Chapter Four

She ruffled each of their blonde heads gently, wanting to kiss them as she had when they were little, but knowing their little boy pride wouldn't stand for it. Ragnar hovered in the doorframe of the hall, his face sower, but when their eyes met he gave her an encouraging smile. She returned the same. Bjorn stood behind her, loading her horse down with blankets, water and food. And Aslaug hovered near, scolding the boys and darting worried glances at her.

"I knew," Bjorn began, "that there was a reason you were smarter than the rest of us. There was a reason you weren't meant to go a viking sister. But there's a part of me that wishes it wasn't like this." He gripped her small shoulders in his large palms, "You are certain you don't wish to reconsider?"

Gyda fidgeted under his strong gaze, "I can't think of an alternative path for my future Bjorn. I must at least go and see. See if the Seer's Stone speaks to me." She rung her hands on her skirt.

Bjorn grabbed her to his chest in a tight embrace, "I know little sister. I know. You are bravest of us all."

Aslaug sauntered toward her. Her step-mother picked at her braid until it lay prettily over her shoulder. "Come home." Was all she said. It was enough.

In the distance a white horse crested the hill, on top sat her mother. Gyda choked back a sob, she had feared word wouldn't reach Lagertha in time, but there she was, looking weathered from the travel. She had ridden hard. The beautiful Viking slid off her horse and jogged to her daughter, pulling Gyda into her arms.

"My strong daughter," Her voice was husky as she pulled away to look at her, "How proud I am of you. And how much I love you."

It had been a while since she had seen Lagertha and her heart ached to just stay, cradled and comforted in her mother's embrace. But they only had a short time to reach the Seer's Stone. The stone had to be called upon under a red moon, less than two month's away.

"All is well mother," She stated. Lagertha kissed her, whispering in her ear, "Be safe."

Another horse sounded from behind, hooves sucking and slurping in the mud. Turning, Gyda saw Asvaldr was there, prepared for their journey. His face was darker than she'd seen it when they had met in the past, as if he too had the same anxious brooding that the rest of her family was currently expressing. She scowled, wondering why out of all the handsome men in Kattegat the gods had seen fit to place her with that one. She also wondered what Asvaldr had said to her father that made him believe he could safely guide her to the Seer's Stone, but that had been in a private meeting. Ragnar had relented to the journey after speaking with Asvaldr. He must have had something big up his sleeve. She would demand answers from Asvaldr during their journey.

"It's time Gyda," Asvaldr stated.

The girl turned to say goodbye to Ragnar, but he had already vanished in the hall. She wouldn't allow herself to be disappointed. Her father dealt with fear and worry in strange ways. Mounting her horse, she waved to her family. She spotted Floki in the distance, lingering in the woods. Smiling she waved. Floki gave her a large grin. He was most excited about it all. A new Seer in the village, blessed by the gods. He was the only one there that didn't seem afraid. Floki followed the god's path like a leaf in the wind. He saw this misfortune as a blessing. Gyda wished she could as well, but today, with sky darkened in approaching storm and her family's obvious doubt and fear, she felt it was more of a curse.

She tightened the reigns, "All right, let's go."

And with that, they were off. Bjorn stood outside, watching until they became nothing but dots in the distance. The rain began.

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They did not stop even when the horses skid and slid in the mud and Gyda's hair was plastered to her face. The storm was an angry riot around them, tugging at the trees, melting the snow, and turning the dirt into slush ponds. They were only a few hours into their journey and she was already masked in mud. The air was cold and biting, her wet clothes soaking in the frosty wind, making her feel as if she would never be warm again. Ahead of her, Asvaldr pushed forward, never once checking behind him to see if she still held pace.

Gyda hated him. She hated him for providing an avenue for her to seek the stone. She hated him for his cocky smiles and meeting up with her at the worst times. She hated him for pushing this grueling pace, knowing she wouldn't complain because of her own stubborn pride.

When night fell and her horse stumbled in the dark she had had enough.

"Asvaldr stop!" She cried, tugged the snorting beast to a halt, "This is madness – you fly like we are being pursued. It's dark and the horses cannot keep this up. We need to make camp."

Asvaldr paused, barely turning to look at her, eyes slicing over his shoulder. The half moon made the whites glow in the dark, "Are you tired Gyda?"

Another large gust of wind sent pelting rain over the woman, she scowled, and cried out angrily, "Yes, of course I'm tired. Look around Asvaldr, no sane person would continue to travel."

He grinned. It was as if he had been waiting for her to admit weakness, "Just a bit farther princess, and we'll be where we are going for the night."

Gyda snorted. Princess her ass. She feared she might accidently strangle her guide in his sleep, "I'd recommend you keeping a knife under your pillow." She muttered behind him.

Thirty minutes later Asvaldr led them to the base of a mountain, "We'll camp in here tonight, it's large enough the horses can join us."

"In where-" Gyda began, but then she saw it as Asvaldr pushed back overgrown bushes. A cave lay at the base of the cliff, just large enough for them both, a fire and their beasts. Gyda sighed. Maybe Asvaldr had been right to push for this resting spot. She felt foolish now, but there was no way she was going to show him that.

"Ahhh, Valkia, look a place for you too. Tonight you shall be warm and cozy with me," She cooed as she kissed the horse's fuzzy nose.

Gyda tied the animals as Asvaldr started a fire. Her teeth chattered. Asvaldr began undressing in front of the flames.

"What are you doing?" She blurted, staring at his naked chest. He paused, his hands wrapped around the almost unbuckled belt.

"Undressing. I'm freezing," He stated simply.

Gyda turned away, "But then you'll be naked."

Asvaldr unbuckled his belt, tossing it behind him, "That would be the point in undressing. I'm freezing. You need to undress too, your clothes are soaked."

Did he seriously just tell her to undress? "At least cover yourself." She threw a blanket at him angrily.

The man laughed, almost mocking, "You've never been with a man before have you? I thought being a daughter of Ragnar and already your age you'd have slept with at least a few men…"

Gyda felt flustered. Who was he to talk about her love life. So what if he was right about it... "What does not wanting to see you naked have to do with me being with another man? And also, this is none of your business. I'm sure you've slept with countless women. I bet you'd sleep with anything with two legs." She huffed, her come back poor and she knew it. She was never skilled in speaking with men. Especially Asvaldr. He just made her want to pull her hair out. Or maybe she just wanted to pull his hair out.

"Maybe." His eyes twinkled, then sobered, "But use that blanket to cover and undress underneath if you're uncomfortable. You can't sleep in wet clothes. I'll do the same." He wrapped the cloth around as his waist as he shed his pants, socks and shoes. Pulling the blanket over his shoulders he scooted closer to the flames.

The woman sighed. Asvaldr somehow always came out right, "Asshole." She muttered, but did as he asked. The blanket felt scratchy against her bare skin. She let down her wet hair so it would dry.

Asvaldr stared at her across the fire. She was a beautiful woman, with her hair spilling out around her shoulders. The blanket curled around her, showing off her curves, the slit giving a glorious view of her porcelain white thigh and dipping lower than she realized at her chest. She had been right, he had been with many women, but none like her. She captivated him. He couldn't stay away from her. He had become an idiot, even volunteering to take her to the last place he ever wished to visit again. But, better him than another, he could protect her. He had a plan to save her.

She slid to lay down, curling on her side, eyes growing weary as they gazed at the fire. He followed her to do the same. It was like they were laying next to one another, only parted by fire.

"Goodnight Gyda." He whispered. Soon she was fast asleep. He lay watching her deep into the night.