“I can’t wait.” Skadi stood up to stare Rauðbjorn directly in the eyes. “In fact, you could say I’ve been looking forward to getting this over with.”
“Over with?” Rauðbjorn reared back. “Girl, I shall hump you till the mountains—”
“Are you a warrior or a skal...
2022-08-04 15:58:30 +0000 UTC View Post“Hit me, you craven piece of shit!” Rauðbjorn strode toward Aurnir with his arms still spread. “Hit me!”
Aurnir complied.
The punch would have driven a hole in the longhouse’s wall. It rocked the berserker’s head to the side and caused his whole body to sag, one knee near...
2022-08-03 14:39:17 +0000 UTC View PostIt began to rain as evening fell. A soft rain at first that drizzled down from the gray sky, but which hour by hour grew in intensity until by dusk it was pounding down in extended needles that set the puddles to boiling.
The longhouse was mostly safe from the water, though the occasional m...
2022-08-02 13:01:02 +0000 UTC View PostThey spent a desultory hour on the docks, speaking with fisherman and older folks, but nobody was eager to strike a deal. Many simply shook their heads and refused to speak, or if cajoled into conversation, said that they’d have to check first if they were even allowed to sail forth.
“B...
2022-08-01 13:00:13 +0000 UTC View PostWalking beneath the corpse canopy was the eeriest experience of Skadi’s life. The bodies swayed above her, just out of reach, and the dirt crunched beneath her boots as if suffused with crimson hoarfrost. The flies whirled and batted stupidly against her face, but she fought the urge to begin s...
2022-07-29 13:01:04 +0000 UTC View PostThey descended in the late morning to Djúprvik, reasoning that to arrive too close to dawn would be suspicious. They found the mountain road below, and the eerie familiarity of the trail that wound its way around boulders and forests to the palisade below unnerved Skadi. She’d have felt better...
2022-07-28 13:01:02 +0000 UTC View PostDjúprvik came into view at the close of the sixth day. The mountain road rose over a ridge, for a while disappeared on the rough gray ledge that ran like a scar across the face of the mountain, and then dipped away to reveal a fjord below, broad and glorious in the evening light, a small settlem...
2022-07-27 13:10:53 +0000 UTC View PostThe journey north proved surprisingly enjoyable. Skadi had focused so intently on the dangers of Djúprvik that she’d never considered how pleasant an extended, hard hike through the mountains in early Heyennir might prove.
As if aware of the intensity to come, their group spoke only of l...
2022-07-26 13:04:12 +0000 UTC View PostMoonday arrived and the fjord remained empty of dragon ships. Skadi stood upon the docks and watched the dawn break over the mountains, and when the dark waters remained unruffled by any prow, she nodded once to a future that could have been, hefted her pack, and turned to stride up the road to t...
2022-07-25 13:00:09 +0000 UTC View PostThe ritual took hours, though by the end of it Skadi had lost the ability to track time. Incense burned from countless sticks set in clay cups about the temple, and beeswax candles gave off such a steady, clear light that she felt as if she were illuminated by the moon. She wore a black cloak abo...
2022-07-22 12:48:29 +0000 UTC View PostThey were engaged in stone work the following morning when Sif came running, shouting wildly for Skadi.
Alarmed, Skadi unhitched the yoke from her shoulders, allowed both large buckets of rocks to drop, and strode forward as the young girl came pelting around the corner.
“Skadi! Ska...
2022-07-21 12:58:39 +0000 UTC View PostThe last days of Sólmánuður drew to a close.
Skadi resolutely refused to watch the mouth of the fjord, that great bend where the water curved into view from the North Sea. To squint and stare and strain in an effort to make out dragon ships, her father’s ships, come to rescue her.
<... 2022-07-20 14:26:13 +0000 UTC View PostApologies for the delay! In the meantime, what do you think so far? Anything in particular that you're enjoying?
2022-07-20 11:52:29 +0000 UTC View PostThe weeks passed. Skerpla became Sólmánuður, and the month was true to its name, with the sunlight bright and bold and bountiful.
The hird became restive. They followed Jarl Kvedulf to plunder and raid and earn glory, not to remain home rebuilding longhouses and licking their wounds. Fig...
2022-07-19 13:01:05 +0000 UTC View PostDawn broke softly across the eastern peaks, the sky lightening by the slowest of degrees, gradating from cobalt blue to iron to robin’s egg and then finally limning the jagged edges with traceries of gold. High wisps of cloud went from charcoal to light gray, then burst into splendors of salmon...
2022-07-18 12:48:48 +0000 UTC View PostSkadi found Kvedulf in his hall entertaining guests.
