The Kids

== Summary ==
== Full Text ==
Sven Felman/Kari Felman/Dagny Felman: As soon as he and his mother returned from their journey to the Grounded Dungeon, 17-year-old Sven left his parents and head toward their house to find his sisters. As soon as he got there, he ran up to their bedroom only to find 16-year-old Dagny braiding 14-year-old Kari’s hair.
“Hey, guys!” Sven said as he ran up the stairs. 
“Hey, big brother!” Kari said excitedly. 
“How was the trip with Mom?” Dagny asked as she finishing braiding Kari’s hair. 
“It was great!” Sven said as he sat on his bed as his sisters gave him weird looks. Clearly, that was not the response they expected from someone who went to pay their respects to their mother’s former comrades. “We met this stranger, who came out of the dungeon. He was actually asking for Aunt Nala.”
“Aunt Nala?” Dagny repeated. 
“Why?” Kari asked. 
Sven shrugged. “Mom thinks that he might be a former prisoner from one of the dungeons,” he replied. “It’s hard to say. He seemed pretty nice though. Gave Mom a coin.” He paused for a minute. “Hey, if you’re done with the hair thing you girls do, want to go see what our cousins are up to?”
“If they’re not too busy,” Dagny said as they stood up.
“Great, let’s go!” Sven replied. “The Future Chief demands it!”
The two girls rolled their eyes as they followed their brother out of the house to find their cousins. 
Iona Lindholm/Aria Lindholm: “Face it, sis. We’re lost.” 
Young Aria Lindholm hopped from one rock to another. Her older sister, Iona, shielded her eyes and squinted towards the horizon. 
“Aunty Akkey said go North for Central. We took a wrong turn somewhere, I’m sure of it.” she continued, not particularly distressed at their situation, “You’re not the greatest at directions, sis.” 
Iona dropped her hand gruffly and shrugged, “I’m decent.” 
Aria turned and grinned, “It’s okay, sis. I think I see something over there!” She pointed behind her, and Iona could only just make out a small building in the distance. The excited half breed jumped off the high boulder she was on and started running. “Come on!” 
Siri Haralson/Katryn Haralson: Katryn bounced excitedly on her toes and Siri smiled at her little sister.
“Alright Squirt,” Siri chucked placing a hand on top of the younger girl’s bouncing head. She’d promised Katryn a day of fun with her, as it had been a little while since they had seen each other. Their parents were quite pleased their daughters still got along so well and after a kiss to each of the girls’ heads, sent them out on their way.
Siri was much older than Katryn and their personalities couldn’t be more different, but they were very close regardless.
“What do you wanna do?”
Katryn smiled. “I want to explore and play and-and can we ride your dragon?”
“We’ll see kiddo. Shall we head off on an adventure on foot first?” asked Siri.
“Yes!” exclaimed Katryn, taking her older sister by the hand.
Kettil Ericson: Kettil sighed. Having to deal with Amma put him in a sour mood. He tried to shrug it off and went to go check on his dragon clinic on the island for the time being.
Sven/Kari/Dagny: The Heir led his two sisters through the village. Their father, Brandt was busy running the village, and their mother had apparently left again to escort someone to the secret bunker. Another excuse to go find their cousins!
“I thought I saw Kettil by the library today,” Dagny said. 
“Yeah, I’m not sure where Siri and Katryn are up to,” Kari added as she looked around. 
“Well, let’s see who we run into first,” Sven replied. “Come on.”
Iona/Aria: “Don’t go too far ahead, Aria.” Iona called out, distractedly thumbing her lance. She surveyed their surroundings as they encountered more people and buildings. 
Aria skipped ahead, waving hi to random strangers, “Look at that pretty necklace, Iona! Can I have one–oof!” she lost her footing and bumped into someone, “Oops, sorry!”
Siri/Katryn: Katryn ducked behind her sister after being walked into by a stranger.
“You okay, kiddo?” Siri asked Katryn, who nodded meekly. “Well, you don’t have to hide! Come on out and say hello. It was an accident.”
Katryn nervously returned to her position by her sister’s side.
