Namitha jerked awake and blinked her eyes warily in the dark. Something was amiss and sure enough, the spot where her husband was supposed to be was vacant. Reaching over she found no trace of his warmth. Questions filled her mind and with haste, Namitha wiggled out of the tucked covers and slipped on her underdress. She found him in the sitting room with nothing but the light of candles to keep him company.

With both hands placed on his shoulders, she said in a soft, quiet voice:

"Come back to bed, husband."

"I am not tired."

"What is keeping you up?"

"..."

She lifted a chair to his and sat side him with brows laced with concern.

"Tell me."

"My brother. I worry for him."

"Your brother?"

"His name is Acegir. A great warrior. Greater than me."

"Why do you worry for him?"

"He did not return when he said he would. It has been months. And I haven't heard word of him from anyone."

"I'm sure he is alright."

"He has many enemies."

The room's mood dimmed like the flickering candles and Namitha knelt before him and held his face in her hands.

"Go to the hills before the sun rises and pray to the gods. Pray for your brother's safety."

"I've done so many times."

"It will not hurt if you try again. Your heart is troubled. Let them acknowledge your need for peace."

"Are you sure it will work?"

"You will never know until you try."

Lufner studied his wife's eyes. She, he observed, was a woman sharp of mind and he was certain she would rarely lead him down a wrong path.

"Will you join me?"

"Of course I will."

She tugged on his arm and this time Lufner followed. In bed, she covered him and held him close to her breast.

"Why do you treat me like a child, woman?"

"Why do you try so hard to conceal your sorrow?"

"I've worked hard to be who I am today. Crying is a thing of the past."

It was Acegir's influence. In his teaching, crying was a sign of weakness and was better reserved for womenfolk and children.

"A man who isn't true to his feelings is the weakest of men. It is okay to cry, to worry, to fret. I beg you please to not hold it in. Even the gods falter in their strength. They know despair. They know of defeat and loss."

"But I-"

"Listen here, Lufner," Namitha looked him fiercely in the eyes. "I'm here for you. I am your wife. Acknowledge me as your confidant and your friend. Let me be those things for you. You're not alone in this. Not anymore."

Namitha smiled for him and was quick to wipe away the first tear that rolled down his face. More followed and Namitha kissed his trembling lips and hugged him close. Lufner squeezed her tight and she squeezed back just as hard.

No greater victory compared to the security and safety he felt in Namitha's arms. Not one.

"You'll be okay, Luffy."

Lufner pressed his face in her neck and she charted fingers through his hair.

A sob escaped him.

"I want to see him. I miss him so much."

"You will. Either in this life or the next, you will see each other again."

He was beginning to understand why the Earl regarded her more precious than life. Namitha was incredible. No one else was like her for she stood out among many.

More the reason to thank the gods.

The trip up the hills was a venture Lufner loathed. The terrains were sloped and the rocks slippery. It was enough to put a toll on the average man.

He followed his friends before battle to pray and offer up sacrifices to the gods for a safe and successful voyage with loots large enough to sink their ships. And of course to ask of Acegir, his brother.

The only difference now was that he had a wife to accompany him.

The journey once dull didn't seem so dull anymore.

The tall trees up above swayed and creaked under the pressure of the wind. Birds of colour flew about hopping from one branch to the next and the crunch of the dried leaves and decaying flora crunched beneath their feet.

There was a long way to go and to ease their tired bones, they rested briefly on a log close to a fast-flowing river.

"Do you come up here often? To pray to the gods?" Lufner asked.

"No. Before bed, I thank them for each breath I take and ask that my parents' lives be preserved. But for a more serious matter, you have to come to the gods in person. I came here once a year ago with my father. Mother's condition worsened and she was bedridden ever since. We prayed for a cure of some kind but have not found one till this day."

"Maybe you put too much trust in them."

"I believe that there is reward in patience. You have to have faith."

Namitha became one with her thoughts and Lufner touched her hand, enveloping it in his.

"I'll pray for her, your mother. If there is help out there, I will ask that it comes quickly."

"Thank you."

Namitha swallowed hard and her eyes brimmed with tears. She covered her face and her head sunk to her knees.

"Why are you sad?"

"You're wrong, my lord. I'm not sad but happy. I was thinking to myself that the gods could not have blessed me with a better husband."

Namitha dried her cheeks and laughed at the red in Lufner's face.

"Do you envy your brother?"

"He is indeed strong but I do not envy him. Our ambitions are different and we have nothing but love for one another."

Namitha smiled to herself.

"I have an older sister. Well not exactly. She was our neighbour's daughter. We grew up together.

"Same as me and Ace."

"We've always been together and would have the longest heated fights but we love each other. She doesn't live here in the village but had chosen to marry a farmer and is now raising a family in the countryside. She is loads more mature than I am and cool-headed but I do not envy her."

"It's hard to envy those you love."

"You're right."

