Summer, 8th June 864AD – Dawn
I woke up at an ungodly hour. I had no idea what time of day, but I figured it must be a few hours before daylight.
Still half asleep, my vision could make out the dark sky –grey with a thin layer of amber hue. Clouds gathered over the sky, and a gentle breeze swept through the window panel.
I shivered slightly. I pulled up my woolen blanket, but a hand pulled it back down. I heard a voice I recognized.
"Ardith, do you know what day it is?"
Edwyn tossed me a spare teal woolen tunic, white trousers with leather shin pads, shoulder pads and laced boots.
"It's your first day of training. New recruits are expected to be in the outskirts of town. Commander's orders."
Furrowing my brows, I picked up the woolen tunic.
"But I thought training doesn't start until later, right" I squinted at the foggy dark sky. "And why did you wake me up at an ungodly hour?"
Edwyn's mouth twitched to an amused grin. He tilted his head back, laughing.
"Oh, Ardith. Don't be so surprised. I know you are new to this, but if you are serious about becoming a defender, this means sacrificing your beauty sleep so early in the morning." He leaned back, arms folded. "Don't worry, I was like you once. I used to hate crawling out of bed for morning drills."
"Drills?" I inquired, brow raised. "What does that involve?"
"Oh, it varies," Edwyn replied coolly. He glanced at his dagger in his hand. "Usually Dreng, the officer who trains new recruits; would take you out sparring in the woods. Sometimes to hunt too. Other times he would make you train in the village arena using dummies. Though, whenever he's really pissed, he'll make you run laps or do push-ups until your body aches. He expects all his recruits to be fit for Viking raids."
Edwyn walked towards me, cocking his head in disbelief.
"I mean, if what you claim is a lie, then maybe you're unfit to be a soldier. Maybe the king was wrong – women cannot fight to save their lives."
My blood rose by his last remark. Oh, I'll prove him and any man I'm just as capable as them. I'll train my hardest and be one of the best fighters.
A woman fighting against Viking raids sounds taboo to most people. To me, I thought it was a valiant effort.
"Oh, I'm ready. Don't you worry, Edwyn." I gave a dark, bitter laugh. "I won't try to steal the spotlight once I passed."
Edwyn quirked a brow. "Oh, are you? Well, don't get so cocky because I will be assisting Dreng and keeping a watchful eye on everyone." He jabbed a finger at my chest. "Don't forget I'm officially a defender with more experience than you. Just don't try to test me, okay?"
Ignoring him, I clambered out of bed, collecting my attire.
I swallowed, feeling secretly intimidated. Between the two of us, Edwyn was more experienced with warfare and fighting skills. After all, he spent two years training until he finally passed his examinations and officially joined the king's army.
Perhaps I should not be so cocky.
"Look, I'm not going to cause any trouble. Or to be in competition with you." I squared my shoulders. "I only accepted the king's proposal because I feel this is my purpose; my calling. I no longer want to spend the remainder of my days sitting behind a loom. I feel I can make a difference for our people."
Edwyn grunted. "Really?" He leaned forward, eyeing me suspiciously. "Or is it because you want to avenge mother, correct?"
I froze. The thought of mother always tore my heart inside. Tears stung my eyes, and I could feel them threatening to pour down my face.
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Historical FictionArdith, a young Saxon girl thinks she will spend the rest of her days as the seamstress's apprentice. That is until one day she encounters a cloaked figure in the woods and suspects they must be a Dane; a viking. When a horrific raid occurred, the...