Ghost of Whisper Creek

In the morning Krita woke beside Chance. It was a long night, but she usually functioned with little sleep so she didn’t seem to notice. “I think I owe my brother some time today, Kin. You have to go on patrol or will you get to rest if I’m with Nils?”

“Mm” Chance mumbled in a half sleep “I‘m sure I’ll find something. Enjoy your day with family Sheila.”

Krita smiled and rolled out of bed not bothering to cover her naked form as she walked across the room to her clothes that must have been brought up discreetly during the night. “Stay as long as you’d like. I doubt that anyone will be surprised you are here.” She quickly dressed and gave him one last smile. They were two of a kind, but she was trying to grow and Chance would likely keep her in the current state of excitement seeking for the rest of her life. “My young nieces will be jealous I told them I couldn’t howl as well as them. You proved me wrong.”

Chance laughed as he rolled onto his side and propped his head up with a hand “Every wolf can howl, just needs the right incentive. Those two little rogues learned from the best.” he winked.

Krita laughed along with him, “That they did,” she answered with a wink of her own. She stood at the door a moment staring at him then gave a sheepish wave and went off to find her brother. She knew that the young hunter/shadow would be invited to her room every night she stayed in Old North, but decided that would be the end of it. Chance was a great deal of fun, but she’d had too much fun. Time to get serious.

It did not take long for Krita to find Nils, she was good with directions and made her way back to the dining hall. She remembered that he took his breakfast early, and took a chance that Kisa did not change his schedule around too much. As she entered the hall she smiled seeing Nils sitting at his place finishing his meal. “Good morning, brother,” she said in a bold announcing voice.

Nils looked up from his meal and smiled. “Every morning since we moved here has been good, sister. Hopefully things will become hospitable between Old North and Kronnborg, with my own seat I would hope Father would be less threatened by me. Until then you can let our family know they will always be welcome and safe in Old North.”

Krita smiled and approached taking the chair next to Nils, on the opposite side of where Ri’ana would sit. “That is a good goal, Nils, one I hope is realized before father leaves this world, but I will assure you that whether Kronnborg falls to me or Freda there will be peace between us in the future.”

Nils smiled, “That means a great deal to me Krita. We have always been a little confrontational, competing over father’s favor, but I have always felt love for you.” The young Lord looked down at his plate and smiled, “Care for something to eat?”

Krita nodded, “That would be wonderful whatever you have ready, don’t put anyone to any trouble, what I really want is to spend time with my brother, my niece, and hopefully get to overcome my own family wedge, you think Ri’ana will be able to look past my misgivings from the courtship at the Festival?”

Nils smiled even wider at that and waved a serving man forward with Krita’s breakfast. “She surprises me all the time, but if you show her that you mean her no harm I can think of no reason why she would continue to hold any grudge.”

Krita gave a soft smile and started in on her breakfast, “How did you manage to pull this together so quickly?” she asked her brother eyes still darting around the hall that wowed her senses.

“Teamwork. Trust. Focused Determination. Alliances. Friends...Family.” Ri’ana responded as she came into the hall with a sleepy Kisa following at her side rubbing her eyes and yawning big “Old North was mostly already built, just needed alot of renovations, still does. And how are you this morning Krita?”

Krita smiled and turned from her meal to her sister-in-law, “I am doing well my Lady,” she responded nodding her head in respect. “There may still be work to be done, but what you have accomplished is wonderful, makes me wonder if Kronnborg is being held back by Papa’s stubbornness, or if we just don’t have the right friends yet.”

Nils shook his head, “Varless, Vallarn, and Hubor combined with Rodsvard would have Kronnborg complete in no time, it’s Papa that stands in the way. He is stuck in his ways, wanting to own everything. He’s still working at plots to give himself as much control as possible instead of focusing on building a home and slowly becoming part of what he rushed his people into.”

Krita scrunched her nose at the statement, but she saw some truth in it as well. “Do you think there is any hope that he’ll soften on his ways?” Nils shook his head in answer. Krita frowned, “I wish I had the courage to leave.”

