Disclaimer: I have nothing to do with anything related to the snow-walker trilogy sadly... only two now empty cups of tea and an angry dentist.
Her half-baked plan came together so smoothly, so effortlessly, that Jessa was shocked at how simple it all was. Now as she stood in the bustling market of the Wormshold, Thrasirshall and all the events that had taken place there seemed like nothing more but a distant dream. The image of Kari up on that rooftop with snow falling gently around him, the brushstrokes her quill made without her consent, the feel of silky black feathers against her fingertips … all of it blurred together like snowflakes in a blizzard. Each moment an individual and unique, never to be replicated or felt again but soon lost within the homogenous white of a storm she couldn't touch. Only the feel of the talisman swaying on her neck and her body's fatigue from her rushed journey served as proof. A merchant's wife rushed by with a basket full of fresh fish, nearly knocking Jessa over in her haste to prepare the supply, forcing her back into the present as she quickly dodged the woman.
It was the afternoon rush, and like the hundreds milling around the busy town, she had her own errands to quickly take care of. She had been extremely fortunate so far, the captain had been easily persuaded to her side. All it had taken were some well-placed words and proof of Kari's seal and she had been granted passage and was on her way to the Wormshold. She had informed him that the scroll was to be given to an express messenger she would find in the town, for she was to leave later that night on another ship to go to the location where the emergency was. The captain, with all his loyalty to his Jarl, had pushed his men and ship as hard and fast as muscle and wind would allow, cutting their estimated trip time in half in his efforts to be as much help as possible.
Using the dedication Wulfgar inspired in his men for her own selfish purposes didn't sit right with Jessa, but not enough to sway her. As she paid a messenger double the rate for an urgent delivery and made her way back to the docks, she had to admit that in this case the end justified all means. And for the end she had in sight for her future she could have no hesitation, no regrets. Her path had been struck and no one could force her off of it now.
"Jessa Horolfsdaughter, just where the hell do you think you are going?" A hand gripped her shoulder tight, and if the strength of the hold did not stop her movements instantly, his voice sure did.
Groaning, she bowed her head. How? How could she have been found out already? Clenching the hilts of her double daggers tight, she turned to face her opponent. It hurt her to think that way, but if he continued to hold her back she would have no choice but to fight him.
"Let me go, Skapti."
"I don't think so little lady, not without some answers. What is this?" He brandished the familiar parchment like a sword, pointing it straight at her heart. Never had Jessa seen the poet so angry, and she unconsciously flinched at the biting rage in his voice. Not ready to answer him just yet, she decided to try to change the topic, stalling so she could figure a way out of this mess.
"As nice as it is running into a friend, you should really let me go now, Skapti. I have places to be-"
"Curious, I was just thinking that myself." He smirked, striking a pose as if about to tell a grand riddle, but it lacked the usual carefree humor Skapti always embodied. "According to the last of my knowledge, you are supposed to be in Thrasirshall for another week. Imagine my surprise then, when upon overhearing I was heading to the Jarlshold a messenger gave me a letter to deliver, stating that it was an extremely urgent document. Now of course I opened it immediately, seeing that it was from our dear snow-walker friend… but after reading it and spotting you wondering about a town hundreds of miles from where you should be… well, I think it's safe to say Kari didn't approve of this letter. How about it, Jessa? Have any insight to shed on this puzzle?"
"Breaking an official seal and reading the Jarl's mail is a high offense, you should be more careful. Your nosiness might get you in trouble-"
"Do not attempt to joke with me right now, Jessa. I don't care who it was addressed to, what concerns me is the content of the letter and I demand an explanation now."
Jessa gave a great sigh before releasing her hold on her daggers. There was no escaping this conversation it seemed. She didn't want to make a scene in the middle of a market and as it did affect them in some way, she supposed her friends deserved an answer. Besides, the reality of her situation pressed upon her with every second that passed. Each step forward that she took was just one more step away from her friends. Knowing this, she wasn't willing to let what could be her last minutes with Skapti be a verbal brawl in the middle of some crowded street.
"Fine. But if you are going to insist on hashing this all out the least you can do is feed me while you're at it."
It wasn't until a pint of ale was placed in front of her that Jessa allowed the conversation to continue. Glancing at the parchment that was still clenched tightly in between his fingers, she frowned. "If you've read it, you know what is going to happen. I don't know what you expect me to explain."
"This isn't going to happen, you know we won't let it," he bit back sharply.
"What are you against here, Skapti? All of the requirements have been met." Jessa gave a bitter smile, "I was told to make a choice, and I have made one. Will you take away the little bit of free will I have left just because you do not approve? And there is no stopping it. I sent the signed treaty when I delivered that letter for the Jarl."
Slamming his hands against the table, Skapti growled. "Well then we will just have to have it revoked-"
"And have the reputation of the Jarlshold shattered? No, the treaty will hold."
"Why are you doing this? I don't understand…" Skapti leaned forward, sending her an imploring stare. "I thought you were going to be honest with Kari, why didn't you tell him of your feelings?"
