{"id":1613,"date":"2022-03-13T22:36:58","date_gmt":"2022-03-14T04:36:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/baakay.com\/Snow\/?page_id=1613"},"modified":"2022-03-20T11:06:29","modified_gmt":"2022-03-20T17:06:29","slug":"chapter-18-qaralana-and-brunulvr","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/baakay.com\/Snow\/volume-ii\/part-i-past-and-present\/chapter-18-qaralana-and-brunulvr\/","title":{"rendered":"Chapter 18 – Qaralana and Brunulvr"},"content":{"rendered":"
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 <\/p>\n

Svegard put out an arm to stop Agnar from getting too far away from them.<\/p>\n

\u201cAh!\u201d a deep voice called out, somewhere just downhill from them. It was a pleasant greeting, but false to Qaralana\u2019s ear, with a sarcastic undertone that made her want to grind her teeth. \u201cAgnar! What are you doing here?\u201d<\/p>\n

She could barely see more than a few body lengths away, but Qara recognized Yngvarr\u2019s voice. She also heard Chip. He was making a sound, as close to a growl as she\u2019d ever heard a human make. It alternated with a similar but even lower tone from the other side of their group. Her focus on the growls was broken, though, as round shields, white with black anvils, appeared out of the deep night. Qara fought to keep her expression neutral. She didn\u2019t want to show Yngvarr how dismayed she was.<\/p>\n

Oh this is bad. Yngvarr must have intended to trap us at the gates! He waited for us to wipe the mercenaries out before coming in with his elite guard. All of those men and women were nothing more than shields and decoys to him. <\/em><\/p>\n

You have no honor at all, Yngvarr.<\/em><\/p>\n

Over the next few moments more and more soldiers appeared, deliberately and completely blocking the road, their weapons raised and ready. Qara felt a sense of panic building in her core and tried to talk herself out of it.<\/p>\n

We\u2019ll have the higher ground if we can get back inside the fort. Isn\u2019t that what Uncle Roggi always said? If you have to fight, take the high ground.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Yngvarr was mounted on a horse so black she could only vaguely make out its shape in the night. It didn\u2019t matter, though. Yngvarr\u2019s sarcastic voice was easy to pinpoint.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, of course,\u201d he said. \u201cFlocking<\/em> to help the people.\u201d<\/p>\n

She heard him turning from side to side on his saddle. \u201cHmm. I don\u2019t see Kolgrim anywhere.\u201d He tsk\u2019d. \u201cHe was about as competent as a chicken fighting a pack of wolves.\u201d<\/p>\n

The low rumbling behind her was getting more intense. Qara wanted to turn around and tell her brother to calm down, but she didn\u2019t dare take her attention off these men in front of her. Out of the corner of her eye, though, she caught Ulgar and Svegard exchanging angry looks. Thorlough, standing silently between them, glared daggers at Yngvarr. Ulgar made a disgusted noise; but before he could speak, Agnar cut him off.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is between you and me, Yngvarr,\u201d he said, firmly but calmly. \u201cLet my family and friends go.\u201d<\/p>\n

Yngvarr chuckled as he dismounted. \u201cOh, but it really isn\u2019t. You asked for help from Thorlough and the Hjorgunnars. You got them involved, Agnar. If they die in this war, it\u2019s all on you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

That was too much for Svegard. \u201cDon\u2019t listen to him, Agnar,\u201d he said, barely able to keep his voice from shaking with anger.<\/p>\n

Yngvarr snorted. \u201cDoes he really still have you two wrapped around his finger? How long are you going to let him pull your strings, hmm?\u201d<\/p>\n

Qara fumed. They\u2019re his housecarls. Of course they would come to his aid! Yngvarr is just trying to get us to be careless.<\/em><\/p>\n

Then he turned to face Qara, and sneered. \u201cAnd what about your \u2018friends\u2019 here, the prophetic Traveler and her companion? They aren\u2019t even Nord, yet they fight for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

