An Arrival
Fahmeen’s POV:
I was excited to see Maxwell. He hopped out of the large ship Rolf had sent out to fetch him from Covas.
“You spared no expenses to ensure the young apprentice arrived comfortably.” I smirked, looking up and through his false tough exterior. His posture resembled that of bracing for war, and I know that he chose to ignore me because of my teasing so Rolf walks away. He was trying not to care, but that never suited my husband. Maxwell’s nerves dissipate once I am alone and he remarks,
“The look of victory adorns your face, my queen.” His boyish good looks will certainly please the young girls in the village. After our warm embrace, I offer to carry his small satchel to which he appears offended, clutching it even tighter. My servants mumble equally displeased at my action, I laugh in any case, ruffling the boy’s hair and leading the way.
“I believe the king is just as eager as you to begin your training.” I beam, sorting through my pouch of pistachios. It was a great find from my most recent visit to the traders at the dock. I offer one opened to Max and he politely refuses, uncontained excitement lighting his eyes as they scan our small village. The hot steam off of frying fish, a technique recently adapted from Loki as he returned from a scouting mission somewhere foreign, attacked our senses from left and right. Maxwell followed the fragrance of the cooked meat, hungry eyes glued to its maker. The servants pay the man as we walk away with a few parcels of fish. I sit us on the edge of the village, with the sea still in our sight. I wanted to make him as comfortable as possible, and we both enjoyed people watching in silence for a moment. Maxwell breaks it,
“I can tell King Rolf doesn’t like me.” He says into his fish.
I swallow my last piece, stomach still complaining of hunger.
“He does not. All he needs is time, trust me. I am his wife, I know just how stubborn our king can be.” I smile, gesturing for the servants to bring out the furry coat for Maxwell.
“All that needs to happen, is for things to settle…” I place the heavy material well on his shoulders and immediately his body shudders in delight. I continue,
“And what will be will be.”
He nods and I know my vague words fail to soothe his apprehensions, yet he continues enjoying the supply of fish we bought. A movement catches my eye. It’s far too quick for my eyes to have understood exactly what it was I saw, so easily I get distracted by Sy and a few others approaching us. Her eyes judge the new boy before her, her brother standing a little closer to her side.
“Hello children, Sy how are you?” I receive her arm and she walks us away to talk, a quick look back at Maxwell before doing so. I didn’t get the time to see his reaction to our Sy, but I could only imagine. She was growing up to be a tall, beautiful shield-maiden like her ancestors before her. Strong roots into the soil underneath us, and her walk was no longer timid but proud.
“Before I enquire as to who the boy is, I wanted to ask-
There. Once again, I am haunted by something blurry and dark and I catch it in the dark forest.
“Sy, keep Maxwell company. I need to see Freydis.” All that was on my mind suddenly was fear.
Rolf’s POV:
I wiped the excess juice off my bearded chin as children appeared in the hall. Surely a sight for old eyes. I gesture for Sy to sit and join in on the food. She gestures that she is not hungry and instead walks up to me with the boy.
“I thought I should bring him to you as the queen is with Freydis.” Sy appears awkward and unusually stiff besides him. I sit up straighter, not liking the effect he seems to have on her. All I say is,
“Yes?” Sure, I was testing him, the both of them now. It is upon the boy in any case to make an impression on the hall. The boy stays quiet, never meeting my eyes or anyone else’s in this case. He isn’t going to win any favours doing that.
“We are no longer in Covas boy, speak!” My voice booms. His head immediately comes up. His stature is lean, bordering skinny, his shoulders aren’t much and he fails to have a strong grip on the earth. A surprisingly calm, cool voice disturbs my thoughts.
“My name is Max, and I am here in hopes to become like all of you.” Humble, a little meek.
“And what is that, boy?!” Someone grunts mockingly, I stare at him until he sits back down and takes a long swig of his drink. This doesn’t waiver Max’s stand, Sy has sat down and she too stares as curiously as me.
“I am here to build something. Much like all of you, who started out as simple fishermen and boat makers? Yet look at you now.”
He shakes his head, a little frustrated.
“It is not a unique story, I will probably blend in the walls and not have much of a name but… I look upon the king that you have and find myself anticipating the future, instead of fearing it like my brother.” This was the only time he had looked down since speaking. Nobody else dares make a sound. Max has piqued our interests collectively, and with a sigh I fall back on the chair and raise my cup.