Day Two

The day in the Fjord was spent readying for the next leg of the journey.  The belly of the serpent was dried and the caulking checked from within by thralls, provisions looked to and restocked by Myself and the luck girl, tani.

With great fondness I think of the lil one, her pert lil form scurrying this way and that about her the business of her Jarl.  The pleasure of serving Him evident in her eyes, so naturally that she is most likely unaware it shows so clearly.

The Captain and crew assembled in the Great hall as the eve approached, a hearty supper of stew was served, giving strength and fortification to the Oarsmen for the sail ahead. Talk of this evening's leg of the voyage to the Larius Exchange Point ensued.

I sat for a time with My Sister, Ri.  The healer of the Fjord provided Her with a tea to help ease Her throat.   I could not help but glance often to the dark ugly bruises inflicted by the thrall, nor could I help feeling the swift anger that arose each time I looked.  She had opted to bring the lad on the journey, though I had not seen him and thought that he was kept belowdecks on the Runner.

After the evening meal I took leave of the Hall and walked the grounds for a few ehn, My belongings packed, meager as they are, stood ready to be grabbed. 

The signs of spring in the North stood in abundance around Me, from the sprouts of the small dinas and buds of the trees to the hardening patches of muck on well used paths. As I walked, I thought of the meaning of the season, of renewal and hope, of roots and of grounding.  I was pulled from my reverie by Tyr's call of 'All Aboard' as His booming voice reverberated through the chill of the air and hastened to take up My pack and board the Gungir.

Now accustomed to the routine of departure, I took up a post ready to cast off the lines and braced for the inevitible deep shudder of the Gungir as she rocked out from the dock .  Once free of the lines, the Oarsmen made short work of bringing her to open water, clearing the harbor swiftly. The drum beat of the Keleustes resonated steadily, the oars dipping and swaying in unison to the rythm.  I looked back briefly to the village nestled along the shoreline, leaving another part of Myself behind then looked ahead, chin raised to the cool evening air and caught a  glimpse of something new ...... a new facet of Myself.

E/each in turn lifted their gazes to the sky an ominous sounding claps of thunder were heard over the water, dark clouds were rolling in swiftly, lead by a gusting wind. Both serpents leapt forward, the strong winds filling the sails as the northern shores of the forest loomed up. The Gungir and Runner skipped in tandem over the swelling of the Thassa, a race against the storm for the safety of port.

 In a swarm the crew scurried over the decks, tightening the lashings on kegs and crates then secured themselves as well.  A streak of lightening lit the sky and Tyr could be seen at the helm,  wrestling the ship for control and reaching for a length of rope with which to secure Himself.  In a moment of inky blackness an enormous wave rolled over the ship.... the next flash of lightening illuminating Tyr being carried on the wave over the railing.

With a scream tani and I lunged for the rope, trying ot brace against the heaving deck, the rope burning through O/our palms.  I could hear the frantic cries from T/those onboard the Runner over the screeching fury of the storm as Ri dove over the rail, thralls and Oarsmen took up the rope along with tani and I,  the rope suddenly stopped its quick descentand pulled taunt and I managed a breath... there was hope - there was weight at the end of the rope....hand over hand we pulled, hauling in the length of rope.

The Runner sidled up along side and grappling hooks were cast, snugging the two serpents together , steadying the Gungir.  We continued to pull hand over hand, grunting and straining with the effort, finally W/we were rewarded with a glimpse of O/our Captain as the Thassa released Her grip for an instant. I scrambled to the rail, leaning over and reaching, fingertips curling in His tunic for the briefest of ihns before a deep shudder shook the pair of ships and I lost My grasp.... The ships could not stay hooked for much longer!

I leaned further over the rail, grasping frantically for Tyr.  By the grace of Odin I grasped a handful of His tunic and pulled.  Large hands reached and helped as the thralls held the rope securely and we wrestled Him onto the deck.

As I looked up, I could see Ri being hauled over the rail of the Runner and turned with relief to kneel by tani as she tended to Tyr. He drew a long gasping breath after a talu of salt water poured from His lungs.  With tears of relief, shaken and shivering I sat huddled on the deck as the Firstmate guided us into the docks of the Northern Forest.

With great relief we A/all disembarked once the ship was secured and moved up the beach to make camp, closely followed by the Crew of the Runner.

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