The panic that had been setting up like tinder in her gut suddenly flared into anger. It built quickly until she felt herself needing to hold back the flames that wanted to burst into Yngvarr\u2019s face, to take him down, show him what a miserable excuse for a leader he really was. Suddenly she felt the memory of Dardeh\u2019s words as if he was there, speaking in her ear. Yngvarr might well be a lesser being, but she wasn\u2019t a dragon. Her dragon blood could kill the people around her. It could kill her<\/em>. She breathed deeply, trying to calm herself in the face of Yngvarr\u2019s obvious goading.<\/p>\n

I can\u2019t Shout at him, not with this many of his men facing us. I\u2019d be putting everyone else at risk. I have to remain\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cQara\u2019s as much a Nord as I am,\u201d Chip spat from behind her.<\/p>\n

Yngvarr smirked. \u201cYes, look at this half-breed Nord, acting like this is his homeland or something. Go back to Skyrim where you belong.\u201d<\/p>\n

Qara nearly lost her focus at that. But somehow she managed to speak calmly. I can\u2019t let him have the satisfaction of knowing he\u2019s angered me this much.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cOur father is from here,\u201d Qara said quietly. \u201cSo are our grandparents. Our mother may be Redguard, but we\u2019re Nord as well.\u201d<\/p>\n

Yngvarr was unimpressed. \u201cFools,\u201d he said, turning his attention back to Agnar. \u201cTell you what. I\u2019ll let your friends and family go. If you give me the keys.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo!\u201d Thorlough shouted, breaking what had been a steely silence.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t do it, Agnar,\u201d Jalma begged him.<\/p>\n

Yngvarr ignored both of them, continuing his conversation with Agnar as though nobody else had spoken. \u201cYou, on the other hand, I will not let go.\u201d His voice became harsher. \u201cYou orchestrated all this. You have caused me far too much trouble.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Agnar had been standing as still as a rock. He swayed slightly, as if about to step forward, but Ulgar growled.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t, Agnar. He won\u2019t really let us go.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe is not<\/em> a man of his word,\u201d Svegard added.<\/p>\n

\u201cPlease,\u201d Agnar said, raising a hand to silence them. \u201cI have no choice. You can kill me, Yngvarr, but it will only be your undoing. My people will keep fighting in my stead, in my memory. And do you know why? It\u2019s because as their leader, I serve them.<\/em> A king is only as strong as his loyalty toward his people.\u201d<\/p>\n

Qara heard Chip snort. She knew they were both thinking about King Ulfric, and the wildly different opinions people had about him. Some believed he\u2019d fought for their freedom. Others thought he was just a racist Thalmor toady in spite of his brave words. She\u2019d never known which was closer to the truth in spite of growing up around him. Agnar was different. As far as Qara could tell, he was exactly what he said he was.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou lie to your people and trick them into doing things that are not in their best interest,\u201d Agnar continued. \u201cYou are not a king. You are not worthy of the throne of Falskaar. I help my people when they need<\/em> me, and let them rule themselves when they don\u2019t. But above all I defend them. I fought for them, and they will do the same for me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere has to be another way!\u201d Thorlough exclaimed.<\/p>\n

Yngvarr sneered at him. \u201cOh, trust me. There is no other way.\u201d He held out his hand for the keys. Agnar handed them over; but he never averted his gaze, never sighed in disappointment, never exhibited anything that could be mistaken for weakness.<\/p>\n

Yngvarr chuckled, turning back to his mount. \u201cThank you, Agnar. I\u2019ll be going now. Goodbye.\u201d<\/p>\n

Something about the way he said \u2018goodbye\u2019 made Qaralana\u2019s hackles rise. Before she could react, though, Yngvarr looked at his men and smiled.<\/p>\n

\u201cKill all of them.\u201d<\/p>\n

As Yngvarr rode away down the slope, laughing, Svegard shouted after him. \u201cYou bastard!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe had a deal!\u201d Agnar added.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo you didn\u2019t. We told you not to do it,\u201d Chip said flatly. Qara could hear him readying his blades.<\/p>\n