Nils shook his head again and wave his daughter and wife towards the table, “It was not courage that had me leave, it was reason. I would have stood by father’s mistakes if those mistakes didn’t threaten others that I love. You need only concentrate on yourself, take Papa out of your thinking and you’ll come to a place similar to mine. It might not even require your leaving Papa’s side, and could bring us all together again.”

Krita’s frown turned to a smile, “I’m grateful for the faith you show in me. I hope you are right.” She turned her attention to Ri’ana, “What is Kisa’s morning routine? I would like to help out where I can. I don’t know how long my troops will like sitting still I promised them we were looking for new training ideas. However long they will stay content, and not put you out, I would like to spend without thought of blade or war, focused on family.”

Ri’ana chuckled as she helped Kisa up on her chair who looked far from her usual chipper self. She wasn’t a morning person. “No routines for one so young. Just breakfast then playing with her cousins for the rest of the day. We have a nanny that watches over them while we tend to the city. If you’re looking for training tips you could always join commanders in the training yard. Otherwise I will be in the markets cleaning up the vendor shops and streets....Not sure what your duties were today. Nils?” she looked to her husband with a smile as she sat down next to him and started to dish food on Kisa’s plate to which the girl merely looked between eye rubs.

Nils laughed at his daughter, as he did most days. He was quite the opposite a bright eyed morning person. In fact he had already made his daily predawn trip to the ruined church to pay his respects to the spirits and remember the day this whole idea of a new Old North took it’s first real step. “I have to visit the smithy make sure that the requisitions will be complete as promised, then I’ll probably make my way to the training grounds, check in with the commanders. If Lord Ammon has learned of Lord Hallas’ escape, and faults us we should work up a defense plan. It might be wise to send a message to my Uncle see if he would agree to meet on neutral ground to discuss any growing threat.”

Ri’ana chuckled as she reached out and brushed fingers through Kisas red hair as she started to nibble at her food slowly “Perhaps you can show your sister around then. Certainly more exciting then sweeping up streets I’m sure.” she smiled over at brother and sister “And give you two time to catch up.”

Nils nodded, “Perhaps we can meet back here for lunch. I do have a lot I would like to talk about with my sister, but she has expressed desires to get to know you and Kisa better as well.”

“Of course. We will be here for lunch. Childrens story time at the story tree is shortly after...if you wish to join. Krita.” Ri’ana smiled as she started in on her own food.

Kisa perked up some “Story?!” She asked.

Ri’ana laughed “Thats right Kisa. Story. Later though...eat your breakfast.”

Krita nodded, “I would love to spend time with all the children before I have to leave again. Hopefully this won’t be the last visit though. I’m planning on keeping my mind open towards new things, being a present aunt is one of them. Maybe I can bring Freda along the next time I come.”

“That would be wonderful. I am sure the kids would enjoy having more of their aunts around.” Ri’ana smiled and nodded.

Nils looked to his sister’s plate and gave a bit of a sigh, “Are you ready Krita?” he asked standing from his spot, but hovering between wife and daughter to give kisses to each before he would consider departing.

Krita placed her utensils on her empty plate and stood as well. “I’m ready,” she declared. “I look forward to the afternoon with you two,” she then said to Ri’ana and Kisa departing with a nod to Ri’ana and a wave to Kisa. Ri’ana gave Krita a nod while Kisa gave a sleepy opening and closing of hand in resemblance of a goodbye wave.

Nils led Krita from the dining hall and the citadel altogether. Their first stop was the smithy. Krita had hoped that the La Seine blacksmith who had been commissioned to make her own armor was brought here, but she was disappointed to learn it was not him. Nils told her it was an apprentice of the dwarven armorer. She was glad to see that the more glamorous work might continue, but the work that was being done at this time was more on the lines of what Froste created in Kronnborg. She thought the dragon wings on the side of the helmet were a nice touch.

