I just want to say to everyone who is following me and reading my stories thank you so much, for loving my stories and telling me that you want to see more which motivates me to write more stories and chapters. And hey, share my stories with friends and family. Fun fact by the way, one of my OC characters name Amora, in Norse means love, I'll be using some names that are Norse for some of the other characters and what they mean later in the story.

Chapter 3: Night of songs part 1

It's been a little over a month since I was brought in by the Vikings into their village and thanks to the jarl Gudmundr and his people my wounds have been healing more as weeks slowly pass, the old viking has been helping me with regaining my strength mainly in my right leg with a small training course he uses for his large wolves by pulling a sled stacked with large amount of wood on it, it was hard and very excruciating at first for my leg but the results are progressing well to where I can walk on my right leg almost halfway around the entire village without needing a crutch. Some of the vikings still despise me as I am a outsider but it doesn't bother me much since I'm not one of them and Gudmundr did say I am free to go if I wish to but I decided for now that I will stay especially when winter is near and I rather not travel with all the snow and wind or the cold rain. Amora refuses to speak to me, I've tried a few times to speak to her to understand why such hate towards me, if I have somehow or someway offended her or their culture but she would always either give me a cold shoulder, a glare or just ignores me as if I didn't exist so I don't bother her anymore. But Gudmundr and I do talk time and again about how his people came to be or would tell stories of his past wars or travels, how their forefathers were originally from the seas from northern lands during the times of Rome which surprised me, before settling in these lands here and been here ever since, how their religions, their beliefs in the afterlife and customs work and often listen to him to where it would be from morning til afternoon, or afternoon til night. Not that I minded at all since I do like to learn and educate myself to learning history. I have made some acquaintances here in the village, we would talk about our past adventures and travels, have a pint or two depending how long the conversations last. Then almost everyday a group of children will often come to me and would ask me about me how I became a warrior or see if I had any tales of my own to tell, or even tips on how to fight in certain situations, so it's been at least a week since I've been with these kids which brings us to present as I stood in a courtyard with wooden sword in hand not wearing any armor but a long sleeve green tunic with an animals pelt, dark blue jeans with a thick belt and black boots facing some of the children while few of the little ones and other adults stood watching outside of the courtyard, it brings back memories when I was just there age when father and I would train, teaching me the ways of the knight to become a warden. I won't change the way they're being taught to fight, but that doesn't mean I can't help improve their craft to be less reckless and besides as I've already mentioned that much of my strength has returned and my leg isn't as sore as before so this is good timing as ever to also train myself as well and see if all that work I put into pulling that pile of wood has paid off. The kids were no more than nine or possibly twelve years old, some were half my height, both boys and girls wielding wooden swords and shields circling around me. One of the children charged at me from behind, a boy named Carr who has brown hair and eyes, and has a scar in the middle of his chin tries to lunge his wooden sword on my right leg thinking I haven't healed enough, well I won't lie to the fact that he's only half correct on that, but the other half he made a mistake as I used my right leg to evade to my left and smacked my wooden sword on his back, forcing him to fall to the cold hard ground, but gets up and waits with his sword raised, this one has the heart of a warrior just like his people, not afraid to go for the kill or to defend those he cares about, but he's sometimes boar headed and won't always listen and would go do something his way instead. Another boy named Davyn, who has brown eyes and blonde hair tried to attack me from the left side aiming for my hip, I quickly smacked his sword aside and tripped him making him fall as well and tries to get up but falls back down again you could say he's pretty clumsy at times and has a hard time with facing other children and can be easily overwhelmed if the foe is too strong or dangerous for him, but he makes up for it with intelligence to plan things ahead retracing himself, he's a smart kid, he's even almost beaten me in a game of chess that I've recently started to teach him how to play so he's a quick learner he just needs motivation and courage. I felt like someone was sneaking up from behind me and rolled away, as expected it was a girl named Disa, she has natural ginger hair and blue eyes who charged at me and tries to stab me in the chest, dropping my sword I grabbed her wooden spear with both hands and pulled both her and the spear down to the cold dirt. This one I personally like the most, she's always full energy and is a natural when comes down using a spear and small shield and at times can be unpredictable, her only problem is that she's too excited and can be cocky when gaining the upper hand, if I can get her to discipline herself to learn self control her competitiveness she will without a doubt become an amazing spear maiden one day, and I do believe they are called Valkyries, warriors who lead armies of the afterlife to battle governing to help lead the dead to realms like Valhalla and Helheim. As I grabbed my wooden sword I felt someone's blade under my neck I looked to see that it was Davyn, guess he has more backbone then I thought he did. "Well played kids", I said as I stood back up ruffling Davyns hair causing him to nervously chuckle as I was standing myself back up. "Well Davyn I guess you're not so scrawny after all", Carr said smacking him in the back only to knock him down, I chuckled even I have to admit he's scrawny but has potential, so picking up the wooden sword I make my way out of the courtyard. Just as I was about to leave, I heard someone called out, "It's embarrassing to see someone being beaten by children". I turned to see a woman about my age walk towards me literally jumping over the fencing without using her hands which surprised me. Her eyes were bright green, her light brown hair was braided, bearing tattoos of Nordic runes and a strange looking tree on her right arm wearing leather pauldrons and chest with chain mail underneath, leather boots and gloves armed with two well crafted hatchets with two different tunes on them. Her full height was just under my chin so she is smaller then I am, but she is muscular so that was telling me she has strength. "What is your name if I may ask m'lady", I asked politely earning a chuckle from her speaking as her accent is strong but not as deep like the other vikings so it was easier to tell.