The stench of the rotting frost giant was masked by the piles of fragrant hickory and apple wood that were thrown onto the fire pits, so that their sweet-smelling smoke rose in gauzy curlicues toward the smoke hole. The rear wall was now ...
2022-07-15 13:01:08 +0000 UTC View PostFor a moment Skadi felt light-headed. “I can choose any power?”
Ásfríðr smiled and sipped from her cup. Her amusement and lack of urgency were bewildering to Skadi. “Not quite. Galdr is a potent form of seiðr, yes, but its expression is dependent on the strength of your wyrd. Say ...
2022-07-14 13:01:03 +0000 UTC View PostIt took two weeks to finish the Raven’s Gate, as that was deemed Kráka’s greatest priority. Ásfríðr spent three days carving the new waring runes into the broad planks and filling the grooves with silvered ash which the rain and wind failed to dislodge. When at last it was done, the town ...
2022-07-13 13:01:04 +0000 UTC View PostWith the muddy square behind the longhouse claimed for construction, Marbjörn met them in the grass sward just outside the Raven’s Gate. He had a bundle of weapons wrapped in a blanket under one arm, and a brace of shields over the other shoulder. He left these to one side as he considered the...
2022-07-12 13:01:02 +0000 UTC View PostLife in Kráka became busy.
The sun shone brightly and the calves and lambs grew large enough to pasture alone. The sweet spring grass thickened and darkened, and the mountain melt swelled the streams.
Lumber was hewn and brought down from the slopes, to be split and smoothed into the...
2022-07-11 13:01:04 +0000 UTC View PostThey found Marbjörn seated in the morning sun, slumped in a great chair furnished from beams, near large enough for Aurnir to sit in. The great warrior slumbered, boots up on a stool, his broad, scarred arms crossed over his chest.
Kráka was returning to life. Men were emerging from the h...
2022-07-08 13:01:02 +0000 UTC View PostBegga had Aurnir hauling an ancient stump out of the bleak yard behind their home when Skadi returned. She’d intertwined a stout rope between the roots and was now encouraging Aurnir to pull. The half-giant stared at her without understanding as she mimed him yanking.
“Pull! The rope! G...
2022-07-07 13:01:02 +0000 UTC View Post“Wake up,” someone commanded and kicked Skadi’s boot.
She blinked and palmed her eye, restraining a groan. She wanted nothing more than to remain lost in the depths of sleep. Her head span and her stomach was a mass of greasy eels.
Her uncle must have known but didn’t care. He...
2022-07-06 13:01:03 +0000 UTC View PostThe hall listened, enraptured, as Kvedulf spoke of their climb to the utmost peaks of the Draugr Mountains. Listened as he captured them with his charisma, potent and amused. Cloak flung back, hands raised his gesture, he brought to life the moments of life and death. The ragged rocks. The hiss o...
2022-07-05 13:00:07 +0000 UTC View PostThey returned to Kráka with great fanfare.
Lookouts had been placed a half-mile outside of town, and upon sighting their return party raced back home. By the time the patched-up Raven’s Gate hove into sight, the whole town was gathered before it, and their cheers were thin but vibrant in...
2022-07-04 13:00:07 +0000 UTC View PostBlood pumped from the stump of the ice queen’s neck.
Skadi staggered back. Natthrafn fell from her fingers. The throne room spun about her. She pressed the base of her palm to her brow and closed her eyes.
“What… what happened?” Damian’s voice.
Other conversations brok...
2022-07-01 13:00:10 +0000 UTC View PostSkadi felt obliterated. Overwhelmed. Nauseated.
And then she felt nothing but the purest hate.
Heaving for breath she clenched the hilt of Natthrafn so tightly the leather creaked and raised it to point the tip at Grýla’s smirking visage.
“Hear me, Freyja.” Her voice had ...
2022-06-30 13:00:07 +0000 UTC View PostHey everyone,
As most of you probably know, I'm a complete novice when it comes to web novels on Royal Road and Patreon. And despite hitting the Rising Stars list (unexpectedly awesome), I can't help but suspect I'm overlooking a bunch of best practices/expected behaviors on both plat...
2022-06-29 13:42:55 +0000 UTC View Post“The jarl is enchanted,” Skadi said firmly. “We must defeat those who have ensorcelled his wits.”
“I shall focus on the Snærún,” called Ásfríðr.
Marbjörn hefted his axe. “Let’s leave the witchery to the others. Give the jarl wide berth, and we’ll begin by slaug...
2022-06-29 13:01:04 +0000 UTC View PostThey entered the palace.
The halls were large enough for giants. The ceiling was lost to the darkness. Illumination came from their foul torches, but also from the frost-light that burned along the edge of the hallway. Twin lines of burning runes whose ghostly illumination imparted upon eve...
2022-06-28 13:01:03 +0000 UTC View Post