Brother and sister discussed family and futures as they walked from smithy to practice grounds. Nils assured Krita that she would find the peace and balance that she was looking for, but cautioned her about showing that side of herself to their father. They discussed plans of what might happen should she inherit the new Rodsvard home, and how she could make it a place with less haunting reminders of how the home was won.

Both Rodsvards watched the troops in the practice grounds. Nils like Krita had grown up without drills and practice. They hunted to keep their skills up, or found someone to attack, there was an occasional sparring session or a challenge for rank within a Northern Army, but for the most part the only training they received was under fire. Nils was dedicated to learning the ways of war and training within Ra’vain, but he was lucky to have La Seine commanders to emulate.

After training completed the siblings returned to the citadel for lunch as planned. Nils knew that Kisa and Ri’ana would be there, he would not be surprised if the rest of their family was there as well, all except likely Bedin who took his lunch in the forest not wanting to stop the hunt for a meal. He smiled as he entered the dining hall finding it as full as he thought. “Haven’t started lunch without your Lord have you?” he called out to no one in particular jokingly.

“Papa!!!” Kisa squeaked much more awake and chipper now as she ran across the hall to him, her arms out wide for him to catch and pick her up.

Nils laughed as he complied with his daughter’s wish and swooped her up in his arms. “Hi sweetheart, have you been having fun with your cousins?”

“Oh yes yes!” Kisa nodded excitedly “We go, River! See Fish!”

Nils laughed, “Jae and Lyn don’t like to go a day without seeing water of some kind do they? Did you see fish like the ones that get cooked up for dinner?”

“Mhm” Kisa nodded enthusiastically “And frogs! Frogs go CroakCroakCroak”

Krita laughed, “You’re quite fond of animal noises aren’t you?” she asked as she followed Nils into the dining hall and guessed at where she would be sitting. Kisa nodded and hugged her father. Krita laughed, “Maybe the story today will have animals in it and you can make the noises.” The Northern woman mussed the hair of her niece gently and laughed, “You sit with Kisa and Ri’ana, I’ll catch up after lunch. I’ll sit with Hilde and his family if you don’t mind.”

Nils smiled and gave a nod, “Some of them will be heading to storytime as well after lunch. I don’t think you’ll be able to get lost.” He poked Kisa on the nose and smiled before starting towards their seats.

“I never get lost,” Krita mumbled beneath a snicker. She then headed to where Hilde and Aditi were busy getting the twins and Rohir set up for the meal. Keen blue eyes were drawn to the artwork on Aditi’s arm and side. She had always admired the chain that Hilde had across his face, and was quite fond of the art on Chance’s body, but few women of the North did these things. “Ra’vish women decorate their bodies like that? Or just Ruces?” she asked in a curious tone.

Aditi looked up and smiled at Krita “Just pirates. Mercenaries, and unlawful folk such as myself. Do you like them?” she glanced down at the goldfish on her arm.

Krita eyed the goldfish and nodded, “I’m no proper Lady so I doubt that any would be surprised that I would decorate myself, what about warriors? I know that women are respected more if seen less on battlefields in Ra’vain, would they do such a thing? Or just rogues, of which I’m not sure I don’t fall into that category as well as warrior.”

“Very rarely do you see a warrior Lady. Idril was the only warrior trained in Tsukimatsu in ten years and...I believe she still holds the spot.” Aditi smiled “In the end its a personal choice...you should never get one because its what others will or will not do. Only if it is what you want to do. Once you get one...they never come off.”

Krita nodded as if considering the consequences and then smiled and nudged Hilde’s shoulder, “You still do art?” she asked in a more quiet than usual voice. Hilde nodded silently as he gave Jae a questioning look when he requested fish again. Krita’s eyes shifted back to Aditi, “You think I should let him work on me?”

Aditi laughed “Depends on where you want it.” she grinned “Unless you don’t mind your cousin seeing more skin then you already show.”

