The Twisted Links

Prologue

PROLOGUE

Long Ago... Norway...

The young girl tucked the furs around her mother's body closer. The harsh reality of death was certain and the girl knew that her mother would die. Not waiting for the woman's last breath to come the girl gathered her possessions and left the hovel. Trudging through the snow to the large built wood fort, she entered through the back doors.

"Is she dead then?" the cook asked.

"She won't live through the night." the nine year old said rubbing her frozen hands together in front of the fireplace.

"Well don't worry love you'll be able to make a match soon. You have good features." the cook said looking at the girl's pretty features. White blonde hair, crystal clear blue eyes, and a flawless milk white complexion that held a light flush from the heat of the fire made the young absolutely stunning.

"The chieftain himself has been eyeing you with interest. Might make you his fifth bride." the cook giggled.

The girl grimaced in disgust. The chieftain was an old repulsive man. He had reached his forty-third winter. He was cruel and loved sharing his wives with his men. A year ago his fourth bride was shared with his entire garrison on their wedding night. Only his first wife, a mean spirited shrew, was allowed to be left alone.

"Now, now beggars can't be choosers and the sooner you settle down with a babe in your tiny belly the better." The cook laughed seeing the girl's expression.

"That philosophy didn't get my mother very far." The girl stated.

"Your mother married a herder. She should have married the blacksmith instead." The cook said dismissively, pulling out a knife to chop the meat on the butcher' block for a stew.

The girl barely remembered her father. She looked like him. The last time she saw him was when she was four. He had kissed her forehead and sat down beside her. He told her that he would come back and teach her when the time was right. Though what he meant was lost on the young girl. After that he left. The other herders said that he died fighting a wolf and was thrown into the icy river.

The door was thrown open and the cook's husband came in stomping his feet to rid himself of the caked on snow. "Heads up. We have guests coming."

"Guests?" Cook asked in surprise. It was rare that any outsiders would come to their remote location. "Another chieftain?"

The man shook his head. "No. A strange couple they are. Better bring them some hot mead." he said, turning to notice the child next to the fireplace. "You, girl! Grab some mugs and serve our guest."

Doing as requested, the girl made her way to the hall carrying a large tray filled with tankards full of the hot brew. The air was fraught with tension, ignoring the charged atmosphere the girl made her way to the head table. The feeling of being watched made her want to look up but she refused to give into the urge. Stiffly turning she kept her eyes down and gracefully walked away. A cold hand grabbed her arm, "Look at me." a dark voice commanded.

Lifting her blues eyes slowly, she met the dark gaze of the stranger. Something within her stirred and she became afraid at the unknown feeling.

"So do we have a deal or not?" The chieftain's booming voice broke their silent. Annoyance flashed into the stranger's dark, almost black eyes.

"There is a condition." The stranger said, holding the girl's eyes. "Protection for your clan for the next 10 years in exchange. You are to see that this girl remains pure and untainted. She is to be treated as a princess."

The chieftain scoffed, "This girl's mother was a whore. And who's to say that the girl isn't already tainted."

Rage fired in the bright blue eyes as the girl lowered her gaze. After her father died, her mother was forced to take in "visitors" to make ends meet. The chieftain himself threatened to cast them out if her mother wasn't accommodating. The girl remembered it as if it were yesterday. Her father was not even cold in his grave when the chieftain visited. Her mother told her to go to the fields instead she hid and watched as the chieftain forced himself between her mother's pale legs, rutting like an animal. Her mother lay quietly, taking the abuse until the man was done. The girl hated that man and vowed to end him herself.

"Chieftain if I may." A voice like honey spoke drawing everyone's attention. The girl's eyes widen at the sight of what surely had to be an angel. The woman was dressed in white. Unnaturally pale glowing skin stood out in the drab hall and long white strands of hair gleamed like silk.

"Our request is simple enough. Do we have an agreement?" the women asked.

The chieftain nodded abruptly and started to eat the meal before him.

A cool hand lifted her face and the girl found herself staring once more at the dark stranger.

"I will return for you in 10 years little one." He said gently. His voice made her shiver. "What is your name?"

Licking her dry lips she said, "Melanie."

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First chapters will be out in February 2021. March at the latest.