Story Part 35 (Patreon)

The barbarian’s tone changed. The joviality had gone from her voice. “Yes, but I’d ask one last time for you to reconsider. They’re your daughters, after all.” “Bah,” Lazgar said, “born from a mistake. My clan has no place for such half-breeds. Look at this one….my eldest….eats like a champion, but swings her axe like a human. She drains our tribe’s resources, and contributes so little. And her sister. Always in her books, always thinks she knows everything. My hold-witch says she has talent, but she won’t learn the old ways. Always reading, and thinking. It’s not good for a Jarl to have such a daughter. I would have exiled her long ago if she was somebody else’s, but I kept hoping I could change her.”

The barbarian bowed her head. “I will take them, as you said. I will apprentice them. But what will you do with these two prisoners?”

Lazgar looked at the women in front of her. “Well, the half elf’s too ugly to be a domestic, and she’s too weak-looking for the mines. I suppose she can work the fields. And the hunter? She’s pretty, and strong, no doubt stronger than my daughters…but she has a rebellious spirit. We’ll have to break her, and then, we’ll see.”