Krita chuckled, “I’m not all that demure, I’d rather someone I trust do it than take my chances. Haven’t decided whether it should be hidden by armor or not. If so it might be a place some would consider personal, but I don’t mind as long as you don’t mind your husband working there.”

Hilde nearly choked on his next bite and pause a moment to catch his breath, “What if I don’t want to do it.”

Krita slapped his back in a kidding manner, “Please how many times did you walk in on me when I was trying to hide my affairs from Mama? Won’t be something you haven’t seen before,” she gave a soft laugh. “I seem to recall you not hiding much the first time I met Aditi here.” Hilde shrugged and looked to Aditi, partly for help out of the conversation, partly for approval.

Aditi chuckled “I don’t mind if he doesn’t” she shrugged as she reached out and grabbed Lyn’s hand from trying to sneak a few treats off the table.

Krita smiled, “Great, now I’ll just have to give some thought as to what I’d like done, and where. Like you said it won’t come off. I better be sure.” Her thoughts immediately went to the wolf paws that adorned Chance’s body, but wasn’t sure if that would be too much, she intend for him to see what she put on her body no matter where it was and she didn’t want him to think she was expecting something serious. “How did you choose?”

“Guilt. Vengeance. Closure.” Aditi admitted with a shrug “I was young, lost my entire family and had no idea what to do with my life.” Reaching out her right arm and closing her hand to a fist she pulled her white sleeve up a bit more and pointed “Each fish represents a man who took advantage of my weakness and saw my blade for it. Or were worthy kills worth the memory. The biggest guppy here is my first kill when I was no longer a guppy and instead became a shark. Shark eat guppies and fish so...it seemed fitting at the time.”

Krita nodded, “I don’t have a kill that I or most others would consider worthy. By the time I’ve seen a battlefield the opponent is asking for mercy or death, I oblige. Though I don’t suppose all those fish came on a battlefield. I need to have something that will remind me of who I am, but looking at it won’t stop me from where I’m going. You ever get one to remind yourself of good people in your life?”

“A couple...One you probably don’t want to see” she chuckled as she squeezed Hildes leg before reaching up and unbuttoning her shirt “One wasn’t Hildes work...but the memories are good. And then....” Pulling the shirt aside to reveal her chest and the scar work of a skull deer appeared. She didn’t stop to make note of it knowing it bothered Hilde but instead pulled her shirt down and turned to reveal her right shoulder where three otters swimming together were inked on with water foam and kelp around them. “The three kids. Our Seapups.”

Krita’s eyes took to the stag skull, but as Aditi didn’t mention it she decided it was something that wasn’t a fond memory. “That is precious. I hope to have something to denote my kids too...if I am so lucky,” she added the second part as Hilde’s head rushed around to gaze at her in question. “How long does it take?” she asked, “Something the size of one of those pups?”

Hilde really didn’t need to look to know how large the picture was, but he looked anyway. “Couple hours, but you won’t want armor pushing up against the spot for a day or so.”

Krita nodded, “I’ll think about it and let you know.” She gave a nervous smile and finally taking a seat with the family. “How was playing with Kisa today?” she asked the kids, “She said you went to the river and saw fish and frogs.”

Jae looked up from the plate of vegetables and rabbit that Hilde had talked him into as opposed to the fish. “River fun! Not same as sea though, not as much splash splash!”

Krita looked to Lyn, “What about you Lyn, did you enjoy the river?”

Lyn looked over at Krita and frowned shaking her head silently before going back to her food. Aditi also frowned and reached out to brush hair behind her ear “She had fun, she just doesn’t like the river much. Says she see’s things...faces in the water. It scares her.”

Krita’s face echoed Aditi’s and Lyn’s in frowning. The only faces Krita could remember seeing in water were reflections. And it was fun to throw rocks at them and watch them disappear in ripples of water. “Nils told me that Atla showed up here, she’s the only one I know of who understands things like that.”

“Aye.” Aditi nodded “Unfortunately she has a ’creepy’ appearance to the kids. So they don’t see her much.”

