84Aela's home was a flurry of activity as she and the four bears slipped through the main doors; depositing their cloaks into the waiting arms of a servant and taking in the bustling main hall with relieved smiles. After a stressful hunt, there was nothing better than relaxing with a steaming mug of her family's home brew- spiced for the season. It wasn't long before they were spotted, and a hearty cry resounded through the room
"First back!"
Her pride swelled as the raucous, drunken revellers clapped; and she bowed dramatically; well aware she'd won her parents many bags of gold by returning first. Hopefully, she would pad their coffers further by winning the tournament in a few days time. Betting was commonplace at events such as these, and many of their friends and relatives would likely find themselves going home much heavier, and much emptier-in their pockets.
She strode through the hall, her bears at her heels and her weapons gleaming in the sconces glow; satisfied by the speed in which the crowd parted as she made her way towards the Jarl's throne.
Dropping to one knee before the enormous beast of a man, she briefly looked upwards into his piercing gaze before bowing her head respectfully.
"My hunt is complete, and I beg entrance into the revelries"
"Your request is granted huntress, please, enjoy the festivities, and may we hope the ancestors shine upon your victory"
She stood, alongside her trio, bowing once more as the hall filled with celebration.
"Someone bring these fine competitors a drink!" the Jarl shouted into the room, and they joined the gathered revelers in a hearty cheer.
His large hand clasped her shoulder, practically surrounding it, and she smiled upwards at the Jarl. "I see you're getting into your role truly tonight, father" she quipped, dodging as the hand moved upwards to ruffle her hair between her horns.
"And I see you're attempting to shatter our companions coffers. I trust victory is yours when the tourney is judged?"
"I believe so, yes" she replied, sighing with happiness as the liquor burnt a trail down her throat.
"How fared the hunt?"
"It went well, the prizes are safely in their ice-bed"
"Prizes?" he repeated, one large eyebrow raised.
"Prizes indeed" Eirik interjected, having waved off his fellow bjornlings to enjoy the music and food.
"And are we to know the game you brought in?" a voice teased from behind them, and Aela turned to greet her sister warmly.
"We were fortunate enough to bring in three Gorik"
"And their eyes are intact I assume?" The young woman asked, a slight hint of snideness to her tone
"Ever the merchant!" Aela laughed. "Of course the eyes are intact, on all three. The bull will be our trophy"
"Your trophy" her sister corrected, and Aela could practically feel Eirik bristle beside her.
"And the other two will go towards the final feast" she nodded, ignoring Astrid's comment entirely
"Aha!" their father laughed. "Such intelligent daughters, bringing me honour and glory and saving me coin in the meantime!"
"Yes father, I felt that we could use Aela to our advantage to put on both a show of generosity and wealth, without actually having to do either" Astrid explained, patting Aela on the shoulder as she spoke. It was impossible to feel prideful though, being spoken about as if she was a resource rather than the champion she knew she was. "The moment she told me of the herd she'd spotted whilst out the other morning I made sure to tell her to bring extra in for the festival"
"Aela, isn't your sister fantastic? Astrid, you're really moving towards being a wonderful Jarl for the realm; keep Aela close, she'll be your most valuable asset in the years to come"
"She's certainly something father" Aela smiled, glad for the training her mother had forced upon her as she successfully hid her rage beneath the sweet expression. From her father, anyway. Astrid looked at her with an equally insipid expression as she lead their father away.
She spun to Eirik the moment they were gone, glad for the relative privacy the boisterous music provided. "We bring down three fucking Gorik and she still gets the glory for counting a few coin?". She downed the drink, glaring up at the intricate tapestry of the siblings, their proud parents behind them.
"Another?" Eirik asked, throwing his arm around her shoulder and finishing his own stein equally quickly.
"Ancestors yes"
Now there are many things that are true about Bjornlings, and many things that are false.
They do take the forms of bears, with different species depending on the realm, and its climate- this is true
They do not steal children in the night and eat them, that's both false and barbaric.
