Maya's POV
We had docked between two piers, one along a steep mountain side the other a little further out. They looked old, but they were built of massive logs and didn't budge once even when the ships anchored between them. The bridges themselves were built on top of logs or pillars sticking at least two, three meters above sea level. After walking down, the wooden construction, that seemed to go on forever we finally reached a sand covered beach.
Confused I had searched for this village Arcane and Tew had told me about, but I saw nothing. No buildings, nothing, but I heard voices. Apparently, they had decided that creating a village right by the water was a bad idea, and while we walked over the beach and to the forest edge I understood why. The water looked peaceful now, the beach covered several meters up from the water covered with fine sand, small rocks and colorful seashells. But when I passed the tree lines, the discoloration on the tree trunks were clear evidence on just how wild and high the water could rise. A couple of places the darker color stretched up at least a meter up the tree trunks, and most of them didn't have any branches at all before reaching a high above my head.
"This island fronts the open sea, and when seasons change we get the wild winds, undercurrents and storms crashing on this end like a scorn mermaids revenge on her cheating lover. Deadly and impossible to control, so instead we chose to create some distance."
Arcane's voice snapped me out of my own head. We had been walking down this little path, surrounded by dense forest for several minutes, but still I've seen seashells and dried up seaweed on the ground. A shill run down my spine thinking of what this meant and exactly how much water and power we were talking about here and I've never even been a good swimmer!
"Good choice!"
I answered while shaking of the shiver only for him to laugh at me.
"How much longer until we get there?"
I had mixed feeling about this, parts of me jumped in excitement to see this place, stepping on one place like a toddler having to use the restroom. But a part of me also felt nervous, I didn't know much about this place, about the people here. I knew I felt with some of them from what I've been told, scorn, rejected and alone, people that had no others created this pack. I wanted to trust Arcane and believe Tew, but really, I didn't even know them. A lone I willingly followed a group of unknown men into the deep forest, for all I know I'm the scarifies they brough home from their raid.
No, I don't really think so, it is just my insecurity. But to sum it all up, I don't know anything about this place, or this people.
"Nah, it is just up to that mountain, little up, around and in between."
"Between?"
"Yeah, that is only one of five peaks on this island. We found the perfect place, and they create protection all around our village."
I had trouble picturing this as anything else than an imaginary fantasy village with dancing light in the air, small leprechaun dancing in the long grass and a massive rainbow over the massive mountain fence going all around it. Then the rest of the conversation registered, and I groaned picturing a sweaty climb up the steep mountain.
Sulking a little, I followed the rest of the crowd passing lush bushes, overgrown trees and round and red berries scattered all over the ground. Suddenly the mood changed, and I was caught off guard. The bulky, somehow scare men started cheering, laughing and I swear a couple of them even started skipping down the path to the edge of the mountain. Curious, I started looking around everyone in front of me.
Down the path further ahead, children of all sizes and ages poured out of the mountain. Well, not really, but the little passage came out between two small peeks. The Viking pack also had several kids, all boys of course, but now when I see these kids, I understand how much they were holding back. They never ran towards the men, not even their fathers. Usually, they stuck together with the other kids while mothers stood nearby. These kinds reminded me more of the happy, playing children I used to walk pass on the daycare scenter in my old neighborhood.
I watched in awe as the men catches one or two of them, jumping up on them. Some walked up the steep road with a little human on their shoulders, Tew had two on his back making horse noises accompanied with exited screaming and laughter. It wasn't that steep, and not that long, but when we rounded a little corner and the ground leveled out, I stopped and stared. Arcane made strange growling sounds and ran out on the open field, with one child under each arm.
My image of a fairytale village was not that far-fetched! No leprechauns and massive rainbow, but still! Long green grass on the open field, mountains all around and in the middle a little group of houses in different sizes. Long hollow wooden logs went from some of the houses and to the little water right outside the center area. Others had logs and other hollowed wooden pipes placed on the ground to various streams falling down the mountain walls. Kinds jumped over them, splashed water on each other. Small stripes of smoke rose from most houses and a couple of firepits were scattered around nearby the pound and in the middle of the little town. Dogs barked, running after the kids and jumping and birds chirp and song cut through the sound a thriving people.