“Papa told me that she doesn’t need to see them to be able to know things. I know she still scares me every now and then, but I understand Nils and Papa have found her quite helpful,” she shook her head wondering if she could brave the smoke and shadows of the old woman’s tent if her children were in need of help. “Though it might not even be something that Atla can help with, might just not like the water.”

“Could be.” Aditi nodded “We have someone that helps. Unfortunately Old North is just something Lyn has to learn to get used to. She prefers to be by the sea.”

Krita gave a questioning look before nodding, “River water is different from the sea,” she agreed, “besides just less splash, splash,” she said giving Jae a smile and a wink. He giggled in response before returning to his meal. “You plan to get her back to the sea at least...though a little one like that who likes the sea a lot can be trouble.”

“It’s a lot of work, yes.” Aditi nodded in agreement.

Krita took a seat and pulled a plate towards her, “The rabbit looks good?” she said questioningly towards Aditi and Hilde, Jae was poking about his plate, but wasn’t exactly digging in. “What is the best thing the cook makes? I know that’s kinda relative everything I bet is better than what comes from the kitchens of Kronnborg.”

“Most of the servants and cooks come out of South Port, refugees rescued from slavers and put to work for pay” Aditi smiled as she went for what looked like a small bird of some kind “As you say, it all is good, depending on your tastes.”

“A hunter in the North has to take what is there,” Krita admitted. “I’ve always been quite fond of deer,” she said looking around the table, “I don’t see any here. Not a surprise the forests around Kronnborg have very cautious deer, probably the same here. I’ll try the rabbit as I said it looks good.”

Things were relatively quiet as everyone ate their meals. Krita’s eyes occasionally took in the surroundings, but only those she was familiar with were present, and the servants. Hilde completed his meal and continued to prod Jae to finish his. When all the plates were mostly clean Krita looked towards Aditi, “Ri’ana said it would be time for storytime next. Who tells the stories here?”

“Grandpa Coral!” Lyn squeaked in answer

Kisa across the table bounced and rose her spoon up “Grandpa! Grandpa!”

Aditi chuckled “He’s an old fisherman from Sharkhead, worth his salt but crippled from years on the sea. The kids love him.”

Krita smiled, “I can see, that is wonderful. I can remember when I was their age hearing the stories from old Froste, he is a tremendous blacksmith now, but in his younger days he was a fierce warrior. Those were the type of stories that Northman wanted their children to hear. You remember Hilde?”

“Aye, I remember, but wasn’t nearly as enthralled as you and Nils were,” his eyes looked down to his twins who seemed ready for storytime. “I remember more the stories that Uncle Clarin told. Stories of the sea and what happened on a ship. That’s what I want the twins to hear as well, but they need to know that’s not all that happens in the world. I would welcome an occasional warrior’s story as well.”

“Nice thing about a Salt Man” Aditi grinned proudly as she stood to clean the kids up “You get both.”

Krita smiled, “Lucky kids. Should we be off to listen to today’s story?”

Both Aditi and Ri’ana worked to clean up the kids and see them out of the dining hall. The kids already knew where to go so they ran up ahead leading the way out of the citadel and across the green and flower printed field down to what looked like a real large and real old tree. Its roots were as knobbly and twisted as the rest of it, the trunk was squat almost like it was once real tall and then shrunk some leaving a big round pot belly between ground and sky. All around the tree were children. Most were from the little village section of the old city. Nestled between the roots was an elderly gentleman with white wild hair, a peg leg, and some missing fingers. He wore an old looking sharkskin jerkin and what looked like an old net for a cloak. His voice was deep as he spun stories of the sea. Ri’ana often joined the story time with a few baskets of rolls, muffins and fruites. Aditi helped in carrying them and passing them out to the children around the tree before falling back to a couple of benches to allow the children space to be kids and enjoy their stories.

Krita’s eyes watched the children take their places close to Grandpa Coral. She looked over the other faces in the crowd and smiled again, “Must be nice to be able to have your children mingle with the common folk. Freda had to be locked away for the first year we were here because the sentiment was so sour. The people of Old North are well rounded? It seems in Kronnborg that all the commoners are farmers or traders, very few make marketable goods.”

