Mystic Forest, 895AD…

Tait walked through the forest, keeping his eyes sharp for his target. He had been running late. He would have to finish his chores before he could leave for the day. He had rushed them as quick as possible so that he could be by the river when the sun was high. He looked around, but he seemed to be alone. Tait quickly licked his lips, and then he whistled, mimicking a bird call. Seconds later, he heard a whistle.

He started in the direction the whistle had come from, and he whistled again. Again, he received a whistle, and he quietly stalked through the trees searching. He paused next to a tree and noticed a shadow on the ground. His mouth curved in a grin. His target was above him. Tait then kicked the narrow tree trunk hard, and it shook the branches above. He heard a squeal and Tait held out his arms as Seri fell from the branches above and dropped perfectly into his arms. He held her bridal style, and he grinned victoriously as she smiled back at him with those soft blue eyes.

“Well, look at my luck. I caught a Valkyrie.” He teased, and she laughed.

Tait and Seri had been best friends since the day he found her in the woods nine years ago. She had snuck away to see him every day since the first. They would meet at the river when the sun was high every day. It was the highlight of his day. He had never told his mother about Seri; he knew she would never approver. Seri was his little secret, and from what he knew, Seri never told anyone about him. They met in secret every day, and as Seri got older, she stayed longer because she no longer had a nanny following her around that she had to lose in the woods.

They had changed since they were children. Tait had gotten much bigger. He had to duck and stand hunched over when he was in the hut. If he did not, he hit his head on the ceiling every time. He stood a good 6’6” easy if not taller. His thick black hair hung on his shoulders in an unruly natural wave. He had even grown a short course stubble of dark hair over his jaw. His body had changed over time, as well. His shoulders became broad, and his waist narrow. He had developed muscle that made him bulky but strong. He could carry Seri with ease.

She had changed over the years as well from that boxy figureless child to a woman. A few years ago, she had begun to develop curves. She was short then again compared to him he supposed most were. She stood around 5’4” a good foot shorter than him. Her lack of height was unusual for a Norse. Most of their countrymen were build larger. She always said she got her height from her mother who was not also smaller than most of their women. She was slender yet curvy. She had developed breasts which, if he was honest with himself, he had a hard time not staring. Her waist was small, and her hips wider. When she walked, they swayed and again, he did his best not to stare.

Her long blond hair was thick, and she often wore it tied back in a thick heavy braid that hung to her bottom. Her blue eyes always sparkled, and her lips were full and perfect. She was so beautiful the Goddess Freya would be envious. If he was to be completely honest with himself, Tait had developed a tender for Seri. He fancied her in ways he did not understand. When he was near Seri, he experienced a strange feeling. Her eyes made his pulse quicken. When she touched him, his body stirred and from time to time; he experienced stiffness in his lower region. At night she haunted his dreams. Over the years, his feelings for Seri had changed, and he did not know how to tell her he wanted more from their relationship than friendship.

Seri giggled as she sat comfortably in his arms. “You knew I was up there.” She accused.

“You are far from stealthy.” He laughed.

“Ok, put me down.” She said, squirming. Tait placed her on her feet, and Seri straightened her skirt. “You know it is not so easy to climb a tree in a dress.” She defended her failed attempt to get the drop on him.

“I would never know. Fortunately for me, I am not burdened with a dress.” He mocked her as she began to circle the tree put it between them and peaking out at him with that mischievous grin he had come to love.

“You have no idea how inconvenient it is to be a woman.” She said, ducking back behind the tree and peaking out at him from the other side.

“It is no more convenient to be a man.” He told her. She had no idea how frustrating it was to try to hide his arousal when she was near. The damn thing just kept popping up, and he had no one he could confide in about it. It was not something he could tell his mother, and he had no father to help guide him through the awkwardness of becoming a man.

“It is a man’s world.” She pointed out as she giggled and ran off to another tree, enticing him to try to catch her. Tait took the bait and chased her to the next tree. He could overtake her, but he gave the distance allowing her to play her little game. “Men make all the rules and get to tell women what to do.”

Tait laughed. “I find it hard to believe you would allow any man to tell you what to do.”

“Why do you say that?” She asked. “Do you not find me docile and obedient?” She asked as she rushed past him.

Tait reached out, and his arm hooked around her waist as he caught her and swung her up off her feet. He now held her against him, her back against his chest and both his arms wrapped around her waist. He thoughtlessly nuzzled her neck and whispered in Seri’s ear. “I do not think you understand the definition of docile and obedient.” Seri was far from either.