You may know a person for many aeons, only to discover they're a Bjornling, who has chosen to live amongst the form-challenged.
Some are shy, solitary beings, yes...though Eirik is not one of those beings.
Spurred on by the clapping of their brethren and a familiar tune, he rushed to grab Aela.
"I love this one!" he shouted, dragging her to where the others were singing along, slamming their tankards against the hefty wooden tables.
He pulled her onto the cleared area, and the two began to spin, the alcohol burning through them alongside the music as they stomped along to the beat, jumping and twisting together as they shouted the words to the rafters.
My intention is to die,
In the tavern drinking!
Wine must be at hand for I,
Want it when i'm sinking
Angels when they come shall cry,
At my frailties a'winking:
"Spare this drunkard; god, he's high-
And positively stinking!"
Cups of wine illuminate,
Beacons of the spirit.
Draughts of nectar elevate
Hearts to heaven- or to near it!
They laughed as they danced, over armour abandoned hours ago as many of the ladies left to retire for the evening; leaving them and the many drunken men of the festival, tunics and leathers cooling them as they drank heavily and danced even more so.
"And how are we feeling this morning, o'daughter of mine?"
Aela tried to move, but couldn't. Blearily opening one eye, she found herself face to body with brown fur, soft and thick and entirely in the way. "Urgh, geddof" she moaned, slapping his side with her callused hands.
"Darling" her mother bemoaned. "I do wish you'd infiltrate my daughters bed as a mortal man, it takes an eon to remove your shed from the sheets"
He dragged himself upwards, fur fluttering within the magics as he melted through the shadows, dragging himself off the bed in his mortal form once more. "Apologies, my lady. I'm afraid I don't quite remember coming to bed"
"That would explain why there's bear moult all over the sheets, and why my daughter is still in her riding gear" the matronly woman huffed, pulling the sheets off from her daughters prone body and throwing them over the man. "Cover yourself with these for the time being will you"
"And here I thought you rather liked me uncovered" he quipped, wrapping himself with the sheet
"As I'm sure you've noticed, It's rather cold in this room Eirik- I'm afraid you're not impressing any maidens currently"
"You wound me! Consider me wounded"
She rolled her eyes, passing her youngest water as Aela rose from the bed, tongue clacking dryly against the roof of her mouth.
"I'm told you had a most raucous celebration last night, both of you"
"Jorik betrayed us I see" Aela laughed, gulping the water and roughly wiping her lips with the back of her hand.
"He brought you both back here, more like"
"We had a fierce hunt mother, we were celebrating!" Aela whined, smiling as her mother did.
"Let's hear about it then!" the older woman replied eagerly, sliding down elegantly into a seating position and forcing Aela to turn, running the brush she'd commandeered from the dressing table through her daughters impossibly tangled hair til it shone.
Aela loved talking to her mother. Out of her two parents, she'd always been closer to her mother, the older woman enjoying her battle stories, contributing her own as well as ensuring the youngest sibling was prepared for life as a lady of the courts. Aela knew what was coming as she saw beautiful dresses and jewellry being carted into the room; quickly finishing her story as she eagerly anticipated being dressed.
She stood, touching the soft fabrics with reverence. As much as she adored hunting leathers, the practicality of the tight leggings and tunics whilst riding through forests and running through underbrush, there was something quite magical about donning the persona of 'lady' and being transformed as she was about to be. The underslip was a thick navy silk, gently embroidered and edged in silver. She had always loved the finery of silk, the luxurious softness against her skin. Eirik happily dragged the chair towards the open window, knowing how she enjoyed to look out upon the mountains in the mornings.
And so she rested, feet propped up to rest in the breeze as they prepared her for the day, plaiting the fronts of her thick hair back until it wrapped around the base of her horns. The plaits were decorated with pearls, fished from the waters around their home that reflected the lights beautifully.
