The Rise of Runes and Shields by J.M. Stephen

Author:J.M. Stephen [Stephen, J.M.]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: DX Varos Publishing, Inc.
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fifteen

Bjorn awoke just in time to see Freyja and Orlah, who had slept with their arms wrapped around each other, awake and ready to go. He didn’t need to dress since he’d slept in his clothes, and he saw no reason to change them. He got up quickly, ready to leave. “We’re going back to Sune’s house,” Freyja informed him. “The boy came and said the earls were there.”

“I’ll be right there,” Bjorn said after he’d tightened his belt and put his pack back on. It felt funny, going to their grandfather’s home after the sacrifice he’d made for him. On their way out they stopped in front of the sleeping form of Sune, looking peaceful curled up in a chair.

“I hope he’s okay,” Freyja said, glancing at Orlah, who grasped her hand.

“We’ll be back to help him,” Bjorn said. Then he knelt down to face his grandfather. “I’m so sorry. I can’t believe you sacrificed for me.” He looked back at Freyja. “I don’t want to leave him here.”

“We will return with help,” Orlah said as they moved out to find the earls.

They paced quickly back through the village. Men fixed doors and scrubbed the smoke damage from the walls outside, while children helped gather water and food. Bjorn wanted to help, but they had to get on their way if they wanted to find Aunt Astrid and help Sune. They marched on, past the blacksmiths and burnt-out grain silos and toward the sea. When they reached the water’s edge, where the ships were built, Bjorn stopped in front of the dilapidated shack. “That’s where Sune lives,” he said, pointing. “He left a light on.”

“Does that mean there’s someone there?” Freyja asked.

“Or something we should check out,” Orlah added.

Bjorn smiled at Orlah; he liked the way she thought so scientifically. “We should go inside. I wonder if he locks up when he leaves.”

“Let’s try,” Freyja said. She ran to the door and knocked. When nothing happened, she touched the door softly and it moved. She pushed harder and the door opened.

The light inside the house, coming from a single, large candle sitting in the middle of the table, generated so much light it was as if a giant fire were roaring in the middle of the room. It felt like home, like Mother and Father and the bleating sheep outside. Lost in bygone memories Bjorn barely noticed as Orlah and Freyja walked further into the house. He picked up another pack of arrows and remembered the weapon Sune brought him the night before. He touched them and they felt different from the arrows he’d used last night. The silver, yellow, red, and blue painted heads had an artistic quality to them and when he touched a head great power emanated from them. It radiated the way heat radiated from a fire on the hearth or the way cold came up from the snow during winter frosts. He didn’t know what they were, but he knew to take these arrows.

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