Seri slipped from his arms and put distance between them. “I should be insulted.” She said, straightening her back and squaring her shoulders as she thrust her chin out defiantly. The sparkle in her eyes told him she was not angry as she was pretending to be.

“Come now; you know it is your wild and fierce side that I adore it so much.”

She grinned and rolled her eyes. She was dressed in a heavy wool dress today as well. It was fall, and the weather was turning colder every day. Even Tait had chosen a heavier tunic. Tait stared at Seri, and he could feel the nerves flutter in his belly. He had decided that today was the day he was going to tell Seri his feelings had changed. He wanted to banish this secret, but he worried she did not feel the same. Today he would muster his courage and tell her.

“Seri I was…” He paused when they both heard someone calling her name. Someone had come looking for her. People did not usually do that anymore unless something was happening back in the village.

“I have to go.” She told him with regret. He knew she did. Seri stood up on her toes, her hand flat to his chest as she placed a chaste kiss to his cheek. “I will see you tomorrow.” She promised. Tait nodded, and he watched her run off. He followed close behind so she would not see him. He hid behind a tree when she met up with another young woman who seemed excited. “Malin, what is it?” Seri asked.

“Your father has returned.” The girl told Seri. Tait saw how Seri’s face lit up. It was the autumn season, and the men who went off to sea were returning for the winter season. He watched as Seri picked up the front of her long skirt, and she and Malin ran off, heading back to the village.

Tait sighed as he leaned against the tree. He would tell her tomorrow.

***

Vremore Palace…

“She should be married,” Cain said as he began to remove his armour. His ship had returned just an hour ago.

“Seri is not going to approve of the idea,” Zahra said as she helped her husband remove the heavy chest plate he wore. Now that he was home, there was no need for his amour.

“I am King and her father; she must do as I tell her,” Cain said with arrogance, and then he paused and smiled at his wife sweetly. “You will tell her, right?” They both knew their daughter was wild and strong-willed. She had a temper on her that sometimes got the best of her.

“Oh no, you want her to marry, then you tell her.” Zahra giggled as she hung up his chest plate on the armour stand with the rest of his pieces. “I will have no part of that.”

“She is eighteen. As Princess, she has a duty to her people. I need an heir.”

Seri was their only child. Zahra had been pregnant a few times, but for some reason, she had been unable to birth her husband a living son. Out of four pregnancies, only their daughter had survived. Zahra had given birth to three sons, and all three were stillborn. The births had all been very difficult, and after the fourth, Zahra had been unable to get pregnant again.

For this reason, Cain had no heir. While Zahra felt terrible about her failure to bring a living son into the world, Cain never blamed her. It meant now that Cain would have to name a successor.

“Every time I sail, I risk the chance of not coming back. I could die. You know it, and I know it. I must name a successor.”

“I know.” She said sadly. Neither of them liked to think about him not returning, but they both knew it was a possibility.

“I believe the fairest way to choose is to name whomever Seri weds. That is how I will choose.”

“But to force her into a marriage,” Zahra sighed as she accepted his sword as he removed his weapons belt. “Cain, that’s not fair to Seri.”

“We were forced into marriage, and we turned out fine.” He reminded her.

“I know, but it could have gone the other way. You were a very difficult man.”

“I was difficult?” Cain laughed as he took his wife into his arms.

“I just do not feel right forcing her into a loveless marriage,” Zahra said as she placed her hand over his heart. “She should have a say in who she marries.”

“How about this? I will present her with appropriate suitors, and she may have the winter season to court them. Come spring, she must choose one to marry. Whoever she chooses will be my successor on my passing. Would that be fair?”

Zahra thought it over. “That would be fair.”

“And you will tell her?” Cain tried once more with a mischievous smile.

Zahra laughed. “Not on your life.”

Cain rolled his eyes. “Fine, I will risk bodily harm for the good of my kingdom.” He grinned, backing Zahra up to the bed. He lowered his head to kiss her lips. “After I make love to my beautiful wife.”

***

Seri ran through the halls to her grandmother’s chambers; she was late for the evening meal. They always ate in her grandmother’s private room. They ate the evening meal as a family. Her father was home finally, and Seri was excited. She had gone down to the beach to welcome him home, but besides a quick hello, she had spent no time with him as he, like any man, wished to be alone with his wife after being away for so long. Seri allowed her parents their privacy.

Seri pushed the door open and went inside. The kitchen servants were placing the meal on the table. She saw her grandmother Ellika, her aunt Annaliesa and her husband Erik, who was one of Cain’s warriors and had just returned with her father.

