Iva

Iva cast her own eyes over the crew as the ship lined up with the jetty, and slowly edged in. Finally they rested on the fire red hair of the man at the steering oar. His face looked older, more mature, though he himself looked skinnier than she remembered. But then she realised that they all looked like that. His hair was long, but neatly tied, and he had several weeks of stubble on his chin, regardless Iva thought he looked majestic.

Background

Iva is one of the newest members of the cast, and the first major female character. Her father is the blacksmith of Hvalsey and a retired member of Erik’s war band. Her mother died while they still lived in Iceland so she can remember nothing of her. Her father is very much a man’s man, and he resents the fact that he was left with a daughter rather than a son. He often reminded her of this fact, and while she pretends to ignore it, the insults cut deep.

She began to wear men’s clothing when she came of age, this appears to have made her father forget her gender more often than not and as a result he tends to leave her in peace now. The other citizens in town have not ignored her odd sense of dress, and she is outcast by virtually everyone. Because of this she has become very secretive, much preferring her own company over that of others.

It should also be mentioned that she hides a childish crush on Leif Erikson, admiring the way in which he has become a success after eschewing virtually all normal macho Viking traits, with the exception of an over developed sense of adventure.  Whether this admiration survives the trials in her life, or if these feelings are even ever reciprocated remains to be seen.

Traits

Most of the characters in Vinland stand for a one trait or another, Iva however seems to be an exception to this rule. She is rather a demonstration of the human spirit, one who is ridiculed by all those around her, but manages to maintain a form of inner strength and honesty that is all but invisible to the others.

Life submits her to a number of trials and tribulations, but instead of beating her down these just leave her tougher and more wilful than ever. Exactly what happens to her in the book I have not yet decided on, she is very much a “work in progress” however I promise her journey will be very interesting.

Loves and hates

She has to be careful about the things she chooses to care about; her hobby for instance is a dangerous secret, while if her crush on Leif became known she would open herself to further ridicule. Whoever heard of a Blacksmith's daughter falling for the heir to Greenland?

(Image courtesy of Once upon a time in Alex land...)