Her copper head of hair peeked out from under her blanket as she tried to pull sleep back to her. Sighing when her body continued to wake up not letting her fall back into her dreams. Shifting to face the window her dark brown eyes shut at seeing sunlight making Cara bury her head further into the blanket for comfort and warmth.

A howl broke through the silence of the morning with bark following shortly behind it. Biting back a growl Cara moved to sit up hair falling in her face.

“Damn it pups, it’s too early for this,” she groans rubbing her eyes as they continued to bark and whine scurrying about their little house. Throwing the blanket off she hissed at the cold sending goosebumps up her exposed legs. Pushing herself out of bed to pick her pants up and swiftly slip them on while standing up next to her bed. Finish dressing in the rest of her clothes she left the house seeing the sun peeking over the trees making her squint even in the little bit of light. Pushing her hair from her face the fog that appeared from her mouth reminded her that winter was defiantly drawing closer each morning.

Walking to the dogs' hut she opens the door as they ran past her chasing each other in their excitement and joy. Cara watched them for a little bit before twisting on the spot as she walked back into home grabbing some logs to bring with her. Stepping in she began to rebuild the fire humming with her gentle voice as it slowly drifted around her.

“Can you hear me howling

It’s my song just for you

And I am surely counting

Until the next full moon

I am The Keeper of Hounds

Fenrir has blessed me so

So onwards they are bound

Through the rain and snow

And this is my howl

Come from far

Come from near

I am here

I am always here

Come from far

Come from near

I shall wait

Until you are here

Listen to their howls

They come from the north

I can hear their growls

Let me show you my worth

For I am The Keeper of Hounds

You will never know sorrow

Allows free and never bound

I shall see you tomorrow

And this is my howl

Come from far

Come from near

I am here

I am always here

Come from far

Come from near

I shall wait

Until you are here,” she sang softly hearing it begin to crackle with life making her smile. Going back to humming she went to gather the bowls for the pack of hounds so she can prepare their breakfast. Looking over when she heard groaning she smiled seeing her grandfather’s hair sticking up slightly and out of his braids while he scratched at his cheek covered in white and grey hair.

“Morning old man,” she told him with mischief playing on her smile as he grunted. “Don’t worry, I’ve got their food ready. Clean yourself up before you go out today. It’s bad enough I look like a corpse walking, you can’t scare everyone looking like you are transforming back from a wolf that’s been running around howling at the moon.” He looked at her with his steel-blue eyes that glinted with amusement at Cara’s words as she giggled smiling brightly.

“Keep up the good work Keeper of the Dörks’ hounds.” He ruffled her hair once more as she snorted shaking her head at him.

“Sure I’m as much of the Keeper of Hounds as I am likely to become a Viking,” Cara called back at him when she stepped up and was surrounded by the hounds they were just speaking of with wagging tails and tapping paws in anticipation of food. “Alright you crazy pups, follow me. I’ll feed you soon.” Walking past them as Shadow hopped along side her like a bunny trying to reach up for the food in the bowl as Cara snickered a grin appearing across her face once more. Once she stopped they moved to sit around her while she leans down spreading the bowls out letting them chomp down in a happy silence, tails wagging while she smiled more. Cara stepped back tilting her head back she watched the sky grow brighter with the sun rising steadily with the passage of time. Combing her hair back and untangling the mess Cara knew she would need to find time to tie it back or it would continue to fall in her eyes obscuring her vision. She will worry about it later Cara supposed walking over and picking up the empty bowls while they went back to running and chasing each other happily. Watching as they would nip each other or pick up leaves to keep from the other made her eyes fill with warmth as the cold bit into her skin a little less at seeing their happy faces even when some gave out ferocious barks or howls they looked so cute running around.

“Get in here daydreamer, you need to eat!” Her grandfather called. Nodding her head she walked back into the house with the bowls shivering as the wind whipped her hair and sent a cold breeze down the back of her neck. He took the bowls while she picked up the bread and pulled it apart with her hands and sinking her teeth into the smaller bits she pulled from the bread and swallowing. Sitting down after taking the bowl of porridge Cara brought the bowl to her lips and tipped it letting the warm porridge slide into her mouth humming happily. Pulling the bowl back Cara licked her lips humming some more in gratitude for her grandfather’s cooking always warming her up to her very soul. “We are running low on bread and other supplies. You need to head to the market and pick those up today.” Her grandfather reminded her as she nods her head.

“Course Grandpa once I’m done eating I’ll go get what we need,” she told him already going over the mental list in her head.

Finally dressed in her warmer clothes and hair pulled back in a half ponytail she walked through the village humming her song to herself. Having gathered the bread, cheese, carrots, potatoes, some walnuts, and the fish that was just caught today. Fixing the heavy bag on her back Cara buried her face more into the thick scarf to protect from the chill still in her bones. Lifting her eyes from the ground she froze in her spot hand tightening around the bag strap across her back.

It was her, the leader of their village. Cara was sure she was a goddess or at least a demigod even if she denied it and went by many many names. Yet they all knew her as their leader. Swallowing the lump in her throat she looked at the outstretched hand holding an ax towards Cara making her eyes widen in surprise. Darting them back up to their leader’s she felt the words stuck seeing her smile and eyes telling her that it was not a dream.

The ax was meant for her. Cara reached out wrapping her hands around the axe while her leader stepped back letting go. Cara felt the weight of the axe in her hand staring down at the curved blade. It wasn’t just the blade that made it heavy, but the responsibility behind wielding such a weapon in their village. Cara now had a duty to protect her village like so many other Vikings that their leader had chosen. Taking in a deep breath Cara closed her eyes tightening her hand around the ax letting it sink in, no longer was she ‘Keeper of the Hounds’ now she was a Viking.

Cara could only hope to live up to the rest of the Vikings. She would help keep a watchful eye out for the next invaders and she thanked the gods she would not have to do it alone.