Chapter 14.
˝Will she ever make it? You are a cruel man˝ - Vesta said facing the fire. Her dress was dirty with sot and ashes, her hair loose and wild like a threatening fire. The man before her was grim. His tunic was a deep gray color, a golden sash around his waist. He looked at the fire like it was dying and sighed.
˝She has to, it was and will be a better fate than leaving her home˝- He said slowly.
˝Better than to be with her family?˝- The goddess mused.
˝Yes, her mother is a servant of yours...and what can I do to shield her from her brother and sisters? They would tear her apart, leave her for the dogs to feast upon her flesh in the streets...or even worse˝- His voice betrayed no real emotions. He simply stated a fact. Something known to each and everyone alive.
˝Should she have my blessings?˝- Vesta played with the fire. Her iron staff was turning bright orange and red from the rise in temperature. They said slow fires burned eternally. ˝There are others interested in her...˝
˝It will be as your command, she is a smart girl. I believe the Gods will help her, whichever they are.˝
˝Even the barbaric ones?˝
˝They laugh and bled like us, nothing else matters˝
˝So it shall be then˝- The fire crackled in behind them, oblivious to anything in the world. Fire was and was not, it didn't ask nor did it feel, it only burned.
˝Rise and shine˝- Earl Ingstad said throwing an axe at Llucia. It landed on her, waking her immediately. What else would you do when an axe fell on your furs? She rubbed her eyes hastily and nodded. Another day filled with training and work. She could already feel the muscles of her arms ache for the workload.
Axe throwing, shield and sword training. Body training in the dirt. Cleaning the halls. Collecting herbs and preparing them. Food. Training. Food. Sleep.
How many days passed since she killed Maxentius? She could still recall his eyes as the fire of his life dimmed to nothing. The blood all over her, him and the dirt under them. The bloody knife still in her hands, heavy and warm from the blood bathing it. She couldn't shake the feeling of her hands being dirty. Somehow there was always something sticking to her palms.
˝We have something special to do today˝- Earl Ingstad said. She was still there? Standing in the doorway dressed in clothes for a journey. No skirt and no jewelry. Pants and a tunic, sturdy and warm.
˝Where are we going?˝
˝For a ride. Dress up and eat something, we leave as soon as you get your ass moving˝- A small smile graced her face. Llucia grimaced, that didn't mean anything good. What hellish training would she have to do today?
It was all get stronger and do this and learn that. No one actually explained why she had to do those things. Why did she learn to fight when she only worked with herbs? She wasn't one for raids nor anyone special to be used as pawn in political matters regarding the earldoms and the kingdom.
She learned about the Gods and the language, the ways and tradition because she had to. It was a normal next step in finding herself a patch under the sun here. Just a small cabin in Hedeby. Filled with herbs and other various medicinal items.
The sun was harsh today, it decided to marry the cold winds and blow straight into Llucia's face as they rode North. They've been riding for several hours without stopping nor talking. She took the time to observe the nature around her. From the lush and cultivated lands of Hedeby they rose to steep hills and less and less trees. A few bushes, here and there, grass yellow and dry was the only thing that could survive the harsh winds. There was ice and snow on random patches, clinging to stone.
Earl Ingstad got off her horse and tied it to a nearby rock. Llucia followed suit. Their horses neighed at the wind and tried to eat the few remaining weeds.
˝We go by foot now˝- Llucia nodded. They walked up steep trails deeper into the north. Snow was now common around them and the wind didn't seem to slow down, in fact it seemed pushing them up.
˝What are we doing here?˝- Llucia asked as soon as Earl Ingstad stopped and sat down on a weird rock. It was flat and wide, shaped like an oval in the middle of the icy environment.
˝You need to clear yourself of anything that is related to Hedeby or Kattekat, of Ivar and your past life˝- she said sitting down. Her furs were arranged her like a halo, keeping her warm. Llucia mimicked her and exhaled. The air was icy and sharp.
˝You want me to clean myself here?˝
˝Yes, seek out our Gods..or even your Gods. I do not know for sure who listens, but you must find a goal in life. Being our healer, it's not something you should do to the rest of your life˝- Earl Ingstad's words hit a never in Llucia, a hidden though she had discarded months ago.
Back when she was in Rome, all she ever did was study and put her nose in everyone's stuff. Steal scrolls or books, roam the city and the markets. Since she came to the North she had hidden that part of herself. The constant curiosity and ambition for knowledge.
˝I trained you to survive in this world. My world. Now it's up to you˝
˝Did you come here? After what had happened with Ragnar?˝- Llucia was aware of Earl Ingstad's past. Loosing her husband, the crown, the beatings. The woman looked powerful and sturdy. Not savaged from the grief and tragedy.
