The First Day

The day started out unseasonably warm as Birk laid near a dying campfire watching the mountains to the east of the Bear Cave. Just as the sun cracked over the mountains, the first light shone through Birk's bare feet, making it appear as if his feet were on fire.

Birk chuckled a bit and wiggled his toes as he watched the morning light ray filter through his toes. A lone white butterfly landed on one of his toe, which lead Birk to wiggle it some more to try and shoo away the butterfly.

"Well... First day here and already you're practically naked!" the female voice came from behind Birk. He craned to see his sister Ronja standing there with a slight scowl on her face.

"So sayeth my dearest sister who is also in a state of undress." Like Birk, Ronja is wearing only her undergarment. Then both giggled a bit. When Birk looked back to the morning sun, it had gone a bit higher and by now, the annoying white butterfly appeared to be on fire.

"It wasn't long ago that you had to be forced to undress so we could wash your clothes."

Birk winced and got upright, covered his head with his hand. "Don't remind me. My head still hurts."

~ Flaskback ~

A crowd of 22 men (Joen was not present as he was watching the fort's gate) plus Birk and Ronja were all around the table, just finishing up their breakfast when Lovis came up. She instructed Ronja to go outside and get the tub ready.

At the mention of the tub, the boisterous party died down quickly. Undis came up beside Lovis and gave the men the look.

"It can't be already?" one complained.

"We'd die if we went!" another whined.

"Please have mercy!" and other assortment of pleading and excuses to not have a bath at all.

"Your dirty clothes beside the door on your way to your bath, and make it fast." Lovis wasn't about to put up with any delay or stall this time, she just crossed her arms and said "Three..."

Most of the men ran out, clothes flying around.

"Two!"

All the remaining men left. The only one who didn't move was Birk. Undis said "You too, little man!"

"One... if you don't want to be scrubbed like a baby, go now!" She was looking very serious and from what Ronja told him, he realized he better move. Boots and blue tunic went flying and he was hopping on one leg trying to get his pants off as he rounded through the open door.

There was a loud crack as he and Ronja collided into each other very hard. She cried out in pain and covered her wounded forehead. "I'm sorry! I promise to make it up sometime!" Birk yelled as he finally shed the last piece of his cloth and ran to join the men's bath outside the fort.

She only saw his backside as she got up, still rubbing her head. She stepped inside to see both Undis and Lovis picking up the scattered clothes. "Was that...?" she was about to ask if that was Birk when she saw his blue tunic on top of the pile.

~end flashback~

"And you still owe me" she reminded him. He nodded and then laid back down to watch the sun. The annoying butterfly had finally flown away.

She said next to Birk to enjoy the morning sun and told him "Just stay with me. I like having my brother with me to share the adventure." Birk smiled and she continued "And make me another wooden horse, the one you made last year is a little lonely."

Easy enough for Birk. "Yes, sister. I can stay by you and make you another one. First we need to gather firewood. I don't like how it's so warm so early for spring time. I think a big storm may be coming, one that will bring cold wind."

She nodded in agreement and handed him a slice of the bread.