Winning the Warrior (Taekook ff)

Chapter 3

The edit above, that I also used for the cover of this book, is made by Instagram user @miraekth. I've used them their permission.
Do check her edits out. They're so pretty.

Vocab:

Ulf- Wolf
Moster- Mother + sister – Usually aunts were called moster.

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"The sky is the same."

"So it is. But the weather is very different. It is almost winter and yet the heat feels oppressive."

"That must be why their crops survive." Jimn mused loudly and began to hum a tune.

They had set sale after the feast and it had taken them a day and a quarter to reach the island. The hills on the mountain rose high but they were not rocky or covered by snow, they were green and Joon could make out rows of crops planted along the plains.

"I wonder what the heir will look like..."

Joon quirked a brow at his younger cousin. Jimn smiled sheepishly. "I meant it wouldn't hurt if he is easy on the eyes, Jngguk would probably..."

"Don't expect anything Jimn. Jngguk is still young, and this is something odd. We don't know how things will go."

"Yeah. You're right. Have you been here before? I haven't."

"There has never been need. We have had good relations with the clan inhabiting the island, for years. All trade done has been done through Karls. There was never any need for a Jarl to accompany them."

"So different..." Jimn murmured and then raised his voice, "Joon did you see that there was no one around? Shouldn't there be other ships? Sailors? Its midday."

Joon's face fell and he nodded slowly. "There should have been someone around the banks of the island, specially at midday."

A warrior who had previously visited the island with his father was leading the way.

"Interesting." Jimn murmured, taking in the new land. He stretched a hand-out and the needle like leaves of the closest tree tickled his fingers making him gasp. The warriors behind them were also chattering loudly. The trees began to thin and then they were standing at the edge of a valley. Wood huts sat closely in the centre surrounding a larger house of wood which stood two storeys tall, its roof made of hay like all the other roofs.

The settlement seemed to be bustling with activity, the noise constricted to the area. They passed the huts, with shiny harvest tools lying against their outer walls, the people turned their heads to look at them.

A few children stopped playing and stood watching them. The warriors behind them were aware that some people had started following them. As they neared the large wooden house, a few men filed out of its modest gates and made their way to them.

Recognising their clan's symbol stitched onto the Jarl's cloaks, one of them stepped forward.

"Jarls of Ulf Clan, welcome to our island. What brings you here? And without notice?" The man looked up with a worried gaze.

Joon stepped forward and greeted the man in a warm manner, requesting to see the Chieftess.

"Right away, Lord. If you and your warriors will follow me. We will have the Chieftess informed of your arrival."

They followed the man inside. The inside of the house was also as simple as it was from the outside. Joon observed everything, taking in how under-developed and un-protected they were. The clan nearest to them, the first in the way of Western clans and they appeared to be unskilled in the ways of war. He put away all information and suggestions for later. Today he was there for another important task.