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Eir, the daughter of Urd, wasn’t the most pleasant woman in her private life, but she was well liked leader and respected one. Fierce and beautiful huntress on her prime. Still dedicated to her people even after she had retired her position as tribe leader due to her bad hip. Thusly it was rarity that someone would stand up to her.
Not even her own daughters had the gall to face their mother.
Only one person had the guts. Ludovika Sifsdottir.
The same old woman stood before her, right at front of her hut. Her dark hair was as gray as Eirs was, pulled in a loose braid. Similar lines like hers traveling long her face.
But her eyes had never dimmed during these long years.
“Don’t come back to their hut,” Ludovika said, her voice grave.
“Ha? Why? I have the right to see my daughter and grandson.”
Ludovika rolled her eyes and tucked her warm jacket more snuggly. It was midday, and the snow was falling gently like every winter season in the Scourge lands. The old woman had made journey from her family’s hut to former leaders for reason Eir didn’t comprehend.
Didn’t Ludovika have better things to do?
“That girl doesn’t need your volatile personality while taking care of her little cub,” Ludovika continued without bothering to retort to Eirs point.
“As if you know how to handle raising more than one child. Don’t try and play-”
“Bullshit,” Ludovika spat at Eir, still frustratedly undermining Eir.
“Don’t you dare criticize my parenting, Ludovika,” Eir hissed.
“Because I care about her. And that child is also my grandson.” Ludovika sized her up with her gaze, head held high. “And Lutz asked me to move in.”
“Did he? The boy didn’t mention anything to me. I thought you’d come after they get back on the field?”
Eir frowned. Why in the Bird Mothers nest Ludovika was already moving in for time being? What was that big oaf thinking?
“He is a full-grown man, he does what he sees is best,” Ludovika shifted, fixing her apron under her jacket a little, “He doesn’t need his mother-in-laws permission to everything.”
Eir huffed dramatically. She hasn’t meant it like that, she wasn’t that stupid to think that she’d could control Lutz. She was just surprised and miffed.
“Morga doesn’t need-“ Eir started but she was cut off by Ludovikas sharp words.
” I will not let you break another girl” Ludovika’s gaze darkened. Eir felt chill at back of her neck. “And I mean it.”
Eir fixed her posture, relying on her height still. She smiled harshly at Ludovika’s words.
“Pha! What are you even talking about?” Eirs pale blue eyes darkened to miniature summer storm clouds. ”I do as I please, if I see with to scold my own daughter, I will do that. I will go and visit them when I want, Ludovika.”
“Try me Urdsdottir,” Ludovika came closer leaning in, “ I don’t have a fucked hip as my disadvantage.”
Eir knew that the old woman meant it. She could feel her hairs stand up on her threat. She was too shocked about such a blatant threat that she didn’t have anything to retort with. Old woman didn’t smile as she straightened her back and turned around leaving the other standing.
Leaving behind only delicate footprints in the snow.
Eir swallowed thickly.
Ludovika would probably not hesitate to drop kick her if Eir went to her daughter’s hut without notice. And spending more time than necessary with Ludovika sounded absolute torture.
Yes, she had enough self-preservation in her old age to not to want her hip bone broken. Not again at least. Eir hissed in pain, rubbing her loins. She had enough chronic pain cause of that old injury.
Getting her ass handed by Ludvika would kill her from embarrassment than anything else.
She’d even snap her own neck before letting that woman do that to her.
Eir scoffed and gently moved away from her hut’s door with help of her cane. She closed her eyes and shook her head. The fox fur was warm on her neck.
Why it was always Ludovika that made her life harder.
* * *
Oh how she always had despised Ludovika.
Miss perfect. The spring flower of the Scourge lands.
She only tolerated the woman still because her son was best fitted for her daughter. Lutz was handsome, hardworking and bear of a man. Only minus was that he looked frustratedly more like his mother than his rougher, dashingly handsome father.
