Dragon Bride

Chapter 6 Goose Girl

Karliene was up early. She helped the thralls begin to prepare the morning meal and milk the cows. The cows were turned out to pasture and the other livestock fed. Then taking a basket of rolled cloths and some flat bread, a good portion of gruel, butter and cheese left the long house for Father Peter's home. Unni walked beside her holding hands. They were greeted at the door by the old priest.

"Unni, Karlie, welcome. I don't know how my wife and I would manage without your constant care."

"We brought you breakfast, and I have clean bandages to wrap Jenny's legs," Karliene said.

"I see you brought a helper."

"I'm learning to be a healer-midwife too," Unni said.

They wrapped Jenny's ulcerated legs after applying a soothing ointment and served the elderly couple the meal they had brought. They cleaned up after the meal took their leave. "We will pick up your laundry tomorrow when we bring you breakfast," Unni said.

"I'll bring dinner over tonight," Karliene added.

By the time they arrived back at home the entire household including the boarders were up and ready for the morning meal. With all the bustling about in preparation Karliene failed to notice Bjorn standing in the middle of kitchen blocking traffic until she slammed into him carrying a plate of eggs and bacon. Bjorn grabbed hold of her waist preventing a fall and Olaf grasped the platter of eggs preventing a spill. She stared wide eyed at Bjorn with a look of total confusion. When Bjorn had grabbed hold of her waist he realized she was not as skinny and shapeless as he had assumed. She was tiny but also well muscled. She was lithe and strong and curved to what Bjorn could only describe as feminine perfection.

"This is Bjorn and his half-brother Olaf," Gretchen said motioning toward the men, "Bjorn will be boarding with us for a while."

"We met last night," Bjorn said smiling as he released his hold on her, "In the mead hall. I didn't get your given name Miss Ericdottor."

"She's my niece, not Eric's daughter," Gretchen continued, "she's Karlie Jamesdottor and this is Unni her sister."

"Everyone calls my 'little brother' Bear," Olaf teased.

"Little! You're only older by two days and I'm taller," Bjorn snorted, "I could stuff you in my little back pack 'big brother'."

"Then you'll have more brains in your back pack then in your head," Olaf responded laughing at his own joke.

Karliene was blushing and simply nodded as everyone seated themselves. The table was crowed with Eric's family, the thralls and the boarders. Eric had two sons, one Karl a lively ten year old pumping Bjorn with questions, a seven year old daughter named Oonagh who was happily perched on her father's lap and an infant boy resting in his mother's arms. Bjorn smiled as he noticed Karliene casting him occasional brief furtive glances as he talked to Karl.

"The master plowman is doing the Ferguson's fields today," Karliene said, "so I'm taking the geese over."

"Great," Eric said, "they will get nice and fat eating all the grubs and worms that get turned up."

"Most of the farmers like having them removed and goose poop is great for the field," Karliene added. Karl laughed at the mere mention of poop and repeated it several times.

After the meal was finished Bjorn made ready to walk Olaf back to the long ship to gather the gifts for Lothar when he heard a familiar voice singing. This time the singing was close and he turned toward the sound.

"That's just my sister," Unni said, "she's calling the geese." Bjorn watched as a large group of geese assembled around Karliene and marched off with her. Unni ran to join them and joined in the kulning song.