On the farm as preparations are made to reclaim Kattegat

[my_brothers_shadow]

Things should be back to normal, as far as Rollo and the warriors his brother took with him. He's paid dues, been pardoned by the gods, forgiven by Ragnar, and helped to save many of their women whom were left behind, but such is not the case. Whether it is the black mark in Rollo' heart or their suspicion, he feels it.

He should stand and face it. To prove to them he is trustworthy, but the guilt of Arne's murder is still in their eyes and so Rollo spends a lot of his time walking the bounds, scouting for Borg's men and seeking game to hunt for food.

Tonight he sits up in a tree and watches the moon as it runs from Hati.

Comments

[gods_that_haunt_me]

Floki awakens in the night -- it's about time for his turn to keep watch. Careful not to wake Helga, or any of the nearby sleepers (especially Ragnar's sons, as they will take forever to put down again), he gets to his feet and gropes by candle light for his belt, axe, and cloak.

Emerging from the farmhouse, he looks up at the bright moon and inhales the crisp night air. He then makes his way around the house, checking on the sleeping animals, and listening for anything out of the ordinary.

Rollo ought to be somewhere. He had the last shift.

As Floki's vision adjusts to the moonlight, he notices a large, dark shape in one of the trees, and his hand instinctively tightens around the handle of his axe.

"Who's there?" he hisses, cautiously coming closer. "Is that you, Rollo?"

[my_brothers_shadow]

Rollo doesn't sigh but it is a near thing.

"Aye, Floki, it is I," he says instead leaning over so that his face is clear in the moonlight. "All has been quiet."

[gods_that_haunt_me]

Floki relaxes his grip on his axe and nods.

"Good to hear," he says. "I can keep watch now for a while, and you can take some rest if you wish."