Chapter 5 Defend

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• Into the night, she escorted the two children back to the village, and once they were on the outskirts of the village. She looked around making sure nothing was nearby as she released their hands from her grasp and nudged them to go on, that she would watch over them until they reached safety. This was as far as she was going to go, she was done with this area. She wanted to get out of there before she found any more trouble. Though the little girl tried pulling Elvinia with them, the little girl felt safe with this woman. However, her brother understood that the woman just wanted to leave, she had done her part by saving them and bringing them here, and now she wanted to leave before she was seen. Though the children didn’t speak the same language as she, the brother told the woman anyways how grateful he was for her blades. He picked up his sister and then hurried over to the bridge that led to the Hold. They could hear the music coming from within the walls for there was a celebration going on as the boy ran faster, not wanting to put down his sister until they were close enough to the doors. Elvinia watched from afar, happy now that the two youngsters were safe and out of harm's way. She however was now left alone in the elements, she hoped the children found someone who would help them. She however walked back towards the shoreline, bringing up the map and finding another way where she wanted to go. The scouts that were sent to follow the woman, left the area and headed back to where their own were waiting on word. Elvinia knew that they were out there but for some odd reason they never approached her, she was alone, and yet they kept their distance. Elvina stopped for a moment as the breeze from the ocean wrapped around her body. She looked around and saw the lights in the night skies, something that she wanted to see in Alaska. The lights tonight were beautiful she had to admit it. Though the last few days had been an emotional roller coaster, for the moment, the peace was well worth the adventure. She took a moment to realize that she had, had her first sword combat with creatures that she had never seen before and was alive. Tonight, she had survived and realized that she was finding the courage and strength, and to think she had been battling for years for her family's affection. Elvinia felt a burst of energy and then began to run, not from anyone or away from her demons. Instead, she felt alive, that she was finding her true self something she had been searching for, for such a long time. She never who she was or what her purpose in life was, tonight she enjoy the blast of wind before reaching the rocks and boulders. She set her stuff down by the base of the rocks and climbed to the top of the larger rock. She just raised her hands, feeling the ice of the wind accelerating through her while her hair flowed behind her. For a moment, she just closed her eyes while listening to her racing heart. The energy and the way she felt at the moment, she was untouchable. She could feel the weight melting off her shoulders. She felt free and she didn't want these feelings to leave her, not now or ever again. She again scanned the area, perhaps tomorrow was going to be a new day, where she would continue to find her way. Even if it meant she would face the world alone, at least this time she was going to be true to herself. She didn't stop to turn around, putting more miles between her and the village where the children were dropped off, She took a drink from her water pouch, for the water was still fresh and cold. It would soon be dawn in a few hours, and she didn't want to be seen by any travelers. Thinking and believing she had put enough distance between her and the village where the men had been chasing her for some time, she didn't think she needed to travel any further because none had seen what direction she had traveled in. Maybe now she would have a break from being chased, better yet she could stop running away from everyone and take a deep breath and enjoy life. In the distance, it took her a moment till she realized that not too far out, there was an abandoned long boat. With her enhanced sight, she could tell that the long boat had been damaged, and would no longer be able to go any more maiden voyages. She pulled out her blade and made her way over to the long boat, quietly she moved, checking for any dangers that might be lurking nearby. She took a peek inside the hull and saw that there was a bed and though it looked as though it had been here for many years, she was grateful that she had shelter till she continue on her way. She put down her bag, then took off her armor. Right beside the long boat was a small pool of water, though it was cold she quickly made a small fire broiling some water for a bath. Though she wanted to soak in the water, she was happy enough with what she had. Once she felt clean, digging through her backpack wanting something to eat.
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• Back at the village where the music played through the night, the celebration of the chieftain's wedding to his new bride, had everyone drinking for the ale wasn't going to end any time soon. The music was loud and the ceremony would last for the next few days, as the chieftain kissed his new wife before joining the other men who were watching as two warriors were fighting to see who was the strongest. Baldr drank his ale and sat by himself away from the others for on his mind was the young maiden he had an encounter with earlier. Though he couldn't stop thinking about her and thinking how she had caught him off guard, she wasn't much bigger than his sister, she had strength that amazed him. It was her eyes that he couldn't stop thinking about, he had never seen pale gray eyes as the ones she had as if she had seen right into his soul.
• "Brother, we will hunt for the woman tomorrow. Come on, drink and eat and be merry."
• "Viggo, go away brother."
• "You brother is a killjoy. Come on, there are several of the dancers looking at you brother, some longing to be in your bed chambers, beside you."
• Baldr taking his drink, "Brother, go on."
• Baldr got up from his seating and went out onto the back where there was no one out there but he and himself and his drink. His sister however followed her big brother outside, "What is it, brother?"
