Swiftcurrent Creek Baptism

The boy did speak again, but the words caught Njal off-guard. Yes, he had been a bit offended - but not by Jace specifically. It was a deeply rooted sensation that had fouled his mood, and it had been brief. But the boy caught upon it easily, and then with a few short words he turned to flee. Njal adjusted himself so that he could face the retreating silhouette, ready to speak and dissuade any negative thoughts, but the boy was already out of earshot; escaping to do his duty, albeit with a bit of a cold shoulder. It could not be helped. As the boy vanished in to the horizon, Njal once again shifted - and this time he did not stop his march until he was back at the den. Thoughts of the youth remained on his mind, peppered with tiny doubts. If Njal did this poorly with yearlings, how would he do with younger children? With the squishy bundles that would no doubt be filling his time in the quickly-coming future? These tiny seeds of apprehension had been planted, and now waited to take root within the northman.

[exit njal]