Starting the Process

"Rika you know he is. The man would rather die in battle than in bed of old age." She looked at her dad. "Not that you are that old."

"To die in battle would be an honorable death." He said smiling some.

Rika smiled more. "We know father and when it comes time we will make sure you die an honorable death." She took one of his hands. "We will also give you an honorable burial."

Aesa nodded. "We love you father." She smiled at him taking his other one.

"I love you both as well." He kissed their hands then started to eat.

Rika smiled some and started to eat while she discreetly studied all the men slowly in her mind weeding out the ones she deemed worthy.

Aesa looked down at Stoi and grinned. "Want to do me a favor?"

He nodded his head.

She leaned down and whispered in his ear before he trotted away.

Rika raised a brow. "What did you send him to do?"

Their companions were actually very intelligent thanks to Thor. He made them more intelligent than the average animal so that they could watch over his daughters.

She smirked. "Just wait for it." Aesa watched as Stoi went to one of the men that was drunk off his ass.

Stoi was alot like his mistress. Stubborn, mean, and sometimes a menace.

Rika's eyes widened. "Oh my Thor." She whispered.

Aesa giggled to herself as Stoi relieved himself on the man's leg. She could not help be laugh louder at her companions satisfied face.

Rika stifled a laugh with her hand and picked up her goblet to drink a little ale. She shook her head some.

Aesa played with her food, not really hungry for it.

"So father? When do the games begin?"

"Well I think in two nights we will start them. Give you both enough time to get to know the families views on the men so that you have references on their characters."

She nodded, but really did not want to go through all the trouble. She wished she was not appealing to men but she was as well as Rika made of beauty.

Rika sighed softly but not loud enough for anyone to hear. She shook her head some and finished eating. "I'm going to go do my offerings." She got up and wrapped herself in her fur cloak again then walked out with Gimli following her.

Aesa looked at her sister as she walked away. She knew she had to do hers at some point, but at the moment she had no want to do so. She looked at her father.

"I'm not sure of these men."

He sighed. "And what about them are you not sure about? They are all fine warriors. They've brought many treasures from their raids."

"It isn't all about the treasure and how they fight that I am interested in father. I want more than that with them."

"None is going to be him Aesa." He stated quietly. "You know as well as I do those two men were rare."

"They were indeed." She looked down at the table. "That's why I can't do this. I can not be with another."

Lothbrok sighed. "Aesa you can not do this. You must hold yourself to your duty."

She growled some and looked away from him. "I didn't ask for this."

"And neither did your sister but she is doing it. Do you think I wouldn't rather you be happy instead of doing your duty?"

She shrugged her shoulders some and stood from her seat.

"I don't know but you haven't exactly spoken to Father Thor about how this must be for us. Instead you care about the stupid games set up for later." She spoke louder. She never disrespected him before but lately keeping everything in was getting to her.

"He has spoken to the oracle and has made it known what your purpose is. You and your sister is meant to make a better line of Vikings. That is your duty." He growled some.

"No. It feels more like my punishment without Gardar." She said and left the room, not caring of the stares she received.