Arcanum

Hope Returns

Keller's place was bustling with activity. Men that traveled to town with Klaus were there, as well as several others from Saxebi. Sconces lit the wooden walls giving a good amount of light to the crowded place. The smell of ale, bread, and warm bodies hung in the air as Klaus took hold of Agnethe's elbow and pushed through the crowd to a small table along the wall. It was the only unoccupied space in the room. Large bodies filled every table, bench and free floor space, all talking over each other.

The building was different from the open style of most homes, it had an upper floor built over the eating area with several rooms for travelers. With the lower ceiling and the amount of people, it was a bit claustrophobic for Agnethe's nerves, but she had accepted the invitation and would stay for a short time. Mrs. Keller and her two young daughters were rushing in and out between the people filling mugs, bringing trenchers of food or clearing away finished ones.

"It is a busy place, I'll go and get some food if you want to wait here. Since you don't want ale, would you like something else?" Klaus asked her, having to lean down to keep from shouting over the din of other voices.

"Some cider would be wonderful," she said before she sat down in one of the chairs. Fascinated by his thoughtfulness, she watched as he worked his way over to the bar where Mr. Keller was manning the taps between rushing in and out of the kitchen to help his wife. A flutter in her stomach quickened her pulse as she gazed at him. Before she was caught staring, she forced herself to focus on the rest of the room.

Agnethe lowered the fur from her shoulders to let it rest against the chair behind her. The amount of bodies in the space made it plenty warm. As she observed the other patrons, she started to pick up on some of the conversation and noticed with a start that Trond was on the other side of the room in a heated debate with several others.

Ugh, can't I get away from him. How did he beat us here, anyway? Agnethe sunk into her chair and leaned as close to the wall as she could, hoping to avoid his notice.

Much of what she could hear centered on whether or not to retaliate for the attack on the lost ships. Some argued for sticking to the peace treaty signed a couple years before between King Guthrun and King Alfred, yet others pointed out that it was Alfred who attacked the ships and therefore already broke the treaty. Agnethe had no desire to hear of such things. Shifting in her seat, she began to think coming there was a worse decision than she'd thought before. Not to mention, she could feel her hair sticking out all over from sleeping and was about to leave when Klaus returned with their stew.

"I'm afraid I'm not very good at carrying too many things without spilling them everywhere," he said with a smile. "The younger girl said she would bring the mugs as soon as she is able."

"Thank you, this is fine." I can't be rude and leave now. As soon as the meal is over though, I'll go. Using her fingers, she tried to casually smooth out her hair.

Klaus settled himself in the chair opposite of Agnethe and set about eating his stew with a hearty slab of bread. Agnethe picked at hers and dared glances toward Klaus while she did, trying to figure out if he really was as kind as he seemed. In the light of the room, although dimmer where they sat, she could see the deep blue color of his eyes and his neat, tidy beard, cut close to his chin with hints of copper that sparkled in the light. A large tattoo showed on the side of his neck and disappeared under his tunic so she couldn't tell what it was exactly. While she tried to decipher it she didn't realize that her glance had become a stare until she noticed that Klaus wasn't eating anymore, but staring back at her. Feeling the heat rise to her cheeks she smiled and quickly lowered her eyes to her bowl.

"It is the rune symbols for Odin's bravery during battle, if you were wondering." She could hear the smile in his voice as he said it, which only made the heat on her face that much stronger.