› wait what?

It was a day like almost all days for the pretty young girl. She got up early, getting her brother and sister ready for breakfast and made sure her mother was good for the day. Just afther cleaning there little cottage, Naemi took her sister by her little hand so she could learn how to wash the blankets. Naemi hated this part of the day, cleaning and teaching. She loves her little siblings, loves to take care of them, but she isn't into teaching them how to clean or wash. Sometimes, in the afternoon, she would learn Bjarne how to fight. That is what she wants to do, fight. Being as brave and strong as her father once was.

But it was still a normal day like almolst every day, so she went to see Helios. As always was the stallion eager to see her. The sharp sound he made while seeing her, brought a smile on Naemi her face. "Calm down, boy." She said with a grin. When Helios was all ready she pulled her foot in the stirrup and walked quiet out of the village.
Naemi hadn't a destantion or even a route she wanted to ride. Everyday she takes Helios out for a walk, so he woudn't get bored and to be honest, Naemi can't be without him. He was a special horse and with her brother, the only male she had left to love.

Evently she ended up at the bay. The waves were at peace, softly moving the water around. Naemi looked at the calm water while Helios walked quietly along the side of the bay. And there she saw the blacksmith, sitting on.. Naemi stopped Helios and frowned her forehead. What was he doing? Cautiously, scared to make herself known, she spurred Helios so she could take a look. The man was moving, slowly and it took a little bit for Naemi to see that it wasn't a rock he was sitting on, but a sea turtle. Naemi giggeld, stoped Helios and shaked her head. "Sorry, .." She smiled. "Why are you riding that sea turtle?" Naemi stroke Helios' neck while looking at this strange man.

Filthy hands, dark nails dirty of sand and mud stroke through the orange fur. It was peaceful, calm and with more passion words could ever explain. You can see the trust in the big brown eyes, watching his human and enjoying the attention he was getting. Naemi saddled him and took him out of the stables.

The wind was slightly pushing trough her hair and with a smile she spurred Helios to galop along the shorline. His hooves left prints on the sand and Naemi pushed him faster and faster. The wind was cold and hard against her skin but it felt amazing, it felt free. Naemi took Helios back while approaching the bay, the ground contains many gaps and irregularities along its way. The dark-haired girl made sure her horse wouldn't make it hard for himself and drove him quietly along the water.
It was calm, almost peaceful here and the girl always enjoyed the water. The bay had great spots to sit and look across the water, as far as you could see. She wondered what it would be like, sailing and exploring other lands. Naemi had never left Kattegat but was eager and curious enough. Still hoping Björn would go somewhere, somewhere she could go with. And maybe Ragnar was coming back, taking his warriors to some new land. Who knows.

But then something else kept her eye. It was the blacksmith, a man she knew by face and rank. She didn't know his name or where he came from. The girl almost knew every resident of Kattegat, but she didn't know him. He wasn't from here, that was for sure. It made her obnoxious, like every stranger did. He wasn't a total stranger, he was the blacksmith after all. People didn't get there ranks for nothing, she sure didn't.
Naemi always thought that this blacksmith was a strange man. But.. What was he doing on that sea turtle? So she went over there, stopped Helios and couldn't help herself giggling. The man turned his head towards her, looking a little bit confused. Impatiently Helios steps from hoove to hoove and Naemi put her hand against her waist. ”Why are you riding a horse?” He asked her. Naemi frowned her forehead and her grin disappeard. "Because it's normal to ride a horse," She answerd distantly. "Didn't knew turtles where used as working animals, too." She said, her voice almost snapping. She had to admit, it was a fun picture to see. But this man was just strange, weird and she didn't trust him.

Maybe, if the young woman knew the man, she would have laughed. It was funny to see him sitting on that turtle. But her suspicion overcame her humor. Her light eyes looked at him but there weren’t any emotion to give them meaning. She just looked, no grin or smile. ”I suppose it is yeah” the Blacksmith admitted and Naemi nodded immediately. Helios shacked his head, trying to get the flies off. He was inpatient, clearly unhappy with this stop. ”To be honest I thought I was sitting on a rock” Naemi tilt her head a little to the right, frowning. ”So thanks for saving me” Continued the Blacksmith, before he stood up from the animal and both watched it crawling away. ”No problem,” Naemi said, her voice calm and clear. She looked at the man again, trying to figure him out. As if his whole life story was written right on his forehead.

Helios pulled his ears back and made a chewing sound while biting on his bit. ”You know what it is, Blacksmith?” Naemi asked him, like he knew what she was talking about. ”The people here don’t like strangers. It makes us obnoxious.” She continued while narrowing her eyes. ”You’re the Blacksmith and I’m sure you’ve earned your rank. But you aren’t from her. We don’t know your name, we don’t know anything about you.” She told him, feeling like it was her responsibility to keep an eye out. ”And that makes you a stranger.” Her voice was getting cold, maybe even a little scornful.

Normally would the girl be much more open-minded. Naemi didn’t trust people often and wouldn’t easily let her guard down, but would give a person a fare change. Trying to get to know the other. But there was something about this man, this Blacksmith.. He wasn’t from here, from Kattegat. And that was bothering her, not knowing what his intentions were and what he was doing in Kattegat. Instead of just asking him, she told him why he bothered her.
The man smiled, what triggered Naemi even more. She couldn’t pin him down, what frustrated her. Helios felt her tension and moved uncomfortable from hoof to hoof. With her left hand she stroke his neck to calm him down, while the other hand was still on her waist. She tilt her head a little, listening to the words he spoke. ”Well then, I know it will take more time for you to not see me as a stranger, but my name is Svart Rauðrsson” His voice was still cheerful and Naemi couldn’t place his attitude. ”I’m delighted to meet you” And he meant it. The young woman opened her mouth, but there weren’t any words coming out. She had this whole speech in her head, but there was something obnoxious about this man. At least he said his name, and Naemi respected that. ”Svart, an uncommon name.” She said before she slightly nodded. ”Naemi Eliassdóttir. I’m one of the Thegns.” She replied, her voice a bit calmer than before. ”What were you doing out here?” She asked him then, her eyes looking around for something special or unusual.