Siri smiled at the two other girls. “Hi there, you two must not be from around here. I don’t recognize you! I’m Siri and this,” Siri rested her hand in her sister’s shoulder. “Is my sister, Katryn.”
Katryn raised a hand in a shy wave.
Siri smiled. “She’s a little shy. Do you need help? You seem like you’re looking for something.”
Iona/Aria: Aria raised her hand excitedly in a wave, “Hiya! I’m Aria! I’m 12 years old! My favourite colour is yellow and I love looking at pretty rocks, like this one I found!” She extended her other hand to show the stone to Katryn.
“And she’s Iona, my big sister! She’s 19 years and really good at keeping the bad guys away!” The older Lindholm came up to them and gave a quiet nod.
“We’re trying to figure out where we are!” Aria continued, loud enough for people around them to hear, “What do you call this place?”
Siri/Katryn: Siri blinked at the younger girl. Her excitement was a little… much. Especially since her little sister was so quiet and calm.
“This is Haligan Island. Our Aunt Grey is the chief, but she’s… busy. We could take you to Uncle Brandt if you need help getting somewhere else.”
Katryn shifted nervously beside her sister and spoke up. “I’m 10,” she said quietly to Aria. “And Siri is 25.”
Sven/Dagny/Kari: “Oh hey, look, there’s Siri and Katryn,” Sven said as soon as they laid eyes on their oldest and youngest cousins. “It looks like they’re talking to someone.”
“Let’s go see,” Dagny said as she began to walk over to them.
“Siri, Katryn!” Kari shouted as she practically bolted over to their cousins and the strangers. 
Kettil: Kettil’s mind raced with worried thoughts. He was always constantly concerned about the state of his clinics, about whether or not Central would find them. He didn’t worry about Haligan so much, there was nothing to hide there but even on the island he was worried about the others. Seeing a gathering of his cousins though he figured he’d stop and say hello. Hopefully it would calm his thoughts a little.
“Hey guys.” He called as he approached with a smile. “Who do we have here?” He asked.
Aria/Iona: “Hi there!” Aria seemingly got louder. More new friends! “I’m Aria! I’m 12 years old, my favourite colour is pink, I love collecting rocks and dancing, I hate tofu and onions, but I love cake and-!”
Iona gently placed a hand on top of her sister’s head, calming the excitable child down, “Hello, we are Iona and Aria Lindholm. We’re travelling and somehow got a little lost.” She acknowledged each of the older kids respectfully.
Kettil: Kettil bent down on his knees as he listened intently to Aria list off the things she liked, smiling kindly. Before he stood up to talk to her sister he whispered, “My favorite color is blue.” Once stood up he looked at the two of them quizzically. “Lindholm, Lindholm… Are you two related to Akkey and Maya?”
Iona/Aria: Iona raised her eyebrows, a little surprised, but nodded in agreement.
“That’s my aunty and mommy! Do you guys know my daddy, too?” Aria bounced on her toes.
Siri/Katryn: Siri glanced between her cousins. She was pretty sure she had heard those names before in conversations between her parents and aunts and uncles, but it was never very specific or clear as to why. She had never met Akkey, she didn’t think.
“Um, I’m not sure if we even know your mom and aunt, kiddo.” Siri replied. “I’ve heard the names though, I think. What about you guys?” she asked of her cousins.
Katryn glanced between her cousins and the two new strangers. Was it possible their families knew each other?
Sven/Dagny/Kari: “Umm…the names sound familiar,” Kari mused as she crossed her arms.
“Akkey…Akkey…” Dagny repeated. Finally, it came to her. “Oh, now, I remember, Akkey is one of our parents’ former comrades in the Rebellion. Mom’s mentioned her before in her stories.”
“Oh right!” Sven said as the dots connected. “Mom said that Akkey was the one who saved them from Fenrir, and that she had met Maya once and found out she was Akkey’s sister. I think Maya is married too…some kind of doctor.”
Aria/Iona: “That’s my daddy!” Aria pointed to Sven in agreement, “He’s really good at fixing people up, he taught me a little, too! And Aunty Akkey can do those things with her water stuff, and she’s the one who taught Iona how to fight off the baddies!”
