*Ansuz*
I step outside and take a deep breath of the cold, fresh air. I’m not sure I’ve ever been more excited to leave the longhouse after a winter. This one was the worst that I can remember. A fever broke out, and three of the humans died from it. It was terrible, and I thank Njord that Mother and Papa were spared, but they were so sick. It did not seem to affect any of the wolves.
Mani was also quite sick, and I thought for a bit that she would not make it. Thorolf stayed with her, knowing he would also get sick, but he cared for her and his family while I ensured things were alright otherwise.
“You did a good job, son,” Papa tells me as he pats my shoulder. “You think you are ready to take over this year?”
“I will be Jarl, but I will not take a wife,” I tell him, and he la
