Chapter 4: IV. The Family |
The main room was not so large but seemed anyway the widest zone of the house.
From the chimney, it was possible to see two other rooms, both on the back of the hall, one on the left and one on the right, immediately next.
Through the first one, Dag could spot a big bed and two smaller ones: everything was tidy and clean, Asa should have been a careful housewife.
The second door was half opened, so, curious, he started moving in that direction, when the woman came back, opening the door.
Dag stopped and feigned to warm his hands next to the fireplace.
"Don't be worried dear child, this is your home now, feel free. But take a bath first" chuckled Asa.
Then she hung the bucket on the fire, in the chimney and after a few minutes, the water started boiling.
"Why are there two small beds? Do you have kids?" answered Dag.
"Yes, I have. A boy and a girl".
Asa chuckled again: "you're so curious, aren't you? I don't know you yet, but I like your spirit".
The woman smiled, for the first time since Dag met her, then she passed a hand through Dag's blonde hair. Her hand was not like Earth women's hands, seemed stronger and heavier.
Perhaps, without seeing, it felt like a man touch.
"Eirik is with his father in the woods, Gridd is at the town market. I sent her to buy some straw for the cows. They will be happy to find out they have a little brother now".
"Is Gridd gone alone at the market? Is it not dangerous? The town is far from here" answered Dag.
In the meanwhile, Asa moved to the corner of the main room and emptied the bucket in a big barrel. The water was so hot that some vapor arose from its bottom, floating in the air.
Then she brought the bucket with her to repeat the process.
"It may be dangerous, yes. If you're weak. My daughter is probably stronger than me, she's being training to become a warrior. Every day in the morning, she goes to the Arena, and trains with the other warriors... then, when she comes back home, she helps me managing this house and our animals" said Asa, proud of her daughter.
"Taya said you're not a great warrior before… what happened? Did they test your combat skills in the Arena?"
"Yes, Taya did that. She threw me in the center of the arena just after my arrival on this Planet. I've been beaten by a boy bigger and taller than me, it was unfair!" whined Dag.
"Hahahaha, unfair! Ohohoh, my poor little boy…is there anything fair in this life? Listen, you can choose how to spend your time okay? You can study the archives at the Jernhest library, you can learn a job, you can become a good tailor or blacksmith, you can do whatever fits your skills! But if you choose to become a warrior what you have to do is to win. No matter if you do so fairly… you just win. Life can be cruel sometimes… and so is War".
Asa opened the door again, to reach the well, when Dag saw a man in a distance, walking slowly to the house.
"Asa!" called frightened Dag.
She turned her head in that direction: "don't worry child, I know him. He's your father".
He was a big, solid man, wearing a half-opened dirty shirt and normal brown trousers. He held an axe in his right hand. On his face, an expression of wickedness, little eyes hidden by the eyebrows and a long, messy, red beard.
Right behind him, getting closer, it was possible to distinguish another short figure, a boy.
It might be Eirik.
The boy was dragging a furry carcass, probably a boar. Asa finished filling the bucket in the well, then stood up.
"Asa! Look at your son! We were coming back home when he found and killed this boar…with bare hands! Hahaha, look at him! Give him some mead, he deserved it! Hahaha!" yelled the big man.
Asa left the bucket on the ground and walked towards the man, with a warm smile painted on her face. Then she opened her arms, the man did the same, hugging Asa, that lifted off the ground. They kissed.
"Bleah, I hate these sweet nothings, they make me vomit… look, mother! I fucking killed a pig!" yelled the boy, carrying the dead boar over the ground.
Dag was puzzled, nobody seemed to have noticed him, staying right at the doorstep. The boy was a short, bold fellow, with black hair.
He wore a sleeveless leather jersey and short trousers.
After a few seconds, he finally looked at Dag.
"Maaa! I found a lost puppy! Probably he's a beggar coming from the town!"
"Hahah!" laughed Asa.
"I'm so sorry for you Eirik, but he's not. He is your new brother, his name is Dag. This morning he came from Earth… he's part of the family now" she continued, looking at Dag with loving eyes.
"What?! An earthling? My brother? Look at him, he's weak, he's not a Viking! I don't want a bunny as a brother!" complained Eirik, that got closer to Dag and started to study every single detail, staring at him.
"An earthling kid? Why did they deliver him here? This is weird" interrupted Stein, taking part in the conversation.
"Guys, he's okay! He's just arrived here, don't be rude as always. He belongs to us, and we must take care of him, you know the law. So, stop complaining uselessly and be polite, this kid is your son and your brother now" replied Asa.
"Oh oh, well… may he be a gift from Odin!" exclaimed him, approaching Dag, who stood still in his position.
"But… he smells worse than me! Come with me kid, you need a bath!" he continued, hitting Dag's shoulder with a friendly slap.
They both entered the door.
Eirik followed his father, without a word.
In about an hour, Dag was clean, after taking a warm, relaxing bath.
He changed into clean, decent clothes, probably belonging to Eirik, which had Dag's same body size.
Then he sat at the table, with Asa, Stein, and Eirik.
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