VIKINGS || GYDA

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟑𝟗

TOBIAS

I had her in my arms on instinct.
My hands cup her stomach, the thick residue of blood coating my touch.

I could feel my eyes blinking rapidly, my thoughts buzzing too fast for me to decipher. This was my fault. I started this.

I was stricken with surprise as she takes a tight grip to my arms that cradle her. Her eyes are wide and her mouth agape with struggling words as she peers up to me.

"It's not mine. It's not mine."

She's out of breath and panting as she speaks.

I find myself releasing my own breath.

Pressing my hands deeper into her belly, I realise there is no open wound. Though it doesn't mean she doesn't cry out or flinch with pain.

"Stop!" She cries as she covers her belly.

"Are you hurt?" I fail to hide my anxiety. The bairn  weighing on my thoughts.

I figured she regains her strength as her anger towards me returns.

She flings my arms off her and moves to lay apart from me on the grass. Not far away from the unmoving body of the Mercian soldier.

Flipping him over, I come into sight of his blade driven deep into his chest. Somehow she had managed to flip the odds in her favour, even when falling down a mountain.

Her head is held in her palms as she sits. If I could I wouldn't wish to antagonise her more with my words but I had to.

"Can you just tell me if you're alright?"

I await for her snap, perhaps even a pebble to the head. She only curtly nods, her hands still pressed to her face.

My head snaps up as miniature rocks rolled to our feet, signifying someone on the way.

It was a girl of black hair, the blackest I had ever seen. She barges past me without a thought as she skids to a stop in front of Gyda. The girl falls to her knees as she looks over the unmoving Gyda.

Upon her touch, Gyda's curled up body unravels as she takes the hands the girl offers.

Using them, the girl assists Gyda to stand, it was a very slow thing to watch. She must just be distraught. I suppose a lot had happened in the span of a few minutes, perhaps she wasn't as prone to war as she claims.

I felt a pang of some sick feeling in my stomach as she and the girl begin their trek down the mountain.

Covering my face with own hands. I don't even try to hide the low groan I sound. God this was frustrating! She was the one who lied and betrayed me yet I'm the one in the wrong?

"Tobias!"

Looking up, a smug looking Oreyon waves his sword around.

"Victory at last brother! Everyone is to return back to the camp, assist any wounded you can!"

||

I was finally able to take a breath it seemed as I assisted one of the wounded Northmen to rest under the tent.

He didn't bother to thank me, but I didn't care at this point. I had more pressing matters.