Chapter 6
1214 Words
While Ubbe was cooking the boar, Liv began packing stuff for me and her, but only after pouring a cup of mead. Ivar and Halfdan were talking amongst themselves, while Ivar kept staring at me.
Liv was packing a huge mix of herbs and vials in to a chest along with clothing and some large pieces of cloth. I looked up at Liv, "Can I do anything to help, Liv?"
She shook her head, "No, no I can do it. But, did you want your sword? The belt is ruined, I had to cut it from your leg."
Halfdan stood up from his seat on my bed and left the house, coming back in carrying a cloth satchel. He stuck his hand within the satchel and pulled out a new belt.
"Liv told us you would need a new one. So, we got you one," he said, handing it to me.
"Thank you. That is very kind of you," I smiled gratefully at him, as I took it in hand.
He smiled back, with his eyes fixed on mine. When Ivar interrupted, "May I ask, why did you have a belt for a sword tied tightly around your leg? They told me you had it around your leg."
"Yes, I have been wanting to know why you did that," Liv added.
I opened my mouth and began speaking before realising what I was saying, "It cuts the blood flow off to open wounds."
"How do you know that," asked Ubbe, with a shocked expression on his face, just like everyone else.
"When you cut yourself on your hand, you close your hand to try to keep the blood in, but the blood doesn't stop. That is because it is still flowing to the open wound and it will keep pouring out. Cutting the flow off will slow the bleeding from the open wound. If I hadn't done it, I would of probably been dead by the time you got to me."
I tried to remain calm and show a face of truthfullness without revealing too much of future medical practices. They all seemed to believe me, thankfully. Ubbe went back to cooking dinner, while Liv pulled my sword, which was in it's sheath, out from a chest she had opened. She handed it to Halfdan, who took it, and then knelt in front of me and attached it to the belt. He looked up and smiled at me. Our eyes met, thats when I saw the adoration in his eyes.
Ivar cleared his throat, "Let's see you with your sword on."
"Sure," I replied as Halfdan stood up and offered me his hand, to help me stand up.
I took the sword in hand and wrapped the belt around my hips. I done the belt up, with the sword on my left side. All the brothers were staring at me, like I was the newest thing in the world to them.
"It fits perfect them. You really look like a shield maiden in the making," Ivar teased, his tone sarcastic and mocking.
"Funny, because I don't even know how to use the thing. I never really needed to use a sword until I got attacked by those wolves," I replied.
"We can teach you, if you like," Ubbe offered.
"That would be great."
Ubbe continued cooking the boar. Halfdan took a seat on my bed, but I could feel his eye sight boring holes into my arse. I knew he was looking at my bum. It made me blush as I hurried to undone my belt. Once, undone I placed it down next to me and took a seat next to Halfdan.
"You look like your going to have the strength to be a great warrior," Halfdan complimented me.
"Thank you, Halfdan. Liv, when will we need to change the bandages on my leg," I asked.
"We can do it in the morning. I will kick the boys out, so you can have some privacy," she stated.
"Thank you," I smiled gratefully.
Ivar snickered, "We promise we won't look."
I glared at him, almost on instinct.
"If looks could kill, that would be one," Halfdan smirked, and then glared at Ivar.
Ubbe interrupted, "Food is ready."
Ubbe began cutting the meat up into huge chunks and putting the chunks on plates. He handed a plate to Liv and me first and we both thanked him. Very gracious, ladies first and all. Then he handed one to Ivar and then Halfdan.
We all tucked in to dinner, surprisingly wild boar is actually very nice. It is never something I would have eaten before I came here. But, food is food. I have to eat.
Ubbe, Halfdan, and Ivar all kept stealing glances at me. I looked closely at Ivar's legs.
"I can't walk. Last time, I tried all the bones in my legs shattered. That is why I am called Ivar the boneless," Ivar said between mouthfuls of food.
I looked at him completely surprised. So, he has brittle bone disease.
"I am sorry for staring. It just intrigues me. What have you tried to help it," I asked.
"All the usual things. Liv creates a medicine that really helps with the pain. I even have a chariot made for me during battle so I could join the fight," Ivar said.
I nodded listening to what he was saying as I continued eating. Halfdan interrupted, "Enough about you, Ivar. I think we should get to know Daphne more, don't you?"
"Yes, where are you from," Ivar asked me.
Now, I had to think carefully because I can't tell them I am from a city that will not exist for almost a thousand years.
"I can't remember where I am from. I just remember my name. That is why I do not know how I managed to put Ubbe on his arse. Those moves I don't where I learned it. I don't even know where I learned about the blood flow being cut off by pulling a belt tight above the wound. I just can't remember anything," I explained, before eating another mouthful of food.
They all looked at me, I hope they believe the lie. Liv looked at me with pity. The men looked at me with eagerness, almost like they wanted to include me in their lives and make me apart of their family, especially Halfdan.
We all finished our dinner quitely. With all of us taking seconds and even thirds. Once finished, Liv spoke, "I think we should all get some rest as we will leave as early as we can tomorrow."
She handed blankets to Ubbe, Halfdan and Ivar. I frowned as I looked around. Halfdan noticed my frown and reassured, "Don't worry, we are warriors, we are used to sleeping on the floor. Get some sleep, we have a big day tomorrow."
I smiled with him smiling back at me. He slipped on to the floor next to my bed. I lifted my legs up on to the bed and moved to lay down. Halfdan reached for the blanket and pulled it over me. I blushed again as I tucked it under my chin. He was the last person I saw before closing my eyes. Drifting off into a dreamless sleep.
- Writer
