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Echoes of Valhalla
chapter 39: "We come from the land of ice and snow"

chapter 39: "We come from the land of ice and snow"

As the day turned into evening and evening slipped into the early night, the feast was still ongoing. At this point, the smell of wine, ale and mead all but permeated the buildings wooden walls and the smoky aromas of various food stuff hung heavy in the air. There wasn't a single empty seat, and the long table had warriors trading stories, arm-wrestling or playing dice. Oran and two other mages Saga had yet to introduce themselves to were making little lightshows with sparks of flame and and engaged in a impromptu pyroshow out at the yard, to the delight of Yrsas two brats and some other kids. A young dwarf was animatedly talking with Olaf as the inspected a small, metal shield with intricate carvings.

To say that the drink was overflowing was a bit of a understatement. Saga had been to a few keggers in their life. They had been to student parties, clubs and the one really wild party during a visit Berlin back when they were twenty. This was putting it all to shame. These people sure loved to drink and Saga was delighted to learn all about the differences between different meads, mostly by drinking and comparing them. More then one of the guest had brought their own kegs as it seemed most people spent at least half their time crafting and brewing and otherwise producing goods rather then running out and hunting monsters. It appeared that running around killing things like adventurers did in Sagas many roleplaying games was not as lucrative career as one may think.

As the night progressed the party was slowly approaching the point where most would be too hammered to remember whatever happened past a certain point. Ordan had done his level best and had managed to get Saga to drink rather than think. It was for this reason that Saga now stood upon one of the tables, belting out an awful rendition of The Immigrant Song by Led Zepelin. Saga was delighted by the fact that the others enjoyed the lyrics as much as they did, especially at the part where you just shouted the ‘we come from the land of ice and snow’ part on top of your lungs. And while it was safe to say Saga was no Brian Johnson but the enthusiasm was there and these people didn't have anything to compare Sagas rendition of the song with.

When Sagas singing finally died down, they were replaced by something that was more traditional to these parts of the world. One of the Skalds began to regale the room of glorious battles while accompanied by a woman with a glowing lute. Saga was a bit to tipsy and happy with drink to properly absorb it all, and instead got off the table on somewhat unsteady legs. They were lucky that Sasha while somewhat intoxicated, had decided to become absolutely plastered just yet. She was happily lending Saga her shoulder as the latter got back onto floor level and tried to make the room stop spinning.

The axedancer had alternated the evening between drinking with Saga and Ordan and talking to Katla about what they could expect as deathsworn. After a particularly grueling and terrifying tale about something called a cryptwalker she had decided to stick with drinking for the rest of he night. but even then, she had drunk next to nothing compared to Saga. Saga for their part was rapidly coming to regret their over indulgence. They stumbled a bit before catching themselves against a wooden pillar and Sasha gave them a moment to collect their bearings.

"Lets get some fresh air, Shall we?" She asked Saga who agreed whole heartedly. The smell of alochol and food was not doing them any favors as they grew a little pale, thinking they might have overdone it with the mead.

By the time the two of them were almost out the door, a woman barred their path. Saga had already seen quite a few women who were built like a tank or otherwise just huge compared to most of their people they known back on their own world. Out of all of them, they had thought that Katla must be the largest woman in the city who wasn't half-giant. But looking up at this woman it became very apparent that they had been wrong. The woman towered over them both and Saga never felt so small befeore. The woman was older, with gray hair that had just begun to turn white around the temples and with a nose that clearly been broken more a few times. Her sharp green eyes stared Saga down before flickering over to Sasha. Just as Saga was about to ask what they could help her with, the woman seemed to have recognized Sasha.

“Sasha!” She exclaimed with such sudden and explosive enthusiasm that almost knocked Saga over from the surprise of it.

“Lady Manghild!” Sasha exclaimed with just as much enthusiasm as she rushed to the woman who collected her in a giant bearhug. The arms must have been twice the size of sagas own. Back home, Saga would have referred to the woman as an absolute unit. They idly wondered just what they must be feeding people here to achieve such absurd sizes so regularly..

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“Look at ye, all grown up." Manghild said with a giant smile on her lip. She was holding Sasha at an arms length and looking her over, much like Saga rememvered their aunt had done with them when they were but a kid. Her eyes shifted back to Saga and she let Sasha go as she turned to Saga. "And who is this?”

“Um. Saga, Mam?” Saga answered, feeling a bit sheepish. She had no idea who this woman was other then that she was hug and had the most metal and viking sounding name so far.

“Oh. You are berserker my son talked about!” Manghild exclaimed with the same enthusiasm as she had shown Sasha earlier.

“Your son.?" Saga blinked before it dawned on them. The pieces slid into place, there could only be one person this big. Olafs mother. "Oh. Oh you are Olafs mum!” They said, understanding dawning on them. The fact that that Yrsa with her rather small and and assuming build was related to this woman was the biggest shocker for Saga. Had they forgot to feed the poor girl or something?

“That's me. I hope my son hasn't caused you and problems."

"Olaf? Not at all. He has been a real lifesaver."

"Glad to hear it. And apologlies for not being around during the toast. The Jarl had me and some of his worn dealing with some things by the river.”

“Mother!” Came Olafs voice, cutting off any response from Saga. The man was absolutely plastered as he shuffled over and slung an arm around Saga. “This is Saga. The one I told you about. They have a warriors heart!” He bellowed out each word like he wanted the gods themselves to hear him and Saga winced a bit from the booming volume of his voice.

“Son. Please unhand your warrior friend. You are gonna cost them their hearing. Why don’t you lead me to my Husband who no doubt is as deep in the drink as you are, before he does something only the Norns can undo” Manghild said as she expertly got her son to turn around and and merrily lead her into the feast. As they vanished into the feast hall, Saga blinked and stared after them,

“Are you sure they aren’t a family of like, quarter-giants, at least?”

“Hah. I think not.” Sasha said as the two took the time stlip out into the air. The fresh, cold night air did wonders for clearing Sagas head as they stretched and inhaled it with a their eyes closed. Just letting it clear the alcohol fueled miasma that was their mind. As they exhaled their eyes caugh Sashas and Saga smiled.

“What?”

“I think this counts as drinks.”

“You certeinly drank.”

“I am actually a proper heavy weight.”

“I did notice you hold your drink like a half-giant. YOu are one of many wonders.”

“So..”

“Hmh?”

“Think we can get a guest room…”

Sasha fished out a key. “Oh, I already talked to Yrsa while you were trying to talk Ordan into breathing fire” She said with a smile that promised many things. Saga matched her smile with a grin of her own. Moving with speed and grace that was surprising from someone who was plastered only moments ago, Saga scooped the axedancer up and all but sprinted towards their destination, passing Lenara who was on her way to her own place with the handsome man she had been courting earlier. Lenaras eyes widened as Saga passed the couple by with a laughing Sasha in their arms.

“That’s the berserker friend yours, isn’t it?” The man said, tilting his head.

“Yepp. They sure have a way to them.” Lenara laughed softly. “Come along now. I think they have the right idea.”