The boy was mellow and mildly obedient, but annoyingly clinging to his mother still. Why in the world he had invited that horrid woman to take care of her daughter. The current head of the tribe. Morga was well capable of taking care of the young sprout.
Eir would make sure of that. No way her daughter would be weak mother.
The now former tribe leader groaned as she started to walk with her cane. Her hip ached, meaning that weather might not stay the same bright it was now. The snow fall would turn harder soon.
The healers still nagged her to move and get exercise regularly. So, the former tribe leader had taken a habit to walk around small routes in the main winter camp and around sunha burial grounds.
* * *
Eir still remembers the day well when Ludovika came to the tribe. Ludovika’s mother had left them because she had fallen for sly Vesuvian nobleman’s wooing tactics and had run away to be wed to him. Then she had come back years later, battered, and shameful with an eight-year-old daughter. As soon as tribe leader’s daughter had laid her eyes on new bright-eyed kid, she instantly knew she would dislike her. When they played around in the home camp, it was either her or Ludovika that was in the center. Ludovika had annoying social and bubbly personality that people were drawn towards. Eir had always been short with her so there was no way the other would think them as friends. Ludovika had just ignored her spats of fire and carried forward. Till she meanly let Eirs flower crown fall to fireplace, claiming that she hadn’t seen it.
When their coming-of-age ceremony came it felt like Ludovika had tried to outshine Eir in every way possible. Eir had flung mud on her before the baptism ritual could even start. That had led them to wrestle in the mud, ruining their both white tunics and making mess of their hair. Ludovika’s curly hair had been matted form the mud but so was hers. Urd had scolded her so much on that night.
After that incident adults would try keep eye on them both. Ludovika would still be oh so proud when looking at her, keeping her head high as she passed Eir without greeting. In the way that screamed her superiority complex. Not that Eir would greet her either, but she was leader’s daughter! Ludovika should show her some respect!
They would butt heads together again and again. Spatting venom at each other and taking part in different events to show who was the best. Ludovika would always act unbothered of her remarks which made Eir hate her even more.
To be honest they both could act more civilized when working which was a blessing. Still during raids, she always had spoken over her, disagreeing with her strategies. Her men would sometimes agree with her, so she also had to agree with her.
Eir remembers the time when they had finally sparred, releasing her aggression more “productive way” as her mother had tendency to scold her temper. It felt like Ludovika too had a similar thought as they both swung their bastard swords hard that day. Ludovika’s blue eyes blazing like thunder and Eir’s blue hues backing smoldering anger. Then the bitch had somehow made her loose her footing. Ludovika had pinned Eir under her feet and looked down on her while huffing. Then she had smiled victoriously. The most humiliating day in Eirs life. Her face felt hot when thinking that still.
And now the woman dared to criticize her parenting!
That barren woman had no right!
Morga wasn’t some damsel to be babied. Not her daughter!
Ludovika had been always looking down at her. Always her rival at every step in her life. Miss popular. Knut the Bearman’s wife.
Then the fucking menace had frapped the most desirable man of their age group around her little finger. Knut had been the most drooled over young man in their tribe since he hit puberty hard one summer. Eir had herself tried to court him, but no, that former twig was buttered up by “dazzling” and “funny” Ludovika Sifsdottir. Rejection still was bitter in her tongue.
Eir had taken in Leif, her second-best option for partner and father to her children.
He wasn’t bad, not on his looks or temper. He did whatever she asked of him. But fuck did it hurt her ego to see miss perfect with her perfect husband. How fucking happy she had looked, as if surprised that Knut would even ask her hand.
It made her sick. She liked to show of him and how perfect her life was.
Then the halfie had Lutz. A strong son, so bright and not fussy son. It was same summer when she had Gunna, but that girl was never up par with Ludovika’s boy. Soft and weak willed. Least Eir knew she glowed when she was round with her first. Even if Gunna had turned out to be failure of a daughter.
