Chapter Three

I threw both doors to the main entrance open with simultaneous bangs. Servants and several free people were milling about, they all scurried to get out of my way. I walked towards the archery hall where I found several old warriors gathered around with Rollo in the midst of them standing a head above everyone else. They all turned as I stormed into the room. The smirk on Rollo's face made me pause, it told me that I was reacting exactly how he had planned. But that didn't stop me. I spat on the ground.

"That's what I think of your commands. Ragnar might have forgiven you. He might trust you again. He might even have some respect left for you. But I haven't and I don't. " My voice was strong and unwavering, even though I was unsure and slightly shaking inside.

"Leave us." Rollo's words echoed off the walls and soon the door clicked shut and we were all alone.

"What makes you think you have any say in what I do? Whether you are in charge or not means nothing to me." I stood my ground, but kept my distance from him.

"It was Aslaug's idea. She wants to know more about you, but you keep avoiding her." He leaned back against the wall.

"She can find out whatever she wants to know from you. Or Ragnar when he returns." I crossed my arms, leveling my eyes at him.

"Are you too ashamed to dine with her? After the display you and my brother put on in the weeks leading up to his departure, I don't blame you." His words gave me pause.

"Your brother and I are long lost friends. We had a lot of catching up to do." His laughter made my eyes narrow in anger.

"Ragnar is a hard man to read. He has to be, considering who he is. But his feelings for you have always been transparent. Is that why you left? So your sister could have a chance at happiness, a chance to be with the only man she ever loved?"

"I left to get away from you." My voice was cold as I walked towards the door. He beat me there, standing in front of it, arms crossed over his chest, feet shoulder length apart. Looking everything like the god his family was rumored to be descended from.

The sight of him staring down at me made the breath catch in the back of my throat.

"No, be honest Ylva, with yourself at least. You were running from something you could never get away from. Your heart, and your feelings for me." He took a step forward and I stepped back.

"You know why I left." I fought the urge to keep backing up.

"Nessa thought that marriage would change me. She never loved me, she loved the thought of who I might be. You are the only one that ever truly loved me and you left me when I needed you the most." There was pain in his eyes and it felt like my heart had moved from my chest up into my neck.

"I did love you, Rollo, I always loved you. But you never felt the same. You enjoyed what I gave you because you knew you could always have it. You used me, to drive your wife away and to make your brother jealous." I spat out the words as if I could actually taste the bitterness.

"When Nessa left me. I needed you, Ylva. I wanted you, I would have married you, you know." His lips tugged into a slight smile.

"That is all in the past. We have all changed." I crossed my arms over my chest.

"Have we? It doesn't seem to me as if much has changed." He reached out and I pushed his hand away.

"Everything has changed."

"Not this, Ylva." He stalked towards me as if he were hunting and I was his prey. I retreated until my back hit the wall and I had nowhere else to go. My body reacted automatically as he placed his palms against the cold stone on either side of my head, blocking any chance of escape. My hands reached up to grasp his face.

"I hate you Rollo." Venom coated my words as I looked up at him with angry tears in my eyes.

"No, you don't." He leaned down to kiss me but was caught off guard when I brought my head back and smashed it into his nose. I crossed the room and opened the door.

"You're right. I don't hate you. But I wish I did. See you at dinner." I slammed the door leaving him holding his bleeding nose and nursing his bruised ego.

Dinner time never came. I heard the commotion and panic outside when I was in the middle of dressing. I knew, without any investigation, what was going on. The panicked voices and the sounds of preparation for battle were unmistakable. I stripped my dress off and stepped into my soft elkskin pants, red blouse, and matching elkskin vest before readying myself for the coming fight. My tools were many and well made. It took years for me to acquire weapons of such caliber. They were my pride and joy and I spent many hours each morning oiling and sharpening them to ensure they were always in the best condition. I fastened my belt around my waist and sheathed my matching short swords. I strapped a dagger across the small of my back, underneath my vest and two to each ankle. The heel on each of my boots was a bit higher than normal, it made me appear taller and also concealed twin blades that were small enough to be hidden in the palm of my hand. I threw a full quiver over my shoulder, slipped my shield up my forearm and grabbed my bow with the same hand.

"Aslaug" I yelled, walking into the main hall. She was there gathering the children together and trying to keep them calm. Siggy came in from outside holding a shield and looking dejected. "You two, gather everything you can carry and head to the hills. Go! As quickly as you can. There's an abandoned farm about a three days walk to the north, just follow the stream. You will be safe there. Rollo and I will follow as soon as we can" I was surprised when they both nodded in agreement before leaving through the back door. I was expecting some sort of fight but I guess they realized the gravity of the situation, and for that, I was thankful. I grabbed a container of oil and pulled a lantern from the wall before heading outside into the frightened crowd. Rollo was up front trying to direct the terrified people. The ships were getting closer and closer. I made my way past the barricade, right up to the shoreline and began methodically placing my arrows into the oil.

