Chapter 11
Ivar
Late afternoon the next week, I sat on the bench outside my chambers with Ailis and Hilde.
Hilde was the first daughter of a successful merchant in my village. Tall, slim, with golden skin and beautiful black hair. She sat down next to me, but I wasn't interacting. My mind drifted to Ragnar, who had been paying little attention to me since the previous week.
The only reason I sat here with Hilde was because I could watch Ragnar train with the other warriors from here. His chest was bare, and he was very muscular. His pale skin was slick with sweat, and he glowered under the afternoon sun. He looked like a god on his own.
Hilde was staring at the men fighting. She was holding a handmade fan, using it to fan her face. I doubted she was looking at the warriors, as her eyes were fixed on Ragnar, following his every movement.
I didn't like Hilde, but there was no way I could end our friendship because she was always the one forcing herself on me. Her Papa was a close friend to my Papa. She was arrogant, and when she visited, she always tortured the thralls.
"Do you know what I have heard?" Hilde asked, turning my chin so I would look at her. "That your Uncle is yet unmarried."
I furrowed my brows. "Who spoke this to you?"
I wanted to kick Hilde and send her away.
"Twas my Papa," she said, beaming with a smile.
I sighed. "Aye, you are right. He is unwed, but it means not that he seek a wife."
"I know, but my Papa desire him for me," she said.
My eyes widened. "What?"
"As we speak, he and your Papa is in a meeting, with my marriage to your Uncle as their talk," she said.
"And my Papa did agree?" I asked.
"That I know naught, till their meeting ends," she said. "What think of you—would he like me?"
"Who?" I shot her a glare.
"Why, your Uncle, of course," she smiled.
"My Uncle hath not travelled here in quest of a bride," I said. "And what makes you think he would like you?"
"Whether he likes me or not matter little to me," she said, "Moreover, half the folks in this village did not wed for love."
I tried to hide my concern over the fact that Hilde had interests in Ragnar. What if my Papa agrees? And what of Ragnar?
My jaw clenched.
"I cannot wait to sail with him to North," she said. "Ragnar is the wish of every woman, but he shall remain mine."
"And what if the god, Thor, forbids thy union?"
Hilde did not respond to my words, as she knew that if Thor disapproved, she would not marry Ragnar.
Instead, she turned to Ailis, glaring at my thrall.
"You," she spoke with authority. "Come here."
Though Ailis loathed Hilde, she was just a thrall, and Hilde could punish her. But that would not happen under my nose.
Ailis walked to her.
"Bring me a horn of water and some mango fruits,'' Hilde said.
Ailis nodded and left to get her the things. When she returned, she handed it to Hilde. Hilde took a sip from the horn of water and frowned deeply.
"Why does the water taste foul? Tis like goat feces?" Hilde asked. "Where did you get it from? And theses mangoes–they are not yet ripe."
Ailis's brows lowered at her words as she stood in front of Hilde.
"Speak, thrall! From where did you get me these?!"
"Hilde, leave her be—"
"Nay!" Hilde snapped. "I am tired of you defending this thrall in all things she does wrong."
Then she returned her gaze to Ailis. "Answer me thrall!"
Hilde frowned, standing up so she was the same height as Ailis.
Ailis lowered her gaze to the ground, further angering Hilde.
Hilde raised her hand, throwing a slap across Ailis's face. The slap was so hard that it caused the warriors to stop fighting and look at us. When they saw it was Hilde and Ailis, they returned to continue.
I quickly stood up, grabbing Hilde and forcing her to sit.
"If you strike my maid one more time, I shall have your head staked and fed to my pigs!" I seethed.
Her eyes widened in shock. "Ivar—"
"Enough!"
Hilde glared at me before turning to Ailis, who held her cheek. And though it was not uncommon to hit slaves, I would never treat Ailis as anything less than others. To me, she was more than a friend.
"You keep on treating your thrall so, and one day she shall curse you," Hilde said. "She fetched me unripe mangoes and foul water. You shall beat her now, Ivar. And I shall sit here and see it done."
"She shall suffer not. If you need water, you can go fetch it yourself from the stream," I said.
