This one is kind of short but gets to the point, it was actually part of chapter 3 but I felt it needed its own space. I only own the Chieftesses. Thank you to all my readers for your reviews 3
Chapter IV- Ship Builder
Everyone commenced gathering in the grand hall once more after their baths only to be escorted into an adjoining room. This space was crowded with numerous tables and chairs that encircled a central fire pit which had already been set a blaze. This dining area appeared to have the tallest ceiling of them all, the flames could roar and still not reach the top. Again, each piece of furniture was carved and decorated with meticulous detail.
The men's beards had been scaped and their hair combed, even if it did not look like it by the time dinner began. Lagertha and the few other women were pampered with the finest juniper bath oils and salts containing crushed pearls leaving their skin luminous; their long hair was pulled back into one single braid. Floki had refused all comforts offered to him insisting running his fingers through his hair would do just as well and that bathing wouldn't hide who he was.
"I am still waiting for everything to come crashing down," Athelstan whispered to Lagertha while she smoothed the front of her frock. The women all wore the same attire, a long sleeved white dress with green stitching and a green belt to match while the men wore brown trousers and a white tunic detailed with the same stitching.
"You are not the only one," she replied taking their seats while the other guests remained standing. The hall reverberated with the hum of indistinct chatter and movement; the Vikings', though refreshed, lingered in a quiet suspicion. The tables had already been dressed with smoked fish, nettle soup and barley flatbread to start; nevertheless, no one appeared to be eating.
"What are you looking at?" Rollo grimaced, matching Erik's stare from across the table. Floki and Athelstan's attentions were drawn to Rollo whose hair, though wild and starting to tangle, was the color of chocolate against his crisp white blouse.
"I have never before seen you look so clean," chuckled Erik, "did you enjoy your bath?" By this time the rest of the company had learned of the brothers' introduction to the Chieftesses and were taking great pleasure in teasing - to which Rollo replied with a muted snarl.
"You do look very nice," said Ragnar, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.
The company's conversations intertwined, rising and falling through several minutes before Athelstan leaned to Floki, "Is that them?" he whispered. Through the swirl of people in matching outfits the speck of emerald was easily spotted from across the room.
Looking over his shoulder to the crown behind him, "None other," he sighed taking another gulp from his chalice. Lagertha, over hearing his response, stretched a little taller in her seat to see these creatures over the crowd. Her reaction prompted the rest of the table to do the same until half the crew was practically standing.
Witnessing the leisurely glide of the sisters through the crowd was like watching a shark swim through a school of fish, patient and reserved. Freydis and Frigga were adorned with the same long sleeved dresses as the rest of the women. However, theirs were the color of dark clover and covered with a reflective twinkle with upon closer examination were individual, shimmering fish scales. Their long hair was pulled back and held tightly with carved stag bone that showed every angle of their faces, which were smeared with black streaks across their eyes and down the bridge of their noses.
"It is about time," Rollo said to his brother only to realize upon returning his attention to the sisters, Frigga's green eyes were practically burrowing into his. Rollo held her gaze fearful that if he broke from it she would turn him to stone. Did she just hear me? He was not quiet sure what these two petite women of the north were capable of. Without a blink, Frigga resumed the pace with her sister through the gathering and to the Vikings' tables.
"We are very glad you decided to join us," Frigga hummed. Though they were the same height, up close Frigga's skin appeared more olive than her sister's; almost sun kissed, Freydis's skin was that of a moonstone, milky and translucent. Freydis's angular, thin cheeks were juxtaposed with Frigga's round features. Standing together side by side it was clear the sisters were not as identical as they attempted to appear.
Lifting his cup, Ragnar acknowledged Frigga's welcome before placing it to his lips. At the other end of the table, Floki attempted to dissolve into the wood and through the floor but neither was successful.
