"Cattle die, kin die,
The man dies too.
But good fame never dies
For the man who earns it.
Cattle die, kin die,
The man dies too.
One thing I know that never dies,
The good name of the dead."
- from the Havamal Verses (~13th century)
928 C.E.
The bluff was broken in three places along the shore by great rocks. Perhaps the land between was not so great in size, but it was fertile and there was plenty of protection from the great sea's breezes. It was enough for one woman to settle for a short time. She set out at dawn with the strongest of the heifers and walked off her claim. Marking time by the sun she managed a fairly regular shape for the farm; easy to control and no point too far from the homestead in case of trouble.
The young cow was brought back to the small barn shelter at sunset and released. The spring air was chilly at night but the animals could huddle together and stay warm. The thick coats on the horses and long hair of the cattle had sustained them on the long journey across the sea and should be enough on land. Her own home was rough but constructed, warm and empty. She walked towards the turf covered long house in the darkness, and for once was not surprised when a candle was lit near the entrance and the hearth fire started in the center of the home.
"You have returned then, good mother?" Her woolen cloak was taken and hung near the door.
The young face that greeted her was smiling, "Yes, good daughter. There is much to tell you of the journey. Much has changed since last I visited and they know of you in the Bay of Smoke; indeed it was Anders the Old that directed me here this evening. I remember when he asked for your mother's hand and she was so much more interested in the kaupskips."
"He is a good man, and a good husband...so say his four ex-wives." She laughed softly and they moved towards the firepit. "But I wish to know more of the journey...was mother laid in the old family lands? And how goes it with you Synneve? Were there folk to remember you there as well?"
The blonde head nodded, "There were many things to remember by. Eagilby stands and your generation does well by it. I lingered too long in the past and have little news of the present. Idun was near and we had many nights together. Many nights and to few days."
"Is that not your way, good mother? To be about during the raven's time? Tell me of her, and of what the journey was and we can spend the time as company."
Synneve smiled up at the young Kine, the child of her daughter. "I shall, Unn."