Viking Maiden: "The names Bodilla, yours must be Taylor right or was it Tiles"?

I raised an eyebrow showing signs of annoyance, as I was about to correct her how my name is said she laughed showing that she only jest. I will never understand women nor their sense of humor.

Bodilla: "Kidding kidding, I know it's Tyler I'm sorry I was just having a little fun is all".

I just groaned not wanting to stand around listening, as I turned around ready to leave until I felt a strong hand pull me by my arm, I looked and saw it was Bodilla which definitely surprised me, I didn't even see or hear her move towards me. She saw my surprised expression and just grins about it. "Hey now we didn't even fight yet, I want to see how good you are", she spoke letting go of my arm.

Me: "Forgive me but I rather not, and it's not just because you're a woman but it's I still need to rest I haven't fully healed yet".

But Bodilla doesn't seem to be buying it as she pulls out her curve bladed hatchets looking pass me nodding as one of the other Vikings tosses me a long sword. To make sure she's not as crazy as I think she is I checked the blade of my sword and thankfully it was dull but can crack or most likely break a bone if striking someone hard enough and seeing how she won't listen I will show her my skills. "Word of advice Knight, there is one thing even us have in common and that is survival. Enemies will take advantage of anything they see in order to win", she spoke firmly but calm, "when in enemy territory and by yourself you must be ready regardless of the wounds you bear for none care about your condition, they will take advantage of it, you know this too well by now". She was being serious and I can't help but nod in agreement, just like that day when I fought off those bandits they didn't care if I was tired or that I was injured they were willing to kill me regardless, had not been for their aid I wouldn't be here so I owe them that much by learning their ways of war and combat. As if reading my mind she got into her stance wide and open but with hatchets on both sides, thus doing the same we began to slowly circle each other as Vikings started to gather around to watch us making small cheers, waiting to see who makes the first move. Then we stopped, but as I took the chance to make the first move but Bodilla catches me by surprise moved faster then I did jumping towards me taking both feet and kicked me hard in the chest knocking me down to the ground losing my grip of the sword, the power of her kick felt like being rammed by a large mountain goat. Then one of the Vikings, a large male cries out while laughing, "Might wanna hurry lad, your gonna get your arse beaten really soon and it's gonna hurt real good"! As if I didn't know that dammit, struggling to get back onto my feet I almost didn't have time to react when I saw Bodilla in the air about to jump me with hatchets raised, out of instinct I dove to my right rolling out of the way seeing the sword in front of me. Grabbing it I got back up only to be attacked again, raising my sword using my left hand to grab it by the blade as the hatchets came down, the weight of the blow was heavy as it pushes me down to my one knee, damn this woman is relentless. So this is how a Viking fights? To fight and survive no matter the cost, now I understand why people don't fight them head on, that is scary even for me. Now struggling as I'm blocking as many blows as possible but I'm being pushed back by the power of her blows but if I stay on the defense I'm done for, I have to turn tables NOW. The Vikings cheer grew louder as more joined to watch as the fight continues, I almost lost track of my surroundings quickly glancing back seeing that I'm being pushed towards the the fence of the courtyard. Quickly stepping back with whatever room I have left I slightly crouch down putting almost all my weight into my legs, and when the time was right when she dashed forward I charged at full speed knocking her down some feet away catching her by surprise using my shoulder, guess she didn't think that a knight like myself can be just as strong since we wear our 'fancy armor'. Before she could get back up it was my turn to jump on her grabbing my swords blade and it press it down gently on her neck without trying to hurt her. "Well then you still have some teeth it seems", she playfully mocks me grinning like a Fox would, I just scoffed now becoming more agitated, I got off of her and started walking out of the courtyard. "We are done here woman", I scoffed not hiding my anger, and just as I reached the doors, one of the Vikings a male called out, "Hey knight yous' forget the first rule about duals". I looked at him with confusion but realized what he meant, oh shit. I felt a pair of arms wrap around my waste obviously Bodilla then pulling me into the air with unimaginable strength and then slamming me to the ground knocking the