[center][h1] [color=8dc73f][i]Arrival at Kattegat [/i][/color][/h1][/center]

Aksel stood up as they neared the shore and the landscape full of homes and businesses in Kattegat’s heart became clearer to the fifteen boats sailing towards it. The adrenaline flowed through his veins faster and faster as they neared the docks. Unloading would take a while but it was going to be worth it. Aksel knew that the ruler here used to be Lagertha but he wasn’t sure who had taken her place after she had died.

Aksel’s wide grin was contagious and he looked to see that many of the others were also extremely happy to be arriving. Glancing down at Reidun he noticed relief upon her face.  [color=gray]“Are you ready to be on land little one?”[/color]

Reidun nodded, keeping her eyes on the land leaping into her view. She could feel her stomach flipping. They were almost there. Thank the gods!  [color=f49ac2]“I was ready yesterday.”[/color] She got herself ready to vacate the boat as they pulled the boats into the dock.

Uffr gave the steering oar one last turn to bring the long ship into an empty space along the dock. Without orders his crew quickly stowed their oars and tied the Odin’s Whisper to land. Uffr looked to Aksel and smiled, [color=FFA500]“We have arrived, I'll give my crew half leave and let's continue on to your needs.”[/color] 

Reidun was the first off of the boat as she scrambled up onto the dock. Aksel watched with understanding as she murmured to him about finding their lodgings. She disappeared into the crowds of people and headed for the great hall where she would have to talk to one of the servants to the hierarchy of the city to find out about lodgings.

Aksel and most of the others disembarked and rambled at a slower pace.

Reidun spoke to several people before she found the right one. When Aksel appeared a few moments later she had the name of an empty lodge they could stay in.  She also knew where to send the rest of the crew for a place to stay. Meals to be eaten for new visitors were generally held in the great hall so the ruler could meet them. As the group approached her she said, [color=f49ac2]“Aksel we have a two bedroom house in town just down the street."[/color] She gave the rest the addresses of the Inn's in town. She fell into step with Aksel and walked with him to the great hall.

Uffr once again split his crew he chose 5 men to stay with the Whisper and bought the rest lodging, with the order to return to the Whisper in the morning. Then Uffr joined Aksel.

Aksel kept his eyes open and noticed the guard protecting the king and his family. He also noticed some of the seedier looking men from another group. He walked up to the ruler and introduced himself. 

[color=gray]“I am Aksel Hallgrimsson an Earl of Denmark and these are my men.” [/color] Aksel’s eyes missed nothing of what went on around him. He saw the man two back on the right that pick pocketed one of his men and another that was making eyes at Reidun.  He was almost always on guard even as he met the ruler Bjorn Erikksen.

[color=orange]“Bjorn Erikksen King of Kattegat, this is my family.” [/color]He said waving to a wife and couple of kids. Aksel nodded and smiled as he raised his mug of ale. Turning slightly, he looked at Uffr and his nod stated that they were okay here.

Uffr returned his nod, of course he and his small group of men had to leave their arms at the gate, but the reason for their presence was obvious enough. Uffr looked around the dimly lit hall, at the men lining the walls in the shadows, he smelled cooking far off and felt his hunger. 

Reidun watched as Aksel and the king spoke and there was a smile upon Aksel’s face. With this knowledge she moved towards the door and bumped into Uffr. 

Uffr looked down and frowned, [color=FFA500]“I apologize Reidun, I must've stood in the wrong place, are you okay”[/color] he said in a soft voice quiet enough not to disturb the official business going on.

Reidun smiled up at him. [color=f49ac2]“It’s alright Uffr. I just need to go put our things in the lodge.”[/color] She glanced outside at the darkness and all of the men that were not part of their crew. She was quite capable on her own but that was a lot of men if the need arose to fight.

Uffr, bored by the slow diplomatic way that things were progressing resorted to counting the armed men in the room.  In the room there was 20 men not including the king. Uffr then looked up to listen in on what's being said. 

Reidun moved lithely around him and walked out the door and headed towards the small house she was given earlier. 

Aksel glanced up and turned his head to see Reidun leave the hall and he made a mental note to keep tabs on her. They had not been in such a large city full of warriors before and he felt responsible for her even though she could fight as good as any man. His attention was stolen by a pretty blonde who was refilling his mug.

With a nod to Aksel Uffr stood and walked through the bland, loud and smelly city back to the Odin's Whisper, where it was clean and semi peaceful, and sent runners to gather the crew. 


Collaboration with [@Sirkaithethird]