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- Dad, what's in there? (Yrsa)

My daughter was pointing her finger and asking what kind of thing, animal or place it was ... and it was just the beginning of our journey.

- This land is called Denmark. (MC)

- Why? (Yrsa)

I wanted to jump overboard and swim to Kattegat. Only Ulfhild did not cause problems during this trip, she slept most of the time, and when she was awake, she ate ... the perfect child. I understood that for my children this is the first trip more than a few kilometers from home. That they were excited and everything was new to them ... but my kids were worse than the police and the prosecutor put together, even they didn't ask that many questions.

- Because the Danes live there. (Ulf)

I had no idea if my answer was correct, I didn't know why Denmark was Denmark, but I couldn't say I didn't know, there was no such word as "I don't know" in Yrsa's dictionary, if she asked for something, she had to have an answer... but one thing was good about this situation. Yrsa, Arne and Revna were able to get a close look at what working on a ship was like and learn some useful skills.

- Arne, come over here, you will hold the helm. Good, you have to hold it tight ... don't tug it hard, the movements must be firm but smooth. (Ulf)

Of course, I was the one who held the helm, Arne wouldn't have that much strength, but he was happy and proud as if he was steering the boat during some raid.

One of my children's favorite games, and thus mine, has become oar jumping. I have seen my people have fun like this on several occasions, trying to prove who is more agile.

The rules of the game consisted in placing and immobilizing the oars horizontally, and then the person had to jump from one oar to another, trying to do it as quickly as possible and not fall into the water... I had no problems with speed, the first few tries I fell into the water immediately.

After a dozen or so attempts and failures, I managed to jump over all eighteen oars one by one, I was not the fastest, but I was dry... Of course Yrsa figured I should jump now while holding her piggyback, then Arne, Revna and Bjorn wanted the same... It couldn't have ended any other way than another bath in the baltic sea, keeping a balance with a kicking and screaming child on your back is impossible.

- (wahoo) Daddy, one more time. Please, one more time ... but this time don't fall into the water. (Yrsa)

- Go to your mother ... just go. (Ulf)

However, the ship had one big disadvantage, it was impossible to hide on it ... The next days passed, and I had no idea what kind of entertainment to provide my children, Lagertha, Hild and Mira literally took the word "vacation and rest" and most of the responsibilities with taking care of children dropped on me.

- And do monsters live in this sea? (Arne)

- No, there are no monsters in this sea. Maybe some drowners, or sirens ... but nothing bigger than a human. (Ulf)

- Have you ever seen a monster? (Arne)

I was about to say his mother during her period, but Lagertha was sitting too close. So I bit my tongue.

- Yes, many years ago. A mad dead woman turned into a wolf and wanted to scare me. (Ulf)

- You fought with her and you beat her? (Arne)

- No, I made a deal with her. I gave her what she wanted and she left the area. Fight when you have to, but if you can get something without bloodshed, so much the better. (Ulf)

- Then why almost every year you go to war and fight? (Arne)

- So my kids don't have to do it. One day you may be the king yourself, then you will understand that the king does not do what he wants, but does what he has to do. I can be strong, but if the people of Kattegat were poor or starving, how soon would I lose my throne? .. No matter, you are still too young to listen to your father's stupid thoughts. (Ulf)

I wanted to prepare my children for the future and how uncertain this future may be, but they were still too young ... but since I raised an important topic with my son, I still need to have a serious conversation with Mira.

She stood leaning against the side of the ship and watched the soft wave on the surface of the sea. I walked over to her.

- A few more days and you will visit the place where you were born ... but you probably don't remember much. (Ulf)

Mira did not show much interest or any emotions. She was kidnapped when she was six and spent the next fourteen at Kattegat, even if she remembered something, her life had been torn from this place too long ago.

- I did not tell you about it, but in a few years we will part. You'll have to do something for me, and then we'll never see each other again. That's why this trip is so important ... (Ulf)

- ✋👉👎🥺😢 (Mira)

- No, you didn't do anything wrong. It is just that your destiny and mine must separate at some point ... call it the will of the Gods if it helps you... and stop crying ... it's not the end of the world. Perhaps you will like what I have prepared for you. (Ulf)

I stroked her head, I got used to her for so many years, she was part of my strange family, but sometimes you have to sacrifice yourself or someone for the greater good.