Chapter 3
1137 Words
My eyes slowly opened, to find myself in a wooden shack. The wooden structure looked like someones home. A hearth was located on the other side of this one room house, with a pot hanging over the fire. A table was leaning against one of the walls near the hearth. Herbs and vegatables were scattered all over the table. Baskets containing food sat atop of a chest, which I presume contains clothes. Another bed was against the wall close to the hearth.
I was lying in a bed with a blanket over me and a small table next to me, a bowl of water and a knife were on it. I was wearing a different dress. My clothes were folded at the end of my bed. I sat up and tried to move but my leg was still in alot of pain. I lifted the blanket and my leg was wrapped in bandages, that looked like strips of a bed sheet.
Suddenly, the door to the house opened and I grabbed the knife pointing it at the door then the person as they walked in. I just knew I had to protect myself somehow.
The elderly lady, who I remember standing over me when I blacked out, walked in, with more herbs in hand. I don't know how she is going to understand me if I were to speak. I never learnt to speak ancient languages.
Upon noticing me pointing the knife at her, she calmly said, "Put that knife down. No one will hurt you. My name is Liv. I have been treating your leg."
How is she speaking English? Or, is it that I understand norse? Did the wardrobe do this? Does it allow me to understand and speak any language in English? This is strange.
I slowly lowered the knife as I continued to watch her move to put the herbs down on the table.
"What is your name? Are you hungry," Liv asked.
"My name is Daphne. I am hungry."
She must of understood what I said because she smiled and grabbed a bowl. She scooped stew of some sort from the pot and in to the bowl. She brought the bowl of piping hot stew over to me and a spoon.
I took it from her and smiled. She pulled up a chair next to my bed, before speaking, "I expect you have lots of questions and I am more than happy to answer them all. So, ask away my dear."
I took a mouthful of food first, while I pondered exactly what questions I needed to ask first. She couldn't of brought me here on her own.
"How did I get here," I asked quietly.
"Well, I treat a young man, and his brothers were on there way to get some more medicine for him. On their way here, they heard you scream. They came and got me. We then found you. One of the brothers carried you to my home. I have been treating you since then. That was about a week ago, now. You have been asleep almost all the time. I changed your clothes, so I could wash and repair your clothes," she explained.
I listened intently, while I continued eating the food. I can't believe that I was carried, probably bridal style, by some man I do not know. I could feel the heat rushing to my cheeks. I looked up to see Liv giving me a knowing smile.
"Don't worry. Those men maybe men but they are honourable men. I expect they will be visiting in the next few days to see how you are doing."
I nodded, "What are their names? They helped save my life."
"Ubbe and Halfdan Ragnarsson, they were who helped save you. Ubbe was the one to carry you," she replied.
Now, I know when and where I am. That wardrobe is a time machine. Was that my big family secret? Well, I guess I understand why Dad wouldn't tell me, I wouldn't believe him if he did. I am still struggling to believe it. I have been teleported back in time to the Viking age.
"I need to change you bandages, see how your wounds are healing," Liv added, after my moment of silence.
I finished the last mouthful of food and handed the bowl back to her, nodding. She took the bowl and set it down on the table. Before grabbing clean unused bandages and returning to my side.
"How well is it healing," I asked, watching her as she began to unwrap the bandages from my leg.
"Very well, actually its healing surprisingly quickly. You didn't have any broken bones but your skin was torn up pretty bad. By the time, we got you back here you had stopped bleeding. I could see your skin already trying to heal back together. Halfdan noticed a mark on the back of your neck. I have seen it too. I expect that is why you are healing so quickly," she explained as she examined my leg.
I looked at the wounds on my leg as I conciously touched the back on my neck. Is she referring to my birth mark? I have always know about it, it is shaped like a lightning bolt. Dad told me once that the first born of each generation had the same birth mark.
"Yes, I was born with it," I replied, looking closer at my leg. The wounds had almost healed over, I knew I healed fast but this is ridiculous.
"I think tomorrow you could try and walk on it."
"Why do you think I am healing so quickly," I wondered.
Liv smiled as she re-bandaged my leg, "Well, that mark is shaped like the power of Thor. So, I reckon you are descended from the gods. It makes you that much more interesting to the sons of Ragnar."
Lovely, I don't really want to draw attention of them as it will not end well for me. From what I know of history, Vikings were incredibly barbaric, well according to Anglo-Saxons. This Viking lady doesn't seem so barbaric and the sons of Ragnar did help save me.
My leg was now bandaged and Liv smiled, "Get some rest."
"Do you think you could teach me how to heal, about medicine," I asked as I laid back down.
She smiled and nodded, "Yes, I will be happy to teach you but for now you need to rest. We can begin tomorrow."
I nodded. Atleast next time I get wounded, I might be able to treat myself abit better without needing the aid of modern medicine.
"Thank you," I replied, before pulling the blanket up to my chin.
I am going to need all my strength tomorrow so I need get as much rest as possible.
- Writer
