𝑨𝒓𝒅𝒊𝒕𝒉 | ✔️

20 | Bittersweet Farewells

Summer, 4th July 867 AD - Early Morning

At the break of dawn, a thick fog hung over the desolate village of Kendrick. An eerie silence filled the bitter cold atmosphere as familiar ashen, confused faces crowded the docks.

Men, women, children and occupants of sorts murmured silently to themselves. Their gazes fixed on my hunched figure as I was escorted by Wulf and his men.

Clad in chainmail and heads covered in helmets, their faces - apart from their bushy beards and intimidating eyes - were hidden. Behind me, I felt the cold touch of Einar's axe against my back. My hands were bound by the sturdiest ropes; I could not escape my fate.

Einar silently commanded me to keep moving. His voice is cold and unfriendly. I threw him a stone-cold glare and took slow, steady steps.

Amongst the crowd, I spotted both my father and my brother. Their faces were paler than usual and forlorn looks fell on their faces.

I limped forward. Fortunately, the healer managed to dress my wounds, but until it was healed, I could not really move around much. Head bowed; my disheveled matted brown hair shielded my tear-stricken face.
The closer I reached the Danes' ship, the more afraid I became.
Once I step foot onto the deck, I would have to leave all I knew behind me. I have never ventured beyond the seas, and I cannot help but grow weary of the unknown.

Since I could remember, I would daydream about sailing the world like my father. However, this was not how I imagined it would be; being captured and made a Viking prisoner.
Yet, I knew this was my opportunity to find the truth about these Danes and find my mother. Deep in my heart, I knew she was still alive out there, and I was determined to bring her home.

A troubled thought sank inside.

Would mother even recognize me after all these years? Would she be very accustomed to her Viking life that she has forgotten about her Saxon life?

As I was about to board the ship, I heard a familiar voice called my name.

"Ardith!"

I whirled. Pushing their way through the crowd were Edwyn, Cwenhild and Aidan. A smile stretched the corner of my lips, relieved to see their familiar faces.

"What the hell do you think you are doing?" Edwyn exclaimed, his eyes widened. "Are you f**king insane? Giving your freedom to give them what they want?" He shook his head furiously. "For f**k sake, Ardith! You're stronger than this. You would never give yourself up to the enemy."

Wulf threw a glare at me. He roughly nudged my rib.
"Must you be slow, Saxon? The sooner we leave, the better. Fanø is a long journey, and we still have more thralls to collect. Get a move on, already1"

I sniffed. "Give me a moment, please. I need to say my farewells."

Wulf released a heavy sigh.
"Very well. Loosen the ropes," He ordered his men. "But keep her in your sight. We cannot let our slave escape now, can we?"

Nodding Einar loosen the ropes. Once the hands broke free, I cracked my knuckles.

I stepped down the ship and looked at the others solemnly.

"I need to this." I met each of their gaze. "I am doing this for my people. Most importantly, I am doing this for my mother. I...I need to know the truth of these Danes and this ongoing war." I stared up at the bleak sky. "This could be my calling. This could be my purpose. This could be my way of bringing peace in our home once again."

Edwyn frowned, folding his arms. He cocked his head; his brows creased in disbelief.
"But handing yourself as a slave is not right, Ardith." His eyes narrowed coldly. "Don't put yourself up on a pedestal, Ardith. You are not a hero for doing this. You're only being f**king foolish. F**k, Ardith!" He scrunched his face angrily. "You're sacrificing your freedom just because you have a gut feeling mother is still alive." He gave a bitter laugh. "Bullshit! She's probably dead now."