Ulgar, on the other hand, snickered. \u201cThis is going to be fun.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Unnvaldrs attacked, the line they had formed crashing like a wave over the rocky shoreline. They made directly for Agnar.<\/p>\n

Get away from him! <\/em>she screamed internally.<\/p>\n

\u201cFUS- RO DAH!\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The anger that had been building inside her burst forth in a powerful blast, sending the men nearest to Agnar flying. It was enough to give him a moment to mount his own offensive attack instead of being caught just defending himself.<\/p>\n

The men who had been on the outside of the line converged toward the center, toward Agnar. But Svegard, Ulgar, and Chip rushed forward, pushed Agnar behind them, and began attacking the soldiers as hard as they could. Qara swung around to the outside of the mass, stabbing and slashing whenever she could find an opening, grateful that their distinctive white shields and closed-face helms made the enemy easy to identify.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

An arrow whizzed past her, striking the ground just in front of her feet. She whirled, spotting the archer a few paces away, using a thick tree as cover between shots. The night was still heavy enough that he didn\u2019t see Qara, in her dark armor, sprinting toward him. She finished the man with a few well-placed slashes and then ran back into the chaos.<\/p>\n

\u201cA little help, Ulgar!\u201d Svegard called out to his brother.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re a disgrace to your own kind!\u201d Chip howled.<\/p>\n

Qara spotted Jalma, off to the side and down on one knee, holding Wilhard back. There were no adversaries near them, though, so Qara looked for Agnar. He was surrounded by Unnvaldrs, with Ulgar, Svegard, and Chip defending him. She reached the group just as Agnar and one of the soldiers exchanged blows. Agnar grunted and stumbled backward in pain but did his best to rise.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Qara screamed her own anger and barreled full speed into Agnar\u2019s opponent. She felt somehow detached from her body, as though it was moving on its own to shred the man to pieces. Another arrow came from the trees; she flew toward its source to find a second archer waiting to be stopped. She felt the fires of anger building in her again; dimly, she heard Dardeh cautioning her. It\u2019s an awful feeling, knowing you killed someone but not remembering how. <\/em>She fought to bring herself back to reality, to remember that she was not a dragon, not invincible, even as she slashed and pounded on the archer. Once he fell, Qara looked up and saw Thorlough, running from Agnar to Jalma and back again, casting a spell.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

He\u2019s healing them. Good.<\/em><\/p>\n

She could only see a couple more of the Unnvaldrs left standing. One of them raised a two-handed weapon in what was clearly meant to take out Thorlough and his magic. Before Qara could react, though, she heard a familiar voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is what you want, eh?\u201d Chip sprinted toward the man and brought his blade down in a massive blow that killed him outright.<\/p>\n

It went silent. Qara looked around and realized that they\u2019d somehow taken out all the Unnvaldrs. Every one of them looked battered and bloody, with the exception of Wilhard, who\u2019d been kept well out of the way. Still, nobody among their group was dead, or lost, though all of them panted from the exertion.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat wasn\u2019t so bad,\u201d Svegard said, the first of them to catch his breath.<\/p>\n

Agnar spoke, for the first time since the battle began. \u201cHead back to Amber Creek. We haven\u2019t got much time. Yngvarr has all five keys and probably knows where the Heart Chamber is. We will formulate a plan to gather all our troops as we go.\u201d<\/p>\n

Qara watched silently as Agnar headed down the sloping roadway, the rest of his retinue trailing behind. She heard the quiet rustling of Chip\u2019s armor as he moved to stand beside her.<\/p>\n

\u201cI suppose we should head back, too,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah. That was terrible. I almost lost control.\u201d<\/p>\n

He sighed. \u201cI know. Me too. It was way too close for comfort, both numbers and proximity. You have no<\/em> idea how much I wanted to just rip some of those people apart with my teeth and claws.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEspecially Yngvarr,\u201d she said, grinding her teeth together.<\/p>\n

