Thank you to all those who reviewed my previous chapters members and guests alike. I want to give all the guests a shout out because I'm not able to send them a direct message giving them all my thanks. Enjoy
Chapter V – Decisions
A warm bath mixed with hardy food and drink was the best recipe for clouding the minds of men – it was clear no decisions would be made on that night. If not for the exhaustion after countless days of instability the Viking's of Kattegat might not have slept at all. Ordinarily, surrendering into the arms of slumber was an artless task; however, after the mind has been triggered and assaulted over and over in succession, the task is not so simple.
"What will stop them from taking the sword, the riches and our lives once we return?" Lagertha questioned the following morning. "That is what I would do." Sliding her piece over the Tafl board.
"We are simply pawns - a means to an end." Athelstan said moving his opposing piece.
"Two days is not a great deal of time to debate such conclusions," stated Erik, "ultimately, it is Ragnar and Rollo's word."
"You are wasting your time," Floki sing-songed from behind them, "we have already said 'yes' in the Chieftesses' minds." his voice trailed off as he continued playing with his dagger, his legs draped over the arm of the chair.
"This is not what we expected," Rollo stressed leaning over the wooden railing of the veranda. Next to him, Ragnar exhaled loudly through his nose while studying the townspeople below. "Tell them we are leaving. This is a trap, it must be." Rollo's massive hands tightened in frustration around the railing. None of us wanted to come. Now we are placed in this impossible position where greed is your fuel. "This sword might not even exist."
"The Cheiftesses seem certain that it does," Ragnar finally muttered folding his hands, his elbows resting on the railing.
"What of Athelstan's words? It is a myth."
"When have you ever taken his words into consideration, Rollo," Ragnar snipped through a vale of annoyance. Biting back stronger words, Ragnar turned his body square to his brother's, "Odin would not have led us here if not for some greater purpose," he said sternly before walking back inside.
Rollo watched below as preparations for the town's festival were still underway, brushing back the stray hairs from his face he hoped to push away the sensation of the impending headache closing in. The townspeople wandered carelessly through the streets; placing a wreath here and a ribbon there, Rollo struggled to think of what celebration was upon them at that time of the year. His gaze casually fell upon one of the houses at the edge of the property not two hundred yards away. The door cracked open and a small figure swiftly exited and adjusted their hood higher over their head. Unless his eyes were deceiving him, Rollo might have guess there was a black, ribboning tattoo around the figure's wrist and forearm as they raised their cover.
"I do not understand how Floki could be so bold as to come back here!" Freydis cried, throwing her hairbrush across the chamber. Wincing as it hit the wall, Frigga crossed her arms and stared at the object from the other side of the room. "And for his leader to ask for aid?" her voice rose an octave higher.
"I must ask you to calm down, you know when you are upset I take some of it on as well." Frigga said softly, bending down to pick up the hairbrush. "It is exhausting."
Freydis threw her arms across her vanity and began to sob. Since birth Freydis and Frigga have had the mystical bond few other twins share; Frigga has the enormous task with sharing these bonds with someone who feels everything within its heightened state. Melancholy becomes depression, frustration turns to rage and contentment into ecstasy; Freydis's emotions were on a fine thread.
"My beautiful sister," Freydis raised her face from her arms, her voice sweet and soft, "I do not wish to put such things on you but what will we do? What if they do not find Fragarach?"
"I shall join them on their journey," Frigga said placing the brush beside her sister.
"Go with them?" the disgust dripped from her words. "You would leave me to travel with them?" Freydis's voice rose again as she lifted herself from her seat. Frigga sank into the chair behind her, as Freydis loomed waiting for a response.
"Would you not like some comfort in knowing you have loyal flesh and blood journeying to find your prize? Watching and studying the men you have sent possibly to their deaths- our brother included?"
Freydis's breathing shuttered, "he is of no concern of mine." Returning to the vanity once more, the chamber was left to hang with the weightiness of the silence as Frigga attempted to steady her heart. Throughout their childhood, Freydis was pleasing and sweet one moment and a terror in an instant. Frigga watched as her sister drew the hairbrush slowly through her locks, the flush in her cheeks was returning to its normal hue. "You may go with them." Frigga did not know whether to say thank you or question her sister's reasoning. "I know you are restless here and often dream of our adventures in the wood," Freydis turned her head over her shoulder to her sister, "your dreams are still penetrable, sister. Do not forget that."
"Freydis, Frigga and Floki." Athelstan queried his friend the next day. "Your mother and father named you Freydis, Frigga and Floki." This stirred a chuckled from the surrounding men though Floki looked less than entertained.
"Ragnar!" he called across the room. "How much would you miss this priest if he were to disappear?" The Viking men and women took to retiring within Ragnar's chambers during the following day. Here it seemed prying ears were kept at bay and deliberation could be well focused. Resting at the same balcony as he had before, Rollo listened to the murmur from within the room still his mind ached for the fresh air. Once again his attention was drawn to the home at the edge of the wood, the smoke from the chimney was all that seemed to stir in the home today. Through one last inhale of Oslonian air Rollo collected himself to return inside until movement caught his eye. Once again the door of the home creaked open and a hooded figure emerged. He watched as the figure drew nearer to the grand hall before he flew back inside.