"Ivar—"
"You shall beg my maid for pardon or leave at once."
Hilde cursed under her breath before shoving my hands away. She stood up and walked off.
I turned to Ailis, who was standing in a corner, holding her cheek.
"How do you feel?" I asked. "Are you well?"
"Thank you, My Lady," she said, bowing her head. "I shall be fine."
"You may go," I said, and she walked away.
Turning to the warriors who were still fighting, Ragnar's eyes connected with mine. He stared at me briefly before turning to the warriors and lifting one of them, throwing him to the ground. How strong was Ragnar, because the man he just lifted was a giant?
…
I stared at the full moon shining in the sky. Tonight was the full moon, and it only meant one thing—the beasts would come out from hiding to kill my people. Guards were stationed at every corner of the house and in front of my chamber.
Sighing, I shifted my gaze to the sword resting close to my mattress. I had been locked up in my room since morning, as my Papa didn't want anything happening to me.
Ragnar.
I hadn't seen him for two days now, and knowing that he had warned me about speaking about love raised a bile in my throat. I didn't want Ragnar to marry Hilde. I wanted him for myself.
Dragging my gaze from my sword back to the window, I stared beyond the short fence. It was already midnight, and there had been no sign of wolven. Would they no longer be coming?
I should be out there with my sword, as I did every month. But after what happened to the thrall the other day, my Papa wanted me to stay indoors.
I shook my head as if I could push Ragnar's thoughts from my mind. I had tried to convince myself for a long time that we just kissed and nothing happened. But to me, it was more than that because, no matter how I tried to look away from it, I was in love with him.
Staring at the window again, I saw that there was still no sign of wolven. That was good news.
I sat down on the stool, glancing at the lantern. Running my fingers through my hair, I wished I could sleep without dreaming of Ragnar.
I would rather be out there with the guards than be in this room, thinking about that coward. I would fight to protect the house, and maybe then there would be no thoughts of him. But I knew they wouldn't let me go out there. I also knew deep down that I would not follow my Papa's order to stay in my room if the beasts attacked. I would slip through my window and join the guards and warriors out there.
Feeling restless, I stood up and returned to the window. I heard a faint sound of howls, drawing my attention.
"Tis the breeze," I told myself. It wasn't wolven.
I tried to convince myself until I heard the loud sound of a horn blowing.
I took a step back.
Sounds of blades clashing filled the air. I pushed my head outside the window to see a pack of wolven racing towards the house, each with different colored fur. Shoving my sword beneath my gown, I slipped out the window.
Guards rushed to the fence, strengthening it with spears. As I was dressed in one of Ailis's dresses, no one paid me any attention. I thought of what Ake would do if he saw me here. He would go mad.
Not wasting time, I raced toward the narrow gate at the back, which would give me access to the outside. But just before I could open the gate, someone grabbed my arm, pulling me back.
Sucking in a sharp breath, I spun around to see Ragnar.
Oh gods. What was he doing here?
My blood boiled with anger.
"Where do you go?" he asked.
I kicked him in his bottom, and he stumbled back.
"Ivar."
"You wished no part of me. Why seek me now?" I asked.
"You shall not leave the house. Tis far too dangerous out there," he said.
"Then fight me if you mean to stop me from venturing beyond the fence," I said.
Lips thinning into a straight line, I raised my sword high. He blocked it with his sword and struck back.
"How dare you?" I spat.
He was far more skilled in sword fighting, just like my Papa. Ragnar stalked me, raising his sword.
"Fight me if you want. Yet I shall not let you risk your life out there, little one."
"You mean to marry that friend of mine, do you not?"
"What?"
"Am I not good enough for you?"
I struck him in the stomach, drawing blood, and he laughed lightly.
"What difference lies between me and my friend?" I asked, striking him again.
He dodged it, moving fast, and pinned me against the fence. The sword slipped from my hand, landing on the ground.
I threw my hand at him, attempting to punch his face, but he grabbed my arm, pinning it to the fence.
I threw my head forward, hitting his forehead with mine with a loud thud.
He shook his head, blinking, but he didn't release me. He leaned closer, and I felt his warm breath fanning my face.