At night, most of the members of the expedition, who were in the camp, were surrounding a large fire.

In which bear meat was being cooked while they enjoyed some cups full of herbal liqueur.

“To think that this drink has been one of the most delicious things we have been able to drink on this expedition.

It’s a shame that we can only enjoy this drink until spring. ”

Max who had heard Floki’s words raised his cup “You shouldn’t worry about Floki liquor, since when you guys come back in spring.

I will personally take care of receiving you with a sumptuous banquet where you can drink all the herbal liquor you can. ”

Floki gave Einar a smile “I would really appreciate it but what I would like to ask you is that when you get to the tribe, talk to my wife and explain that I will be coming back in the spring.

Since I will take care of this place to prevent the damn white bears from attacking the tribe. ”

“Don’t worry, Floki, I will take responsibility for your family and that of the other warriors who are no longer with us.

I’ll see to it that they get their share of the expedition loot, not to mention they’ll get a few more things as well. ”

Floki felt the warmth of Einar’s words, so he drank some more liquor and enjoyed the party.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the island, at dawn, Kassia was sleeping. She slowly opened her eyes as she stretched her arms a little.

Helmi who was next to her just looked at her curiously “I guess you couldn’t sleep very well today either.”

Kassia who had finished stretching her arms caressed her stomach with great affection “I couldn’t sleep much since I can’t stop thinking that today the expedition returns and with it Einar too.

I ask myself how much has changed in these twelve days. ”

Helmi looked up at the wooden ceiling of the hut and also caressed her stomach. “He may have gotten more masculine, but we won’t know until we can see him back.”

When she finished hearing Helmi’s words, Kassia got up from the bed and carefully placed her silk robe on her naked body.

“Helmi you should also get up as we must not be late to the market, so we have a little time to take a bath in the hot springs.”

Helmi also got out of bed and taking off her cloth nightgown, she put on Einar’s robe

“Alright, Kassia leads the way.”

When the two women came out of the cabin, they looked at the beautiful snow on the ground and started walking towards the hot spring pool.

His path was being illuminated by the light of some torches, which were placed around the cabin as well as a wooden palisade that served as protection.

To prevent slaves, warriors, or any unwanted person from approaching them while they were alone.

When they reached the hot spring pool, the two women, only illuminated by the light of the moon and the torches that were around them, took off their silk robes.

While exposing their voluptuous bodies, the two sat on small wooden benches, using soap and water to wash.

After washing their bodies, the two of them went into the hot springs and enjoyed the heat that is provided to their bodies.

“Kassia, what do you think our children will be, male or female?”

Kassia, who was enjoying the hot water while rubbing his shoulder, looked sweetly at Helmi.

“I really couldn’t tell you what our children will be, but you can be sure that regardless of whether they are male or female.

Einar is going to take care of them, and I am even sure that he could achieve that one of our daughters could become Jarl or even a Dróttning.

With him the possibilities are infinite, so my only concern is that our children can be born without problems or something that costs them their lives. ”

Helmi stretched out her arm as if she wanted to take the beautiful moon that was in the early morning sky “I’m sure our children will be born without problems.

But Kassia, if something ever happens to me, please promise me you will take care of my children as if they were your own. ”

Kassia who saw Helmi’s confident look approached her and grabbed her shoulder “If something like that happens, I promise I will take care of them, but I will also take care of you.

So that you do not suffer the same for what your mother died, but if something also happened to me, I would like you to also take care of my children. ”

Helmi gave Kassia a smile and nodded silently.

After finishing bathing, the two returned to the hut where they changed their clothes, put on some animal skin coats, as well as gloves and boots to prevent them from feeling the cold of winter.

As they emerged from the barricade that surrounded the hut, they looked curiously at how the slaves and some members of the tribe worked.

Some were taking care of clearing the snow that had accumulated in the construction while the others were doing paper amate.

Gisli, who saw the two women walking, approached them while carrying a packet of sheets of paper.

“Good morning, Kassia and Helmi, I hope you have a good morning.

Let me give you the packet of sheets that the slaves made yesterday, I would also like to inform you that from today we will start with the laying of bricks in the fortress.

As we are now one step closer to finishing the construction, I am sure that if Einar can see how we have progressed he will be happy, that we have followed all his steps to the letter. ”

Kassia accepted the sheets of paper, which were kept in a small sack. “Thank you for informing us, Gisli, if Odin will allow us to have Einar back today.

I am sure that he will appreciate everything you have done at this time. By the way, I will also ask Ibssen if he already has your chess set.

Yesterday he told me he might have it ready today anyway if I have any news about him, I will inform you when we return. ”

Gisli scratched her head “Thanks for worrying Kassia, although I would like to speak for a longer time, I have to go supervise the slaves, because if there is no one who is taking care of them they will not do their job”

After finishing talking, the two women went down the slope and walked towards the village. Upon arrival, they could see many members of the tribe who were starting their day, while numerous slaves were already continuing with the construction of the wall.

As they advanced, they looked at how some tribe members were drinking herbal liquor and others were simply coming back from buying some meat or fish.

Something that filled Kassia with pride is that when she saw these people pass, the meat and fish were covered by the sheets of paper that the slaves were producing.

“I think it was a great idea, the one proposed by Einar to use the sheets of paper as wrapping for any meat.

Not only do we prevent people’s dirty hands from touching meat directly, but hunters give us parts of their catch.

Although I consider it a waste, Einar is right, because it does not make sense to save the sheets of paper if they are only going to get damp or spoil since the amount of paper we consume is tiny compared to the production we have. ”