Ri’ana nodded “The families here come from all over. Most loyal to my father and his cause, some were families I knew growing up. Others are merchants that come and go. Others that wanted to live in a quieter...less busy place then South Port” She smiled “It was as much a surprise to us when the first few families came asking to stay here. They help around the city, clean up, rebuild, share talents.”

“Sounds much more like home than what Kronnborg has become,” Krita said with a smile of reflection. “I don’t know how much Nils talks about the North, it is a fierce place, but people came together and made things work. I don’t think Papa realizes just how much the small folk meant to our family. Now he thinks he can do it all himself. This journey was supposed to aid my being ready for what will come on the battlefield here in Ra’vain, but it has opened my eyes to other things as well. Hopefully I can get Papa to open those eyes before it’s too late.”

“Indeed.” Ri’ana nodded “It is rare to have a ’battlefield’ here in Ra’vain, now that the Abnaki war is over even less so...I should hope nothing of that nature ever comes in my lifetime or my children.”

Krita frowned a bit, she’d spent her life preparing to defend herself and her family. She saw herself become a bit useless, but she would follow her plans to learn defense in the way of the Ra’vish. She might need to pick up other skills along the way however. “It pains me to say that I wish that weren’t the truth. I hope you and your children can stay far from any battles, but I was made for those situations. Maybe it’s time to adapt. I think tomorrow I’d like to accompany you on your duties in the city if you don’t mind?”

“Of course.” Ri’ana smiled and nodded. Krita smiled and settled in to listen to the story that was being told to the youngsters who had gathered. Her eyes quite often locked onto Kisa, the twins were blood and she’d been as close or closer to Hilde over the years as she had been to Nils, but Kisa reminded her more of what she could have. The twins seemed special, and Krita wasn’t sure what to think yet about Rohir as she hadn’t pushed to hear that story. It was obvious Hilde wished to keep a distance from the boy without hurting his wife.

After storytime had concluded Krita joined the children as well as her cousin, brother, and their wives. “If you’d lend me a nanny, I would be happy to look after the kids for the afternoon while you tend to other things,” she offered with a smile as she looked over the kids wondering what kind of trouble they would get her into.

Hilde and Nils both laughed at the offer made by Krita. “Of course we would insist on a nanny being present,” Hilde said as he nudged Nils in the side with his elbow, “Are you old enough to remember that doll Nan gave her hoping she would give her some peace?”

Nils smiled he had a vague idea of what Hilde was talking about, “I think I do...” his eyes and wide grin turned to Krita, “The kids all like to play fight as much as you did, but I think we’ll have to give special instructions to make sure that their insides remain there instead of thrown around the room in some practice sword mishap.”

Krita growled at each of the men, “I was seven, I wanted Nan to know that I wasn’t going to be playing house with dollies that I was going to play warrior like you two did. I raised Jagare from just a tiny pup, he’s turned out great. A better hunter than either of you. I think I can make sure that nothing bad happens to the children for an afternoon!”

Nils laughed and threw up his hands, “I won’t argue, you had the sense to ask for help that’s the first step. These four can be a handful at times. You want to spend time with them? I think it would be good for you and them.” He looked to Ri’ana for confirmation.

Ri’ana chuckled and nodded “I’ll go find Nanny for you then. Mostly we let the kids run about the city with a nanny and guard. Just be careful of the waterfall, its very slippery around there.” Ri’ana hugged and kissed her husband before moving to the Citidale to send down the nanny.

Krita nodded, running around the city with the children would be an opportunity to relive something that she didn’t get to do much as a child. The winters were long and harsh in the North and most of her life the land seemed to be fighting against the Rodsvards. She and the children of her generation didn’t get a good deal of true outdoor play. Nils wrapped his arms around Ri’ana and returned the kiss before watching her depart and beginning to plan out an afternoon that didn’t include the duties he had previously thought to get to.

