The Viking's Hold II: Emma

Chapter 3: A Girl Worth Fighting For

The video is a translation of the traditional song 'Yggdrasil', thought you'd like to understand it...

Her half-heartened promise must have satisfied the scarred warrior, for he helped her off the boat and onto the beach. Emma counted a scora and seven of them, and she guessed that others would be keeping watch. Those installed around the pit were singing and jostling, paying her no attention. Bjorn veered her away from them, and towards the other end of the creek. There were large rocks on one side and she pulled slightly on Bjorn's sleeve. "I have to..." She pointed at the nearest boulder. He nodded and stood guard in front of it, until she finished washing her hands in salted water.

Then he led her to a quiet stretch of sand, hidden in the shadows, and gave her bread with a portion of dry fish, and weak ale in a wooden cup. She was in no mood to eat but did anyway. It was a habit of the poor, filling your belly when you could, as no one could tell when the next meal would be. Her childhood years had taught her as much.

Bjorn sat beside her, food in hand. He swallowed a mouthful of fish and washed it down with mead. "There is more if you are thirsty," he offered, pointing at the two barrels on the other side of brazier. "I couldn't get you any meat, there isn't enough for all of us. I'll try to find berries if you'd like."

She stared at him curiously. Why was he so eager to please her? Not that she complained, but she was his prisoner, she was lucky to be fed. Yet she saw no reason to deter him. "Thank you, I would like it."

He smiled, one side of his mouth pulled higher by the scar. "I guessed so, my sister loves them. Although they do not grow well on our land..."

Emma frowned. "Where is your land? You didn't say..."

Bjorn took the time to finish his bread before answering: "Far in the north, on the way to Iceland. It will take several weeks to get there from Heidabyr, the trading town aside Sliasthorp. We will buy passage on a merchant ship, to the Shetlands and then to my farm in the Faeroer (Faroe Islands, Old Norse name). My parents came from Noregr (Norway), chased away by King Harald Fairhair. They died two years ago from a fever, and I took over. It's a good land, we have swine, cows, sheep..."

A burly man interrupted him. He was deep in his cups, swaying on his feet and slurring his words. "It's not fair, Bjorn, it's not fair. I fought her guards and you got the prize. You have to share, I want half of the ransom. I want half, by Odin!" He grabbed Emma's wrist, lifting her to her feet.

Bjorn caught his arm. "Leave her be, Eykr. You accepted the terms beforehand. She is mine to hold."

Undeterred, the drunken raider shook his head. "I want half! It's not fair!"

"Are you going to cut her in two? Do you think her kin will pay for her then? She is coming with me, get your own."

"Nay, I want her. She will stay with me." He pulled hard on Emma's arm, making her gasp.

He had come close to dislocating her shoulder. She didn't dare move, afraid that attempting to free herself would trigger a brutal attack. He reminded her of her husband, a violent man, made unpredictable by liquor. She couldn't possibly fend him off, no without weapons and with his friends around. She wished he would at least remain silent; the stench of mead on his breath was sickening.

Bjorn had had enough. The oaf was not going to harm his hostage under his watch. Walking behind him, Bjorn pressed the blade of his seax against Eykr's throat. "I said, leave her be."

Eykr fought back, twisting and throwing his head back. Bjorn avoided the hit easily and retreated towards the fire, tempting the other away from the transfixed woman. His spear and shield were on the boat, but his opponent was clumsy and slow. As long as Eykr didn't catch him, he stood a good chance to win the fight.