air out of me losing the grip of my sword again, that really hurt. I rolled to my knees clenching my stomach and began coughing feeling I was going to become sick but I felt her arms wrapping around me again, fearing it was to happen again and I weakly tried to break it out of her strong grip but failed to do so, instead it did not come to be. Instead I heard her whisper, "That was for putting the sword to my neck". Just as I was about protest when I felt her hand turn my head so that I am looking at her and felt her lips pressing against mine shocking me to the core of my soul, she is kissing me. After a few seconds we separated and I heard her say, "and that is my way of saying your welcome for two things. One for being the one to save you from the bandit strangling you, and two laying in bed with you while you were suffering from loss of blood and a fever, keeping you warm". I looked at her in shocked remembering the day I was saved by the Gudmundr's people and woking up in that room, in the bed that feeling of someone laying on me, it was her?! I had no words to say as I felt my cheeks burning and heard all the Vikings laugh. "So he gets his arse kicked, being thrown around by bandits, lays in bed unconscious for days, and now smooched by the very young lass who saved him and kept him alive not once but twice", an older Viking laughs. Another one joins in saying, "Well that's youth for ya, ah it never gets old to see". I went from being angry to now being embarrassed I can't even move, it's the first time that I ever had a woman keep me warm after nearly dying from a battlefield let alone saved me . Bodilla softly smiling which is the first for me offering me a helping hand off the ground and slowly accepting the offer I take hold of her hand and she pulls me up on my feet with ease but gives me a 'do I get a thanks' look with her arms crossed. "I-I um...well I should...um...thank you for saving me and uh... keeping me warm while I was sick and defenseless...I guess", I struggle to say as I have a hard time thanking people for I'm used to the opposite of generosity. And as a knight I must repay those who have shown their act of kindness and that has helped me. "How may I repay you Bodilla for your act of bravery and kindness", I asked nervously praying it isn't what I believe it will be. A toothy grin formed on her face making me even more nervous leaning into my ear whispering, "You're going to sing with us in the dining hall tonight". I felt relief to hear that it wasn't what I thought it was going to be, but also wasn't since I do not sing, I may know some of the songs sung in churches and by the Templar's when I was younger but I do not wish to offend their culture. "Let's go you smell like a boars arse", Bodilla joked as she pulls me by my hand. "I don't need to be shown where the bathhouse is Bodilla", I said struggling to get out of her iron like grip, damn these vikings are strong. She just ignores me and continues to pull, why are women just so unpredictable, first one hates my very existence and probably wants to see me dead now here's one who threw the spear at the bandit as I was being choked to death, then goes and lays herself in bed with me keeping me warm from dying, and next thing you know she ends up beating me to the ground, literally, then made herself be the first that I have ever been kissed by! Women I tell you, what is wrong with them!? Once we made it to the bathhouse Bodilla opens the door and throws me inside entering as well closing the door. "Was that really necessary to do", I groaned showing how annoyed I was getting, luckily for me though the bathhouse is still warm. Well since we're in here now I might as well wash myself up anyway after our little bruising we just did and the sparring I did with the kids and I'm going to need clean clothes. Just as I took off my shirt I heard, "Are you always a complainer", I forgot that Bodilla was still in the bathhouse and I myself dared not to look behind afraid that she might be nude by now, I felt something pulsing through pants, ugh curse me being a male with my thoughts if my uncle was here he would by no doubt wack me good right now. "What never seen a woman nude before", she joked. I could only blush but refused to continue removing my clothes. "I rather not for that is not how I was raised", I groaned getting more aggravated towards this woman and her antics.

Bodilla: "You sure do complain, by the way I'm still dressed so you can look".

I hesitantly looked back and thank the lord of heaven she spoke true, for she was still dressed so a great amount of stressed was lifted off my chest.

Me: "You spoke true".

Bodilla: "Hm, you still have your chance to look".

Me: "Indeed, but like I said before I wasn't raised that way".

Bodilla: "I remembered, but hurry up I need to hunt soon for tonight and I will need some help. Let's see how good you are at 'hunting' shall we".