“So any other problem areas I should look to have the kids avoid?” Krita asked Aditi. She would have asked her brother the city’s Lord, but he seemed lost in a pleasant thought she didn’t want to stir him from.

“The church.” Aditi chuckled “Hard to miss, you will know it when you see it. Asides that the city is pretty safe for kids.”

Krita nodded and looked to Nils, “The ruin you visit?” she asked which was followed with a nod from her brother, “Got it keep ’em from getting too close to the wet slippery area around the waterfall and the old ruins. I think I can handle that.”

After a short time all of the adults talking and watching the kids, Nanny joined them from the Citidale. The kids, Krita, and Nanny bid the others farewell and were off to play. Pretending to be their favorite adult, hide and seek, tag, and play fighting filled the afternoon and when Krita and Nanny noticed the placement of the sun they rounded up the children and headed back to the Citidale for dinner.

Krita excused Nanny when they arrived at the dining hall and ushered in the children making sure they were with their parents, she then found her seat, thankfully beside Chance. She had been opening up to the idea of a family and motherhood, but after several hours she was very happy to turn the kids back over to their parents and enjoy some fun time with Chance. They joked and teased, Krita asked about faces she didn’t recognize in the dining hall and they drank thirstily of the mead that was provided. After hours in the dining room they again retired to Krita’s guest room and enjoyed each other’s company until they fell asleep in each other’s arms.

The sun had not risen when Krita’s eyes opened and she kissed Chance’s forehead gently as she snuck out of bed. She meant to meet Nils for his morning prayer of sorts. They discussed the reason for the ritual and whether or not the ‘spirits’ really existed. In the end Nils had somehow convinced her to see Atla before she left Old North. A prospect she wasn’t looking forward to, but she remembered a time when Nils wouldn’t get within a hundred yards of the old mystic.

They arrived together to eat their morning meal. They were slowly joined by the other family members. Krita waited as she finished quite quickly. She was to go with Ri’ana today, learn what management of a Ra’vish city was really about. As she waited she played a little with Kisa who still looked quite tired and had little interest in her breakfast.

The work done for the day was easy to understand but long and not at all meant for fun. Ri’ana oversaw the building of the city and helped direct the workers focus in areas that required attention. It appeared the main focus was on a fountain and two corner shops in the marketplace. It was easy to see that the city was started from the Citidale and slowly branched out to the further buildings. Cleaning consisted of moving old stones and rubble, pulling down foliage, leaves, roots and branches and rebuilding the sections that were broken. Some of the buildings had to be cleared away completely so that they could re-level the ground with dirt and stones and then rebuild a building back in it’s place. It was tiring work and hands were both dirty and blistered by the end of the morning. Even still Ri’ana kept up a cheerful demeanour that kept the townsfolks motivated and centered in their tasks.

Krita tried to follow Ri’ana’s lead as far as keeping her chin high and not becoming tired or bored with the work. It was afterall important, and Ri’ana’s dedication was a good part of the reason why Old North was much closer to being a complete city than Kronnborg was. This was how the rest of Krita’s weeklong stay went in Old North, alternating time with Ri’ana and Nils. Spending afternoons with her nieces and nephews, and nights with Chance.

On the day she announced to Nils and Ri’ana that her troops had reached the point of growing bored and it was time she moved on to South Port to visit Idril, she made one last visit to Hilde. She told him she was leaving in the morning and had thought about the art she would like him to place on her. The Northern Captain agreed and not too long after she emerged with a leaping marlin on her left shoulder blade. In the middle of the arching fish in what looked like a starry night was a pair of glow yellow eyes with a vague outline of a wolf in the shadow.

In the morning Krita gave Chance a very special goodbye and then went to say her farewells to her family. She promised that she would visit again soon and then left the city to join her troops. They made their way down the newly developed road between Old North and South Port. It would not be a long journey. The troops welcomed the exercise and hoped for more excitement in South Port.