Goosebumps ran down her arms at the promise of hard work. Ásdís was so ready. 

Recognizing the dismissal she filtered out of the mead-hall slowly, careful not to be caught staring at Hralding (though she definitely stole a few more glances his way) while meandering through the throngs of people. Her mind wandered to what it was going to be like, to be a Viking in reality rather than just name. She thought of the treasures she’d bring home and the heroic deeds to her name, a sweet smile coming to her lips as she finally felt the damp fresh air hit her cheeks. 

Blinking in the watery sunlight Ásdís wondered if there were any more chores she ought to worry about before heading back to the farm. To pack!  A skip to her step the red head started her way down the lane before spotting her father.

Surprised to see who his companion was Ásdís hurried along to meet the two men. 

Adlif could see Ásdís coming out of the mead hall . She’d be with them very soon. His sharp eyes narrowed and he moved to grab the witch by the back of the neck. From afar this would look like a friendly gesture, pulling the man in for a confidential word. His grip however was not friendly. 

“You stay away from Ásdís. You and your Children Of Trees. Ásdís has no business wielding spears of any sorts!” He growled. 

Adlif hadn’t been sure if the witch truly meant they had been discussing weaponry or the man had been making some lude remark to his manhood. Either was an unacceptable answer for Adlif, but if he put his foot down about the man he was sure his daughter would be contrary. 

Best to let her realize the witch was a weakling and a coward on her own. 

A smile crossed Adlif’s face suddenly and he boomed with laughter as his daughter skipped up. Her green eyes moved between the two men uncertainly but she smiled all the same as it was good to see her father in such a bright mood. 

“You missed it!” She cried, turning to her companion breathlessly. “Hralding gave a magnificent speech…Really got the blood stirring!” The dreamy look in her eyes said it all. Ásdís was in love with her future, unable to see anything but the glory it was sure to be. She sighed romantically and pushed a lock of her dark red hair away from her rosie cheeks. 

“It will be splendid! We will sail, and raid and I will have many accolades to my name, and you yours my friend” she added generously to the witch, clapping him on the arm. “We’ll be true Vikings and no one will question our place in the tribe anymore…” 

Ásdís started to go on down the path past her father and his friend, she needed to ready her things after all. She paused and turned with a cheery look. “And you can teach me how to wield your spear!” Oblivious to the alarm this proclamation might have brought to her father or her new found friend Ásdís went on her merry way.

Adlif’s hard eyes narrowed even more as his daughter sauntered off. Turning those hard eyes on the  witch it seemed as if Adlif was considering right then and there to kill the man and save himself any worry while Ásdís was gone.