“Aunt Akkey had told us to go to Central, but I think we took a wrong turn somewhere. Where is this place, if I may? Is there anyone we can talk to?” Iona inquired quietly.
Kettil: Kettil grinned down at the younger sister, “You know I’m a bit of a doctor myself.” He told her before turning back to Iona. “As for where you are, you’re on Haligan island about as far west of Central as you can get outside of the Sea of Dust. But I have to ask, what in the name of Hel would you want to go to Central for? It’s one of the most dangerous places for our people.”
Sven/Dagny/Kari/Brandt: “Kettil’s right,” Dagny interjected. “Central is not all fun and games. They’ve done some pretty bad things.”
“Well, who are we to judge?” Sven asked. “I mean, if that’s where Akkey told them to go, maybe there was a reason.”
“What do you mean, Butthead?” Dagny retorted. “Aria is freaking 12! We can’t just—”
“Hey, kids,” Brandt said as he walked over to his three kids, two nieces, and nephew. “What’s going on over here?”
Aria/Iona: Aria almost went into her introduction spiel once again before Iona interjected, acknowledging the barrage of questions, “Hello, sir. We’re sorry to barge in, but we were hoping to get some directions to Central. We were ordered by our Aunt to meet someone there,” she straightened herself up in respect to the older man. 
“No apology necessary,” Brandt said to Iona. 
“Daddy, we can’t just let them go,” Kari protested. “What if the bad guys get them?” 
“Kari’s right,” Dagny said. “Maybe we can let them stay here.”
Brandt stroked his bearded chin and studied the strangers in front of him. “Where exactly in Central are you trying to get to?” he asked. 
Iona/Aria: “Just on the outskirts of it,” Iona said carefully, not giving up any more information necessary.
“I wanna stay!” Aria hummed, ears perking up at Dagny’s suggestion, “I want to play with everyone!”
Katryn/Siri: Katryn smiled at Aria. She also wanted to play. It had been a while since she had someone her age to play with. Kari was acting quite grown up (well, more grown that Katryn would like) suddenly and everyone else was much older than her.
“I want to play too,” Katryn said quietly. She tugged at her sister’s hand. “Can I play with her, Sissy? Please?”
Siri sighed. “Let’s get this sorted out and then we’ll see about that, Kat. Deal?”
“Deal,” Katryn replied, sharing a smile with Aria.
Siri turned her attention back to the Lindholms, specifically Iona. “Central is like, the center of the danger zone isn’t it? Why in Thor’s name would you two be headed there? You’re kids!”
Iona/Aria: Iona pressed her lips and held her gaze, “We have to meet someone.”
“Don’t worry, we’re not going right in the center of you know, Central! We’re just going near it. We gotta meet up with someone!” Aria grinned back at Katryn while she rambled, “We’ll be okay!”
Brandt/Sven: Brandt stroked his chin as he watched the two girls interacting with his nieces.
“Hey, uh, Dad?” Sven said as if he could sense his father’s hesitation. “They said that they’re related to Akkey, you know…the Akkey from Mom’s old rebellion stories.”
Brandt widened his eyes at the realization. He never met Akkey, but she obviously played a significant role in the rebellion from what Grey has mentioned. “Really?” he asked Iona and Aria. 
Aria: “Yessir!” Aria gave him a salute as Iona nodded, “She’s our Aunty! You know her?”
Siri/Katryn: Siri, ignoring Aria, looked right at her uncle and spoke. “Uncle Brandt, you’re not gonna let them go, are you? Aunt Grey would kill you if she found out you knew two actual children were planning to go to Central and you didn’t intervene.
And if you don’t think I’d tell, you’re wrong. I’ll tell my mom and she’ll tell Grey and you know everything is twice as serious a problem if Aunt Grey hears about it from my mom. Do you really want my to have to upset my mom for this?”
Katryn leaned against he sister’s side. Her sister meant business. She always did. Sometimes too much so. She was so outspoken and direct, it gave their poor mother anxiety. But Siri was brave too. Brave than Katryn figured she herself would ever be.
Kettil: Kettil quickly put a hand on his cousin’s shoulder. “Siri calm down. While I agree that going to Central might not be the best idea, it’s not our decision to make. Besides, Iona was it, seems capable enough.” He turned tot the two girls. “We’re actually dead west from Central, if you head straight east from here you should reach it.”