She stepped into the over gown, an emerald dress in a heavy velvet, with long, draping sleeves lined in ermine fur; smiling as the smell of burning kohl filled the air. Taking in her own visage, she remained still as her eyes were transformed, the softened pigment lining her deep set eyes - making the red stand out against her pale skin. The lower portion of her dark hair hung loose around her shoulders, the strands hanging to her waist and softening her square jaw til it was less proud, and more demure. She forwent other cosmetics, finding they only dulled the delicate blue pigment that swept thick under her eyes, forming blunted points that ran parallel to the shape of her eyes. One of her proudest markings, the unfilled outlines showed the day her father than taken her with his hunting party. They'd felled an ice golem together, the Virglace giving her a real challenge that day; and he'd inked the markings himself that night.
Finally they deemed her ready, and she stood, sliding her feet into a beautiful pair of embroidered leather boots before making her way downstairs. Music reached her ears, much less rowdy than the evening before, and she was glad her hangover wasn't too serious as she took in the array of foods and drinks on offer that day.
Children danced throughout the hall, their small feet pattering against the stone floors; many with small bells fastened to their shoes, filling the air with merriment. Astrid greeted her warmly, her own beautifully fiery hair held in a complicated wrapped plait; the matching traditional pearls intertwined with gloriously coloured feathers. Aela had always been jealous of the fierce red of her sisters locks, always overshadowing her own; which only held a hint of the dragons fire "Sister, father is over with the other Jarls, it would be good to talk with them"
"I was planning to anyway" she huffed. "You know I enjoy their company". Her sister only sighed. "If you do not win tomorrow, we will need to procure a profitable union for you, and Rynson family would be our top choice"
"You and father are an 'our' now?" Also, what was her sister talking about? The Rynson boy was a whelp, and the eldest was engaged...
"Oh Aela stop being petty, I only wish to see you succeed" Astrid snapped, pinching the bridge of her nose. "I honestly wish I were in your position, my only worry being what to aim my dagger at next"
"I invite you to hunt with me often, sister"
"That isn't the point and you know it. Now go and talk to father; then ensure you spend some time with the matrons of the clan, after your display last night we need to ensure they recognise our nobility"
"Display?"
"I hear you jumped on a table and began reciting 'I have a gentle cock'"
"A poem about a cockrel, what's so bad about that?" Aela laughed and winked as she turned, curtseying to her sister before moving away.
"Good afternoon Father!" she called as she approached, bowing to him and his companion.
"Well don't you look different to last night!" his friend laughed, drawing her into a warm hug that smelled of leather and beard oil.
"I choose to take that as flattery, Uncle" she laughed, returning the old man's embrace.
"You came through those doors looking like death herself, and now here you stand as radiant as ever. Honestly child, I wish my son brought as much honour to my house as you do your fathers. There have been many rumours as to what you have hidden in that ice-house of yours!"
"A lady never reveals her hand my lord, I'm afraid you must wait as the others should"
"Surely being friends with this great lump for as long as I have means I can have some sneak peak?" he joked, gesturing to her father.
"Heavens Gunnar!"
"Oh hush Magnus. Now Aela, I must ask if the rumours I hear about last night are true?"
"And what rumours would they be?" her father asked, fist tightening around his stein as he sternly took in his youngest daughter.
"I hear your daughter here, came out with a rather glorious selection of poetry last night, whilst leaping onto the tables! Aela, my dear, please teach my children how to have fun. I beg you. When your father and I were children, oh we'd drink the tavern dry and carry armfuls of maidens home…"
Her father's eyes bored into her face, and she forced herself to ignore him, focusing entirely on Gunnar Rhynson, the treacherous old coot.
"I believe it important for a young lady to be versed in all manner of poetry and song my lord" she replied, attempting to catch her mother's eyes from behind her father in a desperate bid for help. She considered reaching for the link between herself and Eirik but doing so always exhausted her far too much, and this would be a long day by the sounds of it.