"There you are." Rollo stepped up next to me as I sat my shield on the ground. "What are you doing?" He asked, our earlier argument was forgotten as we came together to protect our home.

"Let's light them up eh?" A smile spread across my face as I held an oil soaked arrow over the lanterns flame until it caught before notching it, drawing back, and aiming for the closest ships sail. I released the flaming arrow with a satisfying twang. The sail caught quickly as the flame plunged through the cloth material.

"You've been practicing." He nodded his approval.

"You haven't seen anything yet." I more sails went up in flames before the rest were lowered. They would have to row in from here on and that would buy us a little more time. My arm was a blur as I continued my assault, notching arrows as quickly as I could. My ammunition ran out just as the first boat reached the shore. I slung my bow over my shoulder and retreated behind the barrier.

"SHIELD WALL" Rollo's voice echoed over the sound of feet pounding down the docks. It wasn't long until the better trained more experienced warriors broke through the wall and divided us up for hand to hand combat. Tossing my shield to the side I drew my other short sword. I twirled one in each hand as I waited for the first man to come within striking distance, which didn't take long. I don't know how many I had struck down when I looked up and saw Rollo going straight for Borg. I began to fight my way through the crowd towards them. Borg retreated from the confrontation and I couldn't blame him. Rollo fought like a man possessed. It was beautiful and terrible to behold.

I smiled viciously as three warriors bore down on me at once. They hid behind their shields and began to close in on me. As they got closer I kicked a shield so hard the man holding it went flying backwards. The others didn't pause and another warrior filled the vacant spot immediately. One of them lowered their shield to lunge at me with the tip of his sword. I ducked and pushed his shield up, smiling as I heard the satisfying crack of his jaw breaking. My pleasure didn't last long as I felt the burning sensation of a blade slicing through my shoulder from behind. I leaned forward to get away from the weapon, simultaneously kicking my right foot back towards my attacker. I made contact with my target, but my momentum was lacking. A pair of strong hands threatened to crush my ankle as my standing leg was jerked out from underneath me. I went crashing to the ground, catching myself just before my face smashed into the rocks. Even though the wind was knocked out of me I found my feet quickly but I had yet to find my balance when the hilt of a sword was shoved into my stomach. I doubled over, still not able to take a breath. Sweat beaded my forehead and I could feel the change starting to come on. I was forced to my knees and my hair yanked back, exposing my neck. When I looked up into the eyes of my would be killer a growl rumbled deep in my throat. He paused, shock written all over his face. All I needed was that split second to reach one of my daggers. I plunged it up into his unprotected groin. The scream he let out echoed over the chaos. I sprung to my feet and silenced his cry, burying my dagger into the side of his neck. I was surrounded quickly, yet again and still winded. I struggled to take a deep breath before striking at their shields to no avail. If it had been only one or two or even three I could drop to my knee and take out their ankles, but there were too many for that. I heard his roar before he came crashing through the sea of bodies, driving his sword through one mans back with such force that half of it appeared through the mans stomach, while putting his axe through another's neck at the same time as engaging a third. The other two warriors dropped their shields for a split second and I saw my chance. My swords found their necks easily and sliced through effortlessly.

"Thanks." I said, taking a second to catch my breath.

"We must retreat, there are too many." Rollo was right and I nodded my agreement. So we all retreated. It quickly became apparent that we were fighting a losing battle and we were devastatingly outnumbered. I grabbed a spare quiver and notched an arrow, waiting for Borgs army to round the corner. As soon as they did I let loose then notched again, and again, and again. We were hemmed in and Borg took the opportunity to try and negotiate.

"Ylva." Rollo reached out and pulled me into the small stable. "We have to go."

"And leave these people?" I motioned behind me.

"I don't like it any more than you do." His voice was low and urgent. "Borg will take Kattegat. We can't stop him, and we can't give him anything else to bargain with, not you, not me." I notched an arrow. "What are you doing?"

"Getting one more shot before we leave." I rounded the corner and put an arrow through the neck of the man standing next to Borg before turning around and following Rollo towards the hills.

"Why did you do that?" He asked as we jogged towards the stream to obscure our tracks.

"I wanted there to be one less of them before we left." I said with a shrug.

"You were aiming for Borg weren't you?" He asked

"What can I say? I can't be spot on every time." We laughed together as we sprinted towards the trees, even though we were covered in blood and had just lost our home to an invading army.