the inner bailey. A quick right turn would take her to the longhall. 

All chatter stopped in the hall as Catriona stepped in. She walked… no, she glided... to the dais and gracefully sat down next to Olaf.  With Ella’s help, she had chosen a simple yet elegant dress to wear for breakfast. While the entire dress was made of layered pale pink satin, the fitted bodice was a deep lavender shade. From between the layers of the skirt, peeked traces of the dark lavender lace. On the neck and sleeves, sat tiny lavender roses. Her hair had been pulled back and collected loosely on the top of her head with light curly wisps hanging over her forehead and neck. The ivy leaf kransen Olaf had gifted her, sat firmly on her head while simple pearl earrings graced her ears. 

A swift kick under the table forced Olaf to peel his eyes from Catriona. He coughed to clear his throat before beginning the introductions. He pointed to the pepper and salt haired couple at the table. “My father, Jarl Asmund and my mother, Ádísa…” Catriona nodded and smiled at both. Jarl Asmund was once a strong and powerfully built man, now weakened by age. Despite his graying hair, the wrinkled face, and half hunched shoulders, the man’s eyes twinkled with life. He oozed confidence and power. She had imagined feeling small and unsure when presented to him, yet something about him made Catriona feel instantly welcome. He spoke little and his hands shook as he reached for his mug of ale. Ádísa, on the other hand, was plump and cheerful and chatted away nonstop. 

She seemed to love colors, for she wore a pale red gown with a rich gold bodice and embroidered patterns made from threads in varying shades of lavender, white, yellow, blue and green covered the skirt. Her face was painted equally brightly. Now Catriona understood what Olaf had meant when he said Norse women enjoyed getting dressed up. 

To their right sat two heavily built men. They had the same red hair and long plaited beards that Olaf once proudly carried. They had Lady Ádísa’s eyes and Jarl Asmund’s nose, mouth and broad jaw. My brothers, Odd and Odder. Olaf grinned as Catriona looked at him in shock. Who would name their children that! Chunks of bread flew across the table smacking Olaf straight in the face. Catriona giggled as Olaf growled staring at his brothers with narrowed eyes, albeit still grinning. My brothers, Agmundr and Bjǫrn… Catriona nodded and smiled at each. 

Bjǫrn reached across the table and gently grabbed Catriona’s hands. He brought her fingers to his lips and kissed her knuckles. “Pleasure to meet you Catriona. But I wonder what ye see in my barbarian brother. Perhaps if ye would allow me to court ye, I could steal ye from him.” He grinned cheekily while Olaf swatted Bjorn’s hands away from Catriona’s. 

More food was flung across the table before Lady Ádísa interjected “Noo... noo... boys, behave before I put ye over my knees. Ye may be grown men, but I’m still your mother and I won’t hesitate to smack some sense into ye.” 

Breakfast was over in a flash. The lively conversation and sibling pretend fighting at the table had kept Catriona so amused she didn’t know when the dishes were cleared. Everybody stood up with respect when Jarl Asmund and Lady Ádísa excused themselves. “Till evening” Jarl Asmund said to the small group as he left with his wife. 

“So I hear ye can wield a sword as well as any man” Agmundr spoke as he linked his arm with Catriona’s and began walking out the hall. Olaf and Bjǫrn ran to catch up with the two.

“Id like to see Catriona fight Aggi” Bjǫrn said grinning. 

“Aggi...?” Catriona asked confused. 

“Aggi...Aggi...Aggi...” Bjǫrn teased his brother as he took off for the bailey with Agmundr giving chase. “Come back here and I'll teach ye a lesson for calling me Aggi” 

“They're nice” Catriona said as Olaf meshed his hand with hers and started walking in the direction the brothers took off in. “Ye have a lovely family” she added softly. 

“Ye can have them. Remember, what's mine is yers now my love.” 

While Catriona changed into her tunic and breeks, Olaf rounded up Kieran, Klaufi, Sverting and Agnar. Horses were saddled and waiting their riders as the group of eight young adults gathered in the bailey. The rest of the afternoon was spent riding through the village, across the beach, into the sparse forest and up to the loch. 

“We really need more women in this group.” Agnar cursed, sick now of the sight of Olaf and Catriona walking hand-in-hand. 

“I miss that grunting, roaring, ale drinking barbarian.” Klaufi said laughing. 

“'n' I miss my sword yielding fiery sister. He's tamed her a lot ye know.” Kieran said. 

“I hear it’s yer turn next” Sverting spoke, grin plastered across his face. 

“Och no… no… no… no… no what have ye miserable men been planning. Tell me, when did ye turn into skirt-wearing matchmaking women?” 

“Skirt-wearing women is it... I’ll show ye which of us is wearing a skirt!” With a war cry, Agnar and Klaufi pounced at Kieran, who tried, but unfortunately failed, to run away from the group quick enough. 

Muffled curses and sounds of fists meeting flesh carried through the air and halted Olaf and Catriona in their leisurely walk. They both turned at once, but sighed and shook their heads when they saw the men rolling over the ground pounding each other.  

Just as Olaf took a step towards the group intending to break up the fight, Catriona grabbed his arm and with a mischievous grin, pushed him into the loch. The loud splash followed by bubbled curses broke the fight. Six pairs of curious eyes watched Catriona as she giggled at Olaf splashing in the loch trying to shake off the shock of the cold water. 

She stopped giggling when she realized something was not quite right. Olaf had stopped cursing. Instead he lay afloat on his back, staring up at her with a very satisfied smirk. 

Oof! 

Someone tackled her from behind and before she knew it, she was soaring through the air and crashing into the water, right alongside Olaf. 

More loud splashes rung through the quiet air as the six other men hopped into the loch as well.