• "Nothing."
• "Brother, you are a strong warrior and one of our best swordsmen, but you are the worse liar. Come on, talk."
• He glanced back keeping his face expressionless but he had to admit his sister was very intuitive, she must get that from their mother
• "Nothing for you to worry your pretty little head about. I am a sore loser, that is all."
• "The woman that had gotten away then? Maybe it is for the best she isn't here. Father has been on edge the last few days fearing, tonight was the first time he hasn't been as aggressive."
• "Is Adalwolf still coming in a few months?"
• "Yes. He wants to make sure that I am where I need to be so that when we are wed, I'll be ready to pop out a few of his children. I swear men have all the luck and chances of doing what they want. Here I am, wanting to see the oceans and be part of the adventure you had gotten to be a part of and that will never happen. Momma use to tell me of these war maidens that led many battles and had many victories, but none of them are alive now. I miss her so much."
• He didn't have to say another word for she knew he and Viggo both missed their mother very much, but unlike her, they couldn't express how much because they had to keep themselves from feeling anything at all. At least she could go and shed a few tears and not be told to hold in her tears. Baldr knew their mother the longest, for he was almost a man when she was born, and though she had her mother for a few years, it must have been hard for Baldr because he had been with his mother for so long. He led her back inside the room as the bard began to lead another song. Just before the bard opened his mouth the doors swung open and a young boy and his small sister came in. They were going straight for Thane who was enjoying a drink and in his lap was a woman that was his to claim for the night. He saw his sister's children running towards him, they had blood on their faces and quickly he got up on his feet. There was music and singing but it had all stopped, even the adults who were drunk, along with the women, who had been dancing, stopped. For the moment, all of the celebrations for their chieftain and his new bride, Beadu was now awkward and silent. Further, into the longhouse, the children ran to their uncle who was holding them as the chieftain waved his hands for everyone to leave the room, including his new bride, Beadu, and his only daughter, Elsa. Their uncle who was making out with one of the wenches now was questioning his nephew who was twelve years of age, “What is this? What happened Lukas?”
• The boy couldn’t take his eyes off the women’s breasts, as everyone was leaving the room. The twelve-year-old boy's little sister gripped her uncle as tears rolled down her cheeks. Finally, her brother looked at his uncle, “They came out of the shadows, revenants; eaters of the dead, but with them was windigos, uncle the two groups were hunting together. I had several chasing me, but a young maiden came out of the shadows and fought them. She had slain more than nearly got a hold of Leah. She couldn’t speak, but if it wasn’t for her, we would be dead.”
• “Who is the woman? Where is she, now? What if your mother and father and our kin?”
• “They are all dead uncle. The woman was only able to save us. She fought them to save us, we tried to bring her here, but she refused to come in.”
• “Where is this woman Lukas?”
• “I don’t know, once we got passed the bridge she was gone into the darkness. Uncle, she was able to see in the darkness as though she knew the way. She couldn’t speak though we tried asking her what her name was. She isn’t from here uncle. She isn't like us, at all.”
• Baldr heard the children speaking then the thane moved aside, for the chieftain’s son had questions of his own.
• “What did this woman look like Lukas?”
• “She wasn’t very tall, slightly built. Long dark red hair, like fire in the candlelight, I couldn’t see her eyes though. She just came out of the darkness and didn’t leave until we made it into the village.”
• Baldr didn't think twice about whether or not this was in the fact the same woman. Neither did he think twice when grabbing his cloak and broadsword, and heading out. Others were ready to head out but Baldr refused their help, he was going alone because he was able to catch her before without any help. Baldr went straight over to the stable, quickly his steed was saddled and ready for him to take within minutes. His war dog came out and followed him out of the village. The thane took his nephew and niece to a room where they could be taken care and then he returned where Viggo and the others were ready to head out after Baldr. Even though Baldr didn't want anyone instead the chieftain gave the signal for them to follow making sure this time they brought back this woman. The Chieftain Ingemar wanted to see this woman for himself, he wanted to know if this woman was in the fact the one that the old hags had prophesied over.
