Vikings: Harsh Lesson
Chapter 3 of my Vikings story, enjoy.
Reviews
Veridissima: Thanks, glad you enjoyed it; glad you liked them :)
Wolfgirl2013: Thanks :)
Now onto the story.
Disclaimer: Vikings belongs to the History Channel.
Chapter 3
Bjorn stood alert as Aslaug sat in the hall of Kattegat, in her usual chair, listening as the people brought their problems for consideration. He was standing off to the side, out of sight; watching carefully. He wasn't normally like this; but he was trying to remain unobtrusive right now.
He was still considering how best to focus on this threat posed by Jarl Alfgeir. He had spoken with those in Kattegat on how to improve their defences and had no doubt that they would hold up. As such, a night attack was unlikely to succeed; but that didn't mean they could be complacent.
With their new defences and the closed gates at night, an attack would be extremely difficult, but not impossible. During the day, Alfgeir's army would have the advantage of numbers. But there were ways to make things difficult for them, a chance to trick Alfgeir and his men into traps and reduce their effectiveness.
Aslaug happened to glance in his direction and gave him a slight nod.
He knew what it meant. 'She has everything under control; that will give me a better chance to look at things without being interrupted too much.'
So he used this to move along the side of the room until he reached the doors. He slipped through the doors, heading outside.
He looked around; he was concerned, these defences they had set up were their only true hope. He was the only heavily trained warrior in Kattegat now; the others were all simple normal people. They would fight too, he knew that, but they weren't properly skilled warriors. Just about all their best warriors had gone raiding after all. Apart from him, the only properly skilled warrior was his uncle Rollo, who had not been seen after leaving following his missing the boat.
Bjorn shook his head. 'Where is Uncle Rollo; we need him here?'
He looked around once more at Kattegat and the defences they had added, such as sharpened stakes on top of the walls, reinforcing the gates and similar matters. Truthfully there was little else they could do; except wait and prepare for anything that Jarl Alfgeir could throw at them.
He turned away and walked down to the harbour; he needed some time to clear his head. He stopped on the pier; looking out over the sea. He smiled as he took in the view. He recalled his exhilaration when he first set sail west with his father, from this very pier.
'I wish I could have gone; but I would not leave Kattegat defenceless.' He pondered to himself. 'Still, father told me what Aslaug said about Jarl Alfgeir. What if he doesn't have anything planned yet, what if he's waiting for another chance, a better chance?'
The thought stuck with him; but he quickly pushed the thought away. He had to focus on what was happening now. It was then he spotted Porunn, slipping away quietly into the nearby woods. He smiled knowingly and followed her quietly.
He stood at the edge of the clearing, smiling lightly as he watched her training for combat again. She hadn't noticed him yet and as he watched he noticed she was getting better. Finally she finished and he stepped forwards, he cleared his throat. She spun around, weapon ready and he gently held his hands up.
"Whoa, easy." He said with a smile. "It's just me."
She relaxed, lowered her weapon and shield, returning his smile. "Bjorn, what are you doing sneaking up on me like that?"
He shook his head. "I was watching you that's all; you're getting better all the time."
She smiled wider; Bjorn noticed the slight flush on her cheeks. He said nothing about it however. Instead he stepped closer; close enough he could hear her breathing quicken. He leaned in close and she reciprocated, their lips meeting. Their kiss was brief however, before Porunn broke it as Bjorn tried to deepen the kiss.
"Bjorn we shouldn't…" She said softly. "Not like this; I know how you feel…But it would not be appropriate."
Bjorn sighed; Porunn was still sensitive about her status of a slave. She knew Bjorn loved her, she felt the same for him, but he didn't think they should be seen so close, due to her being a slave still. While he truly didn't find that an issue to him, he accepted it for her sake.
They were on their way back to the hall when it happened. One of the men who worked in the kitchen approached Porunn. He had an unsettling grin as he leered at her.
"There you are girl." He remarked, even his voice was slimy. "I've been looking for you."
She turned away from him, a distasteful expression on her face. The man took this as an invitation apparently to touch her inappropriately, grabbing her behind. She twisted away but he made to grab her again. However then suddenly he felt a sharp pain in his wrist. Bjorn had grabbed him; glaring at him darkly.
"That's enough." He snarled." Back to your duties."
The man spluttered. "I just…she…"
Bjorn shook his head. "Enough."
With that he let go and the man rushed away fearfully. Porunn sighed and shook her head.
"Bjorn, you don't have to…"
Bjorn then turned to her; still angry. "Has he done that to you before?"
She bit her lip. "Bjorn…"
"Has he?" He asked again.
Finally she nodded and Bjorn sighed.
"I'll have to talk to Aslaug about this." He said at last; calming himself with supreme effort. "He can't remain here if that's his behaviour. Just because we end up freeing you won't stop him. He'll just start harassing another girl."
Porunn shifted slightly, uncomfortable with that but then finally sighed and accepted this. She then left, heading back to the kitchens to work. Bjorn meanwhile returned to the hall.
By now Aslaug was alone in the hall; still seated. Bjorn approached her; she smiled warmly. True he lived with his father now, but despite everything, Aslaug simply remained another woman to him, she never came close to replacing his mother. Yet they were cordial to each other, forming a mutual respect after all this time.
He shared his worries about Porunn and the recent incident, adding what Porunn had revealed about the man. Aslaug was horrified by this, immediately planning to take action regarding the man. They also discussed Rollo's disappearance, wondering where he had disappeared too.
Amongst all this, their main issue was wondering when and, indeed if, Jarl Alfgeir took his revenge.
End of chapter, hope you enjoyed it, read and review please.