Alfonso smiled. “We never turn away those in need,” he said. “It is what we do.” He stopped and looked at Eira, who was holding her horse. “Young lady, I believe I could use your services in my household,” he said gravely. “May I ask your name?”
“It is Eira,” she said, lowering her head respectfully.
“Then you may come with me and I will introduce you to my family. But first, I will show the other two where they are to lodge.”
The group followed Alfonso across the road to a house that looked similar to his. The door opened and a buxom, fair-haired woman stepped out.
“Greetings,” she smiled. “Which of the young ladies will be my guest?”
Kaarina stepped forward and gave her a tentative smile.
“I’m Emiline,” she said.
“My name is Kaarina.”
“Well now, Kaarina, let me show you where you will stay. Our house might be smaller than what you are used to but we share with anyone who needs lodging. You will be helping me to care for my twins and with other household duties. During the winter months, we also produce items that we sell at the spring markets.”
Emiline chattered on as she showed Kaarina a small room at the end of the house. It had supplies stacked at one end. At the other were a bed and a small table. Kaarina heaved a sigh of relief. It was better than living in one of the barns!
“It isn’t much but it will be warm and cozy in winter,” Emmiline was saying.
“It is perfect! Thank you. I shall be happy there,” Kaarina said, dropping her small bag with her few belongings on the floor next to the bed. “May I go to see Halvar for a moment?”
“Of course, my dear. You are not a slave here. We do not believe in owning thralls. Think of yourself as domestic help.”
“Thank you, Emiline.”
Kaarina ducked out of the house and looked up the road. She could see the horses outside a house near the edge of the village.
“Kaarina!” Halvar called as he stood talking to Alfonso on the other side of the road.
She hurried over to them.
“Did Emiline show you where you will be lodging?” Alfonso asked.
“Yes. Thank you for your help,” she said.
“It is what we do,” he said again. “Now, Halvar, have you been to see Ahren?”
“Yes, he showed me where I will be lodging and told me that tomorrow, he will teach me how to make fishing nets ready for the fishing season.”
“And the young men have lodging for the night?”
“Yes, they are staying in Ahren’s barn.”
“Good,” Alfonso said, pleased. “Everyone has somewhere to lodge. So now I will leave you to get to know your hosts. Young Eira is inside getting acquainted with my family.”
“Thank you, Alfonso,” Halvar said. “We are grateful.”
Eira cast a shy glance at the two young women sitting on low stools opposite her. They were working on a weaving project, their hands flying over their looms.
“Have you met Eira?” asked their mother, Minna, as she entered the room.
They shook their heads and kept working industriously, but the dark-haired one gave her a shy smile.
“Eira, these young ladies are my daughters. They are unhoflich!”
Eira had no idea what unhoflich meant but she gathered that Minna was scolding her daughters for their lack of manners.
“Go on, introduce yourselves!” Minna ordered.
“I’m Sigrid,” said the blonde girl.
“And I’m Frida,” added the dark-haired one.
“I’m pleased to meet you both,” said Eira.
“Tomorrow, they will show you what you can do to help us with our winter duties,” said Minna. “For now, let us get to know each other. I am going to prepare the evening meal.” She bustled out, leaving the girls looking at each other in awkward silence.
“This is silly,” announced Frida at last. “We might as well get to know each other since we’ll be living and working together. You first, Eira. Is there anything you would like to ask us?”
“What is the language I hear you speaking sometimes? And why do your houses look so different from ours?”
“We are from Alemannia originally. That is the language we speak. But we have lived here in your land long enough that we now speak both languages.”
“Why did you come here?”
The girls looked at each other. “It is a long story,” said Frida.
“We will tell you more another day,” added Sigrid.
Eira wondered who these people were with their strange language and customs. But if the delicious aromas from the kitchen held any clues, they were good cooks. Eira was ravenously hungry after her long journey and she couldn’t wait to eat.
“Heavenly Father, we thank thee for this food,” said Alfonso, head bowed and eyes closed. “Please bless it for our use.”
Eira was glad she hadn’t started eating right away. Her people didn’t share this strange custom. She waited until she was sure it was safe to eat then took a bite. Suddenly, it didn’t matter if the Christians asked their god to bless the food before they ate. It was worth the wait. She devoured every delectable morsel before she realized that everyone else was still eating. She blushed and lowered her head but no one else seemed to notice.
“Have you eaten enough, Eira?” Minna asked.
“Yes, thank you. I was very hungry,” she blurted out.
Minna laughed and one of the three young men sitting on the opposite side of the table smiled at her.
“Mother loves to see people enjoying her cooking,” he said. “You have made her evening worthwhile.”
Eira blushed and lowered her head.
“Oh, don’t mind Landwulf,” Minna said. “He’s always teased his sisters so you had better get used to it!”
“What? I’ve never teased anyone,” protested Landwulf, trying
