Chapter 11

Ylva gazed out over the sea, taking in its calm waters and feeling the gentle breeze stir her raven locks that hung loose along her back. The gods were kind, giving ease of passage in this part of their journey.

"Ylva," a deep voice called out to her, "may I join you?" Bjorn was polite as he stepped to stand beside her.

Ylva's eyes did not stray from the sea's blue waters, "of course."

Bjorn was disappointed that he did not get much of a response from the woman, but that did not deter his interest in her. "Tell me about the places you have been," Bjorn asked.

Ylva looked at Bjorn from the corner of her eye before asking, "do you want to know of the people or of the lands?"

"Everything," he responded breathlessly. Bjorn yearned for knowledge and of fame from discovering and raiding new lands.

Ylva turned away from the sea then and began to walk towards a pile of furs, "come then Bjorn, son of Ragnar, I have many places and peoples to tell you of." She continued walking before settling herself comfortably on the furs, then she waited for Bjorn to do the same.

Bjorn was a bit unnerved by Ylva's bright green eyes as they watched his every move. He could not read this woman. Her eyes were cold and revealed nothing of the thoughts inside her head. Emotion did not seem to have a place on her features. Her expression was flat except for the occasional polite smile, but her eyes were always clear and cold. In some ways, her eyes, though of the brightest green, remined Bjorn of his brother's eyes. Ivar's eye are cold like hers, but his held anger and rage while hers contained nothing beyond its ice. Both of their eyes are of the brightest shade though, almost too bright. Unnatural almost, in their brightness and clarity.

The two of them sat there for hours as Ylva told Bjorn about the people and lands of the Mediterranean. Bjorn would stop her occasionally with questions, but for the most part he sat silent as she depicted them. Bjorn's eyes would widen in excitement when Ylva began speaking of more and more peoples and lands, not believing so many lands and peoples have yet to have been raided by the Vikings. Hvitserck would occasionally stop by and listen to Ylva's tales, as would Floki and some of the other men on the boat, but they all would lose interest and walk away after a while. Not Bjorn, he listened intently well into the night, but Ylva fell silent when the moon rose directly overhead.

"It is time to rest now Bjorn," Ylva stated, "there will be plenty of time to continue." With that, Ylva stood and walked to the back of the boat, taking one of the furs with her.

Bjorn watched her leave, never taking his eyes from her. He hoped she would turn and give him some sort of glance, for he craved to possess her, to have her as his own. Bjorn wanted her to turn around and beckon him to follow her, to welcome him into her arms, but no such thing happened. Ylva has no interest in Bjorn, though she is well aware in his interest in her. However, Bjorn's desire for Ylva was rooted purely in his desire to keep her knowledge to himself, he lusted and desired for her as he desired fame. He did not want her sharing with another, for he feared that another would steal his fame and his dreams to surpass the fame of his father, Ragnar Lothbrok.

Ylva found herself a space between the weapons that were stored at the rear of the ship, with the following ships in clear view. She knew the ship Halfdan was on would be close behind the one she was on, purposely selecting this place to sleep in hopes of seeing Halfdan and of giving him the comfort of being able to see her. She gazed over the trailing ships before her gaze fell on a lone man standing at the bow of one of the ships. Warmth spread through her despite the chill of the ocean air, it was Halfdan. Just the site of his distant form brought a smile to Ylva's lips. However, the smile soon faded as Ylva heard steps approach her from behind.

Halfdan had a large smile plastered on his face as he gazed at Ylva's shadow on the ship in front of him. He could not make out her features, but he knew it was her. He had stood at the bow of his brother's ship searching for a glimpse of her, and now he has one. She has not forgotten me, he thought to himself, relieved, for he feared she would betray him for another in their separation.

Halfdan laughed softly to himself, gently shaking his head. He has only known this woman for a short amount of time, but his feelings for her already began to run deep. She is mine, he thought to himself, mine.

As he was overcome with his thoughts, he failed to notice the shadow that had approached Ylva's from behind until it was almost upon her. Fear ripped through him as he watched, helplessly, as the shadow drew closer and closer. She is too far, he thought frantically as he began looked around for a bow and arrow.

He was ready to leap overboard and swim to her when he heard a loud splash. He looked back towards Ylva's ship, fearing she had been thrown into the water. His fears quickly subsided when he realized Ylva stood upon the distant ship's deck, appearing unfazed. A glance to the water showed a form struggling to swim back to the ship. Halfdan chuckled to himself in amazement, she had thrown the man overboard. My woman is strong, he began to think to himself once more.

Halfdan and Ylva continued to gaze at each other from their respective ships for some time, until Halfdan began to yawn. He was tired, but he did not want to end this moment. He did not want to let Ylva from his sight, but Ylva must have seen his yawn for she raised a hand towards Halfdan, a parting wave before tucking herself away to sleep.