Atli the Foundling is used to the blows and ridicule of his peers and keeps his little secrets to himself. But the main secret awaits the boy ahead, as well as the main choice. Find your place in life or remain an outcast? And what will you have to pay in both cases? From the author: The story is set in a pseudo-Scandinavian setting - Vikings and all that. Written a long time ago for a competition on the forum of the Castle of Multi-Colored Muses and finally brought into divine form. Dedicated to Alexey Moroz (R.I.P.), who gave valuable advice on the plot and style. Thanks to Alena Mironova for the cover.