HEIM OF GODS

Chapter 2: SHADOWS IN THE MEAD-HALL (UNREST)

As kael walked out of the stable, Thorold watched him go, a thoughtful expression on his face. He held a piece of rag in his hands, rubbing it absently as he pondered the strange encounter.

What had brought kael out to the stable on this dark and quiet night? Thorold's eyes narrowed as he gazed out into the darkness, his mind whirling with possibilities.

As he stood there, lost in thought, his eyes drifted back to the horse that kael had described. The horse was standing quietly in its stall, its eyes calm and peaceful.

Thorold's gaze lingered on the horse for a moment, and then he turned and walked away, disappearing into the shadows of the stable. The only sound was the soft rustling of the hay and the distant hooting of an owl, echoing through the night air.

And with that, the darkness closed in, shrouding the stable and its secrets in an impenetrable veil of night.

Kael, a young guard, stepped out of his quarters and into the bustling streets of the ancient city. The air was thick with the smell of hot metal, freshly baked bread, and the acrid tang of sweat. The city was a hive of activity, with people from all walks of life hurrying to and fro.

As Kael walked, he was intercepted by his friend and fellow guard, Vigdis Shadowfire. Vigdis was a tall, lanky man with a mop of unruly black hair and a quick wit.

"Hey, Kael! What's got you looking like you've lost your last marble?" Vigdis asked, falling into step beside Kael.

Kael shook his head, trying to clear the cobwebs. "Just didn't sleep well, that's all."

Vigdis raised an eyebrow. "You're not still having those weird dreams, are you? The ones where you're running through the forest, chasing after the Norns?"

Kael shot Vigdis a warning look. "Shut up, Vigdis. It's nothing like that."

Vigdis chuckled. "Oh, come on! You're not going to start sleepwalking like old Thorgrim, are you? You know, they say he used to get up in the middle of the night and try to wrestle the household gods."

Kael rolled his eyes. "That's just an old wives' tale, Vigdis."

The two guards walked on, making their way through the crowded streets. They passed by the temple of Odin, where the priests were chanting and burning incense. They walked by the blacksmiths' quarter, where the sound of hammering on metal filled the air.

As they turned a corner, they came to a small eatery, tucked away in a quiet alley. The sign above the door read "The Golden Boar", and the smell of roasting meat wafted out into the street.

Kael and Vigdis ducked inside, taking a seat at a wooden table. The proprietor, a stout woman with a warm smile, came over to take their order.

"What'll it be, lads?" she asked.

Vigdis grinned. "We'll take the usual, please. A plate of your finest salted pork and some of those delicious barley cakes."

Kael nodded in agreement, and the woman bustled off to prepare their meal.

As they waited for their food to arrive, Vigdis leaned in, a mischievous glint in his eye. "So, Kael, what's really going on? You're not still spooked by those dreams, are you?"

Kael sighed and leaned back in his chair, his eyes gazing upwards as if seeking the gods' guidance. "I swear to the All-Father, Vigdis, I've never had a night like that before. I was awoken by a voice, a whisper that seemed to come from all around me. It was calling my name, summoning me to the stable."

Just as Kael began to explain, the proprietor interrupted with their meal. "Here you go, lads! Your salted pork and barley cakes, fresh from the hearth!" She set down a steaming hot plate in front of each of them, the aroma of roasting meat and freshly baked bread wafting up to tease their senses.

Vigdis dug in with gusto, but Kael's appetite was tempered by his desire to recount the events of the previous night. "As I said, Vigdis, I was summoned to the stable by a voice. When I arrived, I saw one of the horses, a mare named Sleipnir's Gift, lying on the ground. And then...and then she rose up, her coat covered in some sort of dark, tar-like substance. And her eyes...her eyes glowed with an otherworldly light."

Vigdis looked up from his meal, a skeptical expression on his face. "It's just a dream, isn't it? None of them are real." He shook his head, his voice dripping with doubt. "Kael, you must be mistaken.

I know what I saw that night, and mind you, I wasn't sleeping. I was awake. The moon was full, the stars were shining bright, and I saw nothing out of the ordinary."

Kael's face fell, his eyes clouding over with frustration. "I'm telling you, Vigdis, I saw what I saw. And it was no dream."

"What are you going to do now, Kael?" Vigdis asked, his brow furrowed with concern.

Kael shrugged. "I don't know, maybe just forget about it!. Thorold told me to see the Völva Kaida."

Vigdis's eyes widened in surprise. "Thorold! You mean Thorold was right there that night?"

Kael shook his head. "Not that he saw what I saw, but..."

Vigdis interrupted him. "I think you should do what he said. You should speak with the Völva Kaida. Maybe she'll find some good words to tell you, some wisdom to guide you through this strange time."

Kael nodded, feeling a sense of disbelief wash over him.

I know that look when I see one. You don't think she can help do you.

But Vigdis was already standing up, his eyes glancing towards the city gate. "We should get going. We don't want the Hersir to put us on a níðing pole for not showing up at the Burh."

Kael grinned, feeling a sense of camaraderie with his friend. "You're right, let's go."