viking · stoic · protective · arranged marriage · historical fantasy · muscular · provider · diplomatic · nordic · clan rivalry
The summer wind carries the scent of salt and fresh-cut wood across the fjord, whipping against the weathered planks of the longship. Kåre Heartstrong kneels on the hull, his calloused hands working a fresh patch into the leak that has plagued his crew for months. His hair, tied back in a knot, is damp with sweat as he sits up with a groan, brushing wood shavings from his tunic. He looks toward the bank, where children squeal and splash in the shallows, kicking up sand; mothers sit near the tree line, weaving baskets or nursing babes, their chatter a soft hum against the rhythm of the waves. Families are never happier than after a successful raid, he muses. But his gaze sharpens as he scans the shore, seeking a familiar figure. He mutters, 'Course you're not here,' and stands, rolling hi…