Winter Solstice Winter - Book I in the Viking Blood Saga

After her bath, she dressed and thought she looked decent enough for the night’s events. Unni and Sigrid had returned from helping Brander slaughter the evening’s main course: Lotte the pig. Ailia had picked up a bad habit of naming all the animals on the farm. She hated it anytime any of her ‘children’ were slaughtered, even though she fully realized they needed the food. Busily, they scurried to and fro, in and out of doors, preparing the master meal for the evening.

  As Ailia walked in with her gown, Unni glanced at Ailia with a frown, dipped her hands in the water bowl, dried them on her apron, and walked over to her.

  “Let’s go to the back again. I have something special I want you to wear for tonight’s event,” Unni said, her voice brimming with excitement. She led Ailia to the back room and opened the linen closet.

  Hurriedly, Unni searched through the linen sheets and located what she was looking for. She pulled out a finely woven silk handkerchief, folded carefully around its mysterious contents. “Here you go.” She reached her arm out toward Ailia. “I wore this on the official day of my marital pledge, which it almost is for you. Here.” She reached her hand forward more firmly.

  Ailia accepted the bundle, knowing it would be a great insult if she didn’t. She peeled its exquisite edges apart until it opened, revealing two shining Hatteberg bi-metal brooches. She gasped. Their complex design included six silver animal eyelet masks embellishing the upper circular border and domed golden bronze panels inlaid on the front. The triangular Valknut symbol was barely noticeable in the vine-like side patterns. Ailia had never seen anything nearly as beautiful in her entire life. Her fingers feathered the surface of the brooches.

  “Now, let me help you put them on,” Unni said, picking the brooches out of Ailia’s hallowed hand. “Oh dear, that under tunic will never do!” She looked in horror at Ailia’s ragged under tunic. She pulled out a stark white new under tunic that was embroidered with a detailed blue thistle pattern at the sleeves and skirt hem. “Here you are, dear. Now hurry and change. I have repast to prepare.”

  After Ailia changed, Unni helped her attach the brooches, and together they strung red, green, brown, yellow, and silver beads between the jewels.

  “Come with me and help set the table. Don’t worry about preparing the food. I wouldn’t want you to get your dress dirtied,” Unni said, ushering Ailia with her.

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