Thought made Eir grimace as unwanted memory surfaced from her skull’s depths…
“I think I’ll be retiring, “Ludovika had laughed while they had gathered at the firepit with the raider party, “I want own family, fine and happy family.”
The others were saddened about her leaving the raiding group, but mostly understanding her wants. Ludovika was fine woman and possessed natural charisma. And she had finally found the one who she’d gladly spend rest of her life with. Knut was her equal in many ways and wouldn’t have minded staying as house husband if she would have desired to continue in the raiding party after their first born.
“Least you still have your fine leader,” Ludovika turned pointedly at Eir.
“Right, Urdsdottir?”
Ludovika had changed for homemaker and aided healers and religious matters. Eir wouldn’t ever willingly leave her position to become “someone’s mother”. Frankly it sounded insulting. She felt more home with blade in her hand than tending to fireplace at home. Leif would stay at the camps with their children as she did her chief duties and kept the tribe flourishing with her conquests. Under her leadership they captured more land than ever, and territory doubled its size.
The loudest and most rebellious of their neighbors were snuffed out and more mellow ones were taken under their protection. The raiding can take a tribe so far, the only way forward was to adapt to have even few relationships and trade partners. Still, she controlled her hubris enough that she declined always of raiding clear Crenian carriages. She had hunch that the Cren dukedom would one day be pain of their existence as new duke would undoubtedly take hold of it on her children’s lifetime. The young duke by the rumors sounded too smart for his own good.
Leif gave her also another daughter, healthy and easier kid than Gunna. Her pregnancy didn’t mess her dealings at all, nor did she suffer from nausea. Morga was born middle of her expedition to Great Valleys, and local sunha maid helped her to the world. This was also strengthening the Scourge of the Souths ties to Great Valleys sunha folk, as they had been mingling for years already after her grandmother had taken over them as their “protector.”
The seasonal migration from the winter camping close to sunha valleys to the summer camps in the heart of their territory had gone fell as planned and they had plans to form branch camps in the between so they could guard better. Ridge folk were still painfully spike in their backs for time being. Leif had insisted that the branch camps were horrible idea when Ridge Traveler tribe resided as their most powerful neighbor. Well Leif was always overly careful at thing.
If the gods forbit her, she’d stay this happy for rest of her life. And finally retire to their home’s hearth on her old age when she no longer couldn’t lift a sword.
Then she’d hear Ludovika was expecting child again. Eir had gritted her teeth at the news. Soon that bitch would again dance around so gleeful of her happiness. Rubbing it against Eirs face.
Seething Eir had went to a medicine woman. Not one from her group, but part Ridge Travelers. The forsaken healer had been banished after messing with wrong family in the tribe and had fled to the hills of Scrouge lands. Never in her right mind would she seek aid from a ridge folk, but times were desperate.
It had been only ten silver and five copper. That how much it cost to ruin Ludovika’s chances to build big family she had so, so many times bragged of desiring.
It took only a day to that bitch to lose her baby.
And seemed that perfect Ludovika wasn’t that perfect at all.
Eir had found delight when she had heard rumors of Ludovika’s fertility issues afterwards. It was so mysterious how always healthy, perfect Ludovika had suddenly hard times with bearing children. Since her mother had birthed more children after her.
Urdsdottir couldn’t help herself from smiling and feigning concern when she had “accidently” stumbled upon her while she was in the healer’s hut, again from miscarriage. Her face pale and shadows under her eyes. Eyes wide when Eir mocked her coyly. The medicine woman felt uncomfortable in the den of too beasts. Air thick as dried blood.
Eir had felt amazing that day.
* * *
Eir’s only misstep was that she had not known that she had been messing with actual witch. If she had known she would have been more careful. Ludovika’s fathers’ side had some menacing witchcraft practicing women, possessing hard talent for the mystics. Ludovika had that nature too.
The woman had buried a spell jar somewhere, but Eir never had find where that spiteful bitch had left it.
