#refil

My OC’s Backstory - Week 1

I know I’m late for @yourocsbackstory‘s OC backstory weeks’ first entry, but the prompt was so fun (and I had missed this whole thing)! I’ll take this as an opportunity to introduce Refil, who is one of the core cast from The Shield-Maiden Saga (for mobile). I wrote this from the prompt, but I decided to include Sváfa as the first person POV character like it’s in the book.

The harbor was full of people, chattering and exotic smell of spices. I remember seeing this busy coast town only in Åland. Åland seemed so distant in my memories, perhaps it was another life. Refil, who sat or rather layed beside me, raised his legs to lean against a wooden fence. He had covered his eyes from the sun with his cloak.

“Who are you?” The voice of a little girl shook me from my thoughts. She looked at Refil with curious eyes. I think she was a daughter of some merchant.

Refil dragged the cloak off his other eye just enough to see the girl. “Me? Nobody.” He closed his eyes again.

“Are you one of the warriors?” I saw my past-self in the girl. Looking in admiration to vikings, the great adventurers. When she didn’t get even a reaction from Refil, she persisted. “You look like a royal to me.”

Refil sneered. “Do I?” It was pretty obvious from his long blond hair, fancy red clothes with tons of embroidery and shining gold and amber jewelry. “Get lost, kid.”

The girl furrowed and crossed her hands. “You are rude. Are you same age as me?”

“What?!” Refil tore the cloak from his face and raised a bit. “How old are you? Seven? I’m like ten years older.”

The girl tilted her head. “But you’re so short. Shorter than my big brother, who is eleven.” Refil just gnarled and threw the cloak back on his face. The girl eyed him for a while until her eyes fixed on the pitch black sword that was revealed under the cloak. She leaned towards it. It could be bad. “Can I touch -- ?”

Refil slapped her hand away the moment her fingers touched the hilt. “You can’t.” His cloak fell of his face when he straightened himself.

The girl took her hand. Tears shimmered in the corners of her eyes. “Why?!”

“Well it’s obviously cursed. Just look at it, it’s pitch black.”

The girl seemed to completely forget that she just got hit. “What does it do?” she asked with shiny eyes and tried to lean closer. That curiosity would some day kill her.

Why won’t you let that sweet kid unsheathe me? Let’s make her cry... Let’s make her bleed.

I could hear it too now. The smooth, sly voice of the sword’s elf. The voice spun over me and yet it was inside my head.

Let me taste her sweet sweet blood...

“Oh shut up, Tyrfingr... You’re being too dramatic.” Refil rolled his eyes. “See?” He said to the girl and waved towards the sword. "You’re encouraging it.”

I’m being dramatic? Have you seen yourself?

The girl stared Refil with puzzled look. She couldn’t hear Tyrfingr.

“Hey, what are you two slacking off here?” I flinched hearing Eírikrs stern voice. He stepped in front of us not noticing the startled little girl.

“I’m - I’m too small to carry the cargo”, I said while knowing it wouldn’t excuse me. 

“Then it’s good practice for you to get bigger”, he said and gave a glimpse to my direction. “And you too, Refil!”

“Hey, I’m as much of a prince as you, cousin.”

“In my ship, you’re not a prince, nor my cousin. You’re my subordinate.” Eírikr gave Refil a poignant look before he turned his back to us and moved along.

“I’m an officer!” Refil yelled to his back. “Hey!” Refil tried again but he just waved his hand without turning. “My father is first in line to the throne unlike your father!” He disappeared into the crowd. Refil growled and threw his head back. “Oh, fuck him... I hate work.”

DANGER!

BJORN: What happened?

TORVI: Dad, Mum and Floki are all planing a trip which means that I have to get all of our kids ready and you too which is not going to be fun. And knowing this it probably means that your family will end up being invited to which means Hvitserk will bring his knew girl friend who no one’s really set on yet and then Ivar will want to come in our car same with Hvitty who will both blast some random song that will set the kids off.

BJORN: Well where are we going? I hope that there’s lots and lots of sun!

TORVI: Not the point of this all Bjorn it’s the point that we all have to get our shit together so we can meet with my family at the airport tomorrow morning, which is like hella short notice for all of us. Now go and all you need is to pack yourself a bag, I’ll pack mine, Siggy’s, Asa’s, Ragnar’s, Hali’s, Refil’s and Guthrum’s while all you have to do is your own, Erik’s, Finan’s, Osferth’s and Uhtred’s then who ever’s done first will go and pick up the kids and who ever’s last will make dinner.