The Heart Of The Warrior (Rollo Lothbrok x OFC)

Chapter 32

A few days passed by slowly, Kari was too unwell to do much more than moping around her room waiting for Mikkel to return. This morning she had woken with motivation to get out into the city, being bound to her chambers by exhaustion was driving her mad, her spirit was restless, the light and happiness she felt when exploring was wilting and she was not going to accept it anymore.

When Mikkel had left for the day she put on a comfortable pair of shoes and her most comfortable dress, though even her loosest dress was now tight. Rubbing small circles on her stomach she wandered down the hallway and toward the exit of the castle "We're off on an adventure little one" she whispered to her belly, feeling the baby she eagerly awaited kicking. Thankfully the kicks weren't anywhere painful, as often they were on her spine, the little brute was going to be a fighter one day, the thought made her smile. Her own little warrior, boy or girl, she could already tell they were destined to have a fighter's spirit.

She had made it to the exit when some guards had stopped her to ask where she was going.
"Wherever I would like" Kari said insistently "I'm not a prisoner, not a slave, you can not stop me" her tone was annoyed and fierce, the guards already looking like they regretted asking.
She was a woman on a mission today, a mission for freedom. "Let her past, you have no right to speak to a noble lady in such a tone" a voice behind Kari spoke, she turned to see Rollo, the mysterious man who avoided her at all costs. "Forgive me Madam, I didn't mean to-" One of the guards spoke before Kari interrupted him "You're forgiven, just move" she commanded moving between them and making her way out towards the streets of the city. She hated when people wasted her time with niceties, they weren't truly sorry, just saying so because they had to.

Kari heard the sound of thumping footsteps as if someone tried to catch up to her, turning her head she saw Rollo following behind her, catching her, he began to walk beside her.
"Are you sure you should be walking so far alone?" he asked, catching his breath. "I'll be fine. I'm sick of being stuck in the castle. People say Paris is an amazing city, I plan to see it before I leave" Kari insisted "Well, you've been unwell, I'll come with you" Rollo said, just as insistingly. Kari sighed and shrugged "I can't stop you. Though I don't know why you would care" she said bluntly, slightly annoyed she already felt her feet getting sore. She hated that he was right, she had been unwell and this would exhaust her, but she was stubborn.

Walking into a central street, market stalls adorned the sidewalks, people filled the streets. If she were alone Kari might get swamped and pushed around in the crowds, but Rollo's presence made people step away, leaving her plenty of room as she browsed the stalls. One, in particular, caught her eye, it had jewelry for sale. A man with greying white hair showed Kari different trinkets and jewels. The man explained where he had gotten each one, he travelled often in search of new items, things you couldn't find in Frankia. Kari spent a while just picking up each piece, listening to the merchant explain where he got it, what it was. Light reflected of something in a pile behind the merchant, a basket of more trinkets, a colourful cluster of beads catching her eye. "Is that a beaded necklace? can I see it?" Kari asked pointing to the basket behind him. The merchant looked wearily at Rollo before he spoke "Heathen jewels. I found them just outside the city, from the camp of Northmen that were slaughtered. Good riddance... saved them to melt down the metal. Not for sale" The merchant's words didn't match his tone, the words were cruel but he didn't hold the feeling of disgust to make them mean anything. "Show me" Kari insisted. The merchant looked to Rollo, fear in his eyes. He knew he could get in trouble for selling these items. "Show her" Rollo commanded and the merchant shakily reached for the basket.

Kari picked up the beads, two strands of colourful glass beads linked by silver broaches, charms scattered through the beads, her eyes examining the way the light reflected through the glass. Touching the beads she felt her vision blur for a moment, a feeling of familiarity overcame her before she blinked it away. "How much do you want for this?" She asked, the guard looked afraid to answer before Rollo spoke up "Just this once you may sell them. Destroy the rest" the man trembled "It's fine, you can have it miss. I'd have destroyed it anyway. I swear" the merchant said, his voice stammered. Kari felt it wasn't right to take them for free but didn't want to press him, instead she purchased a few other pieces he had shown her earlier as well.