"You're as much a lady as I am Aela!" the old man laughed, his enormous form shaking with mirth. "But don't worry. It'll be our secret. You've got the respect of the men, both on and off the battlefield. You'll make a fine general someday you know"
"It would be an honour" she replied, bowing her head- a true blush covering her cheeks at the thought. "But it is impossible. The Jarl of our lands is the general"
"Oh come now, Aela. Magnus-you know I speak the truth"
"You are overstepping, Gunnar" her father replied, sternly. "You're aware that Aela cannot be the general, not whilst Astrid is the Jarl-as she will be. Don't put thoughts in my youngest's head that have no place being there"
"You can't imagine Astrid leading troops into battle against the draugr, surely Magnus?"
Her father remained silent, and his old friend continued. "Consider it old friend, one daughter at the helm of the largest territory in our realm, the other leading the collective armies of niflheim. Astrid of course is set to be a fine Jarl, but she doesn't command the love of the troops in the same way our Aela does. The men follow you because you're their general, but they stand with you because you're you, Gunnar the Powerful! Odin himself tried and failed to recruit you!"
He was stroking her father's ego, she could see it, and he caught her eyes, his own gleaming. Smart old git...She bid the two farewell, thanking the old man for his compliments as she moved away, happily taking retreat with her mother.
"Why does your father look as if he may soon punch lord Ryhnson?" her mother asked quietly in her ear.
"He is suggesting Astrid lead the Jarldom and myself lead the armies"
"An interesting proposal" her mother mused
"And one that I don't see father ever agreeing to"
"If you win tomorrow it will also likely be redundant, so don't dwell upon it unless necessary my love" her mother replied, promptly finishing the topic as she brought her youngest daughter over to the other Arlessa's
"Aela, my dear, you're looking so grown up" the Arlessa of the eastern continent gushed, pulling her in closer. "You get more beautiful every time I see you"
"You flatter me!" she flushed, sitting closely next to the old woman, who had always been very close with her own mother.
"Your mother here, is very confident that you'll be receiving another win this year"
"Your confidence does me a great honour. I will have fierce competition this year though; many of your families competitors also have fierce ability" she answered diplomatically. Her mother had always taught her that a lady wields her words as she would her sword, distracting and flattering with hidden meanings and subtlety. The group laughed together, and spoke of weather, the trade routes of the season and the state of their neighbor land, Hel. More Draugr were being found in their lands, and the outlying townships were continuously having to battle them away, sending them back. She knew that if she weren't the champion in this years contest she would be proud to join the constant strain between the outer regions and Hel itself.
A glory-filled life, but she had to admit she wanted more.
She had to win.
Her mother saw the expression on her face change, and laughed, waving over a servant to refill her small glass of warm honeyed mead; leading her daughter away from the others towards the outside. "Your mask is slipping my daughter, be calm. This win is yours"
"And what if it isn't? What match do you have prepared for me that could be as good as the mystery of power and lands offered? You said yourself before the hunting trip that I had to win this"
"I did, and you will win this. However...I will entertain your worries for a small time. What nice, second son wouldn't jump at a chance to wed the proud huntress of the Hylms family? Look at both yourself and all that you've accomplished. We have the largest lands and the closest visual and historical links to our ancestors"
"Astrid doesn't have to marry"
"And neither do you; though if you want to lead your own area you will. Look at your options if you don't- you either stay here with your sister"
"Urgh"
"Or you perform a coup and take over the region, which you will not comment on, so your third option is to set out on your own"
"I would rather rule"
"And I would rather you rule than end up living in a shack in the woods. You would likely marry into the Ryn's" she gestured to Gunnar; still chatting to her father. Aela glanced at her mother, confused "Marl Rynson? But... he is betrothed?"
"And betrothals can be broken. They oft do, for many reasons. Look at myself and your father"
She gave her mother a look. "You assassinated his betrothed"
"If you were to wish it theirs will be broken and the union will be set. Together you and your sister would control the entire northern area of our lands" her mother said proudly. She nodded, not particularly caring for the fate of the girl he was set to marry if it would secure her future. If she didn't win today, second prize wasn't too bad. She would bring her family honour and have power as well.
"I will win mother, I will" she promised, gliding away and towards her friends.