As she left she purposely sways her hips showing off her rear possibly to tease me more, potentially arouse or tempt me to follow. Closing the door from behind I find myself now alone, finally having some privacy to myself taking off my boots and the rest of my clothes. Walking towards one of the wooden tubs I checked to see if the water was still hot or not and it was fairly warm but I wanted to be hotter to enjoy, so grabbing a bucket I walked to the large pot hanging over the fire filled with hot water, filled the bucket without burning myself from the intense heat, walking back to the tub and poured it all in, now hot enough to relax myself while keeping me warm. Taking a step in I slowly lower myself into the water letting out a long sigh while steam slowly fogged the room. Closing my eyes laid in the wooden tub as comfortable as I can be, leaving myself to my thoughts, thinking about what tonight is gonna be like, I never was into dressing myself looking like a noble going to those fancy ballroom parties with all the noblemen and the rich families who attend it, for I am a man who prefers battle and living the way I want to live as long as it has purpose to live for. But who knows, this one might be different from my homeland so might I as well give it a try. Couldn't help stare at some of the scars that healed from that day I was attacked by the bandits, especially my right leg remembering how swollen it was. I am very lucky that both the spear and arrow missed the bone otherwise I wouldn't have my leg anymore or risk trying not to die from the marrow entering my blood stream. Little bit of time had passed and I decided to wash up to get ready for tonight, might head out to do a little hunting with Bodilla, explore the land a bit, see if I can possibly hunt a deer or if I'm lucky a wild boar, just have to be cautious of their tusks, I haven't hunted since my father last took me so I might be rusty. After I finished bathing, I got dress and went back to the house that I've been staying in for the past ten days and equip my armor on. The blacksmiths Sköll and Haltï did an amazing job repairing it, they used their metal called 'Crucible steel' a mixture of cast iron and pure iron to create a superior steel and mixed it with my armors metal and made it far more durable then it was before and it looks exactly the same, even made upper leg armor. They even added leather to every piece of the set for extra protection and cotton for extra warmth, I have to say this armor looks almost godly to me, I'm gonna have to find a way to repay them. After some time later putting my armor on minus the helmet I grabbed my sword that was sharpened in its sheathe on my back, a bow with a quiver with several arrows and headed out closing the door behind me walking down to the front wall of the village where I saw Bodilla saddling some horses along with...oh my lord, in the name of all that is holy, it's Amora and this not even a coincidence why she is here, my gut is telling me that is was Bodilla's doing. She notices my presence and was not please to see me. She had her axe like before but this time my leg is now healed except for it being sore from the bruising with Bodilla. "What are doing here stray", Amora said insulting me trying to get under my skin but I kept myself calm for I am in no mood to deal with this viking. "I'm going hunting with Bodilla", I answer calmly as I walked passed her towards one of the horses, not wasting time wondering why she finally speaks to me.

Amora crosses arms and says, "Oh, so you think after being here for a month makes you one of us"?

Me: "No".

Amora: "Then why are you still here"?!

Me: *smirking* To go hunting with Bodilla, but tell me why are you here? Going to put a curse on me by the gods or stand there and grief about my existence all day?"

I chuckled showing my cockiness, but I will admit that it feels great to use sarcasm like a snakes silver tongue to an extent but being a fool and almost not paying attention, Amora charged at me startling the horses. Using whatever reflexes I have moved out the way and being in a mischievous mood in this moment I pulled my right leg out tripping her over and pushed her to the ground, good thing the stables were recently cleaned out. "Oops", I commented hinting with sarcasm not regretting it for it was karma after tripping tripping me the last time. She looked back at me with fire in her eyes, but it didn't faze me for I was use to it. Getting back up she walked up right up to my face when just by coincidence Bodilla steps in between pushing us away from each other. "Really you two already at each other's throats", she exclaimed before continuing. "Not even for one minute you two can't walk pass each other without wanting to be at each other's face ready to see who will make the first move". I looked at Amora one last time before turning around but just like before Bodilla grabs me by my arm and pulls me saying: "Both of you, apologize and shake on it now". Bodilla eyes turned towards me and had fire burning in them, that is scary. Wanting to be free of her of both her stare and iron grip I reluctantly pulled my free hand out to shake with and grudgingly she does the same and we shook with what little respect we have towards one another. "Now that this is settled let's go before the sun sets", she said in a positive tone grabbing her bag of throwing spears which is crazy, just a moment ago she had fury in her eyes and now started acting like it didn't just happened. I think I was never meant to understand how a woman acts around other men or me, I have one that hates me and the other who is devious and likes me...ugh lord give me strength and wisdom to understand women! I got on one of the horses as Amora did and the three of us headed out.