\u201cEspecially Yngvarr,\u201d he agreed. \u201cCome on. Let\u2019s go.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Brunulvr plodded wearily up the steps of the lodge he shared with Gulmist. He\u2019d spent the time since Agnar had left \u2013 how long, he wasn\u2019t sure – helping the town\u2019s remaining guards to clear the streets of corpses and take the deceased Amber Creek guards to be prepared for burial. They\u2019d set a bonfire to dispose of the dead invaders, and he\u2019d kept watch on it until there was nothing left but smoldering ash. Brunulvr was fairly certain that Agnar would have wanted the Unnvaldrs and their hired mercenaries to be treated more respectfully; but Agnar wasn\u2019t there, and he\u2019d left Brunulvr in charge. Brunulvr had no such sentimentality in him. They had attacked his Jarl, and his town.<\/p>\n

They\u2019d have given us no respect, so they\u2019ll hae none of mine.<\/em><\/p>\n

He and the guards had come up with a workable plan to keep a sentry at each of the town\u2019s entrances, and a schedule for rotating people on and off duty. He\u2019d taken one of the shifts himself, though he\u2019d found himself yawning by the end of it. He didn\u2019t really expect Yngvarr\u2019s men back in Amber Creek. Yngvarr was after something else, and it wasn\u2019t here.<\/p>\n

At least once or twice during this long, tiring process he\u2019d uttered a bitter blast of sarcastic laughter, wondering why a man who could heft a stiffening body up over one shoulder without thinking about it was considered too old and weak to protect his King. He couldn\u2019t blame Agnar for making assumptions, though. He was<\/em> eighty winters old, after all \u2013 an old white-hair with deep lines on his face. He\u2019d known the Hjorgunnars back when they still lived in their mansion. He\u2019d been married, had a child and lost him by the time Yngvarr was a babe in arms.<\/p>\n

And that stung.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

He could still see Gulmist standing on their porch, practically inconsolable about losing her child, and most definitely angry at him<\/em>. He\u2019d been practically frantic himself, wondering where Brynjolf had gone and certain they\u2019d never see him again, but he hadn\u2019t wanted to tell her that for fear of making her grief even worse. She\u2019d blamed him. It had been years before they\u2019d grown back together.<\/p>\n

She was right. T\u2019was mah fault. The poor lad was feart o\u2019me. Wi\u2019 guid reason.<\/em> I dinnae ken mah own strength.<\/em><\/p>\n

All he\u2019d wanted was to convince his son that thieving wasn\u2019t a way to live. They were, by and large, very simple people here on Falskaar \u2013 living off the land, but knowing and respecting their very long history and their good fortune to have had Shor himself make the land warm and fruitful. They were honest people, who worked together and shared with each other to make their respective lives complete.<\/p>\n

But of course, as with any other place in the world, there were those who wanted what wasn\u2019t theirs and would take it by force or by stealth. Brunulvr couldn\u2019t abide either. Yngvarr and his family were examples of the former. As to the latter \u2013 well, from the time Brynjolf could walk he\u2019d demonstrated a winning personality and dexterous hands, and had seemed fascinated with seeing just how much he could get away with.<\/p>\n

I tried tae tell him right from wrong, but the laddie couldna help his nature. Any more\u2019n I can help mah own.<\/em><\/p>\n

And so the stern talkings-to had become firm swats on the behind. Sometimes he\u2019d found himself grabbing Brynjolf by the upper arms and shaking him. And finally the day came when he\u2019d caught his son red-handed, trying to steal a coin purse from the current blacksmith\u2019s father. He\u2019d dragged the boy out behind their home and roared at him, red-faced, frustrated beyond belief that his demands as a father weren\u2019t being adhered to and that his son was growing up to be a\u2026<\/p>\n

A damn fool. That\u2019s what I called th\u2019 laddie. A cocksure, impulsive, worthless thievin\u2019 brat.<\/em><\/p>\n