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• Baldr kept close to his war dog, who was sniffing and finally catching the scent. His dog ran full speed and didn't stop until he found the source. Baldr didn't take his weapon out of the sheath, silently he crept inside the long boat where he saw her sleeping. She didn't look dangerous and he saw that her blades were on the floor. He watched when she rolled over, and though she didn't wake up he waited before taking another step. He held his breath then again moved towards, steadily as not to make a sound. Elvinia smelled a wet dog smell and she knew she didn't have a dog as she awakened she felt metal pressed against her flesh. She opened her eyes to see the man who had captured her yesterday was now pointing his blade at her throat. She didn't make a move because he had the upper hand, she didn't know what was going to happen next, but at the moment she couldn't look past the blade. He knew she didn't talk but he knew understood body language so with his hand he motioned for her to stand up. She slowly moved up though she was dressed down, her armor and blades had been moved as he walked up to her. He had gathered up her gear and pack then made her move slowly in front of him as his dog was growling ready to bite at any given command. Once they were outside, he had her put her hands behind her back, so that he could bind her hands. He collected her things as she watched him put her stuff in a bag, along with her blades and crossbows. Baldr didn't get back on his horse instead he walked beside his horse as he led her back to his village. He kept her close so that she wouldn't get away again. He did put on her cloak with the hood, though he didn't allow her to have her boots. Viggo and the others caught up with Baldr who had already gotten the woman that had escaped, one too many times.
• Elvinia wished she had kept her blades in her hands when she had fallen asleep, now here she was caught with the rope that wasn't going to be easily cut. Viggo had brought a horse that Baldr used to put Elvinia on before he too was up on his steed, now they were able to go faster back to the village. She kept silent during the ride, and though a few of the men glanced back at her and again they were speaking in their language. She knew they were talking about her, but at this point, this was the least of her problems. Baldr heard the others talking about the female and he looked at them, "Hold your tongue, all of you. You don't know this woman, we don't know anything about her."
• They were all silent now, though he didn't understand why he wanted to protect her against their words. She didn't even act as though she understand them, he however turned around to see that she wasn't looking downward. She kept her chin up, her eyes were looking straight forward not giving any sign of weakness.
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• Back at the longhouse while everyone soon came back into the room. Everyone was waiting to find out what was going on though the chieftain was lost in thought. He thought about his last wife, Agnes, who had fallen sick due to illness. She was loved by many for Agnes was a gentle and kind soul. Ingemar looked over at his new bride who was silent, for she was untouched and tonight would be the first time she would be with a man. He knew that this was on her mind, he also knew that originally that she was to be married to Baldr, at first. Beadu's family's hold was in the highlands of the West. Beadu looked over at her new husband and already the night was more eventful than what she had planned. She was sitting beside her new husband wishing that it was Baldr instead of the older man, however, she had to admit Ingemar didn't look his age. His hair barely showed any grays, and though his eyes were no longer youthful, he was very much a virile man. Elsa on the other side of her father when a scout back into the hall letting them know that the chieftain's sons were on their way back with the woman. Beadu saw her husband changed, no longer laid back shifting to see someone she didn't want to be her judge. This was to be her wedding night, her celebration for she was dressed all in white with flowers in her hair. Her hair was was that of winter frost, braided down her back. It was her eyes that had many stunned for they were the brightest blue, that anyone had ever seen. Her skin was very fair almost albino. She sat next to the chieftain who was very boisterous, for everyone both near and far could hear him as he spoke. Beadu remembered her mother telling her that she would be a woman and that her job as a wife would be to please her man. He had a harem of six others that gave him sons and daughters. Earlier, Beadu was watching as many of the men were having sexual encounters on the floor with the servants and the chieftain laughed when more than one took one of the servants to the room in the back. She shuddered because soon her new husband would be having his way with her. Beadu wanted to marry someone closer to her age, but it was a good match as her father stated that it would unite the two holds.
• Now they awaited for when Baldr and Viggo would get here, Beadu watched as the doors swung open, and in came the sons of the Chieftain, behind Baldr was the woman who was wearing no shoes and then Baldr pulling the hood off of the woman whose hair cascaded passed her shoulders. Behind her were the warriors who followed Viggo to catch up with Baldr. Elvinia looked at everyone in the hall, the chieftain looking hard at her though she could see that if looks could kill, she would already be dead. Baldr's father got up from his seat and walked down the steps to come face to face with the one that his people were saying had fallen out of the sky. His hand was rough pulling her chin upward so that he could look into her dark winter eyes. "Who are you? Where are you from?"
• She had no idea what the man was saying, the language wasn’t familiar to her, so she was unable to answer the man who was yelling at her. When she said nothing, and again he yelled something at her before slapping her hard across the face and knocking her onto her knees. Baldr let go of the rope, "Father, stop."
• However the chieftain looked at Baldr before he struck Elvinia again, she felt the kick that knocked the wind out of her. Ingemar looked at his son though she couldn't understand anything he was saying she could tell that the man was going to strike her again. She held onto the rope and just as he was about to strike again she pushed herself back out of the way. Elvinia dodged the assault from the man, but the end of the rope was still on the floor and quickly she pulled it away. The chieftain said something and others were laughing except the man who had caught her and the two females at the long table. Her lips had been cut by the man's fist though she wanted to strike back she knew that he would have the guards to kill her on the spot. It was then that one of the guards came up behind her grabbing her by her hair and her flight or fight mode was turned on. Instead of pulling away, she pushed her legs back which pushed her weight against the guard knocking them backward. Elvinia grabbed the guard's dagger and then darted past the others. She cut through her bindings and though she was greatly outnumbered, she held the dagger in such a way that she was letting them know, she knew how to defend herself. She saw her pack and her gear, and if she could get to them then she would have a better chance. She decided to make her move as they advance her, and though she was quick she didn't see the man who hit her from behind. She was on the ground, knocked out. Though the chieftain wanted her killed, Baldr stepped between the maiden and the men, "Enough! Touch her again and I will kill you."
