Night fell and the festival in Rogaland began in earnest, a big celebration was held for Tyr.
He was one of the most important guests that King Rugalf has had in his kingdom in recent years.
Everyone looked at him, amazed that the story about his skin held as not everyone had seen a dark-skinned individual but Tyr was used to this sort of bewilderment by now.
It happened mostly everywhere he went, alcohol and the stench of lust filled the room but they were a lot more refined than the orgy he experienced when with Kolbeinn.
Tyr still shuddered at the thought of that day, Tyr watched Finn having his fair amount of fun.
It was not a sight he was used to and even Nora was surrounded by men that were eager to hear her tales and of course, get in her pants.
These were clean men, they did not look as rough as the men in the place she called home.
Tyr, however, only got curious stares as if he was off-limits and he knew this was Rugalf's doing even though he had seen a few beautiful ladies that far superseded Estrid's supposed unparalleled beauty.
Tyr was alright with this, it mean a lot less interaction as he did not even drink so he avoided alcohol.
He trusted Rugalf because he knew what Rugalf would benefit from him marrying his daughter was far greater than what he would benefit from him dying.
Tyr felt an arm around him and he jerked his head in that direction to see a young boy, this boy was approximately his age but he had a deceptive body frame that made people perceive him as older.
This was yet another brother of Rugalf, Thorgard, who was eighteen years of age.
"Tyr Ragnarsson! I have heard great things about you! I am Thorgard Gardsson and I would like for us to be friends!" The boy, who was not nearly as attractive as his older brother, said.
He had a chiselled jawline and it was quite obvious that he prioritized his physique over his looks, not that he had any to begin with.
Tyr noticed he had the same muddy eyes as Salgard.
"I would like that very much, Thorgard," Tyr responded, this was the second brother of Rugalf he was meeting and wondered just how big his family was.
"What do you think about my niece?" Thorgard asked, pointing the ale in hand in Estrid's direction but despite not looking at them, she somehow registered this action with a slight flinch of her head.
"Um…" Tyr responded with an awkward smile, he did not know if this was a trick question.
"It is fine. I know she is a stuck-up brat!" Thorgard barked, but Tyr kept quiet as he knew best not to get in the middle of family drama. But he also knew all this might be a test.
"You know she is looking at you…" Thorgard said but Tyr was confused by this statement because she clearly was looking straight ahead with her father beside her despite Tyr being positioned on the left of the gigantic room.
"What are you talking about?" Tyr asked and Thorgard pointed to his eye and said.
"The corner of her eyes," Thorgard as he quietly gestured for Tyr to watch closely as he was about to do something.
Tyr paid attention even though he expected whatever Thorgard was doing to be pointless.
Thorgard tilted Tyr's head in her direction and the moment he did, Estrid's whole body language changed.
"You see?" Thorgard said and Tyr was amazed, what sort of sorcery was this?
He began to wonder how many people were watching him like Estrid in that room because Tyr was clueless about these things, he took it as a sign of danger.
Was this a set-up? Thorgard chuckled when he noticed Tyr's not-so-subtle paranoia.
"You are so silly, Tyr!" Thorgard teased his new friend before downing the cup of ale in his hand.
"Estrid is a brat but she is still a lady. You are a boy that has lived a cruel life and conquered death. There is no lady here that would not be intrigued, Estrid is no different," Thorgard said, but his carefree demeanour soon ceased the moment Salgard walked into the room.
Tyr noticed this, he knew this feeling a bit well, it was the feeling of fear.
"I-It has been fun Tyr but I have to go now!" Thorgard abruptly ended the conversation and left.
Behind Salgard was Fr?ygard, Fr?ygard actually looked well as he had shown and carefully groomed himself for that occasion because he knew he would not like Salgard angry, no one liked Salgard when he was angry.
"Welcome brothers!" Rugalf welcomed them with so much affection oozing from his voice that everyone knew the love he held for them was genuine.
Salgard was all smiles as usual as his eyes found Tyr like a radar, before returning his focus to his older brother, Rugalf who had his arms outstretched.
Salgard embraced his oldest brother with a smile, he was happy to see him in such a good mood.
Fr?ygard was reluctant to hug his older brother but a single glance from Salgard made him submit as he hugged Rugalf.
Everyone looked at him with disdain, they looked at him as a joke but this could not be helped considering the kind of life he had lived after the death of his brothers.
They understood everyone dealt with grief differently but this was no longer grief rather Fr?ygard had found an excuse to be lazy about it all.
"Let me introduce you to our guest of honour…" Rugalf said but Fr?ygard's eyes started around the room.
"Where are Vegard and Grj?tgard?" Fr?ygard questioned.
"Grj?tgard and Vegard are not in Rogaland right now," Rugalf responded but Fr?ygard scoffed before saying.
"They are probably dead…" The moment he said this, Salgard's smile disappeared for a second and even Fr?ygard knew he had fucked up with what he just said.
"B-Brother… Wait! I can explain!"Fr?ygard was visibly terrified of what might happen to him.
"Hahaha! You jokester! Let's go have a drink!" Salgard teased, wrapping his hand around Fr?ygard but his grip on his younger brother was anything but friendly.
"That Salgard, I need to watch out for him…" Tyr thought as he picked up on the brothers' fear.