Siri/Katryn: Siri pushed Kettil’s hand off her shoulder and turned to face him, a finger pointed st his chest. “Don’t tell me to calm down, Kettil. And you’re younger than both me and Iona. Letting them go to Central is a bad idea. Encouraging it is even dumber. Do you want their blood on your conscience, you idiot?”
Siri turned to Brandt again. “If you let them go, you’re partially responsible if something happens to them. And word would get back to Akkey and Aunt Grey would never forgive you. You know that. I know you know that.”
Katryn ducked behind Siri’s legs, half tempted to run back home to her mom. She didn’t like conflicts, especially between her cousins and sister. “Siri, stop,” Katryn begged.
“Not now, Katryn,” Siri replied.
Aria/Iona: “Aunty Akkey was the one who sent us that-a-way, you know,” Aria stared up at the aggravated girl with her big, wide eyes. Her voice was unnervingly calm and quiet all of a sudden.
Iona stepped forward, partially covering her sister behind her. She glanced at Siri, a little smile on her usually stoic face, “We do appreciate your concern and your help with directions. We’ll be alright.”
Brandt/Sven/Dagny/Kari: Brandt was silent as he watched and listened to his niece, nephew, and Akkey’s nieces. Siri brought up an excellent point. These two were just children, and they were heading toward enemy territory. It would be risky. However, Kettil was right as well. They had no right to keep them on Haligan Island, especially when they had no idea as to what their plans were or who they were meeting. Iona seemed like she had a good head on her shoulders though.
“I mean…if they said that Akkey was the one who told them,” Sven finally spoke up, “then it must be safe.”
“You do realize that these are the exact same people who killed our uncle, right?” Dagny retorted.
“Look, Dags, we’re not in charge of them,” Sven said angrily. “Who are we to keep them here?”
“I agree with your brother, Dags,” Brandt finally spoke up. “As much as I would hate to do it, we don’t have a say. However…I can offer a small condition,” he turned to Iona, “if you are willing to take it.”
Iona/Aria: ;Iona placed an arm around Aria, listening intently. “What is it, Sir?”
Brandt: “Kettil, get me the fastest Terrible Terror you can find,” Brandt said to his nephew as he took out some parchment and a pencil. 
He turned back to the girls. “All I ask is that you send word back here to me that you got there safely and that you are with the person you are intending to meet,” the Chief’s husband simply stated. “This way, we know that you both are safe.”
Kettil: “If I might suggest.” Kettil begins. “The sun will be setting soon and it’s not safe to travel the roads at night. I’d recommend staying for the evening, resupply and head out in the morning, but as I said the choice is ultimately yours.”
Siri/Katryn: “That,” Siri said to Kettil. “Might be the smartest thing you’ve said today. I still think it’s a dumb idea to go, but you might as well get some rest beforehand if you’re going to do it anyway.”
Siri shook her head. While getting a response from the girls that they were safe was a good idea, she still couldn’t believe anyone would send two kids to Central alone.
Siri looked back to her uncle. “For the record though, if something happens to these two, I will be saying I told you so.”
Katryn pulled on Siri’s shirt. “Can I play with Aria now?” She had been waiting very patiently.
Siri sighed and looked to Iona. That was up for her to decide.
Iona/Aria: Iona returned her gaze steadily before letting Aria out of her grip, “That we can do.”
“Yaaaaaaaay play time!!!” Aria exploded after being unusually quiet for the past few minutes.
Brandt/Sven/Dagny/Kari: “Siri, sweetheart,” Brandt said, “you have my permission to do so. For now, let’s just let the kids have fun, and I will be sure to talk to Aunt Grey when she comes back.”
Sven couldn’t help but throw a knowing look at Dagny, who rolled her eyes. 
Category:BOTGD 2
Category:Act I
Category:Events
Category:Iona Lindholm
Category:Aria Lindholm
Category:Brandt Felman
Category:Sven Felman
Category:Dagny Felman
Category:Kari Felman
Category:Kettil Ericson
Category:Siri Haralson
Category:Katryn Haralson