"How has everything been since I've been away?" Irene asked
The visit would be disappointingly short this time, but she was busy, as was Arne.
It was so strange to see her brother arrive at the set meeting spot, behaving like an entirely new person now that he had more responsibility. He seemed more stoic than before, more mature.
"I underestimated all that father got up to during winterization," Arne admitted, cracking a faint smile, to Irene's relief.
"If you need any help in that regard, we always have knights to offer," Henry reminded his brother in law.
"I appreciate it," Arne thanked him, "but it will be unnecessary. The villagers are insistent of keeping things the way they were when my father was here. That involves self sustaining our lands. It's more work, but it's fine with me. Now, here is Froid. He's a good horse and eager to go on the journey with you."
