Vikings' Possession

Assist

It has been a week since Sophia was given her duties, and within that time, she kept her distance from Itzvar. She would do what she was told when providing ordinary necessities, but she would go straight away to her quarters when she was done. However, Sophia couldn't help but feel curiosity for someone.

Ragnar.

She couldn't help but feel worried about him. Sophia asked the other slaves if they knew about his whereabouts. Estrid was the one who knew, and she informed Sophia that he was still imprisoned. Itzvar planned to kill him, but his duties were keeping him occupied. However, Itzvar still planned to kill Ragnar. Sophia knew that he would not last that long, and she wanted to do something.

One day, Sophia took Estrid somewhere private to ensure they were not being heard or watched. "I want to help Ragnar."

"That is out of the question, Sophia. Itzvar can kill you! Even I could have the same fate if it were found as a conspirator!"

"Keep it down, Estrid. Ragnar is a good man. He is the one hope that the people here have. Do you think that he deserves to die?" Estrid did not respond. "You may be a slave in Itzvar's eyes, but you shouldn't believe that about yourself."

It was silent between them until Estrid spoke out again. "The villagers will have a feast tonight, and even the guards will be at their most vulnerable. You can slither your way to Ragnar and give him food."

"Well, I was hoping to help him escape."

Estrid shook her head. "Itzvar will know it was you, and since I am responsible for you, he will have my head."

Sophia didn't think about that. Even though she hated to admit it, Itzvar was clever and cunning. On the other hand, it was better to play it slow. "Alright, I will just give Ragnar some food and something to drink."

"Thank you, when the night begins, the warriors will be in their drunken stupor. I will also give the guards some ale since they also have a love for it."

"Thank you, Estrid."

Throughout the day, there were preparations for the night festivities in the meeting hall. The Vikings and villagers were there for the celebration. Once the preparations were completed, everyone met at the meeting hall and sat in their respective seats. Itzvar and his commanders sat at the main table as the servants served them. Sophia was standing afar, serving the guests food and ale. However, she felt Itzvar looking at her. 

He smirked at her as another slave woman was serving him ale. He got a hold of her and made her sit on his lap. The woman couldn't help but giggle. Sophia merely rolled her eyes as she continued to look over the festivities. She went by some tables to get empty plates and would glance over to see if Estrid was seen.

She got ahold of many plates and went out of the meeting hall to put them in the slave quarters to have them cleaned. There were no slaves in the quarters since they were all out at the festivities. There was a plate of food and a cup of ale on a table, and she knew it was for Ragnar. As Sophia was about to walk out, Estrid was seen. "The guards are by a fire drinking ale; it's your chance; I must return. Be quick."

Estrid entered the meeting hall while Sophia got the food and ale and went where Ragnar was. From afar, she heard the guards laughing and burping. The young woman knew that she did not have much time. When she got to the prison, she opened the door, and a single torch lit the room. Sophia saw Ragnar tied on a post filled with bruises and dry blood in the middle of the room.

Sophia heard his raspy breathing. It was as if he was on the verge of dying. She closed the door behind her. "Ragnar," she whispered as she ran to him and got a hold of his face. He was weak and seemed to be in and out of consciousness. "Ragnar, what happened to you!? Did Itzvar do this to you?"

Ragnar grumbled as he didn't have enough strength even to speak. Sophia then got the drink and put it on Ragnar's lips. "Please drink. You have to try to regain your strength." Little by little, Ragnar began to take small sips, and the small ones became quicker until the whole cup was gone. He was breathing heavily.

She then got the plate of food and began to get pieces of it. "Eat; I will feed you."

Slowly, Ragnar was being fed. Sophia would keep on providing him until he finished the whole plate. The two were silent for a while. Sophia wanted to give him time for his body to digest the food. Ragnar looked at her. "You have my gratitude."

"It was nothing. I was worried for you since I hadn't seen you for a while. You were tortured."

"Is it not obvious?"

"Looks can be deceiving, Ragnar, don't be a smart mouth. Anyway, why were you tortured?"

Ragnar sighed. "Itzvar views me as a threat. I don't bend to his will. He is so proud that he will do anything to break my will. I know he wanted to kill me, but he seems occupied. However, I know he will kill me sooner or later."

"We can't let this happen. I won't let Itzvar get his way. You are your people's hope to help them escape Itzvar's tyranny." Sophia heard the drunk guards laughing. "I don't have much time, and the men will soon escape their drunken stupor. I wanted to make sure that you were okay." She turned quiet for a bit, and Ragnar noticed.

"What occupies your thoughts?"

"No one deserves such torture or to be a slave. I wanted to let you escape, but another convinced me that it would not be wise, but I'm tired of being here and being a slave to a man filled with cruelty."

"Why do you wish for me to escape? We have not known one another for too long. I could easily kill you and leave you behind. You shouldn't be trusting."

Sophia smiled and then giggled. "True, but I know that you won't. I know that you are a man of honor. Honor and loyalty are important to you since you are a man and warrior. Only a coward would use others and run away. I know you will not stoop down to Itzvar's level."

It was silent between the two, and Ragnar chuckled. "You are interesting, I will admit. I haven't met many wise people, especially women."

"I guess I will take that as a compliment. I want to help you escape, and we must think of a plan."

Ragnar smirked. "Believe it or not, one of my escaped men has infiltrated the village. Thankfully, not one noticed."

"R-Really? And?"

"Some of my men have camped not far from here, waiting for the right moment to attack. This is where I need your help. If you decide to help, I can't guarantee your safety."

Sophia shook her head. "I know there are risks and am willing to do it. What do you want me to do?"

"Very well. This is what I want you to do."