Valkyrie Heat (14 page)

at her.”

Eirik looked down at her and his face softened. “Do not fear

me, little one.”

Biorn muttered strange words to Sky and she nodded slowly.

She mumbled something back to him. “She is fearful she will be

struck again,” Biorn said.

“You see,” Eirik snarled. “She is fearful of another beating.”

84

Viking Warriors Book 3: Valkyrie Heat

“She is more fearful of being a captive for a day. I have

explained it is mostly hard work but she has eyes,” Biorn said

quietly. “She is small and our warriors are huge. Too many men

would cause much damage. She has seen what has happened to the

captive woman. You know not all men would leave her alone.”

“Tell her she has suffered enough. No harm will come to her,”

Eirik said.

Biorn spoke to her and Sky shook with apparent relief. She

buried her face against Rolf. Rolf ran his hands down her back as

she shivered beneath his touch.

“Why was she wearing men’s clothing?” Eirik asked.

Biorn explained what had transpired, about her clothing

evaporating in the mist. She hadn’t meant to place herself in such

danger. She had only been cold and had no idea of the meaning of

the clothing. She had no understanding of their ways.

“She can’t be a Valkyrie, she must be lying,” said a deep voice.

All turned to look as an older man approached.

“What do you mean, Thorvald?” Eirik asked.

Rolf glared at the man. He didn’t like him. He had been the

one to return with the woman captive. Then refused to offer her

any protection, claiming she was a slave and free for use. Though

the man sat on the council, Rolf detested some of his punishments

doled out to the women of their village. The only way Thorvald

had gained his seat was by challenging a very old Viking. Being very

proud, the old man had accepted the challenge and had been sent

to Valhalla with a warrior’s death as was a fitting end—or so some

thought. Thorvald had claimed his seat.

Rolf had been much younger then. Still a pup of a warrior and

taking care of an even younger and very angry Brandr. Brandr had

recently lost his parents in a raid that claimed the lives of many.

Rolf had his hands full with caring for them both. Though young at

the time, even Rolf had seen the distastefulness of the situation

when the old warrior had fallen and Thorvald had taken his place.

85

Viking Warriors Book 3: Valkyrie Heat

Many women had seemed wary, it had appeared there was just

cause for their concern.

Many women had been slaughtered or stolen during the raid

that had killed Brandr’s parents. Many men were frustrated when

the ratio of women to men was so small. Many fights broke out.

Thorvald declared it was the fault of the women when the men

fought. After, it seemed more women were punished and soon

enough, many men had been allowed to do what they wished when

Thorvald was around. He declared the punishment should fit the

crime. If the women teased the men into lustfulness, it was not the

men’s fault if they acted on their urges. Not long after, the entire

village seemed to fall into a pattern of acceptance. Thorvald was

very convincing when he spoke.

More men had been removed from the council and replaced

by younger men encouraged by Thorvald. Thorvald had convinced

the council none of the women were truly harmed. Eirik was also

still just a young man at the time; his father newly fallen in death

during the same raid. Eirik had stepped into his father’s position as

was his right as leader and no man would ever dare pass judgment

on his new wife, nor accuse her of any crime, real or imagined. She

was safe. Many young men enjoyed the lifted restrictions. Many

women had been left without a protector. Thorvald had stepped in

and declared himself to be a just protector. Not all agreed. Rolf

was one of them. But he had been too young and not nearly strong

enough to challenge such a seasoned warrior.

As the years had slowly passed Eirik matured and had become

more vocal and less harsh with punishments. Women found

themselves protectors whom Thorvald was unwilling to challenge.

Eirik was allowing Thorvald less power, until only a few of his

followers remained. Still, Eirik was a busy man and every once in a

while, Thorvald took advantage, especially after Eirik’s wife had

become ill a few years ago. Once again Eirik had allowed some

punishments of Thorvald’s to slide and go unchallenged. It was

86

Viking Warriors Book 3: Valkyrie Heat

apparent the man still suffered from grief. Rolf knew there was

much discord among others, especially the men protecting wives

and daughters. They seemed unable to find the courage to

challenge Thorvald.

Thorvald had been away for a few days; Rolf had hoped he

would never come back. Rolf knew he wasn’t the only one who

had wished he’d stayed away when a few women sought the

comfort of their husband’s or captor’s arms.

“The story is told the first Valkyrie through the mist was

carrying a Viking warrior’s babe,” stated Thorvald. “She was a

strong-willed woman, supposedly able to toss a grown man on his

ass. The second was carrying a sword. Another supposedly strong-

willed woman who became a warrior and fought at her husband’s

side. Look at this tiny thing. Shivering in terror. Where is the

strong will? Where is the connection?” he argued.

A few men were nodding and Rolf felt his jaw twitch in

irritation. His hands fisted.

“She was carrying these,” Brandr said and held up several coins

he pulled from a battered leather pouch. Many gasped. It was great

wealth in a time of hardship.

“She steals?” Thorvald asked in anger.

“She’s no thief!” Brandr raged. “It’s proof she is a Valkyrie and

came through the mist with their aid. She is mine and Rolf’s, a gift

from Odin.”

Thorvald scowled darkly at Brandr. Rolf unflexed his sword

hand and prepared to step in. Rolf was no longer a pup of a

warrior. He would kill Thorvald if he made a move toward either

Sky or Brandr. Eirik took a silver coin in his hand and gazed down

at Sky.

“They came with her through the mist?” he asked.