He sighed. And then I struck \u2018im. Hard. I dinnae mean for it tae be so hard<\/em>. I dinnae ken mah own strength.<\/em><\/p>\n

He remembered what the boy had looked like, bleeding from his badly broken nose and cowering there on the ground before him. He\u2019d been glaring through the red haze of his own anger but he remembered the sound of Brynjolf\u2019s young voice wailing. \u201cPlease don\u2019t hit me again, Da! I\u2019m sorry!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Brynjolf had disappeared. They had searched every inch of Falskaar but nobody had ever seen him since that awful day. People had assumed, after a time, that the boy had died somehow, maybe being swept over the falls or reaching a bad end on the cliffs at the shore. It had been like a slow death for Brunulvr, too, watching what had once been a bright light in Gulmist\u2019s eyes fade. He and Gulmist loved each other dearly, but it had never been quite the same since that day. There had always been a distance between them \u2013 sometimes greater, sometimes narrower \u2013 that never quite completely closed. They quarreled a lot. People had grown used to that, and spoke of them with affection as the old couple who always argued.<\/p>\n

He brought his hands down over his face, wiping off the dust and wishing he could wipe the guilt and effects of that day away so easily. Nobody really knew how strong he still was \u2013 or how strong she was, for that matter \u2013 in spite of their age. But he wanted a few more years with her: happy ones, if he could just figure out how to get them.<\/p>\n

And here these children had come, the older of them so clearly Brynjolf\u2019s son that nobody could ever have imagined otherwise. His sister was Brynjolf\u2019s, as well; but it was the boy who had nearly snatched his breath from his body. He was a man who had seen fairly much everything there was to be seen in life but still, he\u2019d felt his legs threatening to betray him.<\/p>\n

How did she call him? Chip. But his name is Brynjolf. Just like his Da.<\/em><\/p>\n

Brynny\u2019s alive. He would be sixty winters auld now. How\u2019m I go\u2019n tae tell her?<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

He stepped inside the warm, fragrant house and stopped for a moment, watching his wife bent over her alchemy station, grinding herbs. It was hard not to smile. She was a beautiful thing, still, even if she was wrinkled, even if her hair had long since gone white instead of staying the vivid auburn that their son had inherited \u2013 and their grandchildren, so it would seem.<\/p>\n

\u201cFinally decided to come home, did you?\u201d she said without looking up.<\/p>\n

\u201cAye. Agnar went off with his men tae find his wife and lad. Yngvarr\u2019s been up to nae guid again. Agnar left me tae wash up the streets. T\u2019were a bloody mess out there.\u201d<\/p>\n

She harrumphed, still not looking at him. \u201cThat boy\u2019s always had a chip on his shoulder about one thing or another. Shame his sire couldn\u2019t have lived longer, to keep him in line. He\u2019s been nothing but trouble since the day he was born, Yngvarr has.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAye.\u201d Brunulvr ran a hand through his hair. She\u2019d given him the perfect opening, and yet somehow he was afraid to use it. Finally he decided to just take a deep breath and say what he needed to say.<\/p>\n

\u201cSpeakin\u2019 o\u2019 Chips,\u201d he started.<\/p>\n

She turned her head toward him just slightly, but without taking her eyes off the mixture she was working with. \u201cWhat are you talking about, you old fool?\u201d<\/p>\n

It took everything he had to force his breath out from between his teeth.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s alive, Misty.\u201d<\/p>\n

He watched his wife\u2019s brow furrow. Surely she had to know who he was referring to. There was nobody else he would have talked about quite that way.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat? Who\u2019s alive? What are you on about?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBrynny,\u201d he said, his voice small and hesitant. \u201cAh\u2019ve just met his lad and lassie, Misty. The sister names him Chip, but his real name is Brynjolf. After his Da.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Gulmist was silent, frozen, for several long moments. \u201cSurely that\u2019s just a coincidence, Brunulvr. Our Brynny couldn\u2019t be the only one in the world.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s true. But both of these bairns hae locks like flame. Like yers was, lang ago. And the lad\u2026\u201d He shook his head, not knowing how to describe how alike the young man was to the boy they\u2019d lost so many years before. \u201cTheir ma is Redguard, they said. Their da \u2013 is ours.\u201d<\/p>\n

