1. The Gathering of Light

Dark clouds rolled over the fjords, going up and down mountains, oblivious of the events taking place right beneath them.

Growing ever wearier, he knew his road was coming to an end. Here rest could be found, in the safe haven of Ulstin Island. The memories of his home in the far north were growing dimmer, but he knew that it would always be in his heart. The castle of Bodo would always prevail as the fortress of good in the barren north. Andreas lifted his head from the ground. He had been staring at the creatures moving in the dense underbrush, wondering whether they were edible. But now duty called, and he knew he would find a feast within the walls of Ulstin Fortress. Every limb was tired, but he moved steadily on towards the gates. The gates stood open, but he was greeted only by silence. Suspecting that something was amiss, Andreas walked in, mistrustfully noticing every shadow surrounding him. Inside he found nothing suspicious, only his two long lost friends, Hanne and Marte. They stood waiting in the entrance hall, clearly fatigued from their journey.

***

The wind blew her hair in every direction. Hanne let her hair live its own life, as her mind wandered out to the rolling waves in front of her. The sea was in uproar, as if mourning the loss of Flora's two great daughters.
"The ship is leaving," Marte said, interrupting Hanne's delving into the sea, "and we've only got this one chance to get unnoticed to Ulstin."
Not uttering a word, Hanne turned and followed Marte onto the vessel. Neither of them looked back at their village, knowing that the pain would be overwhelming, both for them and their homeland.
The ship traveled northwards, not knowing that the destiny of those aboard would change the lives of so many.

***

After unpacking all his gear, Andreas settled down in one of Ulstin's living rooms. Marte saw that he had settled well down in Ulstein, before she exchanged news with Andreas. They hadn't seen each other for many fortnights, and Marte listened intently for news of her uncle, who served in the northern armies. Hanne stood guard at the castle's outer walls, ensuring the calm of the newly-arrived.
"Why aren’t there any others here?" asked Andreas, a worried tone entering his voice, "Where is the rest of the group? And why are there no hosts in this mighty fortress?"
"They are yet to arrive, and the hosts disappeared shortly after we arrived. The inhabitants of Ulstin are known for their mysterious ways, which foreigners can't understand. But do not worry, they mean us no harm. We'll have no problem running this place until the host comes back, and Hanne is guarding the perimeters outside. But how are..."
Her words were cut short by a cry from the outside. First startled, Marte and Andreas soon relaxed when they heard the rejoicing words of Hanne:
"A menagerie from Ostland has arrived!"

The words were soon followed by Hanne and a band of four (although someone would say three and a half). First came Linda, her beauty alone lighting up the room more than natural lights ever could. Following her, Camilla tiptoed in, trying to look higher than her forty inches, though failing severely. Geir strolled into the room, his hair gleaming as if containing captured sun rays. By his side came Kristin, seemingly floating an inch above the stone floor, her face containing no trace of emotion.
"Where's the last one? Didn't Christina arrive with you?" asked Marte.
"Look before you ask", said a voice behind her, as Christina walked out of the shadows under the stairs. For a second, it seemed to Marte that the shadows didn't let go of Christina.

"How was the journey?" asked Marte. "Are there any news from the east?"
"No news that you haven't already heard." answered Geir. "The journey went well, though the decay is starting to show itself in the mountains."
"Then the times are as bad as I thought." contemplated Andreas. "But we'll have time to worry about that later, now we have to start making arrangements, so we're ready when the last two arrive. By the way, when are they coming?"
"Good to hear that you haven't forgotten me!" shouted Ingrid Elise, the mirth revealing the identity of the voice.
"Only Harald remaining," said Linda, "but he'll be absent for yet some days. He sent me a letter, telling of his missions in the south. I can tell you no more of his doings, but do not fear. He'll get here in time!”