• Ingemar looking at his son, "This woman is a witch of sorts! A plague!"
• "She hasn't tried to do anything only to survive. I regret capturing her because she hasn't shown any signs of evil."
• The Thane had taken the woman that was knocked out down into the prison where she was cuffed around her wrists and ankles and left there by herself, though she wasn't the only one in the prison. She was however put in a cell by herself and left there. Her things were put in the chest in the warden's office then locked and secured. After a while, everything calmed back down as everyone got back into a celebrating mood once again. Ingemar along with his new bride left the celebration, for it was time to consummate the marriage, for Ingemar wanted more sons.
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• On the other side of the room, Baldr kept thinking about the woman that his father was ruthless towards. He saw the look in her eyes for she was like a child that was being beaten for no reason other than she was there. Yet, she didn't cry out or show weakness, instead she defied the chieftain by not cowering down. A few of the women went back to dancing and luring some of the men out wanting to be claimed for the night, it was tradition for future brides to be chosen. Though the chieftain's sons were in different corners of the room, Viggo was not as tall as his brother. However, he too was built like an ox. His hair was golden brown and his eyes were like his brother, a darker shade of green, he however was more of a lady's man than Baldr. Viggo didn't want to claim anyone just yet. Instead, he had a few women in his arms then leading them to his room for the rest of the night. Elsa, who was the daughter of Agnes the mother of both Baldr and Viggo, as well. She knew that soon enough her day would be around the corner, that would unite another hold. Elsa left for her room for she was not permited to be out here, alone. Especially since, she was not yet married and it was custom that if she didn't have an escort for her to be away from temptation. She went into her room and looked at the mirror for a moment, she looked just like her mother with her hair the shade of ginger. Her eyes were like her father’s eyes, pale green; and her skin was a light shade of sand. She looked more like her mother, but she had her father’s temper and his eyes. She heard a knock at her door that brought her out of thoughts and she saw the boy and his sister who had been rescued. The boy asked what had happened to the woman that had saved them and Elsa taking a deep breath then telling them what had happened. Though she didn't see everything that had happened she was able to glimpse and saw that her father wanted to kill the woman but he didn't get the opportunity. That part she didn't tell the children because they already had been through enough and their world was already turned upside down, enough.
• The only one who was still out in the main hall was Baldr, for he was a towering man built like a bear. Though he was silent, his hair was the darkest shade of black, which covered his eyes that were deepest green, as it reflected in his drink. He took another drink of his ale though he looked rugged with his flesh like warm sand. His got up as the orgy had began again, but he wasn't tired either. Though any other night that he felt like this he would have taken a bar maid to his bed but he didn't. He instead went to the prison below and sat at the guard's chair. He watched Elvinia sleep though she no longer moved but he saw her back raise and fall. He didn't know how long he stayed down in the prison keep but it was long enough for her to wake up. Her blood dired on her lips but she wasn't injured anymore for her wounds and bruises had healed. Even her lips that were cut were healed. All she had from the night was a migraine from being hit in the back of her head. Her eyes adjusted and she saw that she was chained to the wall. There were others in the other cells, mainly thieves but she could see she was the only female. She carefully got up off the floor and pulled on the chains to see how tight they were and if they had any weakness, however they were built to withstand. She looked on the floor and saw a bone but before she picked it up she felt eyes on her and figured it was a guard who was gonna try to have his way. Instead it was the same man that ws responsible for her being captured. He was sitting there in the chair, he was hunched down while his elbows were resting on knees, but even there he looked menancing. She turned her back to him, for she didn't want his on her and she wasn't going to let him see her break. she was going to get out of here, it was just a matter of time before escaping here. The bone she was hiding underneath her foot she hoped it was strong enough for her to pick these locks. He stood up from his chair then walking over to the bars though her back was turned, he began to talk though she didn't understand a word he was saying. It was his tone in his voice that made her glance at him. She turned around to see that he was handing her boots and cloak, the prison was getting colder and he was going to where the children had lived. He wanted to see the small village and maybe get a glimpse of what she did for the Thane's sister's children. He told her even though she didn't understand him that he was going to prove that she wasn't the enemy to his father or the people.