Brandr and Rannveig followed their father to his private chamber, where weapons hung from sturdy beams. Furs covered the benches, and a separate hearth kept the space warm. The silence was heavy as they waited for him to be ready.

  Thralls moved silently to remove their father's fur cloak, hunting spear, and bow. As the last thrall retreated, closing the heavy oak door behind him, Magnus turned to face his children.

  His eyes, as grey and unreadable as a winter sea, fixed upon Brandr. "I'm accustomed to your wanderings, son," he began, his tone measured. "But your absence this time was... unexpectedly long." Brandr's face remained impassive, betraying nothing. Magnus continued, his voice a low rumble, "It seems much happened on your journey."

  The words hung in the air, an unspoken invitation for Brandr to explain himself.

  Brandr met his father's gaze, his voice steady as he recounted the journey. "I sailed to Honningdal to trade for honey, Father. I brought three travelers from Skogstrand with me. The trade was successful, but on our return, a sudden storm wrecked our boat near the coast."

  He paused briefly before continuing, "We found shelter with the honey traders until a merchant ship offered passage to Skipavik. During that voyage, we were attacked by raiders." Brandr's tone grew more serious. "Some bore Gunnar's emblem, and their ship was unmistakably of Drakefjell make. We fought them off, but it was a close battle."

  Magnus listened intently, his expression inscrutable. After a moment, he spoke, his voice a low rumble. "As it happens, one of those travelers was Chief Torbjorn's runaway daughter, promised to Jarl Gunnar's son Einar." His eyes narrowed slightly. "Now Gunnar stands poised to make war on Torbjorn."

  He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in. "Not an ideal travel companion for someone in your position, Brandr."

  The Jarl paused for a long moment, then said, "However, as you protected her from raiders, you may be able to extricate yourself without lasting damage." His voice carried some patient resignation, and it was clear he expected better judgment from his son in the future.

  Magnus pondered silently, his brow furrowed in thought. Finally, he spoke. "It seems Gunnar's men grow bolder by the day." His voice was calm, betraying no concern despite the clear threats to Veldeford from both north and south.

  After long moment of consideration, he continued, "Strife, however unwelcome, often brings opportunity." His eyes glinted with calculation as he turned his attention to the matter of Jarl Gunnar. "Gunnar's type cannot be trusted. His malicious actions may pause for a time, but they will not cease. He must be dealt with."

  Magnus straightened, looking at his son. "You've acted rashly, Brandr. But perhaps we can yet salvage something from this... adventure of yours."

  His expression turned thoughtful. "Torbjorn deserves what he's been dealt, given the disrespect and brazenness he allowed in his daughter." His eyes shifted to Rannveig, who nodded in silent agreement, her own disapproval of Astrid's behavior evident. Magnus continued, "However, as it benefits our clan, we will assist him."

  "Our aid comes at a price," Magnus said, his voice taking on a steely edge. "We shall claim the northern peninsula of Skogstrand, rich in timber and iron ore. Additionally, Torbjorn will grant us control over the trade routes to the north through Skogstrand."

  Brandr's brow furrowed. "Father, our own forests are plentiful. Surely—"

  "And they shall remain so," Magnus said, raising a hand to silence his son. "We'll use Torbjorn's resources, preserving our own for the future."

  Magnus paused, his next words measured and heavy with intent. "Finally, I require Torbjorn's unwavering loyalty. He will bend the knee and swear fealty. His clan and warriors will serve our interests above all else."

  The firelight danced across Magnus's face as he sat back, allowing his children a moment to absorb his words. Then, his gaze sharpening once more, he spoke of the future.

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  "We must look beyond the immediate battle," he said, his voice measured. "Gunnar's kin will not take kindly to our intervention. Their resentment could fester, leading to prolonged conflict." He paused, his eyes moving between Brandr and Rannveig. "Such strife is bad for trade. Our port town and trading routes would suffer."

  Rannveig, ever perceptive, spoke up. "One of us must marry into their clan to secure peace. It would make sense for Brandr to marry Gunnar's daughter, Solveig."

  Magnus's eyes flickered to his daughter, a hint of amusement in his gaze. "A clever suggestion, Rannveig, but not the path we shall take." His attention settled fully on her now, his next words heavy with implication. "No, my daughter, we will offer your hand to ally with Drakefjell after we win this battle. It will be a peace offering they cannot refuse."