She put down her mortar slowly, and straightened up, turning to stare at him. \u201cThe girl. She has red hair too, you said? About this long?\u201d She raised her hands to just under her chin. \u201cDark skin? And black armor with\u2026\u201d Her brows furrowed again. \u201cA red belt, I think it was?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAye. That she has.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI met her! I met her in Svea\u2019s shop!\u201d Gulmist\u2019s hands flew to her mouth. Brunulvr could see them shaking.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have grandchildren, Brunulvr? Truly?\u201d<\/p>\n

He nodded. \u201cI ken it to be the truth. There\u2019s nobody else the lad\u2019s da could be.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo our boy is alive.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAye.\u201d He counted on his fingers, the decades that had passed since they\u2019d last seen their son. In spite of himself, he started to grin. \u201cOur lad. They\u2019ll be calling him an auld man himself, after so lang a time.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBy Shor\u2019s bones, Brunulvr,\u201d she said, her voice dissolving into tears. \u201cMy boy. My beautiful babe. To think he might still live, after all this time!\u201d<\/p>\n

She ran to Brunulvr and threw himself against his chest, breaking into tears and sobbing as though her heart would break. Her heart had<\/em> broken, he knew; over and over again, and for so many decades that he\u2019d truly needed to count them out on his fingers. Gulmist was a strong and stoic woman \u2013 had needed to be, in order to stay married to him for such a long lifetime – but this was the one thing that had the power still to make her weep. He held her close, stroking her back and the beautiful fall of white hair that was the first thing Qaralana had mentioned, describing her to him.<\/p>\n

\u201cTis a\u2019right, Misty,\u201d he murmured. \u201cTis a\u2019right. They\u2019ll be comin\u2019 back with Agnar, Shor willing, and they ken to come find us here. No need to weep, lass. Tis a\u2019right.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gulmist looked up at Brunulvr, wiping her eyes roughly. Through her sniffles, she managed to say \u201cThank you, love. Thank you. I can\u2019t believe I finally have some hope of seeing him once more before I\u2019m gone.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

And Brunulvr found himself on the receiving end of a tender kiss. He returned it, happy in spite of the tears threatening to spill from his own eyes.<\/p>\n

He couldn\u2019t help but wonder whether Brynjolf would<\/em> see them. It was quite possible that he\u2019d long ago ruined their chances of that, forever.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Qaralana knocked cautiously. The lodge was in a nice spot, situated on one of Amber Creek\u2019s side streets and well away from everything else.<\/p>\n

\u201cQara, are you sure now is the time? We have to get out to Staalgarde,\u201d Chip asked, somewhat nervously to her ear.<\/p>\n

She glared at him. \u201cOf course it is. Have you thought about what happens if you get killed in this battle? Our grandmother will have never seen you. For all we know, she wouldn\u2019t believe Brunulvr that you even exist. They didn\u2019t seem to have the happiest relationship I\u2019ve ever known, when I met her before.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI suppose,\u201d he grumbled. \u201cI don\u2019t know, Qara. It\u2019s weird to think that we have grandparents. Especially grandparents that much older than us.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cChip<\/em>,\u201d Qara said, stomping her foot on the porch. \u201cStop. You know how old Daddy is, right? That makes Brunulvr only twenty winters or so older than him, which is perfectly normal. It\u2019s not their fault Daddy waited so long to have us, and it doesn\u2019t mean they\u2019re not our grandparents. Now stop cowering like a\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLike a puppy in the corner?\u201d Chip said sourly.<\/p>\n

