HEIM OF GODS

Chapter 9: THE DAWN OF BROTHERHOOD

The first light of dawn seeped through the wooden slats of the longhouse, painting the fur-covered bed in soft gold. The warmth of the night’s fire had faded, leaving only the ghostly embers glowing in the hearth. The air was thick with the lingering scent of pine, ale, and the deep musk of passion.

Kael stirred beneath the heavy furs, his muscles aching—not from battle, but from the fervor of the night before. His skin still bore the traces of her touch, the faint red scratches along his back, the ghost of her lips lingering on his chest. He opened his eyes to find her still beside him, her bare form partially draped in the furs, her golden hair cascading over her shoulders. In the dim morning light, she looked like a goddess carved from the dreams of men—her skin still flushed with the remnants of their fevered embrace.

For a moment, he simply watched her, his breath steady, his heart strangely full.

But the world outside was waking. And with it, duty called.

A loud crash echoed from beyond the room, followed by a drunken, familiar voice.

"Kael! You still alive, you damned hesthǫfði?!" Vigdis’s laughter rang through the hallway.

Kael groaned, rubbing his temples. "By Odin’s spear, does the man ever sleep?"

The woman beside him stirred, stretching like a satisfied cat. "Your friend seems to have had a victorious night of his own," she murmured, a playful smirk tugging at her lips.

Kael chuckled, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "Vigdis counts any night with ale and a woman as a victory."

As if summoned, the door banged open, and there stood Vigdis—his tunic haphazardly thrown over his broad shoulders, his belt barely fastened, and his hair still tangled from the grasp of the two women he had disappeared with. His face was flushed from both drink and exertion, and yet, somehow, he looked as refreshed as if he had merely taken a short nap.

"Good! You’re awake!" Vigdis grinned, stepping inside as if he owned the place. "I was worried I’d have to drag your sorry ass out of bed myself." His gaze shifted to the woman lying beside Kael, and he let out a low whistle. "By Thor’s hammer, I see you’ve been well-kept through the night."

Kael rolled his eyes, but the woman only laughed, completely unbothered by the intrusion. She pulled the furs tighter around herself but made no effort to hide her amusement. "Your friend is quite the bold one," she mused.

Vigdis smirked. "Life is short. No use wasting time with shyness." He slapped Kael’s shoulder. "Come, brother, duty awaits!"

Kael sighed, stretching as he sat up. The cool air kissed his bare skin, bringing clarity to the hazy warmth of the night before. He glanced once more at the woman, who watched him with an expression that said she had no regrets.

"Go," she said, her voice softer now. "Your battles do not wait for you."

Kael nodded, leaning down to press a final kiss to her lips before standing. He reached for his breeches, fastening them while Vigdis continued to ramble about the night’s escapades.

As the two soldiers stepped out into the crisp morning air, the scent of roasting meat and fresh bread drifted through the settlement. The village was already alive—blacksmiths hammering steel, soldiers sharpening their blades, and shieldmaidens tending to their horses.

Vigdis stretched, cracking his neck with a satisfied groan. "A fine night, a finer morning. But soon, we troubled by trouble, brother."

Kael nodded, his mind sharpening once more. The pleasures of the night were behind him. Ahead lay his duty, the very fate of the Nine worlds, and the the difficult choices he must make.