Chapter 9
1382 Words
A knock echoed on the door to my room. I jumped up from my bed and went to the door. Opening the door, I found the young girl, her head bowed to me. I spoke quickly, "Please don't bow your head down to me. Tell me why you are here?"
She slowly raised her held and met my gaze. She seemed taken back and uncertain of my kindness. I just smiled, as kindly as I could. She stuttered, "I am here to bring you to dinner."
I nodded, stepping out of the room and closing the door behind me.
"Lead the way. May I ask, what your name is," I asked, as she began to lead me back to the Great Hall.
"It is, Gro," she uttered, quitely.
I still couldn't bring myself to treat her in such a cruel way, as her masters treat her. But, I don't care, I will be nice to her. We kept walking in silent, still keeping my limp, into the Great Hall. Liv, Bjorn, Ivar, and Sigurd were all sat down at the table waiting for me. They were all engrossed in conversation. Ubbe and Halfdan were both stood by the table, clearly waiting for me.
"Ah, Daphne! Did you rest well," Halfdan inquired.
I smiled, "Very well, thank you."
Halfdan directed me to a chair, where when I sat he tucked the chair in. Ubbe took a seat next to me, while Halfdan sat the other side of me. These guys were way to clingy over me. Men began to pour into the Great Hall for the feast that was laid out before us. I noticed the men I saw early, again they were glaring at me.
Liv spoke across the table, "Daphne, we need to collect some things from the market tomorrow. Will you come with me?"
"Of course, I will," I replied, looking at her.
"We will come with you," Halfdan added.
I shook my head, "No, you both need to help prepare those ships for sail. Me and Liv can go alone. Us, women do like to be alone to talk about men. We can't really do that if you are with us."
Liv giggled, "That is very true, Daphne."
"You two may go alone, but if you need us, we will be at the harbour preparing the ships," Ubbe agreed.
I smiled, happy that they all agreed with me. We continued talking, discussing Ragnar and England. I enjoyed the food as we talked. Once, dinner was over the plates were cleared away by the servants.
Bjorn rose from his seat, to give a speech to all, "Welcome Everyone, thank you all for coming. I do hope you are all ready for tomorrow. Our final preparations begin before we set sail. Now, I know many of you saw our guests arrive today. They are under the protection of the sons of Ragnar, no one is to lay harm to them ever. After tomorrow, we sail for England to avenge Ragnar."
Everyone cheered, I didn't think that was very motivational but to them it was. Someone was chucking a ball round the Great Hall. I was turned away from it, talking to Halfdan. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw it flying towards me. I caught it, while keeping my attention on the conversation I was having with Halfdan.
Halfdan gasped, shocked I caught the ball, "How did you see that coming."
I stood, shrugging, "I saw it out of the corner of my eye."
I launched the ball back at the man who threw it towards me. He caught the ball, before mouthing, "Sorry."
I nodded, before turning to Halfdan, "I think I will retire for the night. I need to get some sleep, rest this leg."
"I will escourt you," Halfdan smiled.
I smiled back. I took a step and stumbled because of the chair. Halfdan noticed me stumble. He came around to my side and scooped me up into his arms.
"I can walk, well limp but," I said, but was interrupted by Halfdan.
"You stumbled, you need to rest your leg. I will carry you to your room," He paused before continuing in a whisper, "Carrying you gives me a reason to hold you close to me."
I blushed, I dare not look in his eyes. Instead, he just carried me to my room. Once, at my room, he kicked the door open gently. He walked in with me in his arms.
He set me down on the bed. I smiled, but before I could thank him. He lifted my legs on to the bed, tucking them under the blankets. I tried to remain sat up, but he ordered me, "Lay down. Go to sleep."
Unsure at first, but I laid down. Halfdan was very honourable, he just pulled the blanket up to my chin. He smiled, leaning down and placing his lips on my forehead, making me blush again.
"Thank you," I said.
He nodded with a smile on his face, with that he left closing the door behind him. I quickly and quitely got up and locked the door before returning to bed to sleep.
The next morning, I left for the market with Liv. We walked closely together, picking up the items that Liv needed. It wasn't much so we made quick work of the trip. But, I noticed those four men from yesterday, who kept glaring at me, following us around.
We finished in the market and began to make our way back to the Great Hall. On our way back the four men, were blocking the path back there.
"Well, it is good we could finally get you alone, Daphne. I wanted to see what you have to offer, that has the sons of Ragnar so interested in you," the first one snarled.
"Liv, run go get them now. I will deal with them," I whispered.
Liv turned on her heals and ran off. I stood there watching the four mens every move.
"Good, now what should we do with you," He smirked, a devilish smirk that could only mean one thing.
"You already know what your going to do to her," another chuckled.
"I wouldn't try anything if I were you. I don't want to hurt anyone," I growled.
The one that chuckled, he had black hair, lunged at me. I grabbed his arm twisted it behind his back until I heard a loud pop. He groaned in pain. I quickly place my hand on his chin and my hand behind the back of his head, wretching the head to the side. Snapping his neck, he fell to the floor dead.
The blonde guy behind me, charged at me. I grabbed his arm and threw him over my shoulder. I stomped on his throat, crushing his esophagus. He gasped for air, until he stopped breathing.
The youngest of the four, slashed at me with a knife cutting open my arm. I gripped his wrist, the hand wielding the knife, before forcing the knife into his neck. His blood splurted across me, before he fell to the floor.
The ring leader was the last one left. He had a bow and arrow aimed at me. He fired. I tried to dodge it, but it hit my left shoulder. I looked at the arrow that was pentrating my shoulder. Something worse clicked inside me. I stalked towards him, like I was possessed by a demon. I snatched the bow from him and snapped it in two. I used the string of the bow, as a garrote. Pulling it tighter around his neck until the blood poured from his neck. I dropped the bow and he slumped to the floor.
I turned to see Ubbe, Halfdan, and Sigurd, staring at me, with swords drawn. I looked around at the bodies of the men, I had killed. It was self-defence, they were going to kill me or worse rape me. I looked at the arrow in my shoulder and the gash to my arm, as Halfdan came to myside.
"You are hurt. Come on," he said, but the whole place started spinning.
My eye lids became heavy, and my knees grew weak. Finally, everything went black and I collapsed into the arms of Halfdan.
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