It all started when…
As the eldest daughter of Jarl Thorfinn “skull splitter” and Jørand “the red haired beauty” of the Rafnsblöð Clan of Bukkøy, Katla grew up in Kaupang, the largest trading village in Norway.
In her childhood she learned the process of trade and commerce, and the value of things like silver, silk, textiles, and other commodities by watching her father oversee the market. When she wasn't accompanying her father in the market she was assisting her mother run the homestead on a daily basis. Katla found she, like her mother and all the women before her, had a way with arts and intuition. Most of her adolescence she divided her time between studies of healing, trade negotiations and fiber arts. She excelled in the skills of making rich and detailed textiles and clothing at a young age and quickly gained notoriety and a reputation to where her skills were sought after by nobility far and wide.
At the age 15, Katla’s parents both died when a group of warriors from a neighboring village tried to overthrow the control of Kaupang. With the death of Jarl Thorfinn and Jørand, Katla was left in a vulnerable position and even with the support of her people she knew that her fate was balancing on the edge of a blade. She quickly notified her Aunt Tyra of the death of her sister and requested her presence to assist Katla in continuing to maintain and run her vast trading center and homestead. Upon Tyra’s arrival she suggested that Katla should find a suitable husband to make an alliance with one of the larger trading outposts near by to solidify her position. They sailed to Denmark to meet with families of prominent traders and Jarls, but Katla found only disappointment in the prospects. While making ready to leave for Kaupang, Katla sees a boat of such beauty and craftsmanship that she decides that she must meet its creator. She is introduced to a man named Sigvald who is the most renowned boat builder in Denmark and they instantly feel that the gods have destined them to be together. Once arrangements are made, Sigvald and Katla go forward with their alliance to make Kaupang the most successful trading village, with the largest fleet of ships, in all of Norway.
Years pass and the couple live well with much happiness and many blessings, including a son and daughter. In 911CE Sigvald goes to fight in the Battle of Chartres and never returns home. Their son Teague takes over the position of Jarl and continues to maintain the success of Kaupang. Katla lives out the rest of her years healing the sick, and creating beautiful textiles and clothing. Her time comes to an end one cold spring, while foraging in the forest for medicinal herbs with her granddaughters. A ravenous bear who must have just emerged from hibernation caught their scent and attacked. Armed only with her fathers seax she fought off the bear long enough for her granddaughters to escape and make it back to the village. By the time the warriors returned to fight off the bear Katla had already suffered mortal injuries. The bear retreated to the forest never to be seen again, but only after Katla was swiftt enough to cut off its nose with her last bit of strength. It was believed she earned her place in Valhalla that day.
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