Brandr and Rolf nodded. They explained the circumstances

and how she had been nude as the same story applied to the other

two Valkyrie. Rolf claimed it was just poor timing on Odin’s part

87

Viking Warriors Book 3: Valkyrie Heat

that Brandr wasn’t waiting in the mist for her. Who knew why the

Gods did what they did? It could even be a challenge for them all.

They may never know for certain. Many voices now claimed she

was indeed what the men claimed her to be. How else could she

understand Biorn’s strange words? But now some were concerned

because she had been harmed. The last Valkyrie to be harmed took

up arms and fought side-by-side with her warrior husband. Looking

at the petite woman quaking, they were concerned. She could not

bear arms, since she was too small. She would need more

protection or Odin may be angered and the concern was voiced

aloud by many.

It was apparent Eirik agreed. “Perhaps you should give her to

me,” he said to Brandr.

Brandr went red.

Rolf could see he had a tight rein on his sometimes volatile

temper.

“She belongs to me and Rolf; we are enough protection,”

Brandr ground out. “You heard Rolf; he thinks she was sent as a

test. I spared her life even though I thought she was a boy, and a

warrior in training. Odin could see I took care of her and it was

revealed to me first she was a woman. That makes me worthy of

her.”

“This should be a decision of the entire council. After all,

wearing a warrior’s clothing is a serious offense,” Thorvald argued.

“Lud is on the council and the decision has already been made

and the punishment carried out,” Brandr snapped. “Do we now

punish women twice for a single crime?”

Eirik studied Brandr, his look thoughtful. To Rolf’s relief, he

nodded. Eirik then assessed the crowd surrounding them.

“This woman was sent for a reason. This argument is over,

punishment was carried out. Though it was excessive.” Eirik’s eyes

narrowed onto first Brandr then Lud. Both men looked contrite. “I

agree with Rolf’s assumption; she may be some kind of test to not

88

Viking Warriors Book 3: Valkyrie Heat

only Brandr, but the entire village. For Odin to send a woman and

place her into a dangerous position is worrisome. No doubt Odin is

displeased with the warriors in certain villages who are killing the

helpless. This woman was sent to make sure we are worthy. I’m

certain of that. That she lives by our own warrior’s hand is a gift.

No doubt we are being looked upon with favor. No harm is to

come to her. Do you all understand?” he shouted.

None were stupid enough to feel Eirik’s wrath. Whether they

agreed or not, none would disobey in public. Eirik was, after all

was said and done, their chief. Most were now looking at Sky with

some awe. A gift of the Gods was rare. For Odin to send one of his

own Valkyrie was unsettling enough. Especially since she could

have been killed; all knew Brandr was somewhat unpredictable.

She must indeed possess spirit and Thorvald was wrong. Thorvald

looked none too happy with the outcome of the situation.

Rolf was feeling very happy. Brandr handed five of the coins

to Eirik. Rolf thought it a good gesture. The leader didn’t offer his

protection to just anyone. Eirik tilted Sky’s face to meet his gaze.

“Welcome, little Valkyrie,” he said and grinned. His hand

clutched the coins.

Biorn said a few words to Sky. “Thank you,” she whispered in

their language.

89

Viking Warriors Book 3: Valkyrie Heat

Chapter 4

Sky washed at the river with the women and children of the

village like she had every morning for over a month. The summer

had come in hot and the cold water was refreshing as it slid over

her nude body. She had overcome her shyness after the first week,

as all the women washed nude. Men flanked the banks to keep

cautious watch, but none interfered while they bathed. Besides,

Rolf and Brandr were always close, keeping guard. It gave her a

chance to make friends and she had grown fond of many of the

villagers.

Sky straightened and winced. Her back was stiff from the day

before. Her single day consisted of so much physical labor. She

didn’t mind washing wool they needed and drying it in the sun, but

other tasks were much more difficult for her. Hauling the water to

wash the wool was tedious. The river wasn’t too far, but far

enough. It was too fast-flowing to simply wash the wool at the

source. There was working skins with the other women, and

cooking. It seemed they were always cooking and storing and

drying meat. With men guarding them they would scour the forest

for herbs to dry. Wood needed to be gathered for not only the hut

hearths but for the huge log cabin. Even the smallest of children

were expected to gather kindling and do many chores. There were

roots to gather and the harvest fields to weed and water. Animals

needed milking and feeding. Cheese was made and stored for the

long winter months ahead. Fish was salted and stored. Sky was

90

Viking Warriors Book 3: Valkyrie Heat

using muscles she didn’t even know she had. She knew them at the

end of the day…every one of them ached.

There was also the constant learning of their ways to keep her

mind busy as well as her body. She learned of the trials and

tribulations around her. She understood why some of the men took

what they wanted—it was out of frustration. Some people

wouldn’t trade with them, declaring them to be heathens and

infidels. They impugned their honor. Sky learned a Viking’s honor

was everything to them and then some.

Sky also learned simple everyday things. She learned of their

Gods and their importance. She knew today was Saturday because

the people of the village called it Washing Day. Hopefully

tomorrow, Sun’s Day, she could rest for a little while. Then she

sighed; she doubted it.

Sky tried so hard to keep pace with the other women, but

they were so much bigger and stronger, used to years of hard,

grueling work. Her body hurt so much at night, she cried in her

sleep. Brandr and Rolf didn’t seem to know what to do. Sky

wanted to be accepted. She liked the people here; they were kind

to her. She wanted so badly to fit in at her new home. Most

women were sympathetic and gave her smaller jobs or aided her

with everyday tasks. She had made more bonding friendships in this

one small village than she had over her entire life. Their acceptance

brought tears to her eyes.

The woman also taught her what men to avoid. Thorvald, the

big ugly one on the council, was at the top of Sky’s as well as many