"I did."
It came out in such a dull whisper the poet was forced to ask Jessa to repeat herself. Peering down at the table, she picked fastidiously at the many cuts and nicks on its surface. "I did tell him."
Skapti waited for her to continue, but when the girl made no move into further detail he threw his hands up in the air in exasperation, nearly smacking a passing patron in the head. "And?!"
Watching the angry man behind him make his way to his seat, grumbling all the way about over-excited drunks and spilled mead, Jessa waited until she was content he would not retaliate before switching her attention back to her friend. The man's eyes were light up with excitement, his head leaning against his hands. Great, she continued to be a source of gossip and entertainment it seemed.
Taking a large sip of her drink, she fought back the melancholy the subject was raising, choosing to show a calm, indifferent front instead. "What do you mean and?"
"Details, I want details!" He cuffed her playfully upside the head, "Like his face when you finally told him, oh I wish I could have seen it—was it slack-jawed? Please tell me it was slack-jawed, I can just imagine Kari with his jaw dropped open! Oh! Where did you confess? How did you confess? What did you say? What did he say—"
Jessa frowned as she felt uncomfortable tugging on her heart, she really wasn't ready to be talking about this yet. Sighing, she waited for the poet to catch on to his own train of thought. It didn't take long.
"Wait… Jessa, this letter, the reason you're in Wormshold looking for a ship… you mean… No! It can't be! You must not have explained properly! I'm sure if you go back-"
She gave a bitter laugh, "I looked him straight in the eye and told him I loved him, how much clearer could I have possibly been? And have you ever known there to be a misunderstanding on Kari's part, anyways?"
"Oh, Jessa…" He laid a comforting hand on her shoulder. "I'm sorry. But still, to run away like this-"
"I'm not running away." At his look of disbelief she smiled, "I understand how you may think that, but I'm not. Even if I was though, could you blame me? He just looked at me like it was of no consequence, Skapti. Just stood there and told me that I should marry the Jarl from Jorkivic… I tell him I love him and he would have me shipped off for politics, for a measly trade increase! Do you have any idea how much that hurts, how it feels to know that you are seen as nothing but a tool?"
Her voice was raspy and choked by now, and she hid her face in the shadow of her long hair, not wanting to meet Skapti's eyes. "No, you can't blame me for wanting to leave that behind me. But like I said, I'm not running. I mean to fulfill that treaty to the best of my ability. The fact that his kingdom is on the farthest end of the country, that's just a nice feature. It's what I need, Skapti. I don't want to be anywhere near Kari for a while, I can't… I-I can't stay here."
Long arms enveloped her in a tight hug, and she could feel Skapti's tense muscles shaking. "My little valkyrie… No, I cannot blame you, and no one else will either. But why not run, why sign a treaty after all you've been through? You can be free, you don't have to do this."
"But I do," she pulled back to look him in the eye, "Because he asked me to. Kari may not feel the same, but I do love him and will work towards his goals, just in my own way. I refuse to be used as a tool, but I cannot refuse Kari. He asked me to marry one of our allies, and I will."
"So you chose Eric of Hlathir," Skapti frowned as he read the name. "This name… you weren't supposed to receive this treaty, it was deemed too dangerous."
Jessa gave the first real smile of the night, "Which is exactly why I chose it, aside from the distance. It was originally a treaty for the war band, Hlathir is being attacked heavily by Vikings and they lack the resources for the war that is approaching. However, when Jarl Eric heard of our current situation he had it re-written. Apparently my reputation precedes me, for he feels that I will be enough to help train and lead the men there. It's perfect, really."
"Do tell darling, what part of sending you off to fight hordes of murderous Vikings is perfect?"
"The part where I get to war against hordes of murderous Vikings, of course," she laughed. Sighing, she became serious once more, "Look, if I'm going to be forced to marry, I want it to stand for something. I may have lost my own freedom, but that just means I can put more effort in the fight for the freedom of everyone else. I want to help these people, Skapti. I want to mean something more than trade or border disputes."
He nodded, "I understand. I don't like it, you leaving us for another battlefield- just imagine all the stories I will miss! But I do understand, and I won't stop you."
"Thank you." Grabbing her stuff, she paused by his chair. "You'll write me, won't you, Skapti?"
"You can count on it, little Valkyrie."
Jessa smiled at him softly, and then determined to make it to her ship without drawing out sappy good-byes, she made her way towards the door. Long, slender fingers wrapped around her wrist, halting her briefly.
"He doesn't deserve you, you know."
"Good thing he no longer has me then, huh?" Then with a small wave she left the tavern, vanishing within the crowd before his eyes.
The man remained sitting at the table, pondering the letter before him and her words while packing his pipe. Minutes passed, but he seemed made of marble, unmoving aside from the gentle exhale of rings of smoke from his lips until suddenly he stuffed the paper into one of his numerous pockets and with a fierce look in his eye, stormed out, the low growl of "Kari" snarled around his pipe. It looked like he had a trip north to make.