The hill's summit was the tallest point in Cocoyash and it was well known that the higher one was, the closer they were to the gods.

Lufner and Namitha enjoyed the view of the little houses, the vegetation and the way the river meandered against the walls of the valley below.

Lufner sat down on the green grass and patted the space next to him for his wife. With their eyes closed and smiles on their lips, they asked the gods whatever it was in their hearts. Unbeknownst to the other, they gave thanks for the day they were brought together.

Departing the hills, Namitha who no longer needed support, took note that her husband had not yet released her hand.

"I like walking like this," she said giving his hand a squeeze.

She half expected him to release her but rejoiced when he nodded and squeezed back.

"I agree. You are my equal. You belong at my side."

Namitha could not fight a smile. Her heart grew bigger and fonder the more time she spent with Lufner. And now he was calling her his equal.

He lead her to a path leading to the northern part of the village.

"Where are we going?"

"I want you to meet my friends. It's around the time Sangard cooks up something good. You'll love his food. It's the best."

Sangard, Usoff, Zollo and Franki. Those were the names of his closest companions. They were a huge part of his life. Having Namitha meet them was the natural thing to do.

Now, the names of Lufner's friends belonged to strong and skilful men. Usoff was a talented archer. Zollo was skilled with the sword. Those who lived to see his art said he wielded three. Sangard scarcely used weapons only if need be and preferred to use his legs whilst Franki was skilled with the axe. They were all men who always returned home no matter the encounter and Lufner was chosen to be the leader of them all.

Apart from being Vikings, they all helped play a role in society. Usoff was a common shepherd. Franki, a renowned carpenter. His boats withstood the toughest of seas and the deadliest of storms with barely a scratch to show of their trials. Sangard, a cook and Zollo, a drunk.

All but Franki were surprised to see her.

He could not stay and ate his food in a hurry with eyes that leaked like a stream. Before he left, Franki welcomed her to the family and declared profusely how happy he was that Lufner found a life companion. He babbled on and on to the point his words overlapped and Namitha felt out of place for she could no longer understand him.

Just as Lufner said, it was Sangard who prepared the mid-day meal. Namitha was not familiar with men who cooked. It was solely the job of a woman. She did not get to see what was in Franki's dish but it smelled divine.

"Have your friends no wives?" she asked her husband. She was curious. After all, there wasn't a single woman in the cook's cabin. Just her.

"Usoff got married last year."

"What's her name? His wife."

"Kana, Kaba?"

"It's Kaya, Luffy."

"Maya. Right. Her name's Maya."

Usoff gave Nami a hopeless look and she smiled in complete understanding. Out of everyone, he was the most friendly, offering up his seat so she and Lufner could sit together.

"You don't know what you've gotten yourself into, Namitha- was it?"

"Correct."

"Luffy, although I love him, he is as some would call... well..."

"An idiot?"

"Yeah. An idiot," he dragged out the word and it grated Lufner's ears.

Fortunately for Namitha, she figured that out early on in their marriage. More so, the day they met.

"Why are you guys talking as if I'm not sitting right here?"

Lufner narrowed his eyes at his wife, feeling utterly betrayed and she addressed him with a tease of a smile.

"You are too," said Usoff.

"Is an idiot skilled in battle and constantly escapes with his life?" Lufner argued.

"They say the fools take the longest to die. They are even the more stubborn in the face of death."

Everyone turned to Zollo and the three-sword wielder took a swig of his mead. He sat a table away.

"You too, Zollo?" Lufner could not believe his ears. At this rate, there would be nobody left for him that had his back.

Zollo had Namitha under his gaze ever since she entered and Namitha knew all too well.

From the kitchen, Sangard brought the food out and spoke harshly to the men as he shared each bowl, thumping it hard on the table in front of them. Namitha was served first. When it came to her, he was sickenly sweet and she could tell at a glance that she was given the best share. It was a helping of fish soup and flat grain bread.

Her eyes went round at the taste and she wasted no time to eat another spoonful. She cooked breakfast that morning. A large one with whatever provisions they had in the house but this dish Sangard prepared out-mastered hers. Her husband appeared to melt with each bite he took and Namitha became desperate. She abandoned her seat and followed the cook into the kitchen.

"Cook."

"Call me Sangard."

The cook was pleasantly surprised to see her and watched amused as her eyes darted to the pots and pans he had on the countertop as well as the ingredients he was in the middle of putting away.

"The dish you prepared though simple was unlike anything I've ever tasted before. It suited me well and Luffy loves your food. I need the recipe."

"It's a secret."

"What would I have to do to get it? I'll do anything."

Sangard took a lock of Namitha's hair between his fingers and brought it close to his nose.

She showed no hesitation or fear and to his foolish nature, he took this as an invitation deeming his attempt at wooing his friend's wife a much easier task than he expected. His eyes flashed upon the swells of her breasts peeking above her clothing and he drew himself closer with a sly smile growing on his lips.

"Anything?"

To be continued...