The last night with her family had been a tiring one. They ate heartily (Ásdís wasn’t entirely sure where her mother found the extra stores but knew better than question her authority and instead was gracious in accepting the meal with thanks) and told stories of the raids and battles her father and brothers had been a part of in times before. Then wearily Ásdís bedded down and despite the fear she would lie awake all night dreaming of the morning to come she slept. 

Another large breakfast and her bags slung over her shoulder Ásdís was surprised by the solid spear and leather armor her father delivered. They were good quality, at least to the villages standards and Ásdís was touched her family was suppling her so. With tears in her eyes she clung to her father fiercely, whispering she would be honorable and he had nothing to fear before severing their hug and rushing off to where the long boat would be waiting. 

Cresting a hill she looked down at the shore and her future. A lump of fear rolled about in her belly but the red head shoved it aside. Vikings would not fear such a journey, no matter how far from home or how little they had ever traveled. And she was a Viking. 

With a little whoop Ásdís started to run down the hill, her packs hanging from each arm and her spear gripped tightly in her left hand. It wasn’t until she was half way down the hill that she realized the momentum she was building was a bit too much. Trying to slow herself the smallest Bright Eye nearly tripped head over feet. In catching herself she veered drastically off course and found herself plummeting into a dune with an alarming thump! 

Struggling to her feet Ásdís looked about to see if anyone had caught her shameful lack of grace, her cheeks redder than her hair.