Chapter 13
Ivar
When I returned to my room that night, I was surprised to find Ailis there.
She took a step toward me. "I thought you would never return."
I blew out a long breath, walking toward the stool, and I sat down.
"My Lady," she said. "Are you well?"
I opened my mouth to speak, having no idea where to start. My confrontation with Ragnar was making my blood boil with anger. And when he leaned closer, I thought he was about to kiss me, but instead, he sent me away.
"Did something happen out there during the attack?"
I didn't want to tell Ailis about my experience with Ragnar. "There were many wolvens out there."
"I pray no harm came to you, My Lady," Ailis said, stepping closer.
"I am unharmed."
I removed the cloak I was wearing and dumped it on the floor.
"Before I left, I saw the guards slaying the wolvens," I said.
"Were you able to kill any?" she asked.
"Aye," I lied again.
In my heart, I prayed that someday Odin would listen to our prayers and rid us of these wolvens. But this wasn't like the era of gods. In this era, the gods hardly heard us because they were not here.
The next morning, when I woke up, I realized that Ragnar had told someone about what happened last night, even after promising not to. And it was Ake. I saw it on his face when I went to the hall for my sword training. I wasn't that angry about it. At least I was happy that he said nothing to my Papa.
Ake frowned as I walked toward him with my sword.
"You should not have left your room during the attack."
"And yet I did," I said. "I am no helpless maiden, Ake. I have as much rights as the guards to defend our people from the beasts."
"And your Uncle caught you," Ake said. "Did you never think about what might have befallen you had the chief himself caught you?"
"My Papa was asleep during that time."
"I'm serious, Ivar."
"I did not say you speak in jest," I said. "I was found because Ragnar is... He's my Uncle."
"Any other guard would have known you, Ivar."
Keeping my shoulders tall, I threw my sword. He blocked my blade with his sword, and I pulled mine back, eyeing him for an opening. I tricked him, raising my sword as if to hit him on his leg, and he dropped his sword.
I quickly raised it up and swung the wooden sword at the side of his stomach.
He grunted, a smile appearing on his face. "You are growing stronger by the day."
"Stronger and sharper."
"Aye, but you must be sharper still when facing a beast. They're faster than a man and far deadly," Ake said.
"I have slain a beast before, Ake," I said. "I know well enough what to do when facing them."
"You strike too close," he said. "A beasts claws and teeth would tear you apart at such distance. Keep farther distance, where it is safer."
I nodded and took a step backward.
"Uncle Ragnar will not tell my Papa of last night, will he?"
"That is a question left for you to answer," Ake said. "What think you?"
"If meant to tell my Papa or Mama, he would have gone straight to them before coming to you."
I knew what could happen if my Papa heard what happened last night. He could ban me from practicing how to fight with Ake. He would seize my sword and might even arrange for me to marry someone before the end of winter.
"He could be speaking to your Papa now," Ake said in doubt.
I shook my head. "Nay. Uncle Ragnar will say nothing. There is naught to worry for."
Ake nodded. "Very well then. I only feared for the end of our morning lessons."
...
"The gods have never failed us, though they slumber," my Papa spoke up. His voice carried from where he stood in front of the crowd. After the number of guards and warriors who died last night, my Papa had decided to host a burning rite ceremony for them. Everyone was dressed in black, with black markings on their faces as a sign that they were mourning the people we lost.
Mama stood next to him, dressed in black sackcloth, and her long ginger hair was braided.
"By the gods blessings," Papa said, "the beasts did not venture in."
Unlike my parents and the people from my tribe, I never believed that the gods had helped us in any way. Not that I didn't believe they existed, but I thought the gods were dead. My parents, however, believed they were asleep and would wake sometime later. Whenever there was rainfall in the village, the people would rejoice and thank Thor.
The only god I believed in was Odin. I believed he took the souls of people because I had seen him in my dreams multiple times.
"They came into my home!" a man shouted from the crowd. "They nearly stuck down my sons."
"We must prayer louder and cry louder for Odin to hear," Papa said. "Only him can deliver us from this plague."
I felt the presence of Ragnar, and I didn't need to turn around to confirm my suspicions because he was standing so close behind me that I could feel his breath on me.
"Do you think this will ease their fears?" he whispered.
I shivered, and goosebumps lined my skin.
"Any words from my Papa lips would ease their fears, as he is their chief."
And then I felt the presence of Ake. When I turned, I saw him standing next to me. His jawline was hard as he stared at Ragnar. I didn't need to read his mind to know that he didn't like him. Was it because Ragnar had reported me? Or did he just not like him?
"The gods have failed us!" a woman cried out. "I prayed to Odin with all my heart, and yet I lost two of my sons."