“Greetings!” she heard Halvar say.
“Greetings, pilgrims,” said the man who had come out of a barn on the edge of the village.
Halvar pulled his horse to a stop and Kaarina dared a peek beyond the village to the ocean. She was certain she’d never get used to seeing so much water. It frightened her a little. What if a flood arose during the night and swept everyone away? Her attention jerked back to the present.
“We need lodging for the winter, my friend,” Halvar was saying. “The young men will be returning to our village but I will be spending the winter with these young ladies as their guardian.”
“Well, now, that’s an unusual situation,” the man said. “Come into my dwelling and tell me about it.”
Halvar swung down from his horse and followed the man up the road that ran through the middle of the village. They went into a house not far from the barn. Eira and Kaarina sat on their horses, wondering what to do next.
“When are you leaving?” Eira asked Torsten as he and the other young men waited on their horses for Halvar to return.
“As soon as possible, before the mountains become impassable,” he replied.
“I wish to say thank you for being our escorts,” she replied.
“That is our pleasure,” he said with a nod.
After what seemed like an eternity, Halvar emerged from the house.
“This is my friend Alfonso,” he told the girls. “He is going to speak with other people who may be able to help us.”
Kaarina felt anxiety clutching at the pit of her stomach. What would happen to them if these people refused to take them in?
At length, Alfonso returned. “I apologize for the delay,” he said. “But we can certainly use some extra help here over the winter. There is a place for each of you and you will be helping the family who provides you with lodging.”
“Thank you, Alfonso,” Halvar said, placing his hand on the other man’s shoulder. “We appreciate what you are doing for us.”
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,” Emiline 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