"This is quite the surprise," Freydis declared wriggling her hand into Frigga's turning her attention down the table. Floki pretended he didn't hear her but the sound of their eyes digging into the side of his head was loud enough. It wasn't long before they were standing behind him, like two headstones towering above a grave. "Ship builder," Freydis said still clutching her sister's hand. With an inhale as large as he could muster, Floki gulped the remaining half of his chalice and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. Upon standing he was practically looking straight down on the two females nevertheless, he felt like the smallest person in the world.
"This truly is a surprise," Frigga grinned turning to her sister.
"One that still does not know the decency in dressing for dinner." Freydis's expression quickly shifted. Floki's lips remained sewn together and his eyes pierced up from beneath his brows watched as the twins turned and sat at the head table. Another long sigh slipped from his lungs before he took his seat, a dozen eyes of his fellow men on him.
"Well I thought that was going to be much worse," he said motioning for a servant to bring him another drink.
The dinner drew to a close, as did Ragnar's patience with the lack of discussion about the nature of their visit. His body ached and the thought of a bed with his wife beside him was just what it might take to change his mind about returning to Escocia. However, before he could finish wiping his mouth Freydis had already looked up from her plate and asked, "How long has it been, ship builder?"
"Not long enough," Floki muttered not looking up from his plate.
"Speak louder."
"The seas, they are rough…" he coughed.
"…traveling all the way from Escocia, miladies." Like any good friend Ragnar took this opportunity to deflect whatever issue was being pressed. "Nevertheless, I come to suspect you already know why we have come." Freydis did not reply seemingly distracted by her drink. "Our efforts were in vain."
"Naturally, judging by the state of your wounded. But I believe - she was talking - to him," Frigga clarified raising her finger to Floki. The remaining chatter from the other guests had shrunk and the room's attention was drawn to Floki when she asked, "Were you wounded as well?"
"I consider my wounds a prize, Chieftess; they were given to me for some worthy, wise purpose and I would not part with them if I could." Still not lifting his sight from his dinner.
"Prize?" Freydis laughed with a hint of sincerity. "Were those prizes received for deeds done for others or for yourself?" her voice fell heavy through the chamber, silencing any lingering prattle. Following the dense moments, Freydis turned her attention back to Ragnar and Rollo; her faced softened. "We believe we know of your troubles. Quite a wealth is said to be in Escocia."
"We have come to ask Oslo men to sail with us to seize this wealth, they, as well as yourselves shall be greatly rewarded." Rollo said quickly before they lost their opportunity all together.
"Your brother speaks very boldly, Ragnar Lothbrok," Frigga said.
"That he does, Chieftess," Ragnar relied looking at Rollo, "but it is just that."
"A brave endeavor for brave men," Freydis sighed turning to her sister. "I will give you men, Ragnar Lothbrok." An inaudible, cumulative sigh of relief escaped each Viking. "However." Only to be snatched away once again. "I believe I have an offer with superior compensation to that of Escocia." Ragnar remained mute. "You are skillful sailors, versed in many new lands. Beyond Escocia is a land they call Irlanda, there a treasure unlike any other is said to be possessed. I want it."
"What is it?" Rollo asked.
"A blade, called Fragarach. It is said to be the Earth's most beautiful weapon. You will take our men to Irlanda and find this sword, upon returning it to me you may either keep what treasure you have found on Irlanda or take the men and return to Escocia." Again, Ragnar's company was ill prepared for such a blow.
"Is said to be?" Athelstan spoke surprising himself with his confidence. "The Fragarach is a legend." He looked to his fellow men. "Fragarach is a sword that is said no one can tell a lie with it at his or her throat. Fragarach translates to 'Answerer'. It was also said to place the wind at the user's command and can cut through any shield or wall delivering a piercing wound from which no man can recover."
Rising from their seats the sisters floated down to the dining floor and soundlessly approached the Viking's table.
"I will give you two days to deliberate and on the third you must give your decision and leave," Freydis said, roughly running her figures through Floki's hair before exiting the hall. Another collective exhale escaped the Vikings' as the faint chatter again commenced within the hall. Lagertha leaned across the table towards Floki, "I must know, what was all that? Did you bed her and leave her?"
"They are my sisters."
I would love to know what you would do in Floki's position.