Page 103 of Truly, Madly Viking

Rolf shrugged. 'I don't know. I suspect you are confused right now, and I do not want you to make any hasty decisions."

"I won't," he promised. "In the meanwhile, I am obliged to attend a singing competition on New Year's Eve... involving one of the pay-shuns from the madhouse—I mean, mental-health facility."

He grinned at his brother on making that correction. "Then, Sue-zee and Beth's birthing day is in February. I should probably stay till then. And Beth is planning a big protesting march at the orca park in April, and she asked specifically if I would be there for support, but—"

"More responsibilities?" Rolf was grinning at him knowingly.

"Then, too, I would really like to stay long enough to find out what happens to Josh and Reva." He ducked his head sheepishly.

"The Guiding Light! Do you watch that show, too? Ah, it is one of my favorites."

"Those two would make wonderful Vikings, do you not think?"

"I have said so on many an occasion to Merrydeath. And Alan Spaulding, he would be a true Viking villain, if you ask me. Much like that Storr Grimmsson."

"Who is dead, by the by, thanks to our father's men. Be assured there was a long torture afore his passing to avenge what he did to cause your shipwreck."

Rolf nodded his approval. "And may he be swiving Hel, the queen of the dead, in her icy home in Niflheim, as we speak."

They smiled at each other, being reminded that they were of like minds.

"You know, Rolf, there is so much that is better in this land than what we had, but the excess bothers me."

"I cannot believe this. I had the same feelings when first I arrived. How can men be men if their hard work is not required to bring food to the table and shelter overhead?"

Jorund nodded. "And they take all this abundance for granted. When wealth comes too easily, it is not appreciated. And I'll tell you something else: this business of men and women being equal is sheer nonsense. Men are men, and women are women. Each have their given tasks Why are you grinning?"

"Because my wife would knock you over the head with an oar if she heard you talk so."

"Mag-he would no doubt do the same, but that does not make it less true." Jorund raised his chin defiantly.

They slapped their arms around each other's shoulders then and started to walk back toward the keep.

Dusk was approaching early, and the snow was falling more heavily. Jorund inhaled deeply of the cold air. Just like home, he thought.

"I'll tell you one thing I favor about this country." Rolf wagged his eyebrows mischievously. "Drekking."

"Drekking? What in bloody hell is that?"

"Well, I have developed a fondness for this particular kind of hair soap called Breck, which is no longer sold in this country, but Merrydeath and I bought boxloads of it from a remainder outlet. In any case, there is this most delicious activity that a man and woman can do together in the shower with Breck." He rolled his eyes meaningfully. "Drekking."

"Now, that is something I understand. You can do the same with liquid body soap."

Rolf's jaw dropped open. Apparently he hadn't expected his brother to adapt as well as he had.

"Why are you so surprised?"

"I am surprised because you were never so frivolous afore. In truth, from the time we were youthlings together you were always somber."

"Frivolous? Pfff. What is frivolous about sex play? Did you think I was a monk just because I performed the somber work of war?"

Rolf grinned at him. Really, Jorund thought, his brother was doing a great amount of grinning today, at his expense.

"I will give this land credit for two things: Big Macs and french fries," Jorund remarked. "Ne'er have I eaten such delicacies, even in the courts of Byzantium."

"Hah! I think the greatest delicacy is Oreos."

"Too sweet!"