Adlif knew the avid look on his daughter's face, knew the hungry stare and the narrowing of her eyes. She was drawn in, captured, by their Chieftain. Bitterly Adlif acknowledged that Fjalfar was a master of the word. He could rouse even the dullest of crowds, and this collection of youth and honorless men were keen for the opportunities this ship, this task, afforded them. They ate up Fjalfar’s words and waited on bated breath for more. 

His daughter was easily entrapped by their brave leader’s words. She wanted to prove herself so badly, it was clear. Adlif wondered if he had done Ásdís a disservice by keeping her so sheltered all her life. Had he forced her hand now? If only he had let her try as her siblings had, perhaps now she would not be so willing to plunge head first into this foolish mission. 

These thoughts were atypical for Adlif and he frowned all the more for them. His life had been so straightforward until now...It was not like the warrior to question their chief, or even more so his daughter. 

Ásdís was completely unaware of her father’s struggles. Her eyes shone and her cheeks flushed with excitement. This adventure was the start for her, her way to stand alone on her own two feet and show the world she was more than just the youngest Bright Eye, more than mediocre, to stand in the spotlight and not share a  speck of it with her brothers or sisters. The glory, the riches, the titles… It would all be hers. 

Visions of the raiding parties she would lead blinded her to the looks of incredulity and mockery of Fjalfar’s finest warriors. Had she only brought her head out of the clouds perhaps Ásdís would have known...Would have noticed that these tried and true men did not think this a worthy cause. Perhaps then she might use her brain and wonder why it was that no one but herself had faith in this mission.

Alas, as one in the heat of passion is likely to do, she saw only the shining future for all she hoped it to be, rather than the dark and decidedly ignoble path it promised.