Milyausha and the small group she rode with entered the village a few hours after daybreak. The going had been hard and the trek had taken many weeks to complete, but they had reached the North, and crossed the stormy waters many called the Austmarr or Gandvik (the Baltic Sea). Milyausha had seen many rivers and crossed them, and even been to the edge of the Pontos Axeinos (Black Sea) but had never sailed it's waters, nor the waters of any great body of water.<br/><br/>In truth, she had been terrified, and all the more so for the storm and ice they encountered on their voyage. The Northmen she journeyed with had teased her for it, but it was the gentle teasing of one fully acceptedinto their number. She had proven herself to this group in battle, and in the hunt, helping to keep them fed during their travel.<br/><br/>Entering the village she dismounted from her small steppe horse and followed the others to a stable to feed and keep her animal. Her brown eyes looked around curiously, taking in the odd sights and sounds, so different from the place she had lived far to the south. The people of the Holdt seemed worried to Milyausha and in truth she herself was somewhat worried. It seemed all was not well here in the North, and she was growing weary of the travel. The winter was a hard time, harder here in the unfamiliar mountains and forests of this strange land. She knew some of the group she traveled with wished to move on, others wished to stay. She herself favored staying for at least a short time, till hopefully the weather improved and she had a chance to recover from the strains of travel.<br/><br/>"Mil," one of her companions spoke.<br/><br/>"Hrm?" She asked with a questioning noise, tossing some feed to her animal.<br/><br/>"We will meet with Rurik, the ruler of this place today, request to stay a short time and rest before we move on. It will be many days before I reach my village. Some may stay here for the winter, this is a good village with many strong people, rich in metal, and for some of our friends," He jerked his head towards Agmundr who was openly watching a pair of young women of the village walk across the open space before the hall, "other reasons to remain. You may come or go as you wish Mil. If our paths part here, it has been an honor to travel with you this far."<br/><br/>Milyausha smiled and nodded, "I will think on this Gautirr, I will have my decision tonight. For now, let us eat something before we meet this Rurik and are made to drink more of your people's horrible ale."<br/><br/>Gautirr clapped a hand onto Mailyausha's shoulder and let loose a good-natured laugh. "Ah Little Sister, someday you will learn an appeciation for our drink. Come, let us eat now."<br/><br/>