  Rannveig's hands shifted in her lap before she carefully returned them to their proper position, her eyes dropping briefly to the floor. She drew herself up, schooling her features into practiced calm to hide her dismay. Magnus studied her for a moment, then continued, "With Gunnar gone, Einar will inherit his fleet and shipyards. Your marriage will secure our access and control. His longships will bolster our naval power, and his master shipwrights will enable us to build even larger warships."

  Rannveig took a deep breath before meeting her father's eyes. "I understand, Father. I will do what is needed for our clan."

  The corner of Magnus's mouth turned up slightly, a ghost of a smile. "You must keep Einar's inclinations in check, daughter. Ensure they align with our interests."

  "I will, Father," Rannveig replied, her voice steady despite the tension in her shoulders.

  Magnus nodded, his eyes softening almost imperceptibly. "Good. I have always been able to count on you, Rannveig."

  He then turned his attention to Brandr, his gaze sharpening. "You too will marry suitably, son, but not yet. Your time will come."

  Brandr couldn't suppress a flicker of relief, which didn't escape his father's notice. Magnus paused, and when he spoke again, his voice was measured.

  "You must learn to control your passions, Brandr. They can be a weakness if left unchecked." After a moment of quiet, he continued, " I've heard whispers of your... flirtation with Torbjorn's thrall, Sigrida."

  Next to Brandr, Rannveig stiffened imperceptibly, her eyes widening for just a fraction of a second at the word "thrall."

  The words hung in the air, heavy with implication. Brandr felt a chill run down his spine, realizing that his father's keen eyes had missed nothing.

  Magnus raised an eyebrow. "I understand you've been treating this thrall as an equal. Such behavior shows poor judgment, my son."

  As Brandr opened his mouth to protest, Magnus held up a hand, silencing him. "I don't fault you for finding her attractive. She is, by all accounts, quite comely." His tone grew more serious, eyes hardening. "But remember, Brandr, thralls like her are not our equals. They serve at our pleasure, nothing more."

  Magnus leaned forward, his voice lowering. "Such girls are diversions, not companions. To treat them as anything more is not only foolish but dangerous. It undermines the very order that keeps our society stable."

  The implication was clear: in his father’s eyes, Sigrida was little more than a pleasure girl, unworthy of the attention Brandr had been showing her. The words hung in the air, challenging Brandr to defend his actions.

  Brandr's jaw clenched. For a moment, he said nothing, the muscles in his face working as he wrestled with his response.

  Finally, he spoke, his voice carefully controlled. "Father," Brandr began, "Sigrida has proven herself a capable shieldmaiden. Her skills in battle could be of great use to us."

  Magnus listened to Brandr's account with an impassive expression, his fingers idly stroking his beard. If the words affected him, his stony visage betrayed nothing.

  Finally, Magnus rose to his feet, signaling the end of the discussion about Sigrida. "Very well. The girl is yours for now. Take care that you do not lose sight of her station or your purposes for keeping her."

  The hard knot in Brandr's chest loosened, but he kept his expression neutral. Seizing the moment, he ventured, "Father, what of the piracy along our southern coasts? And the unknown tribes behind these attacks?"

  Magnus's eyes narrowed, considering. "For now, Gunnar remains our most pressing threat," he said, his tone measured. "But we cannot ignore these southern disturbances. I will dispatch spies to uncover who stands behind these raids. Once we have a clearer picture, we'll decide how to proceed."

  He paused, letting the weight of his words settle. "Until then, we focus on the threat at hand. Brandr, you will work with your uncle Kjell to prepare our forces for battle. He'll expect you at dawn."

  Magnus's gaze swept over his children, his voice low and firm. "You both understand what must be done. Can I trust you to carry this out as instructed?"

  Rannveig and Brandr nodded solemnly. "Yes, Father," they replied in unison.

  Pride flickered across Magnus's stony features. For a moment, his expression softened. "Your mother would be proud to see you both today, so steadfast in your loyalty to our family."

  A fleeting shadow of emotion passed over their faces at the mention of their mother, but they quickly composed themselves.

  "Very good," Magnus rumbled. "I will be alone now. Have the thralls bring food and mead to my chambers."

  With a final nod, Rannveig and Brandr rose to leave, understanding their dismissal.

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