220 CCXX. The Stray Boy (2/2)

The houses and other buildings in the city were all made of bricks and the colors ranged from gray to dark red.

There were no very tall buildings, except for someone, which was built on several floors.

The little boy suddenly turned to the right, entering an even narrower street, lined with artisans of all kinds: while a blacksmith inserted a piece of hot metal inside a bucket of water, emitting a cloud of white smoke, two women weaved straw strings and others worked leather and furs.

”We're almost there!” said the little boy, surprised that Dag managed to keep up with him, while Gridd had some difficulties, due to the city noise and rapid changes of direction.

Finally, after about 5 minutes of running through the streets of Skjegg, the child stopped, pointing to a house across the street, much less crowded than the others.

”Thank you, my friend” Dag said, in a serious tone of voice, heading to the house, followed by Gridd, who looked at the child as he stared captivated the gold coin he had just earned.

”Ragna! Does Ragna live here?” he said aloud, repeatedly knocking on the door, so insistently as to be rude.

”Dag, wait! I don't think it's appropriate to swoop in here and...”

As she spoke, Gridd was interrupted by a man in his sixties, who opened the door just a few inches, as it was attached to the wall with an iron chain.

From that small space, half of his face sprang up, with which he peered at the two unexpected visitors with a questioning air.

”Who are you?”

”Hi, I apologize for the inconvenience. I'm Master Dag, of Hammers Of Thor. I need to talk to your daughter about the Vaeren Island's affair” Dag said, bowing his head out of respect, even though his rank was much higher than that of a simple middle-class citizen.

”I'm sorry, Master Dag, my daughter stopped talking... I wish you a good day” said the man, who as he closed the door was stopped by a hand of Dag, who grabbed it.

”I insist. It's something really important” he continued, as the man noticed his purple eye and without adding anything else, closed the door, unhooked the chain that held it locked and opened it, letting Dag and Gridd in.

”Other warriors like you tried talking to her, but there was nothing to do. Ragna was a bright and lively girl, as well as being a great chatterbox... try not to be too hard on her, she is still upset by that day” the man continued, as a woman began staring at the two strangers from behind a wall, caught unprepared.

”Thank you very much. I apologize again to you and your wife for the break-in. It's an important matter” Dag replied, walking to Ragna's room and also addressing the woman, who realized she had been noticed.

He stood at the closed door and knocked gently.