˝Yes, I seeked out Vor to guide me and I worked my days in sweat. It helped. Some day's I remember the past...˝
˝The Goddess of wows, promises and knowledge˝
˝Yes˝
˝Which goddess or god would you say fits me? Ivar always told me Loki looked over me but I'm not fond of the trickster, I would never use lies and cheats to get my way.˝
˝Close your eyes and let the wind tell you˝- A gust of wind hushed around them. Llucia exhaled and inhaled slowly. Her eyelids felt heavy and she let herself go.
At first nothing happened. Llucia's feet were freezing her butt seemed stuck to the stone like glued with molasses of pine trees. She heard the wind howl distantly and the faint breathing of the earl. She grew irritated and restless.
Gods were fickle in nature and egoistic at best.
But she had to wait.
What is no one came?
Not the Norse gods nor her gods? Not even Vesta whom she prayed all her life. It might have been to cold for her and no fire to reach into. Jupiter and Juno were silent.
Then something to the left of her moved. A weed had been stepped on. A rock moved. She didn't dare open her eyes.
˝You can open your eyes˝- A warm woman's voice said. Llucia's eyes shot open. In front of her was a woman dressed in a flowy dress, golden jewelry adorning her. Her long hair was golden with specks of red, like shimmering fire. Llucia stared.
˝I am Thrúd˝- The woman said. She had a spear behind her and a horn attached to it with a leather cord.
˝Valkyrie˝- Llucia whispered. The woman nodded.
˝Yes I am known like that. I am the daughter of Thor and Sif. I am the goddess of the heath, of willows, of trees, flowers and the grass. I saw you restless˝- She said amused. THE DAUGHTER OF THOR AND SIF?
HOLLY JUPITER.
Llucia couldn't breathe. How did she attract the attention of this goddess?
˝I won't be here long, do ask what you want me to ask˝- Her voice grew louder.
˝Why me?˝- Llucia blabbed.
˝Is that the only thing you wish to know?- Nodding made the goddess smile. ˝Why not is the question? I seek brave and strong men and women and you have the knowledge of the herbs and the trees. I'm amused and intrigued on what you will do˝
˝That didn't help me at all˝- The goddess smiled.
˝It will, you may call on me˝- Llucia wanted to say something but she felt someone shaking her. Opening her eyes she looked dazed at the earl. She felt warm and smelt thyme around her.
˝Did you see someone? You've been heating up˝- The earl had a smile on her face.
˝ Thrúd˝
˝Oh? Interesting. Let's get going˝
˝Where?˝
˝Hedeby?˝
˝Oh, right˝- The sat up slowly stretching their sore limbs from the cold and startet to walk back to their horses. The light was fading slowly. They would ride into the night to reach Hedeby.
˝Earl Ingstad?˝
˝You could call me Lagertha if you wished˝
˝Oh. I will then˝- Llucia bit her lip. ˝Lagertha?˝
˝Spit it out already˝- The woman laughed.
˝I would like to go back to Kattekat. There is someone I need to ask of something˝
˝Ivar again?˝- Llucia smiled at her. Her cheeks flushed a bit. Yes, she still thought of him. Every day. Wondered if the fool was alive. If he managed to find someone to translate her message. Blushed at the though of him knowing what it meant, then turned into an internal rant about letting him go at sea in the first time.
˝Among other things˝
˝Then lets hurry back˝
a/N: Yes I am late with the chapter but I'm still kinda shocked by the last episode. It was so weird and awesome at the same time, ze time before the storm so to speak. I've decided not to follow „series cannon" and just use details for my story. The way it's developing doesn't suit what I've planned and it restricts my writing. That being said I'm sure were about to hit the half mile stone of the story :D I have a fluffy ending prepared, just need to add some drama in between muhaha. Thank you all for the kind reviews and support for this story 3
a/n1: Yule is the closest I can put here for Christmas, bear with me * see what I did there*
** A bone to pick with you**
˝Enjoy the Yule celebrations!* - Ubbe said lifting his mug filled with delicious ale. He winked at Llucia and she slowly rose her mug to toast. ˝Skål!˝ - The whole hall cheered. Mugs and horns were raised and emptied, everyone in a cheerful mood enjoying themselves. Llucia sat next to Ivar who was too damn busy eating his entire weight in the shortest time possible. He kept munching on bread, baked vegetables and meat. He loved his meat. Currently he was making his way down a whole pig. Eating at the ribs and going down the ham hock. He nibbled at the flesh and Llucia couldn't resist teasing him. ˝Rok,rok,rok˝- She snorted. He stopped and looked at her, mouth and fingers greased so much they shined under the fire. His eyes became slits and he threw the whole bone at her, hitting her head.
Thud.
Everyone stopped and waited for her reaction. Before she could do anything Ivar snorted ˝Rokkkk˝- squealing his way into laughter.