Eyes of Fire

On Icy Waves

[Hel's theme: Skeletone by BONES UK]

  It was colder than most days when the strange boat arrived. Its sails bore no allegiance to any people nor land, nor did the stern's head tell of any specific place from which it came. It was an entirely plain boat made from a light-colored wood, the stern having the head of a small dragon, and the sails were like blank parchment.

  Those by the dock that noticed the ship became wary, watching as it steadily drew nearer to the shore. They could not see if anyone was aboard, and it seemed the ship was barren of life. It was as if the boat itself was merely a mirage as it went over the gentle waves and through the mist that clung to the water's surface.

  Those that were brave enough neared the dock as the boat slid closer to shore. When it abruptly stopped after hitting the sand, there was utter silence that fell and tension filled the air as the people waited.

  There were audible gasps when someone lying in the ship suddenly sat up. A hood covering their head didn't allow for anyone to see who, or what, was underneath. The figure rose to their feet with ease before hopping over the side of the boat with a warrior's grace. Standing there before the people, the person beneath the cloak let out a low whistle before a wolf with fur the color of dark smoke leapt from the boat and landed in the wet sand.

  It licked its maws before calmly stepping to the stranger's side, leaving prints as grits of sand fell from its paws. A voice that was crystal clear and undeniably from a woman or young boy, spoke from beneath the hood.

  "Is this the fjord known as Kattegat?" They questioned, but no one replied despite them speaking their native tongue. The stranger seemed to glance over the faces of the people. "Is this Kattegat?" Their tone was harsher, like a biting, winter wind.

  "This is indeed Kattegat. But who, might I ask, are you?" A regal woman stepped forward with her hands clasped in front of her. It was Aslaug, the queen of this land, and her eyes betrayed her friendly smile as they held a hint of fear of the unknown.

  "I am who I am, and I'm looking for my father." The stranger then reached up toward their hood and calmly pushed it off. The people crowded in the area gasped and murmured at how the woman before them looked. With skin kissed by death, hair as white as snow, and eyes like the red and blue of a flame, she raised her chin while her eyes scanned the faces visible to her. "Where is Floki?"

~

  "And you are certain that this man is your father?" Aslaug questioned while calmly walking. I followed her with Garmr at my side while his eyes glanced around, and the wolf had calm body language as I stared at the back of the woman's head.

  "It is an uncommon name that he possesses, so unless you have more than one Floki within Kattegat, it's him." I replied.

  "If we had more than one Floki, Kattegat would be full of madness." The queen joked. "Funny though, he never mentioned having a child such as you."

  "He doesn't even know I exist, in all honesty. By the time my mother knew she was pregnant, he was already gone."

  "....It is rather strange how these things happen." She said lowly while leading me through the woods. Floki was a boatsmith and living on the water's edge away from town with a vast expanse of trees separating him from the rest of Kattegat. "This is it." She stopped between two trees before glancing back at me. "He and his wife live here."

  Walking past her, I said nothing and went toward the house with Garmr trotting after me. When I had reached the door and looked back, Aslaug was already gone. Taking in a slow breath, I raised my fist and knocked on the door.