Page 7 of Steve's Barmaid
Agnarr seemed very unpretentious and mellow, very different from the leadership I was used to. We followed him to a large dining table with platters of meat pies and other pastries. Agnarr waved to indicate that we should all sit while he passed around the food. It took quite a bit of restraint not to stuff an entire meat pie in my mouth. It was delicious. Once everyone had taken some food, Agnarr spoke.
“I must admit, after your skirmish with Magna and his followers, I am surprised you still decided to visit, given his thoughts on humans, I wasn’t sure you’d still want to come.”
He looked at me as if already aware I was behind the reason for the visit.
“Ah, well, we’re sorry about that.” I wasn’t sure if he was pleased with how we dispatched of the older orkin.
“Don’t be,” Agnarr said seriously. "You convinced them of what we couldn't—that humans should be treated as equals. Magna and his followers are still earning their place back amongst us. Our tribe is at peace now, so I promise you won't encounter any intolerance like his here."
“Uh… sweet? I mean, thank you, that is high praise coming from you,” I said, not sure how to respond to such a compliment.
“Sweet?” Agnarr asked, confused.
“It’s American slang, babe,” a voice came from behind me. “It means awesome.”
I turned to see Piper. She gave me a big grin. “Itwaspretty sweet the way you handed their asses to them.”
That phrase was new to me, but I gathered her meaning. Piper looked well. Much better than when I’d seen her at the beginning of the cold season. Her face was fuller, happier, and her wavy hair hung longer past her shoulders.
“Good to see you again, Piper. You seem well.” I grinned back at her.
“I am very happy,” she said, locking eyes with Agnarr in a way that was, frankly, obscene.
I looked away, blushing. At moments like that, I was painfully aware of my lack of experience with females. I’d never had anyone I wanted to look at the way Piper and Agnarr looked at each other.
“So, Lodin told us to expect you. I can’t say I am surprised you chose to come before the snows melted,” Agnarr said.
“That was my idea. Our guards tend to get restless during the snowy season and I was anxious to start building relationships with other tribes. Now that I had no…” I trailed off. I wasn’t ready to explain my own personal reasons for coming.
“Now that you had no…?” Piper asked, picking up my sentence where I’d trailed off.
Reykr cleared his throat. “Steve has been eager to visit the other tribes of Niflheim for a fair few many árs, but our tribal leadership has always been able to come up with one reason or another as to why he should stay in the safety of Snaerfire. They are very protective of him—he’s a beloved member of our tribe and one of our most valuable trackers. But Steve decided that this winter was the time. We are the lucky ones he specifically selected to join him on this endeavor. I believe your human females might have something to do with why these two came.” He nodded to Tyr and Berit
“Well, we welcome the opportunity to learn from our brothers from the north, but I’d be wary of the human women. They are a force to be reckoned with,” Agnarr said, taking a sip of his drink. “Is there anything, in particular, you are looking to find out?”
I could tell Agnarr knew this was more than just some peacekeeping, relationship-building endeavor. He could tell this trip was personal for me. I sighed and decided the truth was the best option.
“My mother passed long ago, and my father died recently. It seemed like the right time to step out and explore the other tribes.”
Agnarr studied me, saying nothing. What was the look in his eyes—sympathy? I placed my hands in my lap, unsure of what else to say. I felt as if I had just bared my soul to the table. We sat in silence for a moment, and it was Piper who finally spoke.
“Steve, I am afraid we don’t have any half-orkin here. But what Agnarr told you at the beginning of winter was true. We have twelve human women. We also have a tribe that has agreed fully and completely to the integration and acceptance of the humans. Even if you aren’t certain what you are looking for, you are welcome to see if you find it here. Even if you only stay for a season.”
“You’d let us stay a season?” I asked, stunned.
“There are only a handful of you, and I am sure you are willing to work to earn your keep,” Agnarr said. “But why don’t we see if you like it here before you make any long-term commitments?”
“I think there are some empty rooms amongst the single males, though some of you might have to take on a roommate,” Piper said.
“Oh, that shouldn’t be a problem,” I said. But I felt the eyes of my tribemates on me. I didn’t know iftheywanted to stay for a season. “Even if we only stay a short time, not sleeping on the ground would be great,” I finished lamely.
“Well then, let’s get you settled in before the evening meal. We can get your belongings taken to your rooms and we may need to pull an extra bed in from storage. Brandr, can you get their packs from the stables and I’ll show them to their rooms?” Agnarr asked.
“At your service,Jarl Agnarr.” Brandr saluted.
“Will you give it a rest!?” Agnarr growled.
“Never.”
