Chapter 7

Freyja's POV

It had been three days since the chieftain's visit and I took slight comfort in the fact that he had not returned. He was a man who held too much power for my comfort. Only God could wield such power and wield it perfectly and respectably. He must've held some level of respect from the people however, for it was they who elected the Jarl at the Thing when the time came. I had tried my best to simply put him from my mind, attending to the farm as I did each day. Yet his blue eyes kept appearing in my mind's eye. What had they seen? What had they witnessed? What had they endured in order to produce the warrior I had encountered? As I threw some seeds to the chickens from my apron, which I'd been using as a makeshift pouch, I shook my head and resolved to rid myself of all thoughts of him. If he knew who I truly was, he'd ridicule me and then run in the other direction just like everybody else. He couldn't care for me as I truly am, he'd crush me. No he was not worthy of my thoughts. He was not worth hoping in. But there was a Romancer who was, the one who fulfills the happiness and complete joy that all men search for.

"God, help me to keep my eyes upon you. Help me to be all that you have called me to be. Lord I need you now. This world is a very dark place. You are the light Lord, a candle in a dark room. I am alone in my belief in you here, but with you I am never truly alone. Keep your eyes on your servant. Keep your protection with me always. Amen." I crossed myself.

Feeling noticeably better, I went back into the long house. Kai limped over to greet me. He had made amazing progress in the past few days. He weakly licked my hand, reminding me that I still owed him his daily scratch behind the ears and a walk.

"Alright boy come on then." To make sure he didn't stray away again, I looped a piece of rope around his neck, not tight enough to cut off his windpipe or to cut into his skin, but just enough to restrain him. At the other end was a loop for my hand, forming a makeshift leash. Magni had gone trading in the village for cod, herring, and whatever other meat he could get his hands on. The Northmen were especially fond of the food, almost as fond as they were of their mead.

As I departed Baldr called after me "Don't wander too far."

"Don't worry, I won't."

"You want me to come with you?"

"No I'll be alright I promise."

Truthfully, I was looking forward to being able to be alone with my thoughts, it had been busy at the farm, especially since it was approaching the end of summer. Magni had been preoccupied with the usual worry of stocking up enough rye, barley, vegetables, and meat to last the winter, not only for himself but for me, and his workmen, not to mention Kai, the two pack horses, the milk cow, and the sheep, which the Northmen kept year round for their wool. In the summer they were let out into the open pastures at higher elevations to roam free, the shepherds guarding them from the wolves and other predators. The Northmen despised the profession, they even had a law that hired hands should not even be given the job because it would be too demeaning. It wasn't that I didn't understand Magni's concern, but his anxiety did become draining when brought to a certain point.

As I meandered along through the open fields, I took in the serene atmosphere, the grass seeming to stretch for miles. I loved walking out here, it gave me room to breathe, made me feel free. The sweet perfume of the grass climbed into my nostrils, relaxing me. I had the sudden urge to just lie on it for a while, relaxing in the sunshine, but Kai's insistent pulling kept me moving. He wanted to smell every tree, every hole. I remember one time he even frightened a snow hare out of it's hole and sent it bolting into the bushes. The thought made me giggle.

"Bah!" I was startled out of my revelry by a sheep, it's thick dark fur hanging off it's body like a coat, typical of the Northmen breed. I recognized it as one of Magni's. It skipped along to join it's companions upon a hill scattered with rock outcroppings, the Northmen were fond of calling it Odin's fist. To my surprise though, I didn't see the shepherd in sight. Suddenly a low growl emitted from behind me, and my blood ran cold. Slowly, I turned. There before me were at least five if not six wolves, growling and bearing their teeth. But their eyes were not on me, they were on the sheep. Charging past me they raced up the hill. Oh no. The herd was defenseless, it would be a slaughter. Without thinking I raced up the hill, leaving Kai barking after me. He'd be safe as long as the wolves attention stayed on the sheep. My legs began to ache as I raced up the slope, my heart pounding in my ears.

I have to make it. I have to make it.

The first of the wolves had cornered a young one. My mind racing I picked up the largest stick I could find and whacked it over the head. The wolf whimpered, staggering away, but that was only one of them, there were still five more. The herd was now trapped against one of the rock outcroppings, with only me standing between them and their killers, armed with nothing but a large stick.

"Go away!" I yelled, waving it back and forth in front of me to discourage them from coming any closer. This only seemed to anger them more and before I knew one of them pounced, knocking me over while ripping the hem of skirt in the process. He snarled at me, probably preparing to rip into my throat. I closed my eyes, prepared for the killing blow but none came. There was a thump and then a whimper and then silence. I opened my eyes to the body of a dead wolf and Agnarr standing before me, blood dripping from his sword.