It was after Morgas second birthday and after unsuccessfully trying for the third child for months. Eir desperately wanted a boy, only to show off Ludovika. Well, that wasn’t meant to be apparently.
Leif little spear had stopped working.
And then it turned black.
It fell off.
The man screamed horrified during that day. Even Eir was a bit horrified of the sight. It had dropped clean off, no gore or anything left behind. He could pee fine but otherwise it was useless smooth thing with funny sacks.
“EIR, MY DICK FUCKING DROPPED OFF!”
“THE GODS! EIR STOP WITH THE LUDOVIKA!”
“Go and ask her for forgiveness. NOW-!”
“Enough of your dick!”
“Please, Eir!
“Why the fuck- !?”
“FINE. I’ll go myself!”
“NO YOU DON’T!”
The dickless Leif and Eir had loud and harsh fight. Leif had grown a spine to yell at his wife and took the known rivalry front and center. He was insightful man. Leif like to people watch and was well acquainted with his wife years long grief with Ludovika. More daft man would have noticed it too. It was his wife’s fault completely.
Leif had noted when Eir had left and come back with weird herbs. And suddenly her rival had lost her child. Eir had hissed to Leif and berated him. He wouldn’t go and beg that bitch for mercy. Eir would make Leif swear not to speak a word about his missing dick. To anyone. No one shouldn’t know about her imperfections. Her husband wasn’t impotent. She was the one who had decided that two daughters were fine. Her husband wasn’t a low value man.
After that eventful evening they had the usual meeting in the center hut. In the tribe meeting her mind have been occupied of how to fix Leif’s dicky situation. She could go back to ridge folk woman, but she was wise enough to know she couldn’t fix him. The piece of meat was dead, and there wasn’t any hole it had dropped off. Ludovika had been awfully quiet whole time.
The woman had been taking care of her body after fifth miscarriage resigned to her fate as mother of single son. She had already healthy glow on her, her eyes sharp and tense. Eir scoffed.
She wouldn’t budge.
It wasn’t like she knew for sure it was Ludovika who was responsible of her husband’s situation.
Then Ludovika smiled wickedly. Her eyes gleaming with mirth. Ludovika absolutely knew that Eir was responsible for affliction.
“Have fun with the impotent husband of yours,” she had whispered under her breath as she walked away from the meeting.
How dare she.
Who she thinks she is.
I am the chief.
I won’t stand this.
But Urdsdottir couldn’t do anything – if she did Leifs situation would be come to light. So would her scheme to make Ludovika barren. That would ruin her. So, she let Ludovika win. And for her own sake started to control her temper and impulsiveness. That the reason she got to this mess, her impulsiveness and uncontrolled hate of Ludovika.
It was all Ludovika’s fault. Without her she might have her desired son. Even Leif would be still dicking around being smartass and talking to sense to their remaining daughter about her conduct with the baby.
Eir sighed, shaking her head to chase those memories from her mind. She didn’t like to think about her late husband. She had never remarried, more because there wasn’t anyone suitable to her than Knut after Leif. Eir rubbed her brow.
Leif truly had been a weak-minded man in the end. He had the intellect and good enough looks fit for husband of the tribe leader. But he had been too soft in many ways. After lost his dick he mellowed down significantly. Then Leif threw himself of the cliff one evening. He had left his less than fortunate sister to look over their girls and went to the cliff side. Eir was on the hunting trip and stumbled on his corpse.
Truly humiliating situation.
Try explaining that to the elders.
He had left her only their less than prime daughters, though Morga was close to up par with her mother than Gunna ever was. And well Gunna… Gunna was buried next to her as useful father. She had been always his favorite, so it fit to bury her there.
Under carefully laid rocks, and stab wound on her neck.
Like Eir’s own siblings too.
Eir stopped her walk for breather. She was always more outdoor woman than homely one. The chill breeze felt refreshing. It had started to snow more heavily than when she had left for walk.
She turned back on the first gravestone pile and started to head back.
Snow landing on her white fox fur over her shoulders.