"What is your rush?" Erik called as Rollo quickly passed through the chamber. Rollo did not respond and continued his way out of the room and down to the foyer. Moments later the heavy door seemed to swing open with ease, Frigga hurried in, almost slamming into Rollo's broad chest as she came through the front door. "And where are you sneaking from?" Rollo asked unwavering.
"Sneaking?" She questioned in return whilst smoothing her long hair, her covering now lowered down onto her shoulders.
"We have not seen much of you, Chieftess." Rollo advanced side stepping Frigga.
"And why should my whereabouts be of any concern to you?" She quipped brushing passed him while unclasping the cloak from her shoulders. Her pace quicken through the hall but Rollo's long strides kept him right on her tail.
"That house, the one with the smoke chimney at the edge of the wood." He followed, "close friend?" he prodded. Frigga froze abruptly; turning on her heels she was looking practically straight up at her pursuer, the top of her head barely parallel with his throat.
"Please do not think for a moment that I have an obligation what so ever to answer any of your foolish questions, brother of Ragnar Lothbrok. But if I were to give you an answer I would assure you –" she was now up on her toes closer to his face. "I am no one to be trifled with," she said softly before returning to her stride, leaving Rollo standing alone and chilled through and through.
The final day had arrived with Oslo's festival preparations completed. All the homes and streets were decorated and colorful villagers mingled under a beautiful summer sun. Ragnar Lothbrok knew all along that his answer for the Chieftesses would be 'yes', that he and his men would be voyaging to the new territory of Irlanda in search of a treasure that might not even exist. Nevertheless, Ragnar gave the Chieftesses a formal presentation of their answer on the third day, only to discover the men of Oslo had already been briefed on the upcoming passage. Several boats were loaded, readied and anchored on the coast with some of the finest weapons, equipment and food.
The front hall was crowded with those who would be journeying to Irlanda, Ragnar and Lagertha took account of all the men and women while finishing last minute preparations. Freydis descended the staircase behind the Vikings, stopping midway to observe her fleet. With a clap of her hands she drew their attention to the stairs before speaking, "Brave travelers." She continued her descent down the steps. "May the Gods be your guides, their counsel and friendship quicken your souls." Reaching the bottom of the stairs Freydis merged into the crowd of Vikings and Oslonian men. "Right roads you shall walk for the sake of their names. Though you should walk in darkness, may you not fear, for they are with you, their help be your staff, their presence comfort you." She was now standing between Ragnar and Rollo before the great door. "They prepare your table in the face of your foes and fill your cup to the brim; their blessings and company you shall enjoy all the days of your lives and beyond. The Aesir and Vanir will be your Gods forever as long as you live."
"Blessed be," echoed the men of Oslo in unison. The hustle of people returned as some of the men and women began gathering up their things.
"Your sister is not a fan of goodbyes?" Ragnar said gathering his things.
"She will be joining us shortly."
"Chieftess," Lagertha said, "upon arriving in Oslo, it appeared your people were preparing for a celebration. What is it for?" Freydis twisted her mouth into something resembling a smile before throwing open the front door of the great hall, there the people of Oslo cheered and threw dried flowers and garlands into the air. The Vikings stood flummoxed taking in the clapping, whistles, music and singing from the town.
"Do they know this thing is a myth?" Athelstan leaned to Floki who had been more reserved than usual. The group began their walk through the town back to the shore where they first docked their vessels. Accompanied by Freydis and the people of Oslo, the day promised to be an auspicious one - clear and calm. Upon loading the remaining supplies on the boats Frigga was eventually seen emerging from the footpath and onto the beach. She had her own rucksack full of belongings and was dressed in leather trousers and a fitted shirt.
"It looks like someone thinks they are coming with us," Ragnar chuckled aloud.
"She is," replied Freydis, "when I said she would be joining us, I meant she would be joining you."
"No!" Floki yelled, "No, no, no!" he repeated jumping to the sand from the ships railing. "She is not coming with us." his hands firmly on his hips.
"Oh but she is." Freydis corrected sternly. Floki seemed powerless whenever his older sisters were involved - their word was law.
"Is that your security then, Chieftess?" Ragnar asked with the same scrutinizing expression as Floki - one more life to look after.
"You could say that." Freydis answered. She kissed her sister on the cheek and bid them all farewell from the shore. The ships were off through the quiet cove; Frigga had made a comfortable home at the bow of the ship so everyone could see her lounging upon her things. Her eyes burned up from beneath her shaped brows and a perverted sort of smirk fell across her pink lips.
"You watch her closely." Floki whispered sharply to Ragnar. Both men leaned tensely on the helm. "Because while you are watching her, be sure she has been watching you and has already seen what you will do next."
What would you do! Take the men to find the sword or get the heck out of there!?