‘An opening I wanted you to see. Your opponent will often offer up what appears to be a perfect attacking opportunity, when all they are really doing is baiting you.’

The younger girl nodded. ‘Thank you for the lesson, Sister Astrid,’ she said, using the term all shield maidens addressed each other with. The stoical response was typical Volken, and was one that Astrid knew all too well from her own early training days. It made her like the younger girl all the more.

‘You are getting better each time we fight, Sister Matulda. It won’t be long before you’re beating me and leaving me with bruised ribs.’

The two embraced for a moment, and as they separated Astrid heard someone call her name out. Turning towards the source of the noise, she groaned. Brant Skifrmunn stood waving at her. He was a tall, well-built young man. A great warrior from an established family, her father had almost promised him her hand in marriage. Astrid, however, had other ideas. Even if she had it in mind to wed, which she most certainly did not, Brant was the dullest man she’d ever met. His entire conversational skills involved talk of fighting and swordsmanship. Knowing he would not leave unless she at least spoke to him, she walked over.

‘Brant.’ She nodded.

‘I was watching you teach that youngster. Very fine sword-work.’

‘Coming from the finest sword in these lands, that is high praise.’

Brant beamed back at her, the colour rising in his cheeks. He took a deep breath, gathering himself. ‘I wondered if I could take you for a walk by the shore this evening?’ He paused, then added, ‘It will be a full moon.’

‘I’m afraid I’m washing my hair.’

He looked at her short locks and frowned. ‘All evening?’

‘It’s very dirty.’ She watched the frown lines deepen as he tried to take this in. ‘Another night? The next full moon, perhaps?’

‘Yes. Right.’ He nodded his head, as if trying to commit this to memory. ‘Next full moon.’