Two days passed before Lyeneru finally returned but none of that time at the outpost was wasted.

They trained, ignoring the looks they got at first from the elves as the warriors lifted logs they had cut from trees, drug them across fields the elves said would be used another time.

Blood was drained from those shadow walkers and other supplies were replaced with new stuff that the elves gladly traded for or gave.

“Einar Sibbison,” Lyeneru said as she came into the room he was sitting with Varitan, Thorodd and Thorve in. “I have–”

Her voice stopped as her eyes caught the bracelet on his wrist. Quickly they moved to Varitan and saw that it was no longer on his. The elf smiled and nodded at her, moving his hand to show the tooth that hung from an ugly piece of leather.

“Much… much has changed since I left you. Word reached me yesterday as I was returning that shadow walkers were killed?”

“Five of them,” Varitan said as he stood, holding his chair out for her. “We were fortunate to kill one and so I will be sending the trophy to the royal examiners to study it. Please sit, we are just discussing some of the creatures plaguing our land.”

Almost gliding as she moved, the confused look as her mouth appeared ready to stay open forever, finally closed as she sat.

“Tell me. Why are some of my elven brothers and sisters moving logs with your men?”

All of the Vikings burst into laughter and even Varitan joined in after a moment, having retrieved a chair from one of the walls.

“They asked why we do such a thing and we told them that it makes us stronger,” Einar replied with a grin and a shrug. “The sad thing is that some of your elves are deceptively stronger than they appear. While you might not have the size or mass of a Viking, Freyr has gifted you all with a hidden strength and agility that is exceptional by any standard measurement.”

Thorve grinned and slid a cup she just filled to Lyeneru.

“I have explained to him that only those who choose to be warriors like yourselves are typically this strong, but until Einar sees it for himself, I doubt he will believe me when I say not every elven child can defeat him in a duel.”

“That is foolish, our children wouldn’t duel–”

Laughter came when she realized that they were messing with her and the woman groaned, drinking her water, setting her cup down with a solid thump.

“I’m sorry, I couldn’t resist,” Varitan said. “It would appear that you and I may be traveling across our own lands, helping them to find different groups of monsters that are infested in certain locations. While I have shared some information about what we really need help with.”

She frowned and glanced between her elven companion and Einar.

“What exactly are you talking about?”

Leaning forward, Einar slid the journal he was writing in toward her and spun it around. He tapped his finger on two words.

Leuca ango.

“You can’t be serious!” Lyeneru exclaimed. “Those creatures are almost impossible to take down and so many have died when we try!”

“And yet from what Varitan tells me, they have grown in number and have killed multiple times. Besides I would be lying if I did not mention that they possess materials we could harvest for possible epic runes one day.”

Thorodd choked as he had been taking a sip of his water, spewing the liquid across the table and onto Osvif and Thorve.

“Epic runes… does your mind not understand the limits of the heavens? Perhaps you should pray to Odin or Thor and ask for a legendary rune to fall from their ass while they take a crap!”

Einar didn’t break Thorve’s gaze as she spoke to him like he was a fool. She shifted first, blinking and he smiled.

“One day you will understand that I see no limits. Only opportunities. In time we shall bring back the time of Viking legends and the warriors who walk across Midgard, venturing into other realms, they will not fall, even when facing a hundred enemies alone.”

“An Einherjar,” Osvif whispered.

Einar bobbed his head and then slid his journal back toward him.

“We didn’t come here to just fight. We came here to grow. And the purpose of all this will never change.”

Silence was their reply as everyone knew the young man before them all was serious.

“So when do we leave?”

Lyeneru recovered first.

“Tomorrow morning. With all your people and the wagons it will take us probably three days before we arrive at the city of Camalin. There we will seek out your version of a seer at the Freyr’s temple and after confirming that you are touched by Odin, things can progress from there.”

Nodding, Einar closed his journal and stood.

“With that settled I need to go outside and inspect everything. Thorodd you know what I’ll need done. Osvif, finish your task.”

The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

Moans came from his short friend who winked at Thorve.

“I guess this means you’re stuck with me.”

Sighing, the bald healer nodded.

“Only because you have the deftness of a toddler and can’t stop getting your fingers stuck on a creation of your own.”

“Or perhaps because I enjoy spending time with you?”

Thorve groaned as she followed the man without any real hair on his face toward the door.

“Vikings are weird,” Lyeneru stated as Einar was almost out the door.

“Weird but touched by Odin!” he shouted, never stopping as he left.

***

As the city of Camalin came into view Einar realized he had been missing out on what a town could look like.

Tall spires rose into the sky, some easily over five stories high.

Beautiful curves were the shape of each building, stone work was done so that it was hard to find a single hard shaped edge amidst the circular structures. Arches covered almost every door and the roofs were made from stone tiles as well.

Bright white materials were the stone of choice for most of the buildings but a few had a light pink or yellow color.

Perfectly arranged farmland led to the city, following an irrigation canal that came off the river hidden behind a forest.

