Winter has come

The settlement of Hedeby awoke to a fresh layer of first snow covering the usually brown roads that passed through the busy town. The first sunlight had already found its way into the warm home of the young shield maiden. She was getting ready, putting on her dark cloak that embraced her in all its warmth.

She had a long day ahead of her - the earl had asked her to make his son, Alfgeir, a bear coat for their planned trip to Göteborg. He was arranged to marry the king's daughter Ashild, and he planned on making a good first impression.

Other than the coat, she had to restock her winter supplies. Her distant family had just left the night before, eating half of her pantry and taking most of the other half for their long trip ahead. She didn't mind it though - her relatives were always welcome to take whatever they needed. There was plenty more to be found in the rich forests and lakes around her lovely home and years of practice had made her one of the best scavengers.

The young shield maiden, except for hunting and fighting, enjoyed making coats and cloaks. Everyone knew of Thyre's good craftsmanship, because not only were her wares beautiful, they were also the greatest quality. The only problem was that she didn't enjoy messing with bears, for they were strong and powerful animals.

Killing a wolf was easy - there were many lone wolves roaming the closest parts of the forest. A bear, on the other hand, appeared as often as a white raven. Bears lived very far and away from the people, mostly keeping to themselves. They were also much stronger and more powerful.

Shaking away her thoughts, Thyre packed her already half full travel bag with smoked fish, cheese and bread. It would be enough for today and tomorrow, but after that, she would have to hunt her own food. Then she took her knife, a bow, some arrows and her axe.

Leaving her home, she was greeted by Skuli, her best friend since they were children. " Off to another adventure, I see. Would you mind if I accompanied you for a while?" he said, in his usual cheerful voice. Skuli was always happy and positive, which often surprised Thyre. He was just a little older than her but much younger in the soul. "Your company is always welcome, my friend," she replied.

The two walked and talked side by side, looking like a pair of unlikely companions. Skuli was at least a head taller than Thyre and thin, but muscular, always walking and carrying himself like a prince even though he was just the blacksmith's son. Thyre was quiet and deadly, her steps barely making a sound or touching the ground- just like a fox. This balance of character got them through a lot of trouble in the years past.

Their personalities were very different too - he was sanguine and she was melancholic. Despite their differences, they were both very good and loyal friends, and neither of them could even begin to think of betraying the other.

And so the two companions walked, at first passing between the small houses and huts they've seen a thousand times until they reached the old, now snow-covered, road that led to the forest. Any man would have given up by then, as the road marks, too, were covered and there was no way of guessing where the road led. Thyre, however, knew these paths by heart.

This is where the tall one said his goodbyes and wished her good luck. He knew he wouldn't be seeing her for a while. She would sometimes be gone for as long as weeks. She would come back every time through - each time stronger and more experienced.

Little did Thyre know this might be the last time she sees her best friend and experiences the comfort of her warm home. For ahead of her was a long, exciting journey that had just begun.