Most of the Viking children could not understand the Roman-language exchange that had just taken place. They looked at Arkyn with puzzled expressions.

  Arkyn snapped back to himself, then raised his voice again—this time in Viking tongue.

  “Alright! Everyone, as you’ve probably heard lately—three days ago, those Roman bastards in Oslo suddenly sent word that some kid volunteered to come here and join us.”

  He paused, grinning.

  “And the important part is—they said this child was braver than most.”

  At that, everyone turned to look at Ga, who was still lying on the ground, looking utterly frail.

  A beat passed.

  Then the entire plaza burst into laughter, as if by unspoken agreement.

  Ga had no idea what they were laughing about.

  She could only let out an awkward, uncertain chuckle along with them.

  Arkyn switched back to Roman and barked at her, “How long are you planning to stay on the ground? Get up. State your name.”

  Ga staggered to her feet, clutching her other arm, and answered timidly, “Ga.”

  “Ga? That’s it?”

  “…Yes.”

  Arkyn frowned in open disdain. “That name sounds as flimsy as you look. Honestly, if you were even a little stronger, I might consider putting you through devil’s training and turning you into a mercenary. But as far as I can see, you’re a pale little brat who’s never seen the sun. You’re not even fit to be a slave.”

  He sneered.

  “I say you should just become someone’s pet.”

  Turning his head, Arkyn addressed the shaman.

  “Ragnhild. Run a divination. Let’s see which lucky soul gets to raise this little white rabbit.”

  “How wonderful!” Ragnhild giggled wildly.

  “I hope I divine myself, heeheehee…”

  The shaman crouched down and began picking up the skulls scattered across the plaza, examining them one by one. She studied the runes carved into each skull, then tossed them onto the ground and let them roll.

  Some of the Viking children who had been sitting on the skulls scrambled away in fear, unwilling to be touched by the eerie woman.

  Ragnhild paused for a long moment when she picked up one particular skull, staring at it as if trying to be certain.

  Arkyn leaned forward. “Well? Do you see anything?”

  Ragnhild frowned irritably, then threw the skull down like the others. After watching it roll, she suddenly grabbed her hair with both hands and began pulling at it violently.

  Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  “What’s wrong?” Arkyn asked, alarmed.

  “That’ll make you go bald,” Viggo muttered casually from the side.

  Ragnhild shot him a vicious glare, her eyes rolling unnaturally white as she let out a low, distorted growl—half goose, half wolf.

  Those nearby stepped back instinctively.

  Viggo, however, merely smiled faintly and shrugged.

  After a moment, Ragnhild’s eyes returned to normal. With obvious reluctance, she spoke to Arkyn.

  “I found them. But unfortunately, it’s not me.”

  She sneered.

  “And it’s not someone who’s good at caring for pets either.”

  “Then who is it?” Arkyn pressed.

  Though blocked by the crowd, Ragnhild raised her hand and pointed—without even looking—in a precise direction.

  “The Neck-Twister. Tallev.”

  “The Neck-Twister, huh…” Arkyn frowned, then turned to Viggo.

  “It can’t be helped. Go get Tallev. She should be somewhere that way.”

  “Seriously?” Viggo asked.

  Seeing Ragnhild’s deeply resentful expression—and Arkyn’s uneven, conflicted brows—Viggo knew they were all dissatisfied with the outcome.

  But divination was divination.

  He turned and shouted toward the indicated direction.

  “Over there! Someone named Tallev! Get out here!”

  On a nearby rooftop sat a row of Viking children watching the spectacle. Among them was a boy about Ga’s age, idly playing with a rope used to tie livestock.

  His name was Tallev.

  “Tallev! Stop pretending! Get down here!” Viggo shouted again.

  “They’re calling you,” one of the kids beside him said.

  Tallev stopped fiddling with the rope and looked up. “Me? What for?”

  “Sounds like you’re supposed to go get some animal.”

  “Oh?” Tallev’s eyes lit up.

  “Another animal?”

  Excited, he stuffed the rope into his belt pouch and stood up, preparing to climb down.

  “No! Don’t go, Tallev!” his companions cried.

  “You can’t even take care of yourself! You almost drowned the sheep last time—and that donkey nearly got—”

  They grabbed at his clothes, trying to stop him, but the stubborn boy shook them off and climbed down anyway.

  As he weaved through the crowd, people watched him with strange, knowing smirks.

  Completely oblivious, Tallev strutted proudly up to Arkyn and the others.

  Viggo groaned when he saw him. “Of all people… it had to be you. I wish there were another Tallev.”

  Tallev shrugged. “You’re the ones who called me out.”

  “Yes. That’s correct,” Arkyn said solemnly.

  “I, the king, have decided to summon you.”

  Though he knew perfectly well how unreliable the boy was, Arkyn continued with feigned gravity.

  “Neck-Twister Tallev—son of a noble Jarl of Oslo, Head of the First Children’s House. You have always performed exceptionally well and shown great devotion to the gods.”

  Viggo twitched.

  “Therefore, the gods who govern fate have granted you this great gift.”

  Arkyn fixed his gaze on Ga.

  “By my own witness, from this moment on, this Roman child—Ga—is your pet.”

  “You are to take responsibility and raise her properly, so that she may one day be offered to the gods.”

  He narrowed his eyes.

  “But if she remains disobedient—then simply sacrifice her early.”

  “Really?!” Tallev exclaimed, overjoyed. He threw his arms into the air.

  “This is the best gift I’ve ever received! Thank you, my King! Long live the King!”

  The entire plaza erupted in cheers for Tallev.

  Seeing the festive atmosphere, Ga briefly thought she might be spared.

  She let out a quiet breath of relief.

  Then, in the very next moment, Tallev casually looped the rope around her neck.

  Like livestock.

  Without waiting for Arkyn to formally dismiss the gathering, Tallev dragged Ga away as the Viking children swarmed after him, laughing and waving the “gifts” Ga had brought.

  They left the stronghold in a noisy procession.

  Tallev’s companions urged him to parade his “pet” around the settlement.

  And so Ga was led by a rope through the village again and again, her humiliation and exhaustion pushed to their limits.

  Only after a long while did they finally grow bored and bring her to Tallev’s house.

  Then came another of Tallev’s peculiar decisions.

  After untying the rope, he shoved Ga into the animal shed and shut the door behind her.

  Ga didn’t care what animals were inside.

  Spotting a pile of hay, she collapsed onto it, utterly drained, and fell asleep.

  She dreamed.

  A dream that was also a memory from her past…