Trees dotted the city, wrapped around buildings and Varitan pointed out a few of the larger ones were actual parts of the homes.

It’s like a movie… this view, coming over the small hill and down toward it. Even the sun as it sits rising into the sky.

“Do your towns and cities not look like this?”

Shaking his head, Einar frowned.

“It would be like comparing this to the wall we built outside your fort. Ugly… I mean don’t get me wrong it keeps the rain from getting you wet and most of the streets do have stone to prevent large build up of mud, but nothing beautiful like this.”

“What about Odin’s temple?”

“Yes, Thorve… Odin’s temple is beautiful.”

Cackling came from the healer as she grinned.

“Wait till you enter Freyr's temple. It is the one you can see from here with the large white tree that is part of it.”

Varitan continued to tell more about the city and the food they produced.

Einar’s mouth began to water as the man described countless ways to cook vegetables and make bread. Different types of alcohol all waited to be sampled and even though they did not cook as much meat, cheeses were supposed to be very common here.

“We may never get Einar to return home with us if you spoil him too much,” Thorodd said. “Just look at how he is gazing upon the town. Why, I don’t think he looks at Avitue like that.”

“Who is Avitue?”

“My betrothed,” Einar replied, giving Thorodd the stink eye. “She is a shield maiden and waiting for me to return from here, successful in our endeavor. Then she shall join us as we take on the next part of our journey.”

Lyeneru nodded.

“I was wondering why you had no women warriors with you. The stories we have been told say that some of the greatest Vikings are women. Does not the Valkyries bring you to Valhalla? Are they not considered the best warriors?”

Thorodd coughed, waiting for Einar to answer, realizing he had just been called weak compared to the shield maidens.

“Every Viking can be a great warrior if they train. Avitue is an exceptional warrior and when she and her shield sisters join, they will be a great asset to our squad. Unfortunately I need gold to be able to support more warriors and that requires us to attempt what we have done so far. Venturing into places like your home and helping to build trade relationships as well as securing items to use and sell back home.”

***

“Halt!”

A sigh escaped Varitan’s lips as he rode ahead at the guards who stood at the gate set within the white stone wall that encircled the city.

“I’ll deal with them.”

Einar nodded, watching as a slow but steady stream of carts moved along the road, none bothered by the guards as they transported goods both directions.

Houses had been few in the fields and Einar was displeased to learn that many still choose to live inside the walls, traveling to work early in the day and returning to safety at night.

“Even here the fear of what lies outside at night has plagued our people. Once it was not so…”

“Give us time and we will help with that,” Thorodd replied. “As you can see there is no better Viking for the task than the blond headed fool riding beside you.”

“And yet that oaf follows a fool gladly,” Einar stated.

All three of them watched the pair of guards that were in conversation with Varitan. Arms moved around in the air as the trio had some discussion that looked comical from a distance.

“It would appear either they didn’t expect us or they aren’t excited about us being here.”

“You are right and wrong on both accounts,” Lyeneru replied. “Perhaps it is because your massive size scares them. Or instead it might be that many are still not excited about the arrival of Vikings. Your people as you know have been gone long and our lives do not age like most. Some here are over five hundred years old and they understand what your presence means.”

A whistle came from Varitan and he motioned for them to approach.

Nudging their horses forward, Einar studied the walls which as he got closer had a few faint lines at some sections become noticeable.

“The walls have hidden sections in them?”

“You can see those?!” Lyeneru exclaimed. “How?! Most elves would miss that detail if they didn’t know about them.”

Thorodd began to move his head around, scanning the walls and was frowning.

“I can’t see a damn thing. Is it because I’m blind?”

“Or your Perception just isn’t good enough. Regardless I can see how those spots would be very dangerous to any foe that got close to the walls and didn’t expect something from them.”

A grin appeared as their elven guide nodded.

“Behind them are some very nasty surprises. When you finally get to make it to the capital, try not to comment on the defenses if you can spot them. The builders there would take it as a great insult to know a Viking was able to detect them.”

Nodding, Einar studied Varitan’s expression and knew something was up.

“It would appear we are going to be let in and then must travel around the crafting side before we can take just five of them with us to the temple. This order comes from Nissa.”

A faint hiss came from Lyeneru as her lips pulled back, showing her teeth and air rushed in.

“I wonder… Do you think Ithil told her what he found? That might explain this decision.”

“The guards stated simply they had specific orders and we needed to follow them exactly,” Varitan replied. “Now if we can get everyone gathered up so the trail of Vikings moving through the city is minimized, Nissa will be less likely to threaten either of us with a position somewhere in the wilds.”

“She wouldn’t–”

Her companion shook his head, cutting her off.

“We need to move. The longer we stay here, the more likely things will not be pleasant.”

“Good to know we’re so well liked,” Thorodd whispered to Einar. “Perhaps one day we won’t even be allowed in the city walls.”

“We can only hope.”