Page 6 of Steve's Barmaid
“Hey.” I shoved his hand off my face, and he mumbled something about breakfast. “You know, you aren’t the best tent companion,” I groused at him. He just rolled over and continued snoring.
I struggled out of my bedroll and slipped on my tunic and pants, pulling my boots over them. I ducked outside the tent, leaving Reykr. Tyr was already tending to the fire, heating a somewhat beaten up pot of gautr over it.Everyonein the tribe loved gautr. I thought it tasted like rotten fruit. I hoped that the Fýrifírar would have at least a few more breakfast offerings. I’d seen enough gautr for a lifetime.
I approached the fire with my hands outstretched, enjoying the warmth coming off of it.
“Oy,” I called to Reykr, still in the tent, “If we get going we can reach Fýrifírar by the end of today.”
Reykr emerged fully dressed. “What is the plan, boss?”
“Will you stop? We all know you are actually in charge here. I am just the face of the operation,” I sighed.
“And as the face of the operation, what do you suggest?” Reykr continued, mocking.
I glowered at him. “We should walk our hestrs in, so we are showing we are coming peacefully and not with some battle plan. When I last saw Agnarr and Piper, Agnarr told me he was set to become the new jarl with Piper at his side, as jarlin. We should ask to speak with either Piper or Agnarr, to show respect for their joint leadership. If they ask to take our weapons, we should give them up willingly as a display of trust.”
“Are you serious? You want to go into an unknown tribe on foot and let them take our weapons?” Reykr growled in disbelief. “I think we should agree on this as a group.”
“Fine, let’s talk it out. Tyr, Berit!” I called to them where they stood, tending to the hestrs, “We’re trying to make a plan.”
“Alright, what’s the plan?” Tyr, the youngest, said as he dusted his hands feed off his hands.
Before I could start, Reykr interjected, “Steve wants us to walk our hestrs in and lay down our weapons as a show of coming in peace,” he said derisively.
I sighed. “That isn’texactlywhat I said,” I grumbled.
To my surprise, Berit spoke up, “I think that sounds fair, given how things went with Vátrfírar. I think if we approach this differently, we may have more success. Also, didn’t you say that Agnarr and Piper came looking for baldrian just before the cold season?”
“Yes, and our healer Revna gave them a supply to last at least six mánuthurs with Lodin’s permission.”
“So don’t they sort of owe us at least the opportunity to talk?” Tyr followed up.
“Já,” Berit agreed, nodding, “This isn’t like Vátrfírar. Agnarr and Piper know us and know we have helped them, even when we don’t have the most welcoming reputation. I think your plan is reasonable.”
Reykr looked around, realizing he was outnumbered, and threw up his hands. “Fine, fine. We shall arrive peacefully and give them our weapons.But only if they ask for them.”
“That includes the knife in your boot, too, you know. Nothing like breaking someone’s trust by insisting you’re unarmed and then sliding one extra knife out of a sock.”
Mom had this saying I never quite understood—if looks could kill. I wasn’t quite sure, but I believe this look that Reykr was giving me was accurate. As we reached the fork, we slowed to a stop. It wasn’t long before a large male orc approached us. I placed Epli’s reins in Reykr’s hands and strode to meet him. I intentionally slowed my gait and placed out my hand. We grasped wrists in the traditional orkin greeting.
“Hello, I am Brandr, one of the guards of Fýrifírar” he said solemnly.
“I am Steve. We come as visitors from Snaerfírar.”
Brandr’s eyebrows shot up. “Steve?TheSteve?” he questioned.
I looked from side to side, confused, as if there could possibly be another Steve standing next to me, “I guess? I am the only Steve I know from my tribe.” Maybe they had a Steve in their tribe.
To my even greater surprise, Brandr pulled me into a bone-crushing embrace before letting me go to take a good look at me, “You are exactly as Agnarr described you. He and Piper willbe so thrilled you are here. Come, come, let’s get you all settled. Introduce me to your fellow travelers.”
After introductions, Brandr gave us the opportunity to shower and provided us with some fresh clothes, then escorted us to Agnarr’s cabin. Before we even reached the double doors, they were flung open and Agnarr stepped out.
“Brandr, the other guards informed me the Snaerfírar arrived over an hour ago. Have you been interrogating them?” he asked sarcastically.
“No, I let them bathe and gave them fresh clothes. I thought they might want to freshen up before meeting thejarlof Fýrifírar.” Brandr rolled his eyes.
However, instead of reprimanding his subordinate for giving him lip, Agnarr shook his head and punched Brandr’s shoulder familiarly. The jarl motioned at the rest of us to follow him inside.
“Just so we’re clear, we would have happily accepted you into our home in travelworn clothes,” he called over his shoulder as he led us through the entryway.