Erik and Annaliesa were similar in age. Shortly after Seri was born, they had started a love affair. Erik felt he was unfit to court a princess, but Annaliesa’s beauty had seduced him, and soon, he was begging for her hand. Marrying Annaliesa did not give Erik any claim to the throne, but he did not seem to care; they were a love match, and Cain gave Erik his blessing and welcomed him to the family.

Seri looked around; she did not see her mother or father. “Where are they?” Seri asked.

“In bed would be my guess.” Erik snickered only to be slapped in the arm by her Aunt.

“Erik, not in front of children.” She scolded her husband. They had three children at the moment, and Annaliesa was sure to end up pregnant again now that her husband was home.

Erik laughed as he pulled her close. “Do not kid yourself, my love; they know more then they let on.” They had three boys; Warwick was 15, Taggert was 12, and Gage as only 8. The two older boys sailed with their father, but Gage was still a few years off, so he remained at home with his mother like young boys did, but he looked forward to the day he would sail off with his father and brothers.

“Have you been corrupting my sons while you are away?” Annaliesa asked knowingly.

A wicked look passed between Warwick and his father, and they all knew at that moment Warwick was more man than they were letting on. “I would never do that.” Erik lied. From the look in Annaliesa’s eyes, she knew her husband was lying, but she decided to let the matter go.

Gage was on his knees, petting Spirit and playing a game of tug-of-war with a section of rope that both boy and beast were loving. Her father had found Spirit in the woods a few years ago. Spirit was a stark white wolf. Her father had found him as a cub snared in a hunter’s trap and had freed Spirit. He had brought the cub back to the palace and gifted him to his daughter. She had nursed Spirit back to health, and he had been her furry little buddy ever since. From time to time, she even brought Spirit with her to the river where they played with Tait. Spirit liked Tait, and animals were a pretty good judge of character.

“I see you still have that Mongrel.” Erik nodded at Spirit.

“Of course,” Seri said with a smile. “Mother said we could keep a pet. I have Spirit and Aunt Annaliesa has you.” She winked at Erik, and everyone laughed.

“You have a sharp tongue.” Erik snickered.

The door opened and in came Cain and Zahra. Seri smiled at her father and rushed over, hugging him tightly. She always missed him so much when he was gone. He hugged her back. “You are even prettier than I remember,” Cain told her.

Seri was small and curvy like her mother. She barely cleared 5’4,” and despite eating like a man, she never gained any weight. Besides her physical build, Seri took after her father; she had his golden hair and the same steely blue eyes.

Her mother, while having embraced her new culture, was a born Scot. Her black hair and green eyes, while not unheard of, were uncharacteristic for this part of the world. Besides her mother, everyone else in the room had some variation of blond locks and blue eyes. She supposed her great-grandfather on her mother’s side had looked more like Zahra, but the man had died of old age back when Seri was very young, it was unfortunate, but Seri could not remember him.

Now that everyone was finally in attendance, they all took their seats at the large table Ellika had built many years ago to accommodate the vast growth in her family. Cain sat at the head of the table with his wife and mother on either side of him.

They began to eat, and the men were telling tales of their adventures. When Cain mentioned a close call he had, Ellika scolded him. “You should be more careful. After all, you have no heir. If you die without naming a successor, it will be a free for all with every man turning on each other trying to be the new King.”

“On that note,” Cain said, clearing his throat. “I have decided to name a successor before spring.” A murmur spread around the table.

“Who do you have in mind?” Annaliesa asked.

“Well, I have decided to let Seri choose.”

Seri’s eyes widened in shock. “Me?”

“I have thought long and hard about it. I have concluded that the only fair way to choose is to name the man you marry.” Cain explained.

“Marry?” Seri gasped.

“Yes, marry. You are 18 this year; you are of marrying age. As Princess, you have a duty to the crown and the people. I have decided that you will marry, and the man you wed will be my successor.”

“Are you stark raving mad?” Seri snapped.

“Seri, calm down,” Zahra cut in, “we are willing to be reasonable. Your father and I will choose suitable suitors. You will have the winter to court them, but by spring, you must make a choice.”

“And if I do not choose?” Seri challenged.

“Then I will choose for you,” Cain said.

“This is not fair.” Seri protested.

“It is more than fair,” Zahra told her daughter.

“By spring, I will have a successor, whether you choose him or I do. The matter is non-negotiable.” Cain said, making it extremely clear there would be no further discussion on the matter. “In two days, we will have a banquet. I will announce that your hand is up for offerings. I will choose your suiters, and you will mind me and choose one.” Her father said sternly.