\u201cExactly.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCome in, grandchildren,\u201d a deep voice called from within.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe heard us,\u201d Chip muttered.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat? How could he have heard us? Really, big brother, you\u2019re making this worse. Let\u2019s just go in, say hello, let them know what\u2019s happening and be on our way.\u201d<\/p>\n

Qara opened the door and stepped in. Brunulvr and Gulmist stood in the corner of the room, near the fireplace and a small table in the corner, looking at each other.<\/p>\n

\u201cWelcome,\u201d Brunulvr grunted.<\/p>\n

\u201cHello, Gulmist,\u201d Qara said quietly. \u201cOr should I say, Grandmama?\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Gulmist turned and stared at her for a moment as if in disbelief, and then smiled. \u201cI wouldn\u2019t have imagined it when we first met in the store. But you do have the red hair, like I did as a young woman.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd this is my brother,\u201d Qara said, stepping to one side so that Gulmist could see Chip.<\/p>\n

She watched as the older woman froze in place and then gasped as she stared at Chip. After a moment she reached up to brush away fat tears that had started falling from her eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cYour name is\u2026?\u201d she asked quietly.<\/p>\n

Chip was returning the old woman\u2019s intent stare, clearly weighing what he was going to say next. Finally, he sighed, and shrugged.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I\u2019m sure Brunulvr has told you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGranddaddy,\u201d Qara interjected. We can at least behave properly, brother.<\/em><\/p>\n

Chip glanced at her. \u201cSorry. It\u2019s going to take me a few moments to get used to all this.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a’right, laddie,\u201d Brunulvr said quietly.<\/p>\n

Chip returned his attention to Gulmist. \u201cLike I said. I\u2019ve been called Chip ever since I can remember. You know. A chip off the old block.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gulmist nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut my real name is Brynjolf. I was named after my Da. He\u2019s the old block.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Gulmist gasped, the tears once again running down her cheeks. She took a step closer to Chip and reached out to touch his face.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s true. I couldn\u2019t believe it was true when this old bear back here told me.\u201d She swallowed hard. \u201cYou look just like him.\u201d Her eyes moved back and forth, up and down, as she took in every detail of Chip\u2019s appearance. \u201cTell me your father is still alive, Chip. I need to hear it from you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Chip snorted. \u201cAlive, well, in far better shape than most people his age.\u201d He shot an apologetic look at Brunulvr. \u201cSorry. No offense is meant.\u201d<\/p>\n

Brunulvr grunted.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s still an old con man, runs a business out of Riften.\u201d Chip\u2019s stern expression softened and he gave Gulmist the smallest smile. \u201cHe\u2019s a good da. He takes care of all of us, even now; his real family, the people who are as close as family, and the folks who work for him. That\u2019s why he\u2019s the best.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gulmist couldn\u2019t contain the sob that burst from her. \u201cThank you, grandson,\u201d she said through her tears. \u201cYou can\u2019t imagine what a gift it is to hear that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Brunulvr harrumphed. \u201cStill a con man, ye say. Somehow that doesn\u2019t surprise me. He started out a thievin\u2019 git as a lad and\u2026\u201d He trailed off as Gulmist glared at him through her tears. \u201cAnd the laddie couldna help his nature,\u201d he finished quietly.<\/p>\n

Gulmist looked at Qara then, and spoke to her. \u201cYou didn\u2019t just come through that gate to help Agnar,\u201d she said. \u201cI know it. Shor brought you to me so that I would know my son is still alive.\u201d<\/p>\n

Chip chuckled. \u201cWe need to get Harald out here to talk to these people,\u201d he said, glancing at Qara.<\/p>\n

Yes. I don\u2019t know how I feel about Shor, but I know Harald does. And I suspect it wasn\u2019t a coincidence that he was away when I went to get him.<\/em><\/p>\n

I miss Harald. <\/em><\/p>\n

She was about to say something to that effect when Brunulvr cleared his throat. \u201cNow then. I dinnae mean tae mak’ light o’ this but there\u2019s a war on.\u201d<\/p>\n

