It has been two weeks since the uprising freed the Northmen slaves. Packed into two longships, the refugees have picked their way along the coast, but every inlet seemed to house more Saxons. As you pick your way west, the country becomes a little wilder. It has now been two days since you have seen a Saxon banner, so when late in the day you find a suitable inlet, the two ships turn in for the night. Beaching the longships, the refugees head to shore.
You have provisions for a few more days, so wood is gathered and fires as lit. Drink, liberated from the Saxon holds, is passed around. For the first time in many days, the refugees seem to relax. Still, at Arne's direction, warriors are posted as lookouts, and boat crews make the longships ready for swift launch.
There, gathered around the fire, someone asks the question about what happens next. Several voices add their weight to the question, and someone answers, "We go home."
Valka shakes her head. "No, that won't do. We are all from Ostland, and all worship Freya. Think on that? All of us were captured on the way to the rites. What Nor'man king would allow slavers to operate in their lands unnoticed? Something more is at work here. My heart tells me if we go home, we'll end up right back in a slave collar."
There is some grumbling to that, but many nod in agreement with Valka's assessment.
Arne says, "We came from one camp. How many more camps do you think there might be? How many other brothers? Sons? Daughters? The Saxons must pay for their treachery!"
There are many angry grumbles of agreement.
"But who will lead us?" someone asks.
There is silence.
Then two voices speak at the same time. One calls out for Arne, the other for Valka. Other voices join those. Some few call out other names, but are quickly drowned out. The group seems fairly split over their decision, with about half favouring Arne, and half favouring Valka.
