8 Journey across the narrow sea

"Mark your place boy and Dont forget to be here at dawn , i have business to do at Dagger tip"

His place was close to paddle and him with his bench friend were supposed to the the the rowing together.

Northern empire was famous for these long boats . Only one Province in great Eagle empire had greater tradition than them when it comes to ways of the sea.Also since the northern seas were half of year under the chains of pure ice .That made these ships a graceful, long, narrow and light, with a shallow-draft hull designed for speed. The ship's shallow draft allowed navigation in waters only one meter deep and permitted arbitrary beach landings, while its light weight enabled it to be carried over portages or used bottom-up for shelter in camps. Longships were also double-ended, the symmetrical bow and stern allowing the ship to reverse direction quickly without a turn around; this trait proved particularly useful at northern latitudes, where icebergs and sea ice posed hazards to navigation.

They still were used by local farm lords , small village communities for personal gain during the times peace but they would become mighty fortress on the water during the times of war.Lot of better ones were equipped with dragon slaying scorpios ( Siege weapon used in Roman empire) but every single one of them had nature repelling runes.So attacks of fire , ice , water and wind did no harm to hull and had no effect on the ship.

This ship in front of Ivar was ship of dignitary and probably berserker captain was not the most important person on board. The bow had graceful cabin decorated with fur and it was probably for someone important. They seemed to have an important mission in Dagger fortress because if it was not for that Ivar would never get chance to go home . It must have been that one of the crew members died not so long ago and now they have problem since all the paddles had to be rowed by two man .This made equilibrium IN rhythm of rowing and allowed people not to have to much stress when dealing with severe waves .Probably captain did not want to spend any of his gold on new servants and than decided to take Ivar and keep gold for himself.

Ivar still had one more day and decided to check out town. He did not have gold on him not even a bronze copper and drooled as he passed the restaurants. He still had one rabbit fur and that was all that he could hold in his small backpack besides the scrolls and stick.

It was not much but for sure it was shiny and crystal white and he tought that maybe he can get decent price and feed himself .

Finally he found store. It specialized in general goods such as furs , tusks and shiny unpolished gems , it even sold cloth and some armor but all items here had poor quality. He went trough narrow doorstep. In shabby store there were girl by the counter and old man that was sitting in his chair half sleeping by the valuables. "How can i help you asked the girl?" with smile on her face

I want to sell this and he showed the white rabbit fur.

10 Copper coins ! girl stated.She expected him to bargain but he jumped to her.

"Deal and he grabbed her hand and took the money !"

That was enough for decent meal in nearby inn.

When he entered the inn he faced the puzzled look that was hanging on in keeper but than he showed his money and everything was alright.He ordered some pork and soup and took room for the night. While he was waiting he noticed the hunch-back old men that all avoided. He was in the corner of the inn and he was begging for some leftovers. He had his face plagued by some strange disease and he only have one tooth in his jaw. That was true curse of nature and his bones were sticking out as he was to tin for his stature.

Bartender sighted :" I hope that old fool does not disgust you my lord. We have beaten him up several times but no matter how hard we beat him , he always returns and sits in the same corner. So no body takes notice of him anymore and his beggar ways . He never tried to steal anything from inn but still he just begs for food all the time and its a bit creepy in my opinion."

"He must be hungry" , Ivar said . "Did anybody give him something to eat today ?" he asked old inn keeper

"Well, my liege he does not eat here thats for sure . "I mean we dont have any spare food here Customers tend to be scared because beggar may carry some misfortune or curse. " Innkeeper responded as he was clearly disgusted with old beggar but what happened next had left him dazzled.

Ivar in his small robe jumped and went to the old beggar. "Burden on your shoulders must be heavy ", Ivar said and pointed to table that was meant for him : " Let me ease your pain just a little today "and extended his right arm.

Crispy sound responded :"Young master this one is too dirty to sit on your table . You can give me your leftovers when you finished.

Ivar shook his head in disapproving matter." I was once a slave and hungry , I did not have someone to help me .I noticed the cursed world that was careless and heartless to those that need help the most.So i decided . if i ever get reborn ill help when i can even just a little like this".

Old man clearly startled by statement said :" But young lord i can still eat from the floor you dont need me to sit with you at the same table ?

Boy smirked :" You and me are bought men , You called me young lord but how can i be greater than you ?By seniority? No . By life experience ? No . I may had the luck to be born in great clan but you no matter how much money you have still are my senior "

"No one treated me like human so many years " old man said and with teary eyes finally accepted his hand.

They sat together and split the supper. Old man was quiet too quiet for Ivar s taste .Ivar tought maybe because he was ashamed or even he did not know what to say to this young man full of joy .

Ivar told him about his journey across the wilderness .He told him about grey monks ,his beloved pegasus and that he was going home .When it was time to go to sleep Ivar even gave him what was left of his coins .Three coins was not much but at least it will give him warm meal next day.

Before Ivar left to go to his well deserved sleep old man took out old bottle of mead from his shady garments . " I will give you this mead . It is not much but it can help you clear your head in some sticky situations . than he stood up and left the inn."

NO one noticed that he left but soon as he was out of the inn 2 grey ravens greeted him :" Hugin and Mugin are there any news about upcoming invasion of Anglia.?" old man said.

MUGIN bowed and responded :" My liege old emperor really wants that king sword of elves .He even plans to go on full invasion just to get his hands on it ."

"Oh noone took that cursed sword for ages and now he thinks he has the chance. haha He should know that i cant help them that far from my shrines."

Hugin than said ;" Your holiness he probably wants to use sword to transcend into god , he even killed old dragon and bathed in his blood so he could be Indestructible .."

""What old dragon is dead ? cccc i guess i have spent to much time around the empire .Those snakes grew some wings didnt they . Well with me here no one can topple Northern wolf empire but maybe its time for new dynasty."

"Sire a word please " said Mugin ."Many think that you are dead .Some shrines even have stopped with offerings and some royal fools gathered enough courage to slay ancient guardian dragon and take its blood essence .Is it time to reveal yourself?"

"Oh my poor Mugin . Child can be only left to spread its wings and find its purpose .If i meddle each time they make mistakes they will be to reliant on me and will treat me as insurance so i will no longer be a guardian but obstacle .I grew in empire eons ago when my father Bor was just local yarl that was proving his might to the heavens . Years passed and still i guard these lands but the people changed.In days of old they were kinder but now i dont even know why i guard my homeland when common folk are so cold , so distant and so cruel to those in need. But we the humans of Northern wolf empire once were the ones in need. "

"So you will let the injustice unchecked? My great old father you were sometimes harsh but never in your might you were cruel. " said Hugin as he circled around his old man s stick and flapped his wings.

My ravens you know me as well as i know myself . Of course i will step in but now its still not the right time .I want them to repent , to face destruction and than maybe they will finally find a way to better more just future for all "

Than in poof he disapeard only two gray ravens were flying to red sun .