This was nothing like I've pictured! I felt happy and lighter just by standing here and watching. I realized how judgmental I've been without even realizing. I expected a dark little area, some shabby wooden building crowded together, a massive fireplace with scraps and mess around it. Bulky and grumpy men, cleaning and sharpening their weapons while drinking bear, or mead or whatever they call it. I never envisioned kids, families and all this carefree and positive energy.
An hour later, I felt like home. Smiling and sweat, I haven't felt this great in a very long time. I had just stared at the little village for a couple of minutes, before a group of kids spotted me and after a giggling and halfway through shy introduction they warmed up. With begging and laugher, they started to edge me into playing with them. Holding my hands and pulling me with, and I followed. Dumped my bag by the fireplace and ran after the group of screaming boys.
After a couple of hours a metallic bell sound echoed through the mountains, and one of the boys shouted with excitement "LUNCH!"
And now here we are, around one of the firepits, breaking pieces of wholemeal bread and dipping it, softening it in a warm soup.
Everyone eta in silence only some slurping sounds broke the comfortable peace in between the sizzling sound from the fire. It lasted a whole five minutes, I swear these mini humans eats like piranhas! I giggled a little watching them jump right back in the chasing game while finishing my meal.
"They like you."
Arcane slumped down next to me, but I didn't pay him any attention just smiled with the compliment. I've never wanted kids, but it didn't mean I didn't like them and being accepted felt way better than I expected.
"They are nice kids!"
"No... No they are not! They are savage creatures with big and round puppy eyes and the laughter of an angel! But don't be fooled, beneath it all hides a creature with wicked mind and sharp teeth!"
He laughed, and I'm not sure if om supposed to be offended on their behalf or laugh with him.
"Anyway, Tew will hold a meeting around sundown. We need to plan our steps forward, get Toke to speak and figure out where Eir is."
This threw me back to reality, and I ended up staring at my soup bowl with an empty stare,
"Do you think she's okay?"
"No matter Toke's intensions, she's still a female. Most creatures here would protect her like their most precious treasure."
"Yeah, most..."
I muttered, my good mood and light energy rushed out of me like air from a balloon.
"Don't worry, Toke will talk. I have my methods, if not, Hade's have a couple of tricks up his sleeve."
He winked at me, and a shiver ran down my spine.
"Anyway, grab your bag and all show you where you're staying."
He finished the last of his bow and stood up, I followed close behind and grabbed my bag. It wasn't much there, I'm not even sure why I carry it around. I'm used to having little, but here? I have nothing, that man that claimed me took away my shoes, pocked knife and even my hair pins claiming I didn't need that trash here.
My darkening mood spread like a poisonous shadow in my body while I dragged my feet after Arcane through the village. I didn't find any of my things while I threw whatever I could find to pack in a rush. I stole a little fur tossed on his floor, and some charcoal pieces I found with Eir and some of my drawings.
The bag weighed more itself that what it contains, and to be honest none of the items could help me here.
"Here! It's not much but is better than nothing!"
He beamed towards a little wooden house, with a little dusty window and moss covered roof.
Opening the door, it was a cozy little cabin with a fireplace, and a lot of dust and a bed at the end of the room.
"You can sleep here. Why don't you pack out and I'll come back and show you where to wash up and swim?"
I placed my bag on the floor In front of the bed,
"There, I'm done. Who used to live here?"
His eyes darted from my bag and back up to me a couple of times, and I avoided his stare. He didn't ask, and for that I'm grateful.
"Nothing is unused here, buildings or materials. Whenever a new family or member joins us, we build them a new house together as a community. If one for a reasoned ends up empty, the oldest teenagers still living at home are offered to move in. But this piece of heaven, however, is my home."
He beamed, and my eyes darted to him.
"Don't worry, it's a big bed! It will fit us both!"