Qara nodded. \u201cAgnar sent Ulgar Hjorgunnar off before we came to find you. We\u2019re supposed to meet Ulgar at the mouth of the valley, near Staalgarde. But it\u2019ll take a while for him to round up some of Agnar\u2019s soldiers and get out there. We had a little time, and that\u2019s why we came here, but\u2026\u201d She gave Gulmist an apologetic look. \u201cI\u2019m sorry that we have to run off like this, but if someone doesn\u2019t stop Yngvarr nothing else will matter.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gulmist sniffled, wiped her eyes again and smiled. \u201cI won\u2019t lie. I want you both to stay here, so that we can talk. There are two or three lifetimes to catch up with. I want you to stay here and be safe. But protecting our king and our home is much more important right now. Go. You\u2019ve both made my life much happier just by being here and telling me about my Brynny. Go do what you must.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks,\u201d Chip said, giving both of them a small smile. \u201cDon\u2019t worry about us. We\u2019ll be back. And we\u2019ll come talk more then.\u201d<\/p>\n

Qara heard a low rumble from the corner and looked at Brunulvr in surprise. He had a sour look on his face, and his arms were crossed as if he was trying to hold himself together.<\/p>\n

I wonder what that\u2019s all about. Were they arguing about the war again? Agnar told him to stay here in charge of Amber Creek!<\/em><\/p>\n

Qara shook the thought off, though, and smiled at her grandparents as well. On a whim, she stepped across the room to give her grandmother a quick hug. \u201cReally, don\u2019t worry,\u201d she said. \u201cWe\u2019re both good at what we do. Chip\u2019s an amazing archer and I\u2019m\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cReally good with blades,\u201d Chip finished with a grin. \u201cAs long as we can keep her from stepping in front of someone with a bow, like a complete dope.\u201d<\/p>\n

Qara turned and gave Chip a playful swat. \u201cI\u2019m gonna get you for that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ll have to catch me first,\u201d Chip said, waving at their grandparents and darting for the door.<\/p>\n

\u201cArrrgh!\u201d Qara cried. \u201cHe\u2019s absolutely insufferable!\u201d Then she looked at her grandparents and giggled. \u201cJust like our daddy.\u201d<\/p>\n

She headed for the door as well. \u201cWe\u2019ll be back in no time. Don\u2019t worry about us.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

A fair amount of time passed as the brother and sister ran east once more, back across the river and down the mountainside to make the long trek to the Emerald Valley at the foot of Staalgarde Hold. They didn\u2019t talk much as they went, choosing instead to focus on the journey and their own mental preparations for what lay ahead. Qara, at least, thought about her home as well, and about the strange circumstances that had brought her to Falskaar in the first place.<\/p>\n

Behind them, back in Amber Creek, a large force had gathered. Leading them as they began moving out of town were Svegard Hjorgunnar, Housecarl to the Jarl; Brother Thorlough of the Bailun Priory; and Agnar Borvaldur \u2013 Jarl of Amber Hold and King of Falskaar.<\/p>\n

Later still, and well behind all of the others, a lone figure dashed down the road and into the misty forests.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

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Home Previous \/ Next   Svegard put out an arm to stop Agnar from getting too far away from them. \u201cAh!\u201d a deep voice called out, somewhere just downhill from them. It was a pleasant greeting, but false to Qaralana\u2019s ear, with a sarcastic undertone that made her want to grind her teeth. \u201cAgnar! What … <\/p>\n

Continue reading “Chapter 18 – Qaralana and Brunulvr”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":1208,"menu_order":18,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1613","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/baakay.com\/Snow\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1613","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/baakay.com\/Snow\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/baakay.com\/Snow\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/baakay.com\/Snow\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/baakay.com\/Snow\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1613"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/baakay.com\/Snow\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1613\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1668,"href":"https:\/\/baakay.com\/Snow\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1613\/revisions\/1668"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/baakay.com\/Snow\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1208"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/baakay.com\/Snow\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1613"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}