Marriage, she could not believe it if she were married, she could no longer see Tait. No husband would tolerate his wife having any relationship with another man. Seri felt her heart ache as she knew she would be forced to give up her friendship with Tait. She supposed she was a woman now, and it was time to give up her childhood. It broke her heart, but she could never see Tait again.

***

Tait stood under the tree. The hood of his clock up. It was cold today, and it had begun to snow. He had come out to the river as he did every day to find Seri, but she was not there. Tait turned his eyes up to the grey clouds above. It was hard to see the sun, but he knew the sun was setting. He had waited all afternoon, and for the first time in nine years, Seri never came.

Disappointed, Tait turned to head home. When he heard a noise, he turned anxious to see Seri, but another woman emerged from the trees her hood up, and her cloak pulled tight to ward off the chill. As she got closer, he could see her face. She was the girl from the other day. Malin if he recalled her name correctly. “Are you Tait?” She asked. Tait nodded. “I have a message from Seri.”

Tait became anxious. “Is she well?” He was worried. It was not like her not to come.

Malin had an apologetic look on her face. “She is well,” Malin assured him. “She wants you to stop waiting for her. She will never come again.”

“What? Why?” He demanded. “Did I do something wrong? Is she cross with me?”

“She is getting married.” Married… the word was liked a knife to the heart. “She cannot see you anymore.” Tait watched as Malin turned and disappeared back into the trees. So that was it, Seri was gone, and he was lonely once more. Nine years of friendship and she sent a messenger to say good bye.

***

Tait sat at the table, staring into his stew and pushing it around with his wooden spoon. He sighed heavily; his powerful shoulders slumped. His mother looked across the table at him. “What troubles you?” She asked.

“Nothing.” He lied.

“That is a fib. When you went out this afternoon, you were all smiles and excitement, and you returned miserable.” Lotta said, watching him.

“It is nothing.” He said.

“I know what your problem is,” Lotta told him.

Tait offered his mother a worried look. Did she know about Seri? “You do?”

“You thought I forgot.” She grinned.

“Forgot what?” He asked, confused.

“Your birthday.” She said, standing up. A sense of relief washed over Tait. Even he had forgotten it was his birthday. He frowned that only made losing Seri hurt more. Lotta stood up. “Well, I assure you I did not forget my boy’s birth.” She said, going to a trunk at the foot of her bed. Tait slept in the small loft above his mother’s bed. “I have a present for you. Given this is your 19th birthday, I walked twenty miles to Hannifin.” Hannifin was a village on the border of a neighbouring kingdom. It was very far. “I commissioned a gift from the blacksmith.” She said, opening the trunk. “Something every warrior needs.” She held up a magnificent chest plate.

Tait rose to his feet with astonishment. “Armour? It is mine?”

“Yes, Son, all yours. Try it on and let us see if it fits.” Tait allowed his mother to help him don his new armour, which was a carefully constructed combination of leather and bronze panelling. Lotta pulled the leather straps tight, securing the chest plate. Then she helped him with the arm and sin guards. She had even commissioned him a helmet that covered the head, the back of his neck, his eyes and the bridge of his nose. Even though it protected his eyes, it did not limit his vision. He could see just fine. But his long hair hung out from under the bottom of his helmet.

The armour felt heavy, but he liked the weight, it made him feel like a man. “I love it.” He told his mother.

Lotta smiled. “One more thing.” She said, reaching into her trunk. “No armour is complete without a sword.” She pulled the sword from the chest and held it out for him. Tait took the sword in his big hand and held it out in front of him as he studied the fine craftsmanship. A real sword. He finally had a real sword. As he held the sword in his hand, Tait felt a surge of power rushing through his veins. “You look marvellous, My Son,” Lotta said happily. “You look fearsome — a true warrior. You will strike fear in the hearts of men. My job is complete.” She said with pride. “You are a man. Your time has come Tait.”

“My time?” He repeated thoughtfully.

She fussed over his straps one more time. “You are a man now. The time has come for you to fulfill your destiny.”

“My destiny.” He repeated as he stared at his new sword.

“It is time to right the wrongs done to us. It is time to kill the King and take your throne.”

Tait felt himself fill with purpose. His mother was right. He was not a child anymore, and it was time to put childish things behind him. Seri was his childhood. The throne was his future. It was time to forget Seri and move on. It was time to kill the man who had taken his father from him. The man who had them banished. He would be an exile no